Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-04-08
Tax Possibilities
0fChevyChase
Site Discounted
Schwub Makes Case
Against Sale of
Community Center

Community Center
The old E. v. Brown School
property would have to be as
sessed at a highly improbable"
$3.5 to $4.5 million to bring the
city tax revenue of $4,000 to
100000 a year, prominent real
estate man declared today.
The estimate came from James
E. Schwab. one of the aroused
community leaders who are fight
ing to save the property for it's
present use as the District
operated Chevy Chase Community
Center.
During a recent District APP
preparation hearing, Chairman
Bates Of the House Appropriations
subcommittee said he understood
the property could be sold for
about ST million and would be
worth $4,000 to 100000 annu-
ally in tax income for the District.
pulled Out of Air"
Mr.. Bates said today he did not
recall who had given him the
figures, and so far as he knew, his
informants may have just pulled
them out of the air."
More than two years ago,
Budget Officer Walter L. Fowler
recommended sale of the Brown
School along with certain other
District-owned real estate. This
report has not been made public.
The Commissioners are consid-
'ering this report and obtaining
other information on the subject
as a result of Mr.. Bates interest.
Other Arguments.
Other points made by Mr..
SchWab were:
l. A shopping center occupying
a long block across the street
from the school, including a thea
ter, supermarket, laundry, hard
ware, novelty stores and restau-
rant. has more frontage on Con-
necticut avenue and brings in
only $10,187.27 year in taxes.
2. Construction of a large de-
partment store or apartment
house on the school site, which
would bring in more taxes, would
not be feasible because of limited
parking facilities in the area.
Mr.. Schwab was named chair
man of a committee representing
the Chevy Chase Citizens Asso-
citation and the Chevy Chase Com
munity Council which will carry
on the fight to retain the prop
erty in it's present use.
Citizens of the area in 1948
won use Of the property at Con-
necticut avenue and Mckinley
street NV. It has been in OPP
Grafton since then, although half
the building and the auditorium
have been shut off because of
AWo 4ldAdI uOeu0 CO11Q1VlOl1s
Executive Committee Meets.
The Executive Committee of the
Chevy Chase Citizens Association
met last night to discuss their
arguments in the matter. Mr..
Schwab attended the meeting.
The Commissioners have refused
to let Mr.. Schwab's committee and
also the Recreation Board see the
Fowler report. The community
center is used jointly by the
Recreation Department and the
Public Library.
Members of the Forest Hills
Citizens Association last night
voted strongly in favor of retain
ing the present use of the school
property.
They held that its use to the
community as a whole far out
weighed the only dubious profits
from the sale of the old building.
Facilities Get Heavy Use.
Extensive use has been made Of
the first floor, basement and
grounds.
According to figures obtained
by the citizens, 1900 youngsters
and adults used the pre- school
playroom, the craft shop, the
lounge, canteen and rumpus room
last month. An outdoor basketball
court opened March Is. Daily at
tendance has jumped from rs to
$50.
In the library, it was pointed
out. circulation has jumped by
tens of thousands since the move
to the site.
The community has contributed
much time and money to the
building. Mothers help with the
Ipre-school groups, and community
groups have donated yard appara-
tus. Two classes of so children
each meet every weekday.
The lounge was furnished COM
|pletely by the citizens, as was the
kitchen for the canteen. The COM
munity also contributed pool
tables and ping pong tables in
the rumpus room.
The center is open daily ex-
Icept Sunday from $50 am. until
II pm. On Sunday, the hours are
from to pm.