Evening star., 1944-08-04
U. 5. Planners
Topress New
Navy Building
Two Agencies Favor
Development Of
West End Triangle

I West End TriongIe
Federal planning ofiicials agreed
today to 60 along with the Public
Building Administration in expedit-
ing plans for the long proposed new
Navy Department Building, revived
this week by Commissioner w. E.
Reynolds.
The public buildings commission
er also agreed to cooperate with
the National Capital Park and Plan
ming Commission in developing
postwar Federal construction along
East Capitol street from the Capt.
tol grounds to the Anacostia River,
1t was reported.
AS reported in The Star on
Wednesday, Mr.. Reynolds had an
nounced that he was undertaking
study of plans to erect the new
Navy Building in the so-called west
end triangle, an area bounded be-
tween F street and Constitution
avenue, Twenty third street and the
Potomac River.
Confer3nces Planned.
1t was agreed today when he con-
suited with planning officials that
the two agencies would go more
thoroughly into detailed plans for
the size and cost of the building.
This will necessitate conferences
with Navy officials as much will de-
pend upon the size of the Navy per-
sonnel after the war.
While the prewar bill reported
from the House Public Buildings
and Grounds Committee set $23,-
466 900 as the estimated cost of the
building, officials were unable today
to compute costs in view of present
uncertainties.
Planning officials are eager to re-
vive development Of the west-end
triangle, and its was understood a
study is to be made of this area to
determine whether it should be en-
larged. No specific site within the
area has been selected as yet for
the new Navy Building and will not
be chosen until plans mature.
Survey to Be Made.
Commissioner Reynolds is func-
tioning under a 100000 appropria-
tion, which will enable his agency
to make a survey of the whole coun-
try as to postwar space needs of the
Government. This includes the
needs of the District.
At other meeting with the COM
mission, he has discussed postwar
Federal construction in the WASH
ington area, and the determination
to find space on East Capitol street
for new construction is important
IN developing that thoroughfare.
Several street and alley closings
were approved by the commission
today on a report made by Thomas
G. Jeffers, its landscape architect.
The more important included the
closing of an alley in the rear of
Mount Alto Hospital back of Wis
consin avenue. Another was an al
ley on Sixth street NV. Just north
Of Concord avenue.
Street to Be Closed.
The commission also approved the
closing OF Robinson street Sc. which
will enable the National Capital
Housing Authority to proceed with
its Stanton road development.
The most important land transfer
involved an attractive parking strip
on Tilden street west of Connecti-
cut avenue. This strip was trans
ferred to the District government
from the National Capital Parks
office.
The fast-growing neighboring
counties IN Virginia, facing the pros
pect of doubling their population in
the next decade, have received as
surance of close cooperation on the
part OF the commission in planning
Tor postwar developments.
Inspection Completed.
Returning from a field inspection
OF new developments in Alexandria.
Arlington and Fairfax Counties.
Federal officials last night expressed
qualification that all three have such
excellently stated planning commits
sions.
Acting In an advisory capacity,
the Federal planning agency will
make this the first Of many such
inspections, so as to keep in close
touch with such necessary extension
~of water mains, sewage, highways
and recreational facilities as may
be required to meet postwar needs in
these communities.
Arlington County has voted $50
900 bond issue for eight Fairgrounds
and the Federal officials were in
formed that sites for three of these
are now in process of purchase. Sec
retary Thomas S. Settle said that
members of the Federal commission
were impressed with the school
playground facilities in the county
and were encouraged that measures
%are being taken to extend general
recreational facilities for all.
The new Lubber Run Parkway in
Arlington County a 36-acre tract,
was admired for its fine trees and
development possibilities. Officials
of Fairfax County were SO impressed
with 1t that they thought their
county should have one like 1t, too,
Mr.. Settle said.
Development Site Visited.
In Alexandria, the group visited
the location intended for a new
colored housing development to
comprise 166 units for which
land is now being condemned be-
tween the Potomac River and the
Mount Vernon Memorial highway.
They also inspected sections of the
Mount Vernon highway on both
sides Of Alexandria, which the city
hopes to develop into parks and
Fairgrounds. The officials were told
the city Of Alexandria is now max
ing . survey of recreational needs
and that it now has year-round
recreation staff with 81 directors of
Fairgrounds.
The Federal officials, perhaps, were