Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-03-25
Revised Architectural
Plans for Area B Get
Land Agency Okay
By George Beveridee

The District Redevelopment
Land Agency has given formal
approval to final architectural
plans for rebuilding Area B.
Southwest Washington's pilot
slum clearance and redevelop-
ment project.
The plans show in detail the
type and placement of residen-
tial and business structures pro-
posed to be built by the Bush
Construction Co. of Norfolk, in
the 76-acre area bounded by
Fourth. South Capitol and I
streets and the proposed South
west IF street, freeway.
They differ sharply from ear
lier tentative plans. For the
most part, buildings are higher,
leaving more open space for
recreation and park-like areas
surrounding the structures.
The plan calls for 900 resi-
dental rental units of various
kinds, about 40 per cent of which
will rent for SIT per room per
month or less. One of it's main
features is an extensive around
the-block shopping center, 'front.'
ing on Fourth street S.W. The
roof of the block-size center
would be given over to parking
spaces. a $4,000 square-foot Of
fee building and a 210-room
hotel.
To Sell or Lease Land.
Under redevelopment powers,
the land agency intends to &C
Quire title to all land in the
76-acre area, clear it and sell or
lease the land to the Bush Co.
for rebuilding.
The agency already has used
eminent domain powers to &C
quire one city block and its
board has approved purchase so
far of SO dwellings, four business
properties and three vacant lots.
About so families also have been
rehoused.
In another action yesterday,
the agency authorized a contract
with the General Wrecking Co.
for demolition Of the first prop
critics. The demolition work is
expected to start in several
weeks.
John r. SearleS. jr.. agency di-
rector, said final contract with
the Bush Co. for purchase of the
land probably will not be signed
before late summer. While off,
Gals did not say so. it appeared
likely this will be held off until
final decisions are handed down
in court suits challenging the
program.
Review by Planners.
Mr.. Searles said approval of
the final plans yesterday, how
ever, clears the way for:
l. Their submission to the
National Capital Planning Com
mission for recommendations.
2. Negotiations with various
District agencies for street, water
and sewer changes to fit the new
development.
Mr.. Searles said no difficulties
were expected from the planners.
since they have been consulted
continuously during development
of the plans by the Bush Co.
architect, Milton j. PrasSaS.
1t Is known that Mr.. Prassas'
final plans also incorporate
changes worked out with Dis
trict officials, the Federal Hous-
ing Agency and the Housing and
Home Finance Agency. The FILA.
1t was understood, objected that
previous plans did not have
enough open space.
John A. Remon, RIA chair
man, praised the plans as fine
solution to very rigid specifica-
tons" The specifications. set
down by the Planning Com
mission and approved officially
by the District Commissioners,
spelled out numbers of various
types of structures that had to
be included.
Residential Specifications.
The 900 residential units in
clude: 81 four bedroom row
houses, so three-bedroom row
houses, ZIG two-bedroom flats,
312 multiple bedroom units in a
seventeen p-stop" elevator
apartment and 228 efficiency,
one and two bedroom units in
eight-story elevator apartments.
Generally, the row houses and
fiats-representing lowest-rental
units-are located north of G
street S.W. and along the ex-
IRENE eastern side of the project
area. The elevator apartments
are located east of the Fourth
street shopping center, between
G and I streets S.W.
The biggest surprise in the