Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-04-14
Arlington Sets
Public Hearing
On Courthouse
BY SAM EASTMAN


The Arlington County Board
has decided to hold a public
hearing on courthouse expansion
plans.
This move came yesterday as
the board found itself under fire
for having excluded the public
in the development of prelim-
mary plans.
The board will hold the hear
ing at its next regular session
on April ~.
On March 81. revised court
house plans were unveiled pro-
viding for land acquisition to the
west Of the courthouse-mainly
for parking purposes.
BY a 4-to-l vote, the board
stated its intent" to acquire
from 10 property owners land
lying within an area of about
two blocks. BY the same vote.
the board approved the archi-
tect's plans which include major
changes from the original pro-
posals.
Kaul Voices Objections
In both instances, the mega
tive ballot was cast by Ralph
Raul. who offered strong objec-
tons to the fact that no public
hearing had been held.
The following week, the Ar
lington Civic Federation unani-
mously urged the board to re-
consider and hold a public hear
ing.
Yesterday. one board member.
David Krupsaw. stated that he
had never intended to bar the
public on the matter.
He had not supported Mr..
Kaul's stand. Mr.. Krupsaw said.
because the project had to be
launched at some point. Also.
he said. 1t was necessary to avoid
land speculation and to put the
owners on notice not to invest
In property improvements.
MIR. Krupsaw asked County
Manager A. T. Lundberg to pre-
pare for the April q hearing
comparative figures on land
values. along with the square
footage, of the 10 properties and
OF vacant land to the south and
east of the courthouse.
Residents Express Concern
Moving into the area of long.
range development. Mr.. Krup-
saw also called for valuation
figures Of Office buildings which
are located to the east of the
courthouse and between it and
the county's presently owned
parking lot.
Mr.. Raul said he would like
economic feasibility" figures on
the parking area and building
plans which the board had in
dorsed at the previous meeting.
There are q number Of resi-
dents, Mr.. Raul said, who are
concerned that the available
funds will not cover the re-
vised plans.
Last June. county voters APP
proved a $2.2 million courthouse
bond issue. According to a bro
chure circulated by the county
before the voting, the present
three-story center section would
be replaced by a six-story Sec
ton. a third floor would be added
to the south wing and land &C.
quired for parking.
However. the new preliminary
plans call for a seven-story
center section. The south wing
item remains unchanged.
Public Debate Favored
Yesterday. another board men,
Der. DR.. L. H. Blevins, said he
was interested in taking a close
look at the possibility of expand
ing toward the east rather than
to the west of the courthouse.
Mrs. Leone Buchholz emphas-
lied that she has an open mind
on the question and that all fac
tors will be publicly debated.
In other action. the board:
/. Denied a request by the Ar
Ilington Kiwanis Teen-Age Club
for permission to occupy a build
ing. formerly used as church
at 2347 North Fillmore street
The vote was 2 to 0. with Mrs
Buchholz and DR.. Blevins alb
staining. Wesley w. Cooper was
absent.
2. Postponed until June 8 q
request by the Francis Scott Key
American Legion Post A to op.
crate club at 1907 North Eigh-
lteenth street,