Evening star., 1953-09-09
Council Fears
Trade
Concentration
Concern Expressed
In Discussion of
Armory Lot Parking

Fears that the Silver Spring
(Md0 business center will be-
come another "F street" are
some members of the
Montgomery County Council real
CONSERVATION.
An air of concern was ap-
parent yesterday as the council
voted to 0, with one absten-
ton, to prepare resolution for
purchase of the controversial
armory lot in Silver Spring.
The resolution, presented by
Harold F. Hammond, calls for
the purchase of the 41a-acre
tract primarily for public park
ing. but providing ample space
for landScaping."
Council President George F..
Nesbitt, who abstained from the
vote, said he feels the purchase
might be sowing the seeds Of
an over-centralized business dis
trict in Silver Spring"
Purchase Expected.
Despite the fears expressed by
Mr.. Nesbitt and two other coun-
Gil members, the council is ex-
pected to authorize the purchase
next Tuesday.
-Four council members are
looking with approval at Silver
Spring Board of Trade proposal
to- reserve the lot for parking,
while the council gets gratis
another two-acre tract on Coles
vile road for eventual use as q
community center.
The package deal was a COM
promise engineered by the Board
of Trade to- gain support of the
armory lot purchase from civic
groups in the area.
Civic groups had said, in eff
feet, they wanted the armory lot
used primarily for a civic center,
with partial use as parking space.
Their second choice, however,
was the package deal, whereby
the county also would pick up
the Colesville road tract.
S5OO,O0O Price Tag.
The council. last spring. lost
a lengthy court battle to wrest
title of the armory lot from the
Maryland-National Capital Park
and Planning Commission. The
commission has placed $500, 900
price tag on the land.
Mr.. Nesbitt of Sandy Spring
and another up-county council
man, Lathrop E. Smith, warned
of business concentration and
traffic congestion in the area.
Both agreed that business areas
should be spread out more in
the county.
Mr.. Nesbitt said he fears Sill
yer Spring is likely to become
another 'F street."
II think we should consider
seriously spreading the COM
mercial development away from
Silver Spring." he said.
Councilman Louis A. Gravelle
suggested the council might
alleviate the threat of over
concentration" by limiting COM
mercial rezoning in the area.
Financing by Bonds.
If the council buys the
armory lot primarily for parking
use, it will be paid for out of
parking lot bonds for which
businessmen pay a special tax.
Mr.. Smith said, however, ne
will seek to amend the resolu-
ton when it comes up next
week. He wants to knock out
the commitment primarily to
parking use.
II think the question of use
extends a little beyond the pros
pect of the holiday business
rush." he said.
The businessmen and compro-
mise advocates seemed to have
the support of Mrs. Stella B.
Werner, Mr.. Hammond, Mr..
Gravelle and Grover Walker.
If the anti-business expansion
segment gains much strength,
it could mean the curtailment Of
the public parking lot program
and a Tightening of rezoning in
the Silver Spring area.
Cites Congestion.
Mr.. Nesbitt pointed to the
traffic congestion at Colesville
road and Georgia avenue as an
example of the over-centraliza-
ton of business.
Businessmen, however. have
long said the proposed extension
Of Sixteenth street and widening
of Fenton street would alleviate
this problem.
Mr.. Hammond's resolution was
accompanied by a request that
County Manager Edward T.
Beall and county planning divi-
sion employees present plan for
development of the armory lot.
The plan, Mr.. Hammond said.
should provide for adequate
screening and landscaping to
protect nearby property values
and present a park-like atmos-