Evening star., 1946-01-09
East Capitol
Mass Meeting
Rejects Project
Favorable Action
By Lincoln Park
Group Forecast

development of East Capitol street
as Federal building area is in
progress.
Last night more than 300 property
owners who would be affected by
the current Government plan to
buy the land between B streets NE
and Sc. from First street east to
the Anacostia River, met to oppose
the plan.
Held at Metropolitan Baptist
Church, Sixth and A streets NE.
the meeting was sponsored by the
Stanton Park, Northeast Washing
ton and Southeast Washington
Citizens Associations. With more
than 100 not voting, the Govern
ment plan was opposed about ITO
to 7.
New Meeting Forecast.
The vote was taken after w. E
Reynolds, public buildings commits
sioner, and Harry N. Stull, former
president of the Federation of Citi-
zens' Associations and federation
delegate of the Stanton Park as
sociation, had spoken on the pro-
posal.
The Lincoln Park Citizens AS
sociation, the fourth group directly
affected by the plan, was con-
spicuous by its absence, however
A. D. Calvert, Lincoln Park presi-
dent, who did attend, said after
ward his association would hold a
second mass meeting in favor OF
the plan in February at Eastern
High School.
I'd like to talk about people, -
Mr.. Stull said in opening his talk
against the plan rs it more i'm
portant to beautify the city than to
displace people at time when it is
impossible to find homes elsewhere?"
he asked.
The plan, as outlined by Mr.
Reynolds, would give the Public
Buildings Administration authority
to purchase the land in question at
a rate which would prevent high
cost to the Government. 1t would
permit early widening of both B
streets so as to extend Constitution
and independence avenues to the
Anacostia River.
Interim Use Provided.
Until Government buildings were
built, property would be rented back
to present owners if they desired, he
said. The Federal Government
would reimburse the District for lost
tax receipts until building construc-
ton was started, and the PBA would
handle the properties in the mean
time as landlord.
Mr.. Stull told property owners
they would take loss, however. II
they sold their property to the Gov
ernment, he said, they might make
a profit Nhich later would be lost
when income taxes had been paid
or new homes purchased.
Rent! What a concession that
Isl" he said. You work half your
life until you're at a point where
you own your property and thd
begin renting again"
He waved aside a statement by
Mr.. Reynolds that churches and
schools in the area would be spared
Go up to the Northeast Branch
Public Library" he said, land look
at the plans of the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission fol
East Capitol street. You'll see the
Government intends to wipe out
everything"
The studies referred to do moi
show preservation of any institu.
tions except Eastern High Schoo
and Elliott Junior High School
The boundary of the area which
would be purchased jogs north tt
C street at North Carolina avenue
and therefore includes the juniol
high school.
Mr.. Reynolds cited in respons'
the preservation of st. Mary
Church, Fifth and H streets NV
on the site of the proposed ney
General Accounting Office Building
as an example of PBA's desire u
spare churches where possible.
Mr.. Stull cited in return Govern
ment condemnation of st. Paul!
Church at 913 Twenty-third stree
NV, so that a new George Wash
ington University Hospital nigh
be built.
In response to questions from tn
floor asking how soon purchase
might be started. Mr.. Reynolds sal.
his administration would not pa,
present inflated prices for the prop
erty. This alone would put off pur
chases for from tHo to five years
except for those made to preven
large, expensive apartments o
other high-cost buildings from in
creasing property values, he said
Full development of the propert,
probably would not come for 20 t.
Is years, he added.
Cites Northwest Experience.
In the Northwest Rectangle, MI
Reynolds said, fine apartments ha.
to be bought because the Govern
ment did not purchase building
sites in time.
Assuming the authorization TO
this plan were passed today, W
couldn't get the appropriation to
morrow and throw you out the mex
day." he said
Authorization will take three T.
four months, appropriations ma,
take three to four years and pric
negotiations another year afte
that" he said.
Mr.. Stull secuted that part of tn
plan which proposes to reimburs
the District for tax losses.
"I will not believe the District wi
ever get any amount over the Sc,
100000 it get now until see it wit
my own eyes," he said.
Mr.. Reynolds, who said he was
disinterested public official trying t
save the taxpayers money, said tn
plan would do more for the cit
than possibly could be done by an
other proposal.
"It is the only reasonable answe
to the future development of tn
Capital" he said.