Evening star., 1960-04-28
Adams-Morgdn
Citizens UnVeiI
Renewal Plan
Foee Thorny Issue
OF Federal Role;
Experiment Hailed
BY GEORGE WILSON
Star stan Writer

0y OEOhOL "ALCON
Star stan Writer
Residents of the Adams
Morgan section of Washington
made history last night simply
by getting together and dis
cussing a plan for revitalizing
their neighborhood.
Dean Richard NJ. Bray of
American University, moder-
ator of the meeting. said this
neighborhood do = it yourself
effort is the first of its kind
in the Nation.
William E. Finley. director
of the National Capital Plan
ming Commission, hailed it as
IAN important experiment in
democracy"
The Adams Morgan Citizens
Planning Committee met in
All-Souls' Unitarion Church to
unveil its preliminary plan for
rebuilding the Northwest neigh
borhood.
Would RerOute Traffic
The plan recommends re-
directing traffic to ease con-
gestlon; eliminating substand-
ard dwellings,; fixing up de-
teriorating ones, and adding to
existing recreation areas.
The plan also calls for wiping
out Objectionable industries in
the neighborhood, if financially
feasible, and building a new
shopping center on Columbia
road between Eighteenth street
and Champlain street.
These reco lamentations
promise to be far less contro-
versial than the question of
whether the Adams-Morgan
section should declare itself an
urban renewal area under
Federal law. Dean Bray said
this was the crucial decision.
Donald F. Bozarth, chief of
urban renewal planning at the
National Capital Planning
Commission, said the majority
of the Adams-Morgan citizens
planning committee appeared
to favor declaring the neigh
borhood an urban renewal area.
Would Aid RezOning
Besides providing the project
with Federal money and expert
advice, Mr.. Bozarth said work
ing within the Federal urban
renewal program would make
it easier to make coming changes
and knock down undesirable
buildings. He added that Fed
eral mortgage insurance under
the urban renewal program
would facilitate getting mort
gage money for houses in the
area.
AS for disadvantages, Mr..
Bozarth said designating
Adams-Morgan an urban re-
newal area might have an "ad-
verse" psychological effect up
on the general reputation OF
the area as a desirable place
in which to live and to buy"
The Adams-Morgan residents
will discuss the plan and the
urban renewal question at an
other meeting May l6.
Supervised by AU
In authorizing the project
October %, 1858, the District
agreed to perform $7l,000
worth of such extraordinary"
services as making surveys in
the Adams Morgan neighbor-
hood and offering courses in
how to rehabilitate homes.
American University contracted
to lay the foundation for the
renewal of the neighborhood.
The Federal Urban Renewal
Administration contributed
$685. 900.
The contract is due to expire
October %, 1860. Representa-
tives of the community council
working on the Adams Morgan
project asked the District Com
missioners January l8 to ex-
tend the contract for one year.
District Commissioner A. C.
yelling last night said he
wants the administration work
of the project to continue. But
he said District officials rather
than American University
should supply the supervision
after the contract expires.
AS for financing this super
vision, Mr.. yelling said the
budget cycle" precludes the
District from supplying the
money. He said either the area
itself or the Federal Govern
ment might furnish the funds.
Mr.. yelling said he wants the
Districts current help to Adam
Morgan to continue and posi-
bly, be increased. He said the
Districts new six-year lighting
program would be started this
summer in the section,