Evening star., 1952-11-13
First RedeveIopment Step

The first step in a broad redevelopment
program for Southwest Washington's blghted
areas is proposed in the National Planning
Commissions detailed report today on Project
Area B." This part of the slum clearance pro-
gram is the least controversial of the several
projects for rebuilding rundown sections of the
city south of the Mall The "B" project logically
takes priority over the remainder of the program
not only because there is agreement among
most of the planners on this phase of the general
undertaking but because it would eradicate one
of the city'S most disgraceful slum districts
Project Area constitutes but small part
of the survey area" destined for ultimate rede-
velopment It is part of the Nations Capital,
however, that has become widely known in an
Infamous sort of way. 1t has been the locale of
countless photographs showing the existence of
sordid housing conditions "in the shadow Of
the Capitol" It has been inspected innumerable
times by congressional groups whose recommen-
dationS usually were ignored. At last there is
definite prospect that something will be done
about these conditions. It will be done if the
plan prepared by the commission, with the
approval of the District Redevelopment Land
Agency and Federal authorities, is adopted by
the Commissioners A public hearing next month
will determine the fate of the initial project.
OF wider interest to the whole community
of course, is Project Area A." which would
perform major face-lifting operation on the
section lying between "B" and the Southwest
water front. The extent of that operation has
been a subject of controversy among some
of the planners. The current report avoids any
detailed plan for "a" but it does lay down what
the commission suggests as a general guide to
the future redevelopment OF the waterfront
district and the area inland from it. The pattern
favored by the NCPC represents a compromise
hofu I'D I1Stn
plan, calling for sweeping "upgrading' of the
Southwest to attract new capital and higher
income residents, and proposals for extremely
limited rehousing improvements.
The commission has made it plain, however,
that it wants more than just the elimination OF
sums in the neglected Southwest. It foresees
revitalized "a" area of prosperous business
establishments, attractive walk-up and elevator
type apartments, good homes and modern
educational and recreational facilitieS-aH linked
to downtown Washington via broad thorough
fares and to other parts of the city by the
Southwest Freeway. This program is in line
with the comprehensive plan for the develop
ment of Washington previously approved by the
commission.
But Project Area "a" is to come after the first
step "B," and will be the subject Of lengthy
debate in and out of Congress before it finally
takes shape. Meanwhile, attention must be
centered on the concrete plan for starting
reconstruction of the blighted "B" area south OF
Capitol Hill. Every effort must be made to
arouse the interest of private builders in this
community enterprise. Without the help OF
private enterprise the whole redevelopment pro-
gram as envisioned by the planners would
collapse. And, too it will fail unless housing
accommodations can be found for the displaced
families It is stated that an adequate relocation
program has been drawn up. It will be wise to
explain this relocation plan in some detail and
submit it for public examination.