Evening star., 1954-10-07
Cultural Center
In Southwest
Studied by Firm
Stuff Moy Be Set Up
Soon in District
By Webb & Knapp

Webb & Knapp, the New York
firm which has big plans for re-
developing Southwest Washing
ton, may soon install a staff here
to perfect the working details
Of its project.
The company has been sound
ing out private enterprise
throughout the country on the
possibility Of financing a huge
cultural center in the Southwest
section.
Ieoh Ming Pei, chief architect
for Webb & Knapp, made these
disclosures yesterday in a lunch
con before the National Associa-
ton of Housing and Redevelop-
ment officials. The function
drew well over 100 local planners.
Office Expected Soon.
Mr.. Pei declared he believes
the new technical Office of the
company will be set up VERY,
very soon"
The apparent source of his
confidence is the reported
progress of discussions between
company officials and Govern
ment Services Administration.
The company is trying to reach
an agreement with GSA under
which Government Offices now
housed in eyesore "tempos" on
the Mall would be shifted into
buildings that would be con-
structed along a proposed new
southwest mall.
Webb g. Knapp feels that the
new mall is the master key to
reviving the entire Southwest
area. The Office buildings
would be constructed under
lease-purchase legislation. Pri-
vate enterprise, presumably
Webb & Knapp in this case,
could build the structures and
lease Office space to the Govern
ment. At the end of a long
term leasing period the Govern
ment would take all rights and
title to the property.
IF we are successful in reach
ing an understanding with GSA,' -
Mr.. Pei declared, II can safely
say that Webb & Knapp will take
the next STEP" He indicated
that this would be establish
ment of a technical Office in
Washington, to augment the
present public relations staff
here. One of the first jobs OF
the technical staff would be to
make detailed reports and plans
on the use of specific property
sites in the Southwest.
Mr.. Pei said he hopes that local
planning experts will aid Webb g.
Knapp in this task.
Hopes for U. S. Funds.
Mr.. Pei offered no details on
the subject of obtaining angels
to finance a Southwest cultural
center, which would include a
symphony hall and opera house
The development firm hopes that
the Federal Government will pay
for the center. It is trying the
other approach. however, in the
event Congress wants no part OF
the idea.
The architect said that Webb
& Knapp has been talking with
various groups all over the
United States so that if there is
no public support for the center
we will have private support. u
It was indicated that some of the
large philanthropic organiza-
tions are being approached.
Speaking generally of the
needs of redeveloping the
Southwest, Mr.. Pei said that
creative thinking in terms of
real estate" must be applied to
the job.
Psychological Barrier.
A chief obstacle he said, is to
overcome the psychology that
Southwest Washington is ION the
other side of the tracks," Webb
& Knapp's solution to this is the
proposed southwest mall in the
vicinity of Tenth street.
The architect indirectly an
swered recent criticism by
Southwest Citizens Association
members on the vagueness of the
company's present redevelop-
ment plans. Mr.. Pei explained
that what Webb & Knapp has at
present for the Southwest is not
a plan at all, but IAN idea, a
schematic proposal from which q
plan can be prepared"