Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-06-04
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Alexandra Calls
|zoning Hearing
On Boulevard
Old City Landmarks
To Be Affected by
| Mount Vernon Rood
By Mory Lou Werner

The route of Mount Vernon boule-
ward through downtown Alexandria
moved step nearer complete COM
liberalization last night when the
Alexandria City Council set for
public hearing July the proposal
to rezone four blocks for business use.
On motion Of Councilman Charles
Nash, the Council unanimously voted
to hold hearing on the rezoning Of
all property not already d. COM
mercial In the 100 and 200 blocks Of
North and South Washington street,
50 that 1t might be used CONNER
cially. Washington street is the route
Of the boulevard through Alexandria.
After the Council session City
Manager Carl Budwesky said some
of the finest old homes in the city
stand on these four blocks. Among
the homes it would affect would be
the historic Smoot House at the
corner of Queen and Washington
streets. This city Landmark was the
home of one of Alexandria's early
mayors, William. A. Smoot.
Hollowell House in Line.
Another landmark threatened by
the proposed mass rezoning would
be the Hollowell House, ut one time
used as school before the advent
Of public schools in the State.
Mr.. Budwesky pointed out that
much of the property involved in
the mass rezoning plan already is
D-2 commercial.
Although the rezoning would not
necessarily mean all historic homes
on the four blocks would face de-,
struction, business interests have
brought out that commercial buyers
are easier to ind than buyers who
would use the large houses as their
homes.
Market Ordered Razed.
The old Alexandria market was
ordered destroyed by a 5-to-4 vote,
after councilmen failed to approve
$3.50 appropriation to cover the
cost of razfng part of the market
shed and rceonstructing q portion
Of the remaining main section.
. It was voted to appropriate $3.50
for the wrecking OF the sheds in the
ancient market place located in the
city hall plaza. A move by Coun-
Gilman Paul Delaney to hold pub
lie hearing on the market razing
before taking final action was de-
feated.
A proposed appropriation Of $43,-
600 to cover the cost of covering
Hoffs Run from Diagonal road to
Prince street and the widening of
the runs culvert under Duke street
was defeated when it came up for
final reading and passage last night,
after the councilmen were told the
project would cost more than at
first anticipated. Instead, it., was
voted to use an earlier $4,000 APP
preparation for part Of the project.
Grade Crossing Ordinance.
Steps were taken to require rail-
roads passing through the city to
provide fiagmen at all grade cross
ings. City Attorney Joseph M. Pam
coast was instructed to prepare an
ordinance that would require a
fiagman to precede all trains, at
grade crossings. The council was
told this system already is prac-
ticed by the Southern Railway
within the city limits.
Final approval was given a $4,000
appropriation for q survey of the
city's tax structure after last
minute move by Councilman John
w. Tulloch to defeat the grant
failed. Mr.. Tulloch commended the
job should be handled by the coru-
cilmen themselves and other city
oficials. Supporters of the appro-
priation pointed out, however, only
an outsider could recommend tax
boosts in different classifcations
without being accused of favoritism.
1t was voted to hold a joint ses-
sion with the Arlington Public
Utilities Commission to consider the
PUC's request that Alexandria Join
Arlington County in seeking a re-
duction of the gas rate.