Evening star., 1952-12-18
D. {. Heads Expected
To Rule by Jan. |
On Southwest Plan
By George Beveridee

A District commissioners ruling
on detailed plans for the first
step in the proposed rebuilding OF
Southwest Washington is expected
during the week following Christ
mas.
The city heads made this clear
yesterday, after hearing spokes-
men for 38 citizen organizations
express views on details Of the So
called Project B plan. Approval
of the commissioners is necessary
before work can start on the 1856
acre, Slum- ridden tract, bounded
by E, I, South Capitol and Fourth
streets.
Meanwhile, there were these
other developments relating to the
slum- clearance and redevelop-
n1ent program:
/. Commissioner F. Joseph DON
ohue said that at board meeting
today he would raise the question
of whether the city heads should
take any affirmative action in try
ing to settle a controversy over
tentative. long range proposals
for rebuilding the entire South
west area.
Planning Groups to Confer.
2. The National Capital Plan
ming Commission. it was learned.
intends to call a conference of
planning groups soon to discuss
the controversy.
A large majority of the testi-
mony yesterday urged a prompt
start to redevelopment of the
Project B area. Some groups
gave unqualified support to plans
submitted by the NCPC. Others,
while supporting the plan, ex-
pressed concern about provisions
to find new homes for families
displaced from the area. and to
permit them to return later if
they wish.
Primary opposition came from
present property owners and resi-
dents of the B area. The South
west Civic Association protested
that the plan does not meet needs
of families who want to return
after the area is rebuilt. The
Southwest Businessmen's Asso-
citation urged that merchants of
the area be permitted to remain
and improve their own properties
Two Courses Open.
Actually, the Commissioners
have power only to approve or
reject the B area plan. They
may not amend it. but can send
1t back to the NCPC if they are
dissatisfied
This B area plan was the only
matter officially before the city
heads yesterday.
A substantial segment of testi-
mony. however, found fault with
the long-range plans submitted
by the NCPC as a guide for even
tual development of 427 acres in
the Southwest. Later, this large
area is expected to be broken
down into smaller projects. such
as the one designated Area B.
Strongest criticism of the long
range proposals was that they are
not geared to attract enough
high-income residents or to make
best use of the Southwest's natu-
raj beauty. Among those urging
a re-study or public hearing on
this matter were spokesmen for
architectural, building, banking
and business groups.
Contributes to Delay.
Protests against this tentative
plan played a part in delaying
the Commissioners ruling on the
B plan.
John Nolen, jr.. NCPC planning
director. asked that the hearing
record be kept open until he files
a supplementary statement with
the city heads to:
/. Explain this nebulous ques-
ton of upgrading (of the entire
Southwest area), which we think
we have dealt with already"
2. Explain the NCPC's reasons
for including certain Fourth street
business properties in the B plan
The Commissioners gave Mr.
Nolen until Christmas to submit
his report. They said they would
try to issue decision on the B
plan before December 81. when
Brig. Gen. Bernard L. Robinson,
Engineer Commissioner, will leave
Office.