Evening star., 1952-12-13
Architect Group
Asks Revision Of
Southwest Plan
| Urges Up-to-D -Dote
Shopping Facilities.
| Elimination Of Alleys

@tssssss0esVH VI SNttSyS
Revisions in the first Southwest
redevelopment project to reduce
congestion. eliminate alleys and
provide up-to-date shopping facil-
tiles were urged today by the
Washington Metropolitan Chapter
Of the American Institute Of
Architects,
At the same time. the group
called for restudy Of tentative
plans for rebuilding the entire
Southwest area. It said present
plans. putting undue emphasis on
low-cost housing, "will discourage
any upgrading Of the area"
The chapters Urban Planning
Committee, headed by Jesse Vein
stein. came up with three specific
suggestions for improving plans
Tor the first 76-acre Slum-clear-
|ance project. Detailed plans for
this so-called Project B area will
be the subject of a public hearing
before the District Commissioners
at 10 am. Wednesday.
Calls for Apartments.
The chapters first proposal calls
Tor q coming change to give build
lers freedom to build some multi
storied apartments to relieve con-
Igestion.
The group agreed with plans
providing for . maximum OF 600
family dwelling units in the rs
acres. It also went along with n
requirement that from 40 to so
per cent Of the units be in fats
and row houses. It added:
I'VE find. however. that to pro-
vide the remaining units in two
and three-story apartments will
result in an extremely crowded
and congested plan. The proyi-
sion Of even a few multi-storied
buildings at the density specified.
will provide more open space.
light and air and make the prof.
ect area a better place for living"
As second proposal. the group
asked that requirements for off,
street parking be met by zoning
change. permitting parking in
areas between row houses and the
streets on which they front.
Would Eliminate Alleys.
"This." the chapter declared.
would eliminate alleys which are
unSightly and expensive to build
and would allow the development
OF rear lot spaces into genuine
garden areas instead Of the usual
ugly backyards."
The group also contended that
plans to tear down and rebuild
business properties along Fourth
street S.W. is "a major planning
error" Instead, it proposed that
the Fourth street properties be
left out Of the Project B plan
until plans for the entire 427
acres Of the Southwest are re-
studied.
The Anal plan for the entire
area should provide "eompre-
hensive shopping centers with
ample parking and pedestrian ia
|cilities." the architects asserted.
Cited River-F Front Advantage.
Earlier this week the Washing
ton Building Congress also urged
that the Fourth street area be
withheld from the plan. It also
proposed that such business prop
critics be fitted in with modern
centers to serve the area.
In asking that the National
Capital Planning Commission
draw up new concept Of the en-
tire area. the chapter pointed to
unusual natural advantages of the
river front and asserted:
'The realization of these ad.
vantages can provide for the re-
building of other lower income
areas within the city by relieving
some of the burden on the public
treasury. It must be decided
whether we shall 60 forward
toward better city for all or
reconcile ourselves to recurrent
blight and the high cost OF peri
odic rehabilitation"