Evening star., 1947-05-16

Hospital Center
Use Of Play Area
Is Protested
District recreation ofncials ap-
peared today before the National
Capital Park and Planning Commits
sion TO try to insure that playground
facilities win be preserved at Wis
consin avenue and Calvert street
NV, where the new hospital center
is projected.
James e. Schwab. vice chairman
of the Recreation Board, and Miss
Sibyl Baker, assistant superintendent
Of recreation, told the planners they
have no objection to erection OF the
hospital center near the Naval
Observatory. They desire, however,
that land other than that which was
set aside for recreation be used.
The planners years ago allotted
five acres at Wisconsin avenue and
Calvert street, site Of the Industrial
Home School, for neighborhood
recreation facilities. The facilities
were scheduled to be built when the
home moves elsewhere.
In view Of the recent announce
ment that the hospital center Is to
be built on the school site, facing
Wisconsin avenue, District onicials
have planned to move the school to
jolly Acres near Laurel, Md.
Need to Purchase Site Seen.
The recreation officials today told
the planners that If the proposed
recreation site isnot available there,
the District would have to purchase
land elsewhere.
/ william E. Reynolds, commission
er Of public buildings, Federal Works
Agency, laid before the commission
broad general plans for an exten-s
sion to the building at Twenty first
street and Virginia avenue NV,
now occupied by the State Depart
ment.
Mr.. Reynolds. discussed, in gen.
eral, parking facilities, entrances
and the height Of the new building.
Plans can for its extension along G
street to Twenty third street NV.
Mr.. Reynolds also discussed briefly
the new hospital center, but made
no public announcement.
The commission expressed no
public opinion on either the recrea-
tion site plea or the new hospital
center.
Citizens Groups Planned.
The commission is taking pre-
Iininary steps toward setting up q
citizens advisory committee in an
ticipation Of a master plan for
Washington SO years from now. A
congressional appropriation would
be necessary for the project.
The commission yesterday ap-
proved employment Of an expert
for three weeks to consult with Dis
trict Health Department inspectors
as q first step In deciding what
demolition or rebuilding Is advis-
able here.
II funds are made available for
. complete survey, the inspectors
will embark on q training project
under commission auspices. A re-
quest for the funds is before the
House Appropriations Committee.
Nominations Asked.
The commission asked the follow
ing organizations to nominate mem
bers for the advisory committee:
The Washington Board Of Trade,
Citizens Council for Community
Planning, Federation OF Citizens
Associations, the COMMITTEES, of
One Hundred on the Federal City
Of the American Planning and Civic
Association, the Federation Of Civic
Associations, and representatives Of
nearby Maryland and Virginia
counties and Alexandra, as well as
planning groups Of those areas.
The Citizens Council for Com
munity Planning today announced
these nominees:
Mrs. william II. Wells, executive
vice president of the council; Mrs.
]. G. McClintock, chairman Of its
Housing Committed John B. Ecker
director Of research and PLANNING,
Capital Transit Co.; Edward Burl-
ing, jr.. lawyer; Sydney Maslen, sec
retary, Washington Housing Asso-
Horace Peaslee, architect,
and Harry Barrett, chairman Of the
councils Transportation COMMITTEES.
Members Of the Committee OF
One Hundred were to make an In
spection trip with the planners this
afternoon, In q three-hour survey
of housing. recreational and other
Developments and future plans.
Gen. Grant plans to show the group
pertinent maps before they begin
the trip by bus.