Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-12-17
Planners Buy
New ParkSi
Save $4,000
Fort Drive Section
Purchase Eliminates
Need for Sewer

A saving of $4,000 to the District
government was reported by Fed
eral planners today in announcing
the acquisition Of the last section
of acreage in a wooded valley ex-
tending west from Fort Drive in the
vicinity of Fort Davis to connect
with Anacostia Park.
Norman C. Brown, land purchas-
ing officer of the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission.
said the acquisition eliminates
necessity for construction of storm
sewer, which would cost approx
imately $4,000. This sewer would
have been necessary, it was stated,
If the irregular terrain comprising
strip of 331a acres had been de-
veloped with streets rather than
maintained as parkway as it will
be now.
At its morning session, the COM
mission approved a condemnation
award embracing 23la acres of this
strip as a part of Popes Branch
Parkway in the Southeast section of
the city. The newly acquired strip
adjoins 10 acres purchased previ-
ously through condemnation pro-
ceedings.
Good Bargain Reported.
The more recent acquisition in
wolves some 1876 lots. The amount Of
the award was not given but Mr..
Brown explained that the Govern
ment had made good bargain. The
estimated cost of constructing a
storm sewer through this narrow
strip of land was based on 1899
estimates of value. Were 1t neces-
sary to provide a sewer in the area
at some future time, officials said
the cost would greatly exceed
$4,000.
Mr.. Brown said it was proposed
to maintain the strip of 331a acres
as an open valley park, preserving
the trees, stream and contours of
the land. Eventually, pedestrian
trails will be provided.
Mr.. Brown also reported that the
relocation of certain alleys in the
vicinity of the Powell Recreation
Center at Sixteenth and Lamont
| streets NV. has been made possible
| by land dedication on the part of
| two property owners-the District
of Columbia and the Federal Gov
eminent. This settled negotiations
pending for 18 months. 1t was
necessary for the Government to
purchase 20 brick garages in alleys
between Irving street and Lamont
street before the final settlement
was made.
AS a result of these negotiations,
the Powell Recreation Center area
will be increased in size. Auditing
property owners likewise will benefit
from better system of alleys avail
able for their use, it was said.
Problems Studied.
Problems involved in "uncon-
trolled suburban developments" in
neighboring Prince Georges County
Maryland, also were due for delib-
Grafton today by the commission.
Large areas are being developed
without any apparent public con-
troll in planning and members Of
the commission claim the situation
in Prince Georges County warrants
the taking of remedial measures.
One menace to the Greater WASH
ington area and to the Capital city
itself from this situation, it was
claimed, is an increase noted in
stream pollution.
Seeking to initiate steps to bring
about a larger measure of orderly
development during the period of
wartime expansion, the Federal
planners are expected to suggest an
extension of the territorial author
ity of the Maryland Park and Plan
ming Commission. There is no
thought of creating additional pow
ers over this planning body, it was
claimed, the idea being merely to
extend its jurisdiction to bring
many Of the newly populated areas
under its authority.
Fear for Results.
Unless planning is able to keep
pace with development in the sub
urban areas of Prince Georges
County, it was feared the situation
would get entirely out of control.
The Federal Planning Commits
sion has a number of other prob
lens on its agepda and it was ex-
pected the meeting would not adj
journ until late tomorrow. WASH
ington's housing projects for war
workers will occupy a considerable
part of the commissions time.
Tomorrow afternoon the commits
sion Is planning to make tour of
housing projects in the city, includ-
ing those planned for the Fort Drive
and the one under construction at
Thirty-fifth street and Reservoir
road NV. and the Mclean Gardens.
Secretary Thomas S. Settle will
review the two years legislative
record of Congress on matters In
which the commission had a hand.
recommendations also will be mad
for the incoming Congress.
Chairman Richard Murphy of the
new Motor Vehicle Parking Author
ity will meet with the group tomor-
row. Ideas will be exchanged on the
parking situation in the city.
The commission also will consider
some proposed changes in the coming
regulations to take care of prcpIsals
In certain areas of Montgomery and
Prince Georges Counties along the
District line. A proposed new grade
crossing on Bladensburg road south
| OF Hyattsville also will be considered,