Evening star., 1950-03-28

Falls Church Council
Acts After Attorney
Urges Condemnation
The Falls Church City Council
last night agreed to make a final
effort to acquire the Lake Bar
croft property as a State Park.
The 630-acre tract south of the
city has been sold to a New Eng
land group which plans a $25 mil
lion luxury subdivision around
the 114-acre lake.
The lake was source of supply
for the Alexandria Water Co..
which now is installing new facil-
tiles at Occoquan.
Condemnation Urged.
La Rue Van Meter, city attorney.
told the Council it is not too late
for the State to condemn the
property for park.
The council appointed C. Ar
mold Fraleigh, 100 West George
Mason road, a State Department
attorney. to serve on proposed
committee to include representa-
tives of Arlington County. Fairfax
County and Alexandria. The COM
mite was asked to draft resolu-
ton signifying the intention of the
governing bodies to create park
authority" in accordance with
provisions of a bill approved ear
lier this month by the General
Assembly
Suitability of the property as a
recreation area also would be
studied by the group if other
Jurisdictions join in appointing
representatives.
Park Project Possible.
Mr.. Van Meter and members
of the council agreed there is only
"a slim chance that the park
project can be carried out. The
proposed committee. was urged,
however, to make it's report by
May Is. The council appropriated
S100 to pay portion of the costs
of expert study and clerical help.
A State auditors report was
cited by Mr.. Van Meter as evil
dence that "for years" Fairfax
County overcharged the city for
governmental services, including
schools.
From the date Falls Church be-
came second-class city, August
Is. 1948, to the end of that fiscal
year, June 30, 1949, the city at
torney reported, the county coll
lected in behalf of the city S218,-
807.09, The county's charges for
services rendered the city during
that period amounted to $685.
865.68. -.
County Overcharge Claimed.
Mr. Van Meter said the figures
show an "overcharge" of s112,-
946,41, which would have been
retained by the county if Falls
Church had not become, a city.
A similar proportion of "over-
charge" Mr.. Van Meter said, ex-
listed in years before 1948-9.
During the .101a-month period
covered by the audit, the county
continued to operate the city's
schools.
The council agreed to request
Fairfax Circuit Judge Paul e.
Brown to appoint assessors who
would receive a report on a re-
appraisal of all property now in
progress. Recommended as as
SCISSORS were George H. Walter.
Oak Haven, a land expert, and
two real estate men, Clyde L.
Eastman and George T. Reeves.
Highway Projects Presented.
Proposed highway improve
ments were presented by City
Manager Roy F. Dunn. Mr.. Dunn
said he will meet this week with
y. H. Phillips, resident State
highway engineer, to determine
which projects will be recon-
mended to the Highway Depart
ment for completion this year.
The amount of money to be all
located by the State for improve
ments in the city has not been
set. The State will bear half the
cost of the projects it approves.
Projects to be recommended by
Mr.. Dunn include leveling and
resurfacing East Broad street;
surfacing West Broad street; sur
facing North Washington street
from Jefferson street to East
Falls Church, and installation Of
an island and traffic light at
HillWood avenue and Lee high
way.
The council has decided to sell
a city-oWned lot south of the po-
lice station on South Washington
street. Bids will be received un-
til April s.
If bid is accepted, the city
may buy the six-room Cooke
House, 160 Little Falls street, for
use as library. The new quar-
ters would replace two rooms in
the Murphy Building on East
Broad street, now used for the
library.