Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-15
City. Council
Hits old Town
Bridge Access
Riverfront Approach
Suggested as Crowds
jam Protest Session
BY PAUL HOPE

~ AOAS AAOA -
The Alexandria City Council
went on record last night as
unanimously against Jones Point
bridge approaches through the
|"Old Town" section but left the
door open for possible APP
|proaches along the riverfront.
The action came after nearly
$500 persons appeared to protest
|plans for approaches east Of
Washington street. The crowd
damned the Council chamber
and overfiowed into the hall,
down the City Hall steps and
onto the sidewalk.
The Alexandria Retail Mer-
chants Association had gone on
record for approaches east of
Washington street to attract
washington and Maryland Gus
TONERS to downtown Alexandria
stores.
Compromise Offered
The compromise solution was
Offered by Mayor Leroy S. Bend
helm, who said that while he
thought the historic section OF
the city should be protected. the
city should explore the posi-
bility Of using the vicinity OF
Union street next to the river
for approaches.
william H. Dorsey, jr.. pre-
sented the main arguments
against approaches east Of
Washington street. He repre-
sented the Old Town and Yates
Garden Civic Associations. the
Alexandria Association and the
Historic Alexandria Foundation.
He said that proposed ap-
proacheS on South Royal and
South Fairfax streets would ruin
the old town section.
killing this historic section
would hurt the whole city" Mr..
Dorsey said. IF the Old Town
goes, then the priceless heritage
Of historical homes and shrines
goes"
I'VE all patronize Alexandra
merchants" he said. IF you
destroy our property, it will take
q lot Of customers coming across
the bridge to make up for US. .
Bypass Plan Cited
He also protested that the
Jones Point Bridgew as planned
as part Of q bypass route around
the Washington Metropolitan
Area and was never conceived
as q local link between Maryland
and Alexandria"
i A large delegation from the
st. Mary's Mothers Club also
protested that the planned ap-
Iproaches would create q traffic
hazard for children attending
ISt. Mary's Parochial School al
Green and South Royal streets.
MIR. Dorsey accused city off,
cials Of indicating city approval
of the South Royal and South
Fairfax street approaches in con-
ferences with the Bureau OF
Public Roads, which is designing
THE $l4 million span.
City Manager Ira r. Willard
said administrative Officers
m erely furnished information
asked by roads officials and never
said the council had approved
the two approaches.
Seeking Rehabilitation
Mr.. Bendheim noted that the
city currently is trying to re-
habilitate the city port. He said
approaches at Union street, If
they are feasible, would be an
asset in the development of river
trade.
Mr.. Dorsey said he personally
saw no objection to approaches
along the riverfront II they would
not interfere with the Old Town
section.
The Chamber Of Commerce,
through Harry Bendall. presi-
dent. and the Retail Merchants
Association. asked postponement
of the decision until detailed
studies are made.
Mr.. Bendheim's suggestion was
adopted unanimously. The reso-
luton objected specifically to
any approaches on South Fair
fax. Royal. Pitt. st. Asaph or
Lee streets.