Evening star., 1959-12-07
Mayor Pushes
FuII-ScuIe Plan
On Alexandra
BY JOHN BARRON
Star Stan Writer

cta1 SIau WIlIeE
Alexandria should order o
full-scale annexation study
within the next few weeks or
forget about absorbing parts
of Fairfax County, Mayor Le-
roy S. Bendheim said today.
The city has just completed
"a preliminary investigation Of
the feasibility of taking about
Is square miles from Fairfax.
Mr.. Bendheim said its findings
indicate Alexandria might profit
relatively quickly" from ex-
panSion.
"The results dictate that we
go to a step further in con-
sidering annexation, and I
think we should hire consult
ants to provide us with COM
prehensive information so we
can make a final decision" he
said.
Annexation Stressed
"The initial study clearly
demonstrates that Alexandria
would be a dead city today
had it not taken territory from
Fairfax in 1882"
Alexandria doubled its size
then by annexing about rs
miles from the county.
THE study shows that in
this area we already are break
ing even or perhaps prof1ting
in terms of the ratio of city
expenditures to tax revenues"
Mr.. Bendheim said.
But the annexed land Is
only half developed and just
beginning to realize its poten-
tial. There is every reason to
believe that from here on it
will give the city far more
money in taxes than it takes in
services.
"The land considered for fu-
ture annexation already con-
tains much industrial and
commercial development, as
well as many fine residential
sections. I think this indicates
the city could profit relatively
quickly from it."
'HOme Town" to $4,000
The preliminary study con-
sidered two sections of the
county adjoining the western
and southern borders of Alex
andria.
Mr.. Bendheim declared that
most of the 10000 residents of
these areas already consider
Alexandria their home town.
Fairfax Views
Mrs. Anne wilkins, vice
chairman of the Fairfax Board
of County Supervisors, said
however, that the county is
providing water and sewer
service, schools and other pub
lie services in the proposed an
nexation areas. She added that
residents Of those areas have
no community of interests with
Alexandria.
Supervisor A. Claiborne Leigh
S aid Alexandria's proposal
would "help point out our prob
lem to the General Assembly"
Mr.. Leigh said that it might
help Fairfax get appropriate
legislation to f1end of future
annexation threats.
Mr.. Bendheim said Alex
andria probably would not have
TO disturb its present bonded
debt limitations should it
absorb the areas considered.
He reported the study indicates
that debts for public improve
ments in the areas could be
serviced with taxes already
being produced there.
Sees Action Urgent
The Mayor indicated that
need for a decision about
whether the city should file an
annexation suit is urgent.
Because of the insistence by
Fairfax County to seek legisla-
ton making it increasingly diff
f1cult for cities to expand, 7
think we cannot afford to lose
any great amount Of time in
obtaining comprehensive in
formation which would permit
us to make a final decision" he
said.
The f1ve-month study com.
pleted by various departments
Of the city government avoids
recommendations about the de.
STABILITY Of annexation.
Mr.. Bendheim said the sur
vey was necessarily "meager"
because city personnel had to
perform their normal duties
while making it.
He added that if professional
consultants are engaged, they
should be allowed wide dis.
cretion" in determing whether
IL would be desirable to annex
more than the Is square miles.