Evening star., 1952-04-17
Redeve|opment Plan
In Southwest Is Due
To Start This Fall

AAAAAS R1oL III
Southwest Washington may begin
this fall.
Final action on the project,
which involves more than 100
acres, is anticipated at the May
meeting of the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission
Southwest citizens were told yes
terday.
Outlining plans thus far, John
r. Searles. jr.. executive director
of the District Redevelopment
Land Agency. said a public hear
ing would follow commission ap-
proval. Then plans must be ap-
proved by N. S. Keith, director of
Slum clearance and urban rede-
velopment, Housing and Home
Finance Agency.
Group Shown Map.
About 100 persons. representing
. churches. civic, business. fraternal,
school and recreation groups
heard Mr.. SearleS at the meeting
in the Southwest Library.
The area known as Project B
will be tackled first, he said. This
generally is bounded by I, E, the
Pennsylvania Railroad property.
South Capitol and G streets and
Delaware avenue. S. w. It en-
braces Sc acres.
The citizens were shown large
map on which Projects A and B
were outlined. Most of the time
of the meeting was taken up by
questions from the citizens Many
wanted to know specifically when
their property was likely to be
taken. Mr.. Searles was able to
give only general answers at this
time.
Project A is bounded by Elev-
enth, D and Maine avenue and
comprises 48.4 acres.
Changes Made in Plans.
Changes in prior plans were
made necessary by the new
through-highway and to provide
opportunity for suitable entrances
to south west, Mr.. Searles said.
At the outset, DR.. John R. Pate,
chairman of the citizens group,
told of poor health conditions in
Southwest. He said tuberculosis
is extensive because of poor hous-
ing. Children are victims of the
disease, he said. one 18-month-
old child being affected by adult
type tuberculosis.
Children have been bitten by
the tremendous population of rats,
DR. Pate pointed out. There is
large number of outside toilets and
flies carry all kinds of disease in
warm weather, he said. In an ef-
fort to combat these conditions.
the redevelopment plan is shaping
up, he told the audience.
Swimming Pool Included.
Mr.. Searles said that removing
the railroad and putting the new
highway near the railroad en-
bankment were discussed. But F
street, which is widest at Seventh
street, was chosen for the route
as being best for the community
and least damaging to Southwest.
Land between the throughway-
as the new highway will be known
and the railroad tracks is not
good residential area generally.
but 1t was considered good second
commercial property.
A new swimming pool and gym
nasium for the Randall School is
part of the program. Location of
the new highway must be estab-
lished before the redevelopment
starts, it was added.
The agency hopes to negotiate
with at least 80 per cent Of land
owners on a fair appraisal and
current market value, rather than
resort to condemnation. The pol
icy is that no family shall be
evicted except on failure to pay
the agency for rent or to accept
safe, decent housing elsewhere
after it is offered.
Provision for School.
The plans have already affected
sale Of property. Residents can
exercise priority of getting back
into Southwest, after redevelop-
ment, it was said.
There is provision for a new
st. Dominic's School to replace
part of that property to be taken
in the new program and five new
public schools are planned fol
Southwest.
With Mr.. SearleS were James G
Banks, chief of the relocation Sec
ton, which will handle families tt
be displaced. William N. Good
son, chief of the agency's survey
section, was also on hand to aie
in answering informal questions.