Evening star., 1948-03-19
Da|ecarIia Area
Considered for
U. 5. Buildings
Planners to Explore
Possible Development.
Of Reservation Site
BY Nelson M. Shepard


Of Reservation Site
By Nelson M. Shepard
Federal planners suggested today
that the 400-acre Dalecarlia Reser-
vation in Northwest Washington
would afford q convenient area for
either permanent or emergency ex-
pansion Of Government facilities In
the crowded Capital.
At the request Of the Army De-
partment, which owns the acreage
surrounding the reservoir, the Ma
tional Capital Park and Planning
Commission agreed late yesterday
10 explore it possibilities.
The planners also recommended
adoption of the $8,421, 100 project
proposed by Army Engineers for
a f1ood-control program to benefit
Bladensburg and other nearby COM
munities served by the Anacostia
River.
Plaza Development Approved.
Other commission action today in
cluded approval of plans for incor-
porating the present bus terminal
and automobile parking lot in the
rear OF the District Building and the
proposed development of the Grand
Plaza on Fourteenth street.
The commission said the existing
facilities Of the Thirteenth street
bus terminal would be enlarged and
1t also believed a scheme for uti-
hzing surface and underground
parking for about 750 private auto
mobiles could be made to fit into
the general plans.
The commission also had be-
fore 1t alternative plans, one for the
parking OF TAO cars and the other
to accommodate about 1,150 cars
on the plaza. Recently the Oscar
Straus Memorial fountain was died.
icated on the site. AS a conse-
quence, the layout for parking of
automobiles must harmonize with
the memorial and the Federal build
ings surrounding it.
SO Underground Parking Studied.
Plans for the smaller parking area
would provide for rows of trees on |
each side of the plaza lined by au-
tomobiles on the surface. There
would also be provision for under
ground parking. Planning officials
stressed, however, that any final
action on the layout of a parking
lot would be undertaken with the
adv1ce OF the Fine Arts Commission.
The Capital Transit buses now
using the Thirteenth street terminal
at Pennsylvania avenue turn around
In the northeast corner of the plaza
site. 1t is makeshift Arrangement.
The planning agency agreed that
the terminal should be kept In Use
because of its convenience to the
pubic and an attractive landscaping
would be necessary.
Convenient Location Conceded,
The convenient location of the
Dalecarlia Reservation, planners
conceded, offers opportunities for
many phases of Federal construc-
tlon or other uses. The reservation
provided a site for some Arnnv
buildings during the war.
The problem Of where future Fed
eral buildings should be located is
one that has plagued the commits
sion and the Public Buildings Ad-
mlnlstration for years. The recent
war accentuated the problem, but
IN the last two years PBA has sue
ceeded in relinquishing about $50
leased buildings.
The proposed flood control project,
1t was said, soon will come before
the Board of Engineers for Rivers
and Harbors. Public hearings will
be held then.
Because control will be exercised
over a large area of Anacostia
Park, the approval of the Maryland
National Capital Park and Plan
ming Commission will be sought.
Col. Byron E. Byrd of the United
States Engineers Office, in reporting
to NCPPC, said the report recon-
mends a Federal appropriation Of
$4,531, 200.
Contributions Of 1896, 100 would
come from Prince Georges County. |
the Washington Suburban Sanitary
Commission and the Maryland State
Highway Department. The scheme
calls for a $494, 400 contribution,
also, from the Public Roads Ad-
ministration.
No Money From ID. C.
MAJ. Gen. U. S. Grant III, chair
man OF NCPPC, said no money is
sought from the District. Because
the flood control project would i'm
prove Anacostia Park outside the
District, the local government is
not called upon to participate finan-
cially. It Would make an indirect
contribution, however, by dumping
refuse into certain areas.
The flood control plan would bene-
mt Bladensburg, Edmonston, River
dale, Hyattsville, Brentwood, Cot
tage City and Colmar Manor. The
Anacostia channel also would be
dredged to a width of 80 feet and
depth OF 8 feet for the improvement
OF navigation from the foot of
Fifteenth street Sc. in Washing
ton to Bladensburg. A small boat
harbor would be provided near the
head Of the channel.
Refused s3,40O,O 900 requested in the
ouoget to start the buying of land
for slum clearance, the planning
agency nevertheless will 60 ahead
with its advance plans.
Secret Weanon' inventor