Evening star., 1951-08-05
Park Entrance
To Georgetown
Sought in Bill
Changes Proposed
At Pennsylvania
And M Street

A new park-like Entrance to
Georgetown" would be developed
in the area where Pennsyl. MIA
avenue NV. joins M street if Con-
gress approves plans already
agreed to by the Government and
a private property owner.
Legislation leading to "embel-
lishment" of the area and eventual
widening of Pennsylvania avenue
is pending before a Senate Public
Works subcommittee. 1t may come
up for public hearings soon.
Purpose Of the legislation, as
explained by A. E. Demaray, act
ing chairman of the National
Capital Park ard Planning Com
mission is to permit "a mutually
beneficial exchange of land be-
tween the National Park Service,
and the owners Of adjoining prep
erty." The pieces to be exchanged
are both in the triangle bounded
by Pennsylvania avenue, Twenty
Eighth street, M street, and Rock
Creek. .
Legislation Approved.
Mr.. Demaray who heads the
National Park Service, explained
in a letter to the Public Works>
Committee that the legislation had
been approved by the Planning
Commission, the Park Service,
and "other agencies" concerned.
The American Oil Co., owner Of
the old church at the apex of
the triangle and an adjacent fill
ing station, has agreed, Mr.. DEM
array said. to transfer to the Gov
ernment its property at the apex
in exchange for parcel CT park
land closer to Rock Creek. where
a new filling station of Colonial
type would be constructed. No
Federal funds would be needed
in the exchange.
The Oil company has agreed to
tear down the old church and
the old filling station, without
cost to the Government. The
church, formerly Peck Memorial
Chapel, is now occupied by the
Georgetown Boys Club. The club
has new quarters and sn athletic
field near Wisconsin avenue and
T streets, NV.
Passage Is Urged.
Strongly" urging passage Of
the legislation, Mr.. Demaray listed
three reasons for the project: l.
Establishment of the terminus
of Pennsylvania at its entrance
to Georgetown with a parklike
treatment similar to that which
prevails at many other such in
tersections in Washington.
80. Future modification of the
traffic channelization to increase
the capacity of the Pennsylvania
avenue-M street intersection
when needed.
"3. Widening of Pennsylvania
avenue at some future time with
out the necessity of acquiring
expensive Improvements, because
any new structures will be set
back to the line of Pennsylvania
avenue east of Rock Greek. At
present. Pennsylvania avenue IS
less than 80 feet wide at this
point, though east of Rock Creek
for its entire length to the White
House it is 130 feet wide"
Kerr to Hold Hearings.
Hearings will be conducted by
Chairman Kerr of the Senate
Public Works Subcommittee on
public buildings and grounds.
The legislation grew out of an
appeal granted by the Board Of
zoning Adjustment to enlarge the
gas station.
Rather than have the service
station extend to Twenty-eighth
street, with drives in and out so
close to this heavily travelled in
tersection," Mr.. Demaray said.
the board (of zoning adjust
the commission and other
agencies as we'll as the owners of
the station, have agreed upon the
more desirable plan which the
legislation would authorize"