Evening star., 1960-01-20
Fine Arts Puts OK
On Roads Desiqn
Approach Layout
To New Bridge
Awaiting Action

trict's approach-roads struc-
lures. that will connect with
the new Theodore Roosevelt
Bridge.
While giving its sanction to
the stone-faced and architec-
turally simple overpasses for
the complex road system, the
commission emphasized that
today'S action did mot neces-
sarily constitute approval of
the approach-road layout it.
self.
The fine arts group was to
go into this controversial as
pect of the highway complex
this afternoon. District High
way Department officials were
to present their plans to COM
mission members with the aid
Of a large scale model showing
the entire Constitution avenue
Lincoln Memorial area.
OkayS Freeway Plan
The commission also in
dorsed a preliminary plan
simplifying an earlier proposal
for extending the proposed new
Potomac River freeway over
the west leg of the inner loop
freeway. The structures, which
will include an extension of the
existing Whitehurst freeWay
over the west leg, are to be
built in the vicinity of the
present intersection of K
street with Twenty-sixth and
Twenty-seventh streets NV.
The proposal submitted by
the Highway Department to-
day was in line with a sug-
gested improvement made by
the commission last year. Its
affect will be to eliminate one
OF three different levels origi-
nally planned there.
Here again commission mem
bers stressed their action on
this specific project does not
represent an Endorsement Of
the overall inner-loop plan.
Other Actions Taken
Among its other actions the
commission:
/. Concurred with a recent
opinion by the Attorney Gen.
eral which held that the pro-
visions Of the Old Georgetown
Act apply to all structures in
the Georgetown section. The
ruling was at variance with
a legal opinion given by the
District Corporation Counsel
but the District Commissioners
yesterday agreed to abide by
the Attorney Generals opinion.
2. Opposed the relocation Of
the present D. c. Transit Sys-
tenn bus terminal at Thirteenth
street and Pennsylvania avenue
NV. to a point slightly west
ward and behind the Coast
Guard Building. The relocation
proposal has been made by the
National Capital Planning
Commission to facilitate con-
struction of new Federal Of
flee Building air-conditioning
unit on the site of the present
bus terminal. The conditioner
unit is planned as part of the
further expansion of the Fed
eral Triangle, which involves
demolition of the Coast Guard
headquarters and the District
Building.
8. Approved construction Of
new building at Sixth street
and Pennsylvania avenue NV.
to house Federal-District labor
services. Strong misgivings
were voiced. however, over plans
to build an elevator-air condi-
toner penthouse atop the struc-
ture. thus creating another
wart on the city skyline"
The commission also reviewed
Army Engineer Corps plans to
expand the present water filter
building at Dalecarlia by add
ing new chemical and filter
building attachments. Members
commended the general plan
for the expansion, which will
conform to the present brick
faced Georgian-type architect
ural style.
Bridge Color Debate
Members got into an extend
ed discussion with highway de-
partment officials over whether
the city's bridges should be
painted gray or green. Highway
officials assured the commission
they would appreciate detailed
suggestions along this line.
Meanwhile, it was announced
that plans to remodel a con-
demned 18th century George
town building at 1922 Wiscon-
sin avenue. NV, were approved
recently by the Commissioners
over the objections of the fine
arts group.
The building. which has been
vacant for a number of years,
last was used for a small gen.
eral delivery business under
the name Beall'S Express. The
remodeling plans by attorney
A. L. Wheeler, who recently
bought the property call for
a shop on the first floor. an
office on the second and apart
ments on the third.
The Fine Arts Commission
had objected to the plans on
several points. One was that
the shop front should be less
elaborate" than called for
under the plan and that the
buildings dormer windows
should not be eliminated