Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-02-14

MS prospect was nelgIlIeIl
Services Administration annount
further construction ava DIS on
81 big lease-purchaSe projects.
including seven in Washington,
which Congress already has APP
proved.
Four of the seven projects in
the District are for buildings in
the Southwest redevelopment
area. If these are not con-
structed. it would be IA body
blow" to the program for the
AREA, Executive Director John r.
Searles. jr., Of the District Re-
development Land Agency said
yesterday.
In all. Congress has given APP
proval to SO GSA projects under
lease-purchase. Only one, a court
house and post Office at Rock
Island, H., is under construction
Congress also has approved IS
Ipostoffice buildings, to be handled
by the Post Office Department by
Ilease-purchase. But none of these
has been begun.
Probe Geared Up
Even before the GSA action,
Headers of the House and Senate
Public Works committees blasted
the tagging lease-purchase pro-
igram, and announced hearings
would begin to investigate it.
/ General Services Administra-
tor Franklin G. Floete said that
1.-THE halt in construction awards
was ordered, however. to prevent
further infiationary pressures in
the economy.
The Post Office Department
made no immediate announce
Iment. but was expected to follow
suit and announce similar poll
cies for its projects.
Mr.. Floete said his action wa:
in line with the policy Of the
president, as stated in his mes.
Issges on the State of the Unior
land the 1858 budget. to postpone
all work which can be deferred
with the exception of construc-
ltion to meet urgent needs fol
schools, highways and housing
and thus avoid aggravating in
fiationary pressures by unneces-
lsary competition for labor. mate
rails and equipment"
He emphasized. however. tina,
when "inflationary pressures re-
cede," needed construction Of
Government buildings would re-
sumo.
Looking toward that day. hi
said. GSA will continue to &C.
quire sites for and plan approved
llease-purchase projects ito the
extent of the funds available"
Money Earmarked
! GSA said the funds available
statement referred to an initia
site and planning amount n
sos million. All of this none!
is programmed. and it will no
be enough to buy sites and plar
for all the approved projects
they said.
GSA has asked Congress FOL
an additional $40 million thil
year and $40 million next veal
for sites and planning. 1t wa
not clear. however. whetheI
these requests would be pushed
in view of yesterdays action.
Following are the seven APP
proved Washington projects. ant
preliminary evaluation as t,
their status:
/. A $25.2 million Federal Of
flee building along the PROPOSED
Tenth street mall in the South
west redevelopment area. Avail
able money is not expected Il
! permit either site acquisition o
, planning. Land acquisition ha
, mot been programmed becaus
all aspects of the redevelopmen
. plan are not worked out.
2. A $l6.2 million Office build
, ing on independence avenue II
: the Southwest area. Site is &C
) quired and money is available 70
/ further planning.
3. A $12.l million Office build
ing for the Food and Drug Al
ministration at Second and I
streets S.W. Site is acquired ant
planning money is available.
S4O.9 Million Building
4. A $40.S million Office build
ling on independence avenue be
tween Sixth and Ninth street
S.W. Site is acquired and plan
ming money is available.
5. A S274 million Office build