Evening star., 1952-02-22
Planners Allow
For Changes in
Redeve|opment
Send Land Agency
Busic Guide on
Southwest Project
By Nelson M. Shepard

The National Capital Park and
Planning Commission, as a safe
guard, today left the door open to
possible future notifications of
an approved basic plan for the
Southwest redevelopment project.
In motion adopted at the close
Of the monthly session late yes
terday, the group approved a re-
port and recommendation of Har-
land Bartholomew and Associates,
st. LOUIS planning consultants.
This was transmitted to the Re-
development Land Agency "as the
general basis on which redevel-
opment plan for the area should
be prepared"
Embodied in it is approval of
F street as the approximate line
OF the proposed Southwest free
way. an express highway on South
Capitol street and a third one
north of F street.
Portions of the Bartholomew
Interpretation and recommends
ton with respect to studies al
ready made by the land agency's
consultants have been made pub
lie. Other generalizations were
announced at the planning ses-
sion. Still more specific details,
with a diagram of the area, will be
given out next week, it was said.
Highway Action Deferred.
The planning commission
yielded to persuasive plea by
Brig. Gen. Bernard L. Robinson,
Engineer Commissioner, and an
ex-offlcio member, to withhold any
action at this time on the Dis
trict's $140 million highway pro-
gram. The commission was
primed to analyze critically some
OF its provisions-including the
proposed E street bridge and ex-
tension of Rock Creek parkway
into Maryland.
Gen. Robinson told the COM
mission the program has not yet
been approved by the District
Commissioners formally. He said
1t is subject to further study. For
this reason, he asked the planning
group to put of action.
The NCPPc agreed to this and
designated its executive commit
tee to consider the highway pro-
gram. Chairman John A. Remon
heads the executive committee.
Others are Hilyard r. Robinson
OF Washington, Frederick Bigger
OF Pittsburgh and Albert P.
Greensfelder of st. Louis.
Number Of Family Units.
1t had been announced previ-
ously that studies for the South
west redevelopment contemplated
an estimated population of 29, 900,
compared with 22,500 now. John
Nolen, jr.. director of planning,
said the plan calls for $500 to
7,700 family housing units.
NCPPC must certify a plan for
the land agency. It is expected
to be submitted to the District
Commissioners sometime in May
for their approval. At that time,
public hearings will be held.
The plan provides that there
shall be one acre devoted to COM
mercial pursuits for each 1000
persons. That allows for a slight
increase in the present CONNER
cial land uses. About S per cent
of the area is now commercial.
If the population density hits
$4,000, the percentage would be
substantially more.
In the area of F street there
would be concentration of COM
mercial use and a limitation of
residential use.
Less Acreage in Streets.
The report estimated there
would BE- reduction in the
amount Of land set aside for
streets and alleys from 1873 acres
now to 160 acres. This reduction
would occur. it was said, regard
less of the wide freeway.
Oft-street parking was stressed.
A special parking area for 1000
cars was suggested between F
street and the railroad tracks.
This provision, however, is subject
to further study.
In the commercial area, it was
decided that one foot of off, street
parking space should be provided
for each three feet of commercial
use. This was believed ample.
zoning aspects Of the plan are
flexible. it was said, with respect
to both large and small residences.
For the structures. it was recon-
mended that 500 square feet of
ground be used per family. That
is a rather liberal allowance, since
1t was pointed out buildings are
being erected in Washington to-
day providing under 100 square
feet OF ground space per family,
q minimum standard.
The Southwest plan also pro-
vides for substantial improve
ment" in the present amount of
space devoted to schools, parks
and Fairgrounds. 1t was esti-
mated the increase would range
between so and 100 per cent.