Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-17
S.W. RedeveIopment-o New Look

The redevelopment plan for Southwest
Washington proposed in outline form by the
New York firm of Webb and Knapp, is breath
taking in the magnitude of its concept. 1t offers
the ultimate in an idealistic approach to urban
redevelopment. The hard realities will come
under examination later What gives it prac-
tcal substance now is its sponsorship by firm
with a reputation of success in other bold VEN
lures, a demonstrated know-how and ability
to attract capital.
The plan seems to make sense on paper,
although the difficulties are obvious. 1t is
based on the philosophy underlying the whole
theory Of evelopment-partnerShip between
Government and private enterprise in making
over, from the ground up, deteriorating areas,
and starting them afresh toward new future.
AS others have found, Southwest Washington
comes close to offering the ideal laboratory for
putting this sort of alchemy to the test. 1t is
potentially one of the most desirable parts OF
the city, with water front made to order for
new and imaginative utilization. Without bold
redevelopment, its future is GRIM With rede-
velopment the transformation of this one area
would initiate new era in development OF
Washington as a worthy Capital of a great
Nation.
That thought is fundamental in the scheme
described by William Zeckendorf, president Of
the firm presenting this new approach to South
west redevelopment. The nucleus of the plan
is new South Mall and L'Enfant Plaza sur
rounded by such Government structures as an
opera house, convention hall, symphony hall
and museum-projects that have been proposed
for years. That development, Mr.. zeckendorf
believes, would furnish the key for redevelop-
nent of the whole area It would also represent
the National Governments contribution, for the
remaining parts of the plan would attract, 1t is
said, the investment of private enterprise and
would increase the tax yield sufficiently to off,
set large part of the expenses to the munich
pality. Americans everywhere are proud OF
their Capital. This pride, Mr.. Zeckendorf be-
heves, can be made the force behind his concept
of redeveloping of the Southwest bringing closer
to realization the ideal of what the American
Capital ought to be.
In speaking of these dreams, one is i'm
mediatey struck by the contrast between them
and the realities of such mundane undertakings
as public works program, designed to produce
basic necessities in the form of adequate sewer
and water systems, school buildings, municipal
institutions highways and the like, and the
difficulties of obtaining agreement on an &C
ceptable financial formula. But the public
works program, and the broad plan OF South
west redevelopment described by Mr.. Zecken-
dorf, are parts of the same picture. Congress-
and the American people, must somehow be
made to realize the unpleasant fact that this
American Capital is already showing evidence
of dangerous deterioration. Unless that trend
Is reversed by vigorous, far-Sighted leadership
determined to make this city the most beautiful
capital in the world, it is going to degenerate
into the ugliest-a city in which few beautiful
buildings and parks, reflections of past dreams.
are surrounded by slums, with their creeping
blight of poverty, disease and crime with those
who can afford to do so moving beyond its
boundaries.
One thing to be accomplished by continuing
study of the new plan for Southwest redevelop-
ment is clearer understanding of the alterna-
tives between doing something to rebuild this
Capital and doing nothing too long.