Evening star., 1945-01-25
Super Highway
Plan Urged by
Lincoln Park
Civic Associations
Proposal Outlined
>By Alfred Calvert

p Park CltlzenS' Association.
Federal planners will consider
some of the suggestions, but took nc
action today.
Maj. LEnfant, planner of Wash
ington, originally had proposed q
bridge across the Anacostia River
in the line of East Capitol street
Mr.. Calvert suggested that thi,
bridge be built as a postwar project
. so that East Capitol street might be
extended across the river to the Dis.
trict line.
He also suggested that streetca
+ tracks on North Capitol street be ex
tended through the Soldiers Home
coming out on the north side O
? Rock Greek Cemetery and continu
ing to the District line. North Capi
tol street now ends at Michigan
avenue and normal traffic is diverted
on each side of the Soldier HON,
ground. Mr.. Calvert said his plar
. is for streetcars and pedestrian
only.
Mr.. Calvert suggested that New
York avenue be extended to tn,
!. Anacostia River. From Seventeenth
street NE. he suggested that tn.
avenue should run closely parallel.
ing the Pennsylvania Railroad
/ tracks, he said.
Report on Acquisitions.
A progress report on the acquisi-
ton of additional properties for the
Jamaica playground at Seventeenth
and Church streets NV. was pre-
sented by Charles Brown, land pur-
chasing officer of the commission
Several new contracts were ap-
proved.
The planners were preparing
to take definite stand on the
recent report of Army engineers
recommending construction of three
Potomac River dams in the Wash
ington area as part of progress
sive flood control and hydroelectric
power program for the entire Po-
tomac watershed.
Other subjects on the monthly
agenda of the National Capital Park
and Planning Commission, which
opened two-day session, included
the proposed Dupont Circle under
pass and recreational studies. A
joint session will be held this after
noon with the District Recreation
Board for the first time.
Study Flood Control
Opposed to any exploitation of
waterpower in the upper Potomac
that might endanger the scenic
values of the Great Falls area and
the historic Chesapeake g. Ohio
Canal, the Planning Commission
nevertheless is vitally interested in
the pressing problem of flood con-
troll. Vividly remembered are the
floods of 1896 and 1912 Maj. Gen.
U. S. Grant, Sd, chairman OF the
commission and himself an expert
enced engineer officer familiar with
Washington's problem, is presiding
over the sessions.
The War Departments Office of
Division Engineer, Middle Atlantic
division, on January / made public
recommendations for IA multiple
purpose reservoirs in the center
section of the watershed. The re-
port remains to be passed on by the
Army Board of Engineers for Rivers
and Harbors and the Secretary of
War. The Planning Commission
has the study under scrutiny at this
time so as to formulate its own
recommendations which will be SUBJ
mitted to the Army board.
Location for Dams,
The initial phase of the develop
ment would consist of the dam at
the river bend site on the Potomac
about 2 miles above Great Falls
This project, it was believed, would
divert all water from the scenic
falls. The other two dams for this
area would be located at Chain
Bridge near the upper limits of
Washington and at Bear Island in
the vicinity of Great Falls.
Last month the Planning Com
mission met with the Education
Committee of the Washington
Board of Trade to discuss school
problems. This time it is meeting
with the District Recreation Board
Out OF the meeting it was hoped a
better realization of all recreational
aims in the District will materialize
Milo F. Christensen, Recreation
Department superintendent, will at
tend. The Planning Commission
which played an important part in
getting the new Recreation Board
created, will outline the recreation
system and make suggestions as to
how it can be developed. A report
also will be made on the develop
ment status of playground units
already acquired by the Planning
Commission.
To Get Progress Report.
Tomorrow morning, following a
discussion of pending legislation, the
agency will hear from John Nolen, di-
rector Of planning, progress report
son the Dupont Circle underpass
proposed by Capt. H. C. Whitehurst
gof the District Highway Depart
sment. There seemed to be a ten
,Adency on the part OF the commission
'sat this time to favor the stand taken
ssby the Capital Transit Co., which
suggests that the underpass shall be
@on the line of Massachusetts, avenue.
|sThis wouldl keep the Connecticut
sayenue streetcar tracks as they now
sare, or else extend them on both
sides of the circle. A study of trans
@fer facilities will be made.
8 Thomas C. Jeffers, civic planner
swill report on studies for extending
New York avenue NE. to connect
with the Baltimore Washington
/ Parkway. In the afternoon he will
i present a comprehensive report on
srecreational facilities in Southwest
and Northeast Washington within
] the limits of the "old city"
Proposed plans for the private de-
svelopment of the Temple Heights
tract, Connecticut and Florida ave.
nues NV, also will be considered.
Goodwill Industries
z