Evening star., 1943-03-19
Postwar Plan
Urges Removal
0fD.C. 'Tempos'
Boords Would Limit
New U. S. Offices to
Northwest Triangle
BY NELSON NJ. SHEPARD.

the war and erection Of any new
Federal buildings in the Northwest
triangle from Nineteenth street to
the Potomac River south Of F street
were recommended today in an ex-
tensive postwar program agreed on,
in principle, at a meeting Of the
Fine Arts and National Capital Park
and Planning Commissions.
The program, designed to bring
about the orderly development OF
washington after the war. also in
cluded these recommendations:
Continued development of East
Capitol street as a boulevard to be
tied in possibly with extension east
ward of Constitution and Independ-
ence avenues.
Bridges Proposed
Construction of a new Fourteenth
street Highway Bridge and enlarge
ment of the railroad bridge over the
Potomac to give more adequate
service for anticipated increased rail
movements.
Widening Of the Fort Drive to at
least four traffic lanes. with possible
development of six lanes completely
encircling the city.
Maj. Gen. U. S, Grant. Sd. chair
man of the planning group, and
Chairman H. P. Cammerer of the
Fine Arts Commission presided at
the joint session.
The two planning groups have no
legal authority to order the razing
OF any Federal Office buildings, but
they are in a position to support
movements looking to that end after
the war.
Secretary Thomas S. Settle of the
Planning Commission said the idea
was to avoid the mistake made after
World War I, when numerous un-
slightly structures cluttered down
town park areas for years after the
armistice.
New Navy Building.
When the new Navy Department
Building Is erected the two groups
agreed that it should be located
west of War Department building
at TWenty-first and D streets NV.
Other new Federal structures would
be erected in that area toward the
river, including the site of the old
Naval Hospital
Members OF the two commissions
realized, they said. that postwar
planning involved many problems
which cannot be known in advance.
| For this reason details of future
| planning must be held in abeyance
and general principles agreed on
only.
The idea of extending Constitu-
ton and Independence avenues
eastward is not new, but the plan
ners thought it would fit in with
future development of East Capitol
street, which is becoming a thor
oughfare of first Importance.
This afternoon, it was understood,
the planners were to study problems
involved in enlargement of Airing
ton National Cemetery. Members
| refused to give any further in
formation
A study of postwar Federal Office
space needs in Washington was un-
dertaken today by the National
Capital Park and Planning Com
mission.
Joining in this long range study
is the Fine Arts Commission. whose
| members work in close cooperation
with the NCPPC in many phases of
Federal planning for the orderly
development of the city and its
environs. A report on the prelimi-
nary survey was promised later.
The joint session was the first
held by the two commissions.
Inspect Suburban Areas.
Another phase of postwar studies
was taken up yesterday afternoon
on an inspection tour of develop
ment projects in the District ana
its suburban areas
Camp Springs -Mea dows Air Base
was on the list. Interested pri-
marlly in its possible conversion to
civil and commercial aviation after
the war, the commission found TIE
site OF more than 1000 acres "ao-
mlrably adaptable" to such DIP
poses. The National Airport at
Gravelly Point, commercial airport
OF postwar days, has only $50 acres
In comparison.
The Camp Springs Meadows base
IL was believed. would afford an
ideal airport to supplement Graveny
Point when bad weather or heavy
log makes that site unsuitable for
landings. Secondly, the commission
was impressed with its possibilities
as an alr-freight terminal.
Seen as Freight Terminal.
The air base site is shaped like a
turtle S back. members said. proving
perfect drainage It's high elevation
also was taken into consideration.
Enroute to the air base the group
OF planners travelled the Suitland
parkway to study possible routes for
new roads making the air base more
accessible to South Washington and
Boiling Field.
On the inspection tour the group
also visited the foot of South Capi-
tol street, and was agreeablv sur
prlsed at the amount of development
IN that area They also inspected
the location on the Anacostia site
which some day will be bridged from
South Capitol street. At Shepherds
Landing they were impressed with
the possibilities afforded there for
future development. A temporary
railroad bridge now connects Shep-
nerds Landing with Alexandria.
Announcement was made that ths
Commission has approved plans for
the construction of another wing TO
the photographic Office in Suitland
where more than 5000 persons al
ready are employed The new wing
will be built from the center of the
three story building. giving it the
shane of a canital r