Evening star., 1947-04-23
Planners Ask
Parkway Funds
In Bond Issue
Arlington Groups at
Hearing Back Sum
Above s., ,000, 900

inclusion OF FUNDS In a proposed
Arlington County bond issue to
complete the George washington
Memorial Parkway right-of-way to
the Fairfax County line is being
sought by the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission.
This was disclosed last night at
the second public hearing on the
proposed bond issue for general
county capital improvements, held
by the County Board in the Court
house. Approximately so persons
attended.
No opposition was expressed to the
bond issue, tentatively set for S.
000, 900, but. a number of organiza-
tions went on record as favoring q
larger amount.
The Arlington County Civic Fed
Grafton, in reiterating its backing of
a st, ,000. 900 bond issue, declared that
while 1t Is believed the 5000 900
proposal covers the most urgently.
needed improvements, an additional
81 900 900 worth of bonds should be
authorized for emergency public
works."
Parkway Procedure Outlined.
"The attention of the board Is
called, for example, to the current
activity of the National Capital Park
and Planning Commission in regard
to the remaining Unit of the
George Washington Memorial Park
way" said Mrs. Florence Cannon on
behalf of the Federation.
Mrs. Cannon explained that II
general improvement bonds are
authorized, and "an appropriate
portion" reserved for the acquisition
of the remaining land necessary for
the parkway, the bonds need not be
sold at once.
"On the basis of the authorization,
the Federal Government will ad-
vance the money to the county for
the acquisition of all the land i'm
mediately, and thereafter construct
the roadway without cost to the
county"
Grant Explains Request.
In letter to Acting County Man
ager A. T. Lundberg, Maj. Gen. U. S.
Grant III, chairman of the Park and
Planning Commission, said the
groups Executive Committee had
been authorized and directed" to
make the request for inclusion of
funds in the forthcoming bond issue.
The authorization set the amount
at approximately 5000, 600, the exact
amount to be determined by the
Executive Committee and the Arl-
ington County Board"
Gen. Grant pointed out that the
commission has an appropriation
for the acquisition of the unit of
the parkway in question "but un-
fortunately cannot spend it unless
lit is matched $3.50 as required by
law. There are two ways in
which Arlington can match
this appropriation and thus enable
us to acquire the parkway:
81. Issue bonds, sell the proceeds
and turn over the funds to the COM
mission. = ?" .
Eight-Year Commitments.
%. Take advantage of the other
alternative of the law and give the
commission definite commitments.
These commitments would run for
eight years without interest"
Gen. Grant explained that ap-
proval by Arlington voters of bonds
for the parkway land acquisition
would be definite commitment"
Board Member F. Freeland Chew
who declared he favored q S. ,000, 900
bond issue, said, however, he is will
ing to revise the figures and put in
the amount necessary for the park
way"
Present authorization for the
parkway carries the project be-
meath Key Bridge on the Virginia
shore and up Spout Run Valley to
connect with Lee highway. Funds
sought in the bond issue would
acquire land to continue the park
way up-river beyond Spout Run to
the Arlington-Fairfax County line.
Eventually, the project will continue
to Great Falls.
Last week 1t was disclosed the
planning commission is studying
plans to carry the parkway on top
of the bluffs in the vicinity of
Chain Bridge. Acquisition of prop
erty in that area, however, mas
been held up because the owner,
a sand and gravel firm, argues the
property should be sold by the cubic