Evening star., 1954-03-16

only if such a mall is provided
by the District will it put money
into the vast and expensive re-
development plan it is sponsor
ing.
The reason, officials said, Is
that such a monumental road
link between the Southwest and
the rest of Washington is needed
to set the pace for the type Of
development proposed.
This condition was set forth
In a memorandum Of under
standing" signed here yesterday
by william Zeckendorf. Webb
& Knapp president. and John A.
Remon, chairman Of the District
Redevelopment Land Agency. ~
The agreement touched of q
l2.month study, which viii de-
ternnines whether the New York.
ers' poposal will be acceptable
and feasible.
Show Place Envisioned.
A month ago, Webb and Knapp
displayed the proposals general
features They envisioned con-
version Of the rundown area
into a show-place Of the most
modern residential. business, cul.
tural and entertainment develop
ment.
Oficials for both groups
stressed that their agreement
does not commit either to any
final actions. Under the dis
trict'S redevelopment law. pow
er to approve plans rests with
the National Capital Planning
Commission and the District
Commissioners. Adoption Of
such a plan is the first positive
step. Only then can the land
agency acquire title to the desig-
mated slum area, clear structures
and sell the land for redevelop-
Inent to investors.
Basically. Webb and Knapp
agreed to make detailed econom-
ic and engineering studies of
the parts Of the program that
would be developed by private
capital-but not such public i'm
provements as the proposed mall,
other streets and schools.
The economic studies will in
clude financing possibilities and
the ability Of each type Of facility
to give investors a fair return
for their money. Mr.. Zeckendorf
said such studies would cost his
firm "at least $3.50 .O00."
The land agency, in turn,
agreed not to negotiate with any
other private investors-without
Webb and Knapp agreement -
for the sale of the land during
the next year; to try to get ap-
proval Of the south mall, they
give Webb and Knapp data on
sub-surface conditions, and gen.
orally to aid the firm in dealing
! with other agencies.
Il At such time as an agreeable
plan is adopted by the planners
and city heads. Webb and Knapp
said, it will submit a firm pro-
posal to buy land and do at least
half of the rebuilding.
Tenth Street Issue.
John r.. Searles, jr., land
agency director, said one of the
.agency's first jobs will be to see
II the mall idea would conflict
with District Highway Depart
Inent plans for developing Tenth
: street as "A major traffic artery
Previously. the highway officials
have protested plans which would
use Tenth street mainly to serve
local Southwest trafi1csNk.. ~
The mall. along with other
streets; would be a financing re-
sponsibility Of the District. Such
improvements, however. can be
credited toward the Districts
one-third share Of the net cost
Of buying and clearing the land.
The other two-thirds comes from
Federal aid.
Mr.. Searles estimated the total
Southwest land might cost $40
million. This expense would be
reduced by whatever figure pri-
vate investors would pay RIA
TOR It. :
The land agency already mas
received some Federal funds to
plan p redevelopment project
making up about half of the
Webb-Knapp proposal area, It
is designated as Area G. He said
the funds include money for the
sub-Surface tests his agency
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