Evening star., 1945-05-18
Army Proposes
Flood Dixie on
Constitution Ave.
Fits In With PIuns
To Restore Sites Of
Temporary Buildings
By NELSON M. SHEPARD.

control dixie along Constitution ave-
nue. from the Washington Monu-
ment Grounds to Twenty first street
fitted in today with plans for res-
toration Of the sites occupied by the
Navy and Munitions Buildings when
those structures So are demolished
after the war. !
Col. John NJ johnson, United
States district engineer, suggested
to Federal planners yesterday that
the dixie should not exceed al
height Of 20 feet above. sea level.
That should provide ample protec-
ton for the area, he believed,
A dixie of that height with filling
behind woAld bring the ground onI
the south side of Constitution ave-
nue. from about Fifteenth street toll
the level Of the Avenue at Twenty
first street. Col. johnson proposed
keeping Seventeenth street open as
it is now but suggested that an at
tractive f1eldhouse might be erected
at the intersection of Constitution
avenue.
Plan for Landscaping.
The National Capital Park and
Planning Commission also had un-
der adviSement' plan submitted by
Paul Cret, an architect, for land
scaping the grounds after the Navy
and Munitions Buildings are re-
moved.
Although the Temporary" Navy
and Munitions Buildings have been
occupied since World War I. Fed
eral planners say they are listed
among war structures slated for re-
moval after Japan is defeated. Also
slated for removal are temporary
buildings occupying a large part of
the Washington Monument Grounds
fronting on Constitution avenue.
The old dixie protecting this area
has been rendered valueless because
much Of 1t has been removed to
make way for these temporary
buildings. A thorough study will be
made before plans are approved.
The suggestion for landscaping
the now occupied portion of West
Potomac Park was turned over to
the STATS of the Planning Commits
sion, the National Park Service and
the District Engineers Office for
coordination.
: CORDOBA Playground Plans.
The Planning Commission an
nounced through Norman C. Brown,
its land purchasing officer, that it
had acted on a number of offers
from property owners in connection
with the proposed CORDOBA Play
ground area. This two-acre tract
which is being gradually acquired
for use Of colored residents is be-
tween Ninth and Tenth streets and
Rhode Island avenue NV.
Mr.. Brown said that studies had
shown the need for development of
a large playground in this vicinity
In further effort to combat juve-
nile delinquency. The commission
has made 1t clear to owners and
tenants that sales Of the properties
desired do not require immediate
possession, even after title has
passed to the United States.
Families can keep their houses
until after the war and no one
will be put out before then," he
said.
Occupancy after sale may be con-
tinued on a basis to be arranged
In each case, it was explained, if
either owner or tenant desires it.
Hospital Center Sites.
At least IA sites for the pro-
posed 1,500-bed hospital center,
ranging from 10 to 100 acres wholly
within the District, are being
studied by the Planning Co 1mis-
sion. These sites were disc 'ssed
by Max Wherly. city plannel. in
their relationship to what is e
garded as the center of the dow. !.
town area-Mount Vernon Square.
The Tydings bill authorizing the
hospital center has only passed the
Senate and for that reason loca-
tions OF suggested sites were with
held.
The District Commissioners were
authorized to sell stone residence
on Sixteenth street between Colo
RADIO avenue and Kennedy street
which formerly housed the care
taker of the old reservoir across the
street.
Still hoping the sports center at
the end of East Capitol street or
the proposed stadium would be
named for the late President Roose-
welt, the Planning Commission has
proposed "double-decked" stadium
to accommodate 100000 spectators.
That was believed the maximum
sized stadium for a city of this size.
Another proposition under study
would enlarge the commissions
original stadium plans to seat 10000
persons.
Reports Progress" on Bridge.
John Nolen, director of planning,
reported progress" in negotiations
with Virginia authorities for al
right of way to the proposed bridge
across the Potomac from North
Alexandria to Shepherds Landing.
The Alexandria City Council, he
said, had requested the Virginia
Legislature to give priority for a
right Of way.
The Planning Commission Isl
backing this bridge plan in connec-
ton with its own proposal for only
a single-trafhc bridge of six lanes
to replace the old Highway Bridge.
The morning session was omitted
today to enable officials to attend
bridge hearings at the Capitol and
to appear at conference dealing
with the proposed new Federal
Courts building.
La Foniaine's S Motion
For New Trial .Studied