Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-06-03
Plan One
DESCRIPTION

house only the White House Of
flee on the site of the existing
old State, War and Navy Build
ing, extend the White House
grounds to include the site and
building, and connect it to the
White House by tunnel.
Provide for other organiza-
tional units of the executive
Office in Building Project No. 7
proposed to be constructed on
the square north of Pennsyl-
vania avenue and east of Seven
teenth street, and connect it to
the White House Office building
tunnel.
Remodel the west wing of the
White House for use as quarters
for visiting dignitaries.
ADVANTAGES
1t permits the White House
Office building to be incorporated
within the White House
grounds, by restoring to the
grounds an area originally taken
from them, allowing the White
House Office to remain on the
White House grounds, where 1t
has always been and where by
tradition in the minds Of the
American people the office should
be located.
1t permits the design and con-
struction of a building in keep
ing in size and character with
the White House.
It permits an arrangement OF
structure and grounds that will
serve to enhance the White
House, rather than overshadow
and detract from it.
1t provides suitable space for
the White House Office in one
building on a basis of proper
Office organization.
It provides reserve space for
reasonable future expansion.
1t permits an integrated func-
tional Office arrangement OF the
White House Office.
1t provides Offices convenient
Of access from the White House
by tunnel.
1t provides maximum security
and privacy for the President
and his Offices.
1t permits the removal Of
Office activities from close as
ISOLATION with the residence
functions of the White House.
DISADVANTAGES
The only objection voiced was
that the plan requires the re-
moval of the Old State. War
and Navy Building. In view Of
the recognized faults and de-
ficiencies in the design, loca-
ton and condition of the Old
State. War and Navy Building
its demolition appears to some
TO be an advantage.
1t will be necessary to pros
vide temporary Office accom-
modations for elements Of the
White House Office. now located
In the Old State, War and Navy
Building, after that building is
torn down and before the new
Office building is completed.
COMMENTS
The construction Of a building
Of the scale and design contem-
plated on this site commensurate
with the dignity and Importance
Of the Office of the President. es-
tablishes the White House ONCE
properly near the Mansion and
appropriately within the White
House grounds. 1t provides
security. privacy and convenience
for the President. With the clos
ing of West Executive avenue,
which for practical public traf-
nc purposes is closed now, 1t
permits the ground on which the
Old State. War and Navy Build
ing stands to be brought back
into the White House area from
which 1t was originally taken.
Finally, it offers the unusual
combination Of both adequate
space for the needs Of the White
House ONCE and an integrated
arrangement of structure and
grounds. serving 10 enhance and
dignity the White House ITSELF
The cost OF this plan, including
the proportionate part Of the
cost Of Building Project No. 7
and the cost of remodeling the
West Wing. is estimated at $32.-
100000. In the estimates de-
veloped 1t is neither the most nor
the least expensive of the plans
considered. The estimated costs
of the several plans differed rela-
lively little among themselves if
considered in relation to the
benefits afforded. The Commits
sion decided that in view of the
comparatively narrow range OF
the estimates. cost should not
be a determining factor in the
selection Of the plan to be recon-
mended.
Plan One realizes more COM
pletely than any other plan the
detectives Established hv the