Evening star., 1943-11-19
Decision Seen Today
On Highway Bridge
Relocation Site
City Officials Accompany
Planners on Inspection
Tour Of Potomac Areas

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Planners on Inspection
Tour Of Potomac Areas
Federal and District planning Of
flcials hoped to reach a final de-
cision today on choice of site for
relocation Of Highway Bridge over
the Potomac River, now approached
directly via Fourteenth street.
With several alternate sites in
mind for the new span that has been
authorized for construction after the
war, they made field trip late yes
teroay to inspect the general lay
out on both sides of the river. Of
flcials of the National Capital Park
and Planning Commission said the
survey helped them considerably and
expressed the belief that the go
signal' would be given on the final
draft Of work plans.
Others on Field Trip.
Members of the commission were
accompanied by Capt. H. C. White
hurst, District highway director:
Thomas Macdonald, commissioner
of public reads, and Maj. Gilmore
D. Clark, chairman of the Fine Arts
Commission. All have q hand in the
final decision.
They also had the benefit of the
Judgment of Frederick Law Ohm
stead, corsultant of the National
Parks Service Mr., Olmstead is a
former member of the Planning
Commission and of the Mcmillan
Commission of 1901, which planned
development Of the Mall in con-
formity with the original treatment
proposed by Maj. L.Enfant in his
plans for the new Capital City.
Mr.. Olmstead's assistance was par
ticularly helpful. it was said, as the
bridge approaches are being studied
IN relation to the Jefferson Memorial
and the axis of Cixteenth street in
the latter's relation to The Lincoln
Memorial and the Washington Me-
mortal. The difficulty all along has
been to fit whatever approach is
chosen for the new Highway Bridge
into this general layout.
Public Building Studies.
Progress was reported yesterday in
studies connected with new public
building in Washington after the
war. w. E. Reynolds. Public Build
ing Commission, outlined his views
before the group and general ac-
cord was reached on three main
points.
l. Avoidance Of congestion, such
as in the Pennsylvania avenue tri-
angle with liberal provision for open
spaces around each public building.
2. The addition of East Capitol
street to the public building de-
velopment area laid out~under au-
thority OF Congress in 1926.
3. Demolition of all temporary Of
flee buildings on and adjacent to
The Mall as soon after the war as
possible.
The Pennsylvania avenue triangle
was suggested as an example of
future planning that should be
strictly avoided. Two other areas
authorized for public buildings are
the Southwest triangle embracing
the area south Of Independence
avenue and between Fourteenth
street, Virginia and Delaware ave-
nues and the Northwest triangle
between F and G streets from
Eighteenth street to the river.
A number of public buildings al
ready occupy sites in these two areas.
In the future, however. it was agreed
that congestion should be avoided
and ample provisions made for auto
mobile parking and open spaces for
each new building.
East Capitol Street Plans.
The addition of East Capitol
street is a forward step in long
sought plans to develop its entire
length from the Capitol Grounds to
the Anacostia River. Areas between
B streets north and south of East
Capitol street would be included in
development plans.
The commission voted to take under
consideration a request of the
Brightwood Citizens Association to
acquire the Emory estate on Georgia
avenue between Madison street and
Concord avenue NV. for a recreation
center. officials emphasized, how
ever, that since no funds are avail
able it is essential first to consider
the recreational need of the neigh
borhood. the cost Of the land and its
suitability.
Approval was given to proposed
changes In the highway plan east of
Alabama avenue Sc. to coordinate
the future street development in the
area with the Suitland Parkway
project. The highway plans are
merely paper plans, but when the
parkway is extended through the
area a number of new streets must
be provided