Evening star., 1943-03-19
Board 10 Study
Postwar Federal
Office Needs
Planners Launch
Lone-Ron9e Study
With Arts Group

A study OF postwar Federal once
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 it's
environs. A report on the prelimi-
nary survey was promised later.
The joint session was the first
held by these two groups for some
time and a number of matters in
volvlng long-range planning rere
under consideration. Included was
discussion OF the route for a uro-
posed Atlantic Coast highway from
New England to Florida. This prof.
ect, first proposed several years be-
fore gas rationing. must wait until
after the war when depleted gaso-
line supplies are restored before
any headway can be made. But
the time to plan for it is now. the
commission believes.
Inspect Suburban Areas.
Another phase of postwar studies
was taken up yesterday afternoon
on an inspection tour of develop
ment projects in the District and
its suburban areas.
Camp Springs Meadows Air Base
was on the list. Interested pri-
marily IN its possible conversion to
civil and commercial aviation after
the war, the commission found the
site OF more than 1000 acres "ad-
mirably adaptable to such plr-
poses. The National Airport at
Gravelly Point, commercial airport
OF postwar days, has only $50 acres
in comparison.
The Camp Springs Meadows base.
1t was believed, would afford an
ideal airport to supplement Gravelly
Point when bad weather or heavy
log makes that site unsuitable for
landings. Secondly, the commission
was impressed with its possibilities
as an air-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 eroup
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.
Two members Of the Federal
group-Former Chairman Frederic
A. Delano and Col. Daniel 1. Sultan.
then District Engineer Commission
er-had taken part in an earlier
study that led eventually to the
selection of the air base site For
this reason. the present Commission
Is thoroughly acquainted with the
project which is one OF largest al,
bases in the East.
Expansion Of Naval Building.
On the inspection tour the erouu
also visited the foot of South Capi-
tol street, and was agreeably sur
pr1sed 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 s
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,
"here 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
shape of a capital E.
The monthly session of the plan
ming group ends this afternoon.