Evening star., 1948-08-08
Fringe Parking
LotDeve|opn1ent
To Start Soon
z Areas, Shuttle Buses
Expected to Be Ready
For Use October |

Work is expected to start this
month on converting two large areas
on the edge of the downtown Sec
ton into fringe parking" lots, the
newly formed Merchants Parking
Corporation revealed last night.
Plans contemplate. the parking
lots and the proposed shuttle-bus
service to take suburban motorists
on into the downtown area.
To Start Operating by October.
Each designed to accommodate 450
cars, the lots selected for leasing are
located in Temple Heights, at the
intersection of Florida and Connect
icut avenues; and near the Christian
Heurich Brewery at Twenty-sixth
and E streets, convenient to the
Rock Greek and Potomac parkway.
These two additional sites would
give Washington three fringe park
ing" lots, one already being in oper-
alton on the square reserved for
the new Federal courts building at
John Marshall place and C street
NV. The corporation hopes to in
crease the temporary capacity of
the latter lot.
The new parking company, head
ed by Maj. Gen. David McCoach,
jr., former District Engineer Com
missioner, said it has completed its
incorporation in Dover, Del. Plans
of the company will be brought up
soon at the first meeting of the new
directors
Additional Lots Studied.
A company spokesman said last
night, however, that immediate
leasing of additional fringe park
ing" lots is not now being con-
templated.
The contemplated opening of the
service next Fall meets the aims of
P. Y. K. Howat, chairman of the
Districts Motor Vehicle Parking
Agency. Mr. Howat said he would
be surprised and disappointed" if
the service wasn't inaugurated "be-
tween September Is and october
l."
The parking agency is trying to
interest merchants and other busi-
ness interests in 10 or II areas suit
able for fringe parking" Sites are
not being identified for fear prop
erty owners will hike prices.
Mr.. Howat said he is encouraged
at the progress plans are making.
According to a Board Of Trade esti-
mate, approximately 100000 people
enter Washington's central retail
area to shop every day. About $1,000
of this number accumulate during
the peak hours. About 16 per cent
drive their cars and need adequate
parking space.
Overall Price 40c.
The new parking plan would per-
nit motorists to park at any of the
established lots on the fringes of
the central area and ride downtown
and back on shuttle buses, all for
40 cents. Special buses would run
every 10 minutes.
Mr.. Howat said the lots will open
at 9 am, with the first bus running
into town at 9:15 am. In the
afternoon the last bus will reach the
lots at 6:15 and the lots will close
about $50.
The Motor Vehicle Parking
Agency estimates that between
5000 and 5000 cars would be a
satisfactory goal for the fringe
parking program.
Despite building and elimination
of some parking areas, 1t was
claimed that parking facilities in
the city actually have increased by
1,700 car spaces since 1945.
The District agency is anxious
to speed up the program. For one
thing, construction of the new Fed
eral Courts building on the huge
square south of the Municipal
Building, will mean a drastic re-
duction of parking facilities. That
can be overcome by new lots or
parking garages.
Plot to Serve New GAO Needed.
Work is to start soon on the new
General Accounting Office Building
on the north side of Judiciary
Square. Its completion will add an
other personnel load. Additional ia
cilities for parking would be required
in the vicinity.
The parking agency gave fac
tual glimpse of the parking situation
in the area bounded by M street.
north, to M street, south, and from
First street, west to Rock Creek
Park.
In this dense area are off street
parking facilities for approximately
$4,000 cars and curb parking for
about the same number. Some 5000
of these cars are kept in garages.
The area around the Agriculture
Department and the Bureau of En-
craving presents the greatest park
ing problem, it was explained. There
L..