Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-04-11
Court Approves
.FoggY Bottom
Project Studies
BY GEORGE BEvERIDGE

A Federal court decision has
cleared the way for immediate
steps leading toward controver-
sial urban renewal programs in
Foggy Bottom.
Judge F. Dickinson Let's. after
hearing four hours of argument.
yesterday ruled fatty against a
suit brought by private property
owners who sought to halt stu
dies and plans in two big areas
in Foggy Bottom and near the
George Washington University.
William T. Hannah, attorney
for the property owners. said he
will appeal
He had contended that pre-
liminary urban renewal steps
taken by the District Commits
sioners were contrary to lawful
procedures and'that they already
have cast "a blight" over private
development by soaring off IN
vestment capital there.
Suit Held Premature
Judge Let's ruled that the
suit was premature, after hear
ing Assistant Corporation Coun-
sci Milton d. Norman insist that
the city heads only have au-
thorized studies and surveys to
be conducted. Mr.. Norman de-
MED these acts have affected the
plaintiffs property-a large tract
slated for commercial develop
ment at Twenty-fifth and F.
streets NV.
The judge also commented
that he was equally convinced
that the injury and damage
plaintiff fears is entirely Specu-
lative."
The legal case revolved around
two actions of the Commits
SionerS:
On January 20, they approved
boundaries of big area of more
than 80 blocks which they called
the George Washington Uni
versity Urban Renewal Area"
On March 8. however. they
ISSUED clarifying statement
saying they hadn't intended to
Endorse any specific area for re-
development or other urban re-
newal treatment. All they were
doing. the resolution said. was
to authorize request for Fed
eral funds TO make studies in a
general area which would de-
termine at 2 later date ~
whether a renewal project is
needed and ~ what its boun-
diaries should be.
Mr.. Hannah. in his suit and
arguments yesterday. contended
that the law requires the Com
miSsioners to designate firm
renewal project area before Fed
eral study money can be OBJ
tanned.
He also argued that the law
requires the Commissioner to
hold an official public hearing
before adopting the area boun-
diaries. He said the only direct
relief he was seeking was an
order that such q hearing be
held.
Judge Let's. however, accepted
Mr.. Korman's argument that
the Commissioners need only
one public hearing and that
that be after firm renewal plan
of new development is drawn
and submitted to the city heads
for adoption.
Mr.. Hannah denied that. I'M
der law, the Commissioners could
seek money only for studies. He
: held that the survey money
would be used as we'll for prep
laration OF a plan which would
set the fate of private property
before property owners had any
/ thing to say about it at hear
ing.
/ Mr.. Hannah said the Commits
; sioners realized this and that
their clarifying resolution
adopted after the suit was filed
was the most duplicitous docu-
ment in the history of the
District.
Single Contract
An official Of the District Re-
development Land Agency. which
carries out urban renewal pro-
grams, said it is true that a
single contract between RIA and
the Housing and Home Finance
= Agency covers Federal money
advances for both urban re-
newal studies and plan prepare
ton"
The area at issue in the suit
covers more than 80 blocks, To-
Gated generally south of Penn
sylvania avenue and west OF
Nineteenth street, A second,
smaller renewal area is pro-
posed south Of Pennsylvania
avenue and west Of Twenty
. fourth street NV.