Evening star., 1941-10-16

cent of the total floor area to, be
set aside for the parking of cars of
employees and customers.
A. For theaters and places of pub
lie assembly. one parking space for
each eight seats in establishments in
the congested business area. gradu-
ated up to one parking space for
each four seats in places in the out
lying area.
S. For all business establishments,
adequate facilities to be provided
for off-street loading and unloading
of merchandise.
6. For all new Federal Office
buildings, parking space to be pro-
vided for 20 per cent of the en-
ployes.
7. To further facilitate short
period parking in the congested
central business district, the en-
couragement of business men to
establish of1-street parking facili-
ties for patrons of their establish
mentS.
Approves Fringe Parking.
Mr.. Cleveland approved the prin-
cipal feature of the bill being con-
sidered by the subcommittee-the
one providing for fringe parking
lots-but objected to provisions
authorizing the Commissioners to
install an unlimited number of
parking meters and providing
salary of $500 a year for members
of the parking authority that would
control operation of the lots.
Il am opposed to extending park
ing meters he declared. That
would just freeze cars at the curb.
And there's no reason why salaries
should be paid to members of the
parking facility that would be set
up under the bill
Our club feels" Mr.. Cleveland
testified, that the provision of
fringe parking facilities is definitely
a move in the right direction and
that this part of the program should
be undertaken in conjunction with
the highway project contemplated
in the s44,O00,000 program of High
way Director WhitehurSt. How
ever, our club definitely feels there
is lack in the Whitehurst program
as regards its negative attitude to-
ward the provision Of terminal
facilities in the downtown area"
Doubts Values Too High.
Mr.. Cleveland pointed out the
Whitehurst report declared that
land values in the central business
and Government district are too
high to warrant, in most instances,
either private or public interest in
establishing parking lots or garages
for all-day parkerS on a nominal fee
basis. and that a public subsidy
would be the only means upon which
such an operation could be based.
In answer to this Mr.. Cleveland
declared: 'Our club, in effect, re-
fuses to accept Capt. Whitehurst's
statement that costs of land in the
central and Government area will
preclude the provision of parking
facilities on subsidized basis. Our
club does not think there should be
a subsidy, but it does feel that this
whole question of downtown parking
facilities be re-examined more real
iStically; it further feels that pro-
vision of such facilities is possible on
self -liquidating basis"
Mr.. Cleveland expressed the opin-
ion that underground garages could
be constructed beneath the Mall at a
cost which would permit an all-day
parking fee of either Is or 30 cents.
Highway Director Whitehurst,
however, disputed the accuracy Of
such an estimate He said it would
cost about $500 per car for under
ground garages, not including oper-
.ating expenses.
The A. A. A. official told the sub
committee a esubterranean garage
is being built under Union Square
in San Francisco at cost Of about
$3.50 per car. This garage, designed
to accommodate 1,700 cars, will cost
ST, ,450 900. of which $500 was bor-
rowed from the Reconstruction FL
nance Corp.
IF it's being done in San Fran
cisco at that cost, why can't it be
done here?" he asked.
Il don't know the conditions in