Evening star., 1952-11-30
Better to Aim Hiqh Than Low

LIE nrSt TASK which the District Commits
sloners will face in the forthcoming hearings
on Southwest redevelopment will be the rela-
lively simple one of deciding whether to approve
project Area B." This is the slum- clearance
and housing redevelopment plan for the small.
moSt-rundoWn section of the Southwest nearest
10 the Capltol-a limited area of about rs acres
Since there is general unanimity among the
planners on this particular project, the Com
mlSSlonerS should not have much difficulty in
making up their minds about it, But the una
nimity ends when the planners look beyond the
boundaries of Project Area B. It is in the
character and extent of redeveopment of the
whole Southwest area that the Commissioners
Will encounter disunity and debate.
The only serious problem affecting decision
on the B project is that of taking care of resi-
dents to be displaced by slum clearance The
Redevelopment Land Agency has made special
study OF this problem and it is ready to assure
the Commissioners that the housing needs of
everybody in the area will be met. Indeed
without such an assurance the whole redevelop-
ment program would collapse. Uncertainty over
relocation was largely to blame for the failure
OF the Districts first redevelopment venture at
Marshall Heights. Taking lesson from that
false start in the Northeast, the RDA is taking
proper steps to see that none of the 1,345 to-be-
evicted households will lack for adequate shelter
tunity to reoccupy the rebuilt B area. Stated
plainly, Project Area B is to be essentially a
limited slum-clearance undertaking involving
construction of predomnantly low-cost housing
Once the Commissioners have decided about
Project Area B. they must turn to the vastly
more important and complex question Of what
sort of redevelopment to approve for the re-
mainder of the Southwest section. Shall the
remaining $50 acres, lying between the Mall
and Fort McNair. be reconstructed chiefly for
those already living and doing business there?
Or shall this broad stretch overlooking the
Potomac River be made over in such way
as to attract new investors and higher Income
residents to the "blighted" Southwest?
The National Capital Planning Commission
has endeavored to find happy medium between
mere slum clearance for the remaining area
and the major upgrading metamorphosis en-
visioned in the Justement-Smith plan. The
commission tentatively has proposed gradual
upgradng program from B area to the river
with a number of elevator-type apartments
along the waterfront The principal criticism
so far voiced against this NCP program is that
1t does not go far enough Architects Justement
and Smith, with considerable logic, contend
that the vitally needed cooperation of private
builders cannot be had unless they can be
assured that their money will be soundy in
vested. It will be difficult to interest private
capital in any redeveopment enterprise that
falls short of definite improvement in the
residential and business character of the South
west There is growing opposition to the NCP
compromise" plan the ground that it calls
for an uncertain, feel-your-way approach that
may discourage investors and end in little more
than slum clearance and minor face lifting.
1t is no exaggeration to say that the whole
future development of Washington will be
affected by what is done in the Southwest to
cure that areas spreading decay. Arrestng
that decay and starting the Southwest off into
q brighter era of growth and general prosperity
would benefit not only the Southwest but the
city as a whole. 1t would mean more tax reve-
nues, more improvements, more beautiful
Nations Capital The Commissioners would be
we'll advised to go slow in committing the city
to any redevelopment plan which fails to up
grade the Southwest sufficiently to assure the
type of healthy private enterprise needed for
sound municipal progress. 1t would be better
to set the sights high than too low in such
crucial project.