Evening star., 1957-04-27
Called Big Aid
In Promoting
Urban Renewal

OlSCTlcC inspectors IN ID
months have brought 1,349
buildings in a 68-block North
east area into compliance with
the city's new housing code,
Licenses and Inspections Direc-
tor Cabell Gwathmey has dis
closed.
Enforcement Of the new code
in this pilot area" Mr.. Gwath-
mey reported yesterday, has
contributed materially" to ar
resting deterioration and pro-
noting the objectives of the
city's urban renewal program.
The Northeast pilot area.
bounded by Constitution avenue.
Second street. F street, Mary
land avenue. Benning road and
the Anacostia River, was picked
Tor the first house-by-house ap-
plication of the city's revamped
housing code adopted in Sep
tember. 1855.
The code imposed the first spe-
cific housing regulations on in
dividual residences and flats
which formerly we're subject only
to general health regulations ap-
plicable primarily to outside con-
ditions around the buildings.
Mr.. Gwathmey said that as a
result of intensive inspections
many homeowners cleaned yards
OF trash and garbage, painted
and plastered home exteriors
added either partial or complete
bathrooms, repaired roofs and
installed m odern chain-link
fences.
Figures Are Cited
The enforcement drive has
eliminated 1873 outside water
closets, and owners have in
148 interior water clos
cts. 395 lavatories, II sinks and
l62 tubs or showers, the report
noted.
The Gwathmey report also
cited the elimination of several
thousand other code violations.
including rodents, carbon mo-
noxide hazards, and defective
plumbing. chimneys, electrical
outiets. floors, walls, ceilings
and stairways.
Owners of 228 homes have re-
placed downspouts and cutters
and 615 houses have been,
painted, the report said.
The enforcement chief said
much remains to be done"
especially in outside improve
ments. Some problems. such as
dirty yards, are daily house.
keeping matters which require
constant attention by owners.
the police. department
of sanitary engineering and the
housing DIVISION" he pointed
out. But he added:
"A journey through the
Northeast area would show that
improvements are continually
being made. One could not help
but notice a number Of plumb
ng. electrical and general con-
.racting trucks in the area"
The cost to home-owners has
'anged from less than $40 to
1900 per building, with an aver
age OF about $277, Mr.. Gwathmey
;aid. The housing division has
spent about SAT per building in
seeing to the necessary changes,
he added.
He estimated home-owners in
the 68-block area will have spent
$4,000 when all properties are
brought up to standard.
Inspectors Course Slated
Mr.. Gwathmey yesterday an
that his s'department will
ioon launch a new training
for building inspectors.
The course, to consist of five or
'ix classes. will be given period
cally.
The corporation counSel's of
ice, he added, will help develop
procedures for more effective
The inspection chief also an
lounced that:
License renewals for apart
nents and rooming houses, hotels
md other multiple housing are
o be speeded by permitting the
Ssuance Of the license before in
pection.
Apartment house owners or
will be allowed to sub
nit affidavits as to compliance
With regulations. This is in
ended to streamline inspections
md economize on manpower un-
Ter pending new apartment
louse section of the code. A pub
ic hearing on this section is
lated for May "a.