Evening star., 1954-06-02


build dwellings is an old story in
This is the second ortieIe in q series
on sIum eleoTonce and redeveIop-
ment plan to be presented to the
AIexundiG City Council on Tuesdoy.
--
the city. q current plan to clear
an area including Slum houses
for construction Of a shopping
center. is something new.
Those residents and business
men who have opposed redevel-
opment of any type have been
Joined in the present fight by
those who object to clearing q
residential area for strictly COM
mercial use.
The City Council will receive
the Prince Street shopping CEN
ter plan on Tuesday and is ex-
pected to set a public hearing
before reaching a decision.
The Housing Authority became
the Alexandria Redevelopment
and Housing Authority in 1949,
under terms of State legislation
and the National Housing Act of
1949. The law approved by Con-
greSS provided methods for help
ing cities to get rid of blighted
areas. Cost of redevelopment
projects, the act provided, would
be met two-thirds by the Federal
Government and one-third by
the city.
Cost to City Included.
Alexandria's share of the pro-
posed Prince street project is es-
timated by the authority at
$4,000. This amount includes
about $4,000 the city would
spend in the area for streets,
sidewalks and utility work. The
$136. 900 balance may be paid
over three-year period, the au-
thority says.
r. S. Marshall, jr.. executive
director Of the authority. says
the Federal Government has re-
viewed plans for the project and
has given assurance that its
share. S360.00O. will be forth
coming if the plan is approved
by City Council.
The $540.O total of the Fed
eral and city shares represents
the deficit or loss anticipated on
the project. The authority esti-
mates it will cost $1.16S. .831 to
redevelop the 11-acre tract. This
includes the authority's esti-
mated cost Of paying property
owners, at commercial rates, for
land and buildings.
Another figure in the total
cost is between $50, 900 and $40,-
900 spent so far for preparation
Of plans and the services of
consultantS and appraisers. This
money, advanced by the Fed
eral Government. need not be
repaid unless the city proceeds
with the project.
U. S. Offered Funds.
The Federal Government
agreed to make planning funds
available after the City Council,
on May 9, 1850. asked the Alex
andria authority and the Hous-
ing and Home Finance Agency
to study slum conditions in the
city.
The authority expects to re-
ceive about 1923 900 for the tract
after it is cleared for private
redevelopment.
Mr.. Marshall said the author
1ty advised the council of the
Prince street idea after a pre-
liminary study, and the city
asked for a definite plan.
The Prince street area was
chosen according to the au-
thority, after all available sites
for redevolopment had been
studied.
Just outside the project are
business establishments on the
south side Of King street be-
tween Payne and Peyton streets.
Inside the boundary but ex-
cluded from the redevelopment
plan are the Shiloh Baptist
Church, a furniture store, a
bakery. cleaning plant, garage
and property Of an auto dealer.
Among the buildings to be torn
down If the project is approved
are II business establishments,
most Of them old or temporary.
They include a market. a sewing
shop. welding shop, used car lot
and offices, hot dog stand and
auto repair and storage garages.
See Big Losses.
Owners Of the commercial
projects slated for demolition
argue that they stand to lose
more than any other group if
the redevelopment program is
approved. The proprietors of an
auto paint shop and q welding
shop. for instance. say they can
not find comparable facilities
elsewhere because it is difficult
to find locations where those op-
erationS are permitted.
Some of the establishments are
owner-occupied and others are
leased. These commercial own
erS ask why their businesses
should be taken away from them
and reSold to some other COM
mercial investor for his private
gain.
Under present plans, all the
homes within the boundary,
whether Sub-Standard or not, are
to be razed.
The redevelopment area is west
of the "untouchable" section Of
the city along the Potomac River
THE Old and Historic Alex