Evening star., 1946-02-28
Seeks
Way 10 Increase
Street Parking
General Restudy Of
Problem to Be Asked
Of New Traffic Chief

A general restudy of Washing
tons parking problem with a view
to permitting more curb parking,
particularly at night, was advo-
Gated today by Chairman Mcmillan
OF the House District Committee as
plans were revealed by two builders
to erect new downtown garage ia
cilities.
Meanwhile, spokesmen for the
District division of the American
Automobile Association told busi-
nessmen at luncheon at the Nav
mower Hotel yesterday that unless
private enterprise provides more
downtown parking space, the Gov
ernment will be forced to do the
job.
AS soon as the Commissioners
have named a new traffic director
TO succeed the late William A. Van
Duzer, Chairman Mcmillan will call
for survey of possibilities to open
up more curb parking spaces, elimi-
nation of traffic lights at lightly
travelled intersections and better
synchronization of lights on major
arteries.
Would Provide More Parking.
Such notifications of existing
rules and systems, Mr.. McMillen
said, should go along with the work
OF the District Motor Vehicle Park
ing Agency in provision of more ade-
quate of1-street parking facilities.
Of-street facilities are funda-
mental" he said, but I think a lot
can be done quickly by a restudy of
parking restrictions. We ought to
get rid of lot of our 'no-parkine'
signs. A good place to start would
be Pennsylvania avenue.
ms avenue is so wide / do not
see why parking there should be for
bldden even in the peak hours"
He advocated opening most all
streets to nighttime parking. except
Tor spaces near fireplugs, necessary
BUS stops and in places where street.
car loading platforms and other
physical conditions make restric-
tlons necessary.
Parking Garages Planned.
i do not see why parking at night
could not be permitted even on F.
street" he said.
Relief for Washington's coneest-
ed downtown parking was promised
by two builders.
Charles H.sTompkins said that his
firm would file today a request for
permit to add two stories to the
S & H Parking Center, 1885 I street
NV.
Some time in the future, Mr..
Tompkins said, he plans to build
several other garages, as soon as
land and other arrangements can
be provided.
MOTIFS Cafritz, builder, said that
ne will erect a parking garage in
the 1900 block of K street NV.
Three buildings-13I0 to 1914 K
street N.W.-will be demolished. ur,-
der the program, to make way for
the new structure. Mr.. Cafritz said
TO-DAY that a permit application will
De nied within the next week.
Cleveland Speaks.
The meeting at the Mayfower
had two objectives-to center at
tention on the need for an
$4,000 appropriation for an ade-
quate staff for the revived Dis
trlct Motor Vehicle Parking Agency
OF the District government and to
stimulate private capital to provide
adequate parking facilities. The ap-
preparation item is pending before
the District Subcommittee of the
House Appropriations Committee.
washington I. Cleveland, manager
OF the District area, who presided.
SAID solution of the citys downtown
parking problem was his organiza-
tons number one objective" Pri-
water enterprises should be given an
to solve the parking
problem, he said, warning that the
Government had a function to per-
form here and would do the lob, if
necessary. Representatives of busi-
ness interests at the luncheon were
urged to take the lead.
r. Y. K. Howat, chairman of the
agency, recalling that every park in
has been singled out for
facilities" said that If this
program were carried through it
would mean free public or subsidized
parking.
Conditions Now Exceptional.
Mr.. Howat declared that there ia
not space for the all-day parker who
does not use his car in his business
N the downtown area" He ex-
planned that the reason a new suryev
has not been made is that it would
not give a true picture of permanent
conditions, inasmuch as there are
numerous temporary buildings and
temporary employees in the city.
H. c. Whitehurst, director of the
highway division of the District
government, said that on-street and
street parking must be brought
INTO the proper relationship, adding
That the use of parking meters
should be for those staying a half
hour or less.
U. S. Plans 6 ConsuIotes