Evening star., 1944-05-18
Avenue Naminq
For -Four States
Before Planners
Missouri, California,
Ohio, Washington
Unrepresented Here

iaoAAS haeoCAS Va loSdi AlltCiCSI
coming up before the Federal plan
ming group today were recommen-
dations of the District Commits
siopers that new avenues in the city
be named for the States of Ohio.
Missouri, California and WASH
ington.
These alone among the 48 States
Of the Union are unrepresented at
present in Washington,s system of
avenues, although there is a Cali
fornia street in the Northwest Sec
ton. In former years Ohio avenue
was a prominent thoroughfare, but
1t was eliminated some years ago in
making way for Federal improve
ments in the area south of Penn
sylvania avenue.
1t is unlikely the question will be
determined finally today, for the
existence of California street some
what complicates matters. That
street probably will be renamed.
Freight Bridge Problem.
During its. two-day session the
National Capital Park and Plan
ming Commission will discuss such
matters as the proposed reconstruc-
ton of the Pennsylvania Railroads
freight bridge in Anacostia, prob
lens in zoning and suggested legis-
iation broadening the commissions
own powers.
The bridge plan presents knotty
question for the group, as John
Nolen, director of planning, pointed
out the need of co-ordinating the
plan with the proposed development
of the Anacostia parkway.
Reconstruction of the bridge is
recommended as an emergency
measure. 1t is just north of the
John Philip Sousa Bridge. Plans
call for elevation of the railroad
tracks, which would place the
Anacostia parkway on the lower
level.
The time element also enters into
the discussions. Whether the work
must be instituted at once or post
poned until after the war is up
to the planning group to pass on.
Budget Report Discussion.
Discussion today will center large
ly on the recent report of the
Federal Budget Bureau recommend
ing huge increase in power for
the Planning Commission, particu-
larly In connection with postwar
developments in Washington. The
report also would make .revisions
In the setup Of the commission. /
The fact that President Roosevelt
has approved this report gives it.
added significance. The Planning
Commission will discuss it. with a
view to drafting necessary legisla-
ton to submit to Congress.
Capt. II. G. Wnitehurst, District
director of highways, viii report on
the survey his department is making
Of bus and streetcar transportation
facilities. Ways in which the Plan
ming Commission can assist in this
survey win be considered, among
other things.
Other matters on the agenda in-l
clude q progress report on the Balti-
more-Washington parkway project
and recommendations for proposed
amendments to zoning regulations,
on which public hearings will be
held May 26. One of these recon-
mendations was initiated by the
commission year ago to give the
municipal government better con-
troll over the height of buildings in
the downtown area.
Educational Institutions"
Another would revise the existing
regulations under which educational
institutions are permitted in resi-
dental districts. Under present in
depreciation, trade associations are
construed as educational institu-
tions" and several such headquar-
ters have been established on prin-
cipal residential streets. The pro-
posed amendment would ban such
trade headquarters in the future.
Studies made by staff members
of the commission will be presented
tomorrow on a number of matters,
such as factors entering into post
war planning for Washington and
the extent of slum or blighted areas
In the city. Another study will deal
with factors to be considered in
planning the location of new schools
in the midcity area.
Because the commission was re-
sponsible for the general recreation
plan for the District, it will consider
a recommendation submitted to it
from local authorities for the in
clusion of community recreational
facilities in the design of future
school buildings. The types of ia
cil1ties to be provided for indoor
recreation will be under study.