Evening star., 1955-09-22
AConsuItants
Start Site Study
With Hearing
Virginia, Maryland
Spokesman Argue
Area Advantages
BY GEORGE BEvERDGE

pu00O, WTyly mduC tLtC uO
unanimity" observation after
hearing all-day arguments from
proponents of various sites in
Virginia and Maryland.
AS expected, major attention
centered on two Virginia loca-
tions-a Federal tract at Lang
ley and the So-called Winkler
tract at the southeast corner Of
Shirley highway and Seminary
road.
CIA officials, pressed for some
sentiment about a location at
recent Capitol Hill hearings. said
they were leaning toward these
two locations, with q slight edge
going to Langley.
Examine All Possibilities
They have instructed the con-
sultants, however, to examine all
possibilities in the area. and to
recommend one. The only juris-
diction out Of the picture COM
pletely is the District.
CIA officials said they have no
deadline to meet on the selection
but are anxious to reach one "as
soon as possible" Congress has
granted funds to begin the prof.
ect.
Mr.. Clarke, former Federal
Fine Arts Commission chairman.
and his associate, Michael Ra-
puano, for the, most part lis
tened politely to the presenta-
tions yesterday. asking few ques-
tions.
Half the day was devoted to
pros and cons on the Langley To-
cation. Earlier. Maryland off,
cials promised to submit detailed
information on several Mont
gomery and Prince Georges
County sites, and Alexandria Of
ficials argued strongly for the
Winkler tract.
Stimulus to Development
In each case, proponents con-
tended their favorite provided
the best means Of access, best
facilities and most desirable at
fractions for both the agency
and its employees.
Questioning John Nolen, jr.,
National Capital Planning Com
mission director, Mr.. Clarke
asked If the CIA center would
be better sort Of set aside by
itself" and not in a highly de-
veloped area.
Mr.. Nolen said that question
was q basic issue" facing the
consultants. Noting that wher-
ever the new center goes It'll
will stimulate wide develop
ment," he urged that major
emphasis be given to the plan
ming decision Of where such de-
velopment should be stimulated.
Over a five or 10-year period,
however. Mr.. Nolen predicted
that costs of services the center
needs will be relatively the same
regardless Of whether the move
was to a highly-developed or
relatively open area.
Costs to Even Out
The adequacy of such public
facilities as roads. water and
sewers has figured largely in
arguments for and against sites.
Mr.. Nolen said it might appear
initially that less costs would
be involved in highly developed
areas, but that over a period Of
years it would even out.
The strongest opposition to
the Langley site came from resi-
dents who fear the CIA would
stimulate residential and COM
mercial development to the
point that the planned small
estate" character of the area
would be ruined.
Roger Fisher, an attorney and
spokesman for this viewpoint,
contended pressures for develop
ment would be so great that
"zoning plans will simply be
broken down."
During the period Of construc-
tion, he said. trucks and heavy
equipment on Langley's existing
narrow roads also would make
the area IAN utter hell" Major
road improvements slated, If
the Langley site is selected. in
clude extension of the George
Washington Memorial parkway
and widening of Route 1913 from
Chain Bridge to Langley. But
Mr.. Fisher noted these improve
ments would not precede the
center's construction.
Fairfax Officials Heard
Fairfax County officials, how
ever, challenged the idea that
the impact of new development
would be as great as Mr.. Fisher
feared. Officials of the County
Planning Commission and the
County Chamber of Commerce
argued strongly for the Langley
site.
They insisted also that most
residents in the Langley area
have no objection to the CIA
proposal and said public facili-
ties proposed there would be en-
tirely adequate.
Mr.. Clarke and Mr.. Rapuano
returned to New York last night
for a detailed study of the maze
of material and testimony they
heard. They said 1t was too
early" 10 determine when they
would have q recommendation
ready. &c.,.
n