Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-02-13
Neyius Awaits
Offer for
Site
Agency to Receive
Appraisal Soon to
Open Negotiations
By George Beveridge

Veterans administration officials
plan to begin negotiations in abouts
two weeks for purchase of the 25-s
acre tract in Arlington County
which will be the site of Washing
tons modern 750-bed veterans hos
pital, it was learned today. q
M. A. Nevius,g retired vice presi-
dent of Riggs National Bank and
principal owner Of the land, said
today the Veterans Administration
has not approached him officially.
about the purchase, nor has any1
price been mentioned. 4
President Truman officially ap-r
proved the site about 10 weeks ago.
Reason for the delay, according
to w. z. Bowie, chief of the agency's
real estate section, is that the Vet
Grams Administration has been
awaiting results of an appraisal Of
the land and of q survey of the
property carried out by the Army
engineers.
Appraisal Due Shortly.
"But we expect the appraisal in
about q week. Then we'll get ready
to negotiate Immediately" Mr..
Bowie declared.
He said the appraisal is being
conducted by a private firm, and
that the veterans agency would &C
cept its findings. He refused to
identify the company or disclose
any Of its preliminary findings.
It was learned that an early study
Of the property by the Veterans Adj
ministration last year, however, set
q tentative value on the land Of
about $1,110.500-based on a value
Of 81 per square foot.
Other spokesman for the veterans
agency said the Army engineers
report was received about two weeks
ago and contained such data as
exact dimensions and studies Of
such factors as transportation, traf-
f1c and accessibility of utilities. A
study was even made, spokesman
said, of the number of planes which
pass over the tract and the re-
sulting noise and vibration.
Meanwhile, Mr.. Nevius said he
was "just sitting tight" until he
Is approached with an offer. He
said he had no comment to make
about what he considered a fair
price. He added that he Is the
principal owner, but that three or
four others" also have interest In
the property.
Acre Strip Sought.
The Veterans Administration
said negotiations will also be opened
with Arlington County officials for
purchase of a 1-acre strip of land
that cuts across one corner of the
Nevius property. The strip, it was
learned, formerly was owned by the
Arlington Fairfax Railway Co.
Mr.. Nevius previously had said
%plar1s were under way for an apart
ment project on the tract before
the Veterans Administration sight
ed it as the most desirable hospital
location. The tract is situated at
the southwest intersection of Lee
boulevard and Arlington Ridge road,
near Arlington Cemetery.
The site was Endorsed by both
Veterans Administrator Bradley
and medical chiefs of the agency.
A prime factor was its easy avail
ability to George Washington and
Georgetown University Medical
Schools and Hospitals, 1t was said.
While actual construction costs
of the hospital have not been an
nounced, the Veterans Administra-
ton said costs are figured on a
basis of $4,000 per bed. This would
make the cost about $11 $4,000.
Preliminary plans and specifica-
lions for the hospital were approved
last week by the veterans agency.
Officials expect construction bids to
be offered in five or six months.
The construction will be under gen.
eral supervision Of the Army Corps
of ENGINEERS.