Evening star., 1952-12-03
County Pushes
Business Use Of
Bethesda Area
Woodmont Triangle
Survey Ordered as
Development Aid

The Montgomery County Coun-
Gil yesterday ordered a street and
grade survey of the Woodmont
Triangle in Bethesda as a "shot
in the arm" for commercial de-
velopment of the area.
The council directed Public
Works Director Mason A. Butcher
to begin survey of a layout of
streets and storm drainage of the
triangle.
Mrs. Stella B. Werner pointed
out the triangle is the logical
place for commercial development
in the Bethesda area. She said
she hopes its development will
slash the ribbon of commercial
zoning now in progress in the
area.
County Manager Irving G. Nc
Nayr told the council the fact that
much of the land is owned in
small parcels in the triangle
bounded by Wisconsin avenue and
Old Georgetown road, is holding
back commercial development.
No Storm Drainage.
Mr.. McNayr emphasized there
is practically no storm drainage
in the area, that streets are mar
row and without curbs and that
there are many streets planned
for which no right of way have
been dedicated.
The only solution, he said, ap-
pears to be the encouragement Of
big commercial developers to move
into the area.
Mr.. McNayr laid down a three
phase program for development
of the area. He described the
program as follows:
/. Completion by the county
of the survey of streets and storm
drainage
2. Presentation of the plans
to interested developers.
8. Continuous cooperation with
potential developers.
Mr.. McNayr said the present
owners of much of the land are
not financially capable of bearing
the cost of installing streets and
storm drainage.
The survey, to be done by a
private firm, will be paid out of
fourth suburban district funds.
The council also is to meet soon
with the Bethesda Chamber of
Commerce on the public parking
lot program for the area.
= 81 Million Bond Issue.
The council, in its first all-day
open session, yesterday also an
nounced that it probably will ad-
vertise for bids on a ST million
bond issue shortly after the first
of the year.
The lions share of the issue will
go for schools with some IS mil
lion planned for new construction.
Another $675, 1000 will go for roads;
100000 for front foot benefit as
sessment projects; 100000, park
ing lot development, and $4,000
for a new fire house in the Conduit
road fire area.
The council has nearly $13 mil
lion in bonds authorized but not
yet issued.
Purchase for $14,745 of a lot
on Cunningham drive in Wheaton
also was authorized yesterday.
The purchase will complete the
acquisition of six lots just OH
Georgia avenue for parking lot
purposes. The council now has
about 10000 square feet of space
to handle 300 cars in the rapidly
growing business district.
The council also met with the
Conduit road fire area to dis
cuss a site for proposed new fire.
house in the area. Andrew An
thony, jr., president of the board.
told the council the best location
was a Site now owned py GIle
board in the triangle formed by
Massachusetts avenue, Sanagmore
lane and Walhonding road.
School Program.
Frank st. Clair, newly appoint
ed director of school construction,
told the council he was eager
to meet with a lay committee be-
ing formed to study the school
building program.
Mr.. st. Clair expressed an in
terest in recent moves to effect
a standardized classroom. He
sounded a note of warning, how
ever, against sweeping efforts to
economic.