Evening star., 1943-02-19
Whitehurst Told
To Draft Plans
For Underpass
Commission Approves
Dupont Circle Project
Takes Up Housing

pass for Dupont Circle, today faced
various problems involving Washing
tons war housing program before
adjournment OF its February
meeting.
Late yesterday the commission
gave Capt. H. c. Whitehurst, director
of the District Highway Department
the green light to go ahead with
the preparation of detailed construc-
ton plans to route street cars and
automobile traffic north and south
under Dupont Circle. When such
plans can be put into execution is a
matter for the war and priority au-
thorities to determine.
At its closing session today, the
commission will pass on three hous-
ing projects to be submitted by the
Alley Dwelling Authority and also is
expected to decide whether the for
mer polo ground in West Potomac
Park is a suitable site for housing
the Nays WAVES. Other problems
deal with housing and population
studies.
Approved "In Principle"
Approving plans for the Dupont
Circle underpass ''in principle" the
commission expressed the hope that
its construction would not be delayed
too long because of the urgent need
Of improving trafflc conditions en-
countered by street cars, buses and
automobiles in skirting the circle
during rush hours.
The north portal of the under.
pass is to be located between G
street and Twentieth street, the
latter being regular route for the
Chevy Chase buses. At the south.
ern end the portal will be located ir
the middle of the block between the
circle and N street. Eighteenth
street, another bus route, crosses
Connecticut avenue at this point.
The commission, however, deferred
action on arrangements for surface
roadways around the circle until a
later meeting.
The underpass will follow the gen.
eral lines Of the Scott Circle under
pass with dividing wall between
each traffic lane. The streetcal
tracks which now 60 around the
western half of the circle. will fol-
low the underpass.
Dispute Seen Solved.
This arrangement was approved
as welcome solution of the former
dispute involving plans to route
northbound cars around the eastern
half Of the circle and provide an
underpass for the Massachusetts
avenue trafic.
Of1cials admitted that the width
Of the underpass-24 feet on each
side of the dividing wall-would
necessitate q reduction in the area
OF the circle. Plans call for a ceiling
height OF about 13 feet and a side
walk 4 feet wide on each side for
emergency pedestrian use.
Buses as we'll as streetcars could
use the underpass, officials said, and
the width was deemed sufficient for
all kinds of traffic.
The Thomas Circle underpass cost
around $500, 900, but members of the
commission refused to estimate the
cost of tunneling under Dupont Cir
Gle. The latter's underpass would
be longer, it was said, and probably
would involve greater cost.
The recommendations for changes
in District zoning regulations were
approved by the commission late
yesterday.
The first proposes to restrict the
height of penthouses and other
service portions Of new buildings.
Under existing regulations there are
no restrictions. Hereafter, it was
proposed to restrict the height of
any building to a maximum Of 13O
feet in an area zoned for a height
OF ITO feet. 1t was felt that would
provide sufficiently for any reason
able penthouse.
Zoning Phraseology.
Another proposed change would
revise the phraseology of existing
zoning regulations by defining edu-
cational institutions as colleges
universities or private schools hav-
ing the same kind of curriculum as A
public school. This is intended to
curb the tendencies of so-called
trade associations from being con-
strued as "educa tional institutions
and permitted to erect buildings or
occupy apartments in residential
areas.
There Is marked tendency on the
part OF many associations to break
through the residential barriers by
this method, officials complained
The proposed change in regulations
to halt this practice also would keer
dance studios out of strictly resi-
dental areas.
The commission also approved
plans submitted by the MARYLAND
Park and Planning Commission tor
Queens Chapel road to overpass
Eastern avenue at the District line
Eastern avenue, 1t was said, is a link
In the Fort drive encircling the city
John A. Nolen, director Of plan
ming, reported on the commission's
cooperation with the civilian de-
tense authorities in locating and
estimating the number of afraid
shelters for the emergency use OF
the public. Calculations are being
made as to the adequacy Of existing
shelters and locations for new shell
ters but the study is incomplete. A
huge map has been prepared show
ing the exact location of each Shell.
ter and locations for additional ones
when needed.
Mr.. Nolen has been appointed tc
represent the planning group or
the Victory Gardens Committee. il
was announced. In this capacity, II
was explained he would be usefu
in advising the committee where not
to plant gardens. Many areas suita-
BILE for gardens, it was pointed out
are reserved by the Government fol
other uses and it was considered
necessary to put some one on the
committee familiar with these plans
Will Address Forum