Evening star., 1960-07-21
Renewal Plan
For Alexandra
Hit byCritics
School Board,
Civic Group
Voice Protests

Objections to Alexandria's
proposed urban renewal project
was raised today by the city'S
school board and Old Town
Civic Association.
The school board charged
last night that the project
makes no provision for ade-
quate school facilities.
Meeting in special session,
the civic associations board
voted to withdraw support of
urban renewal until such time
as a reasonable approach to
planning has been re-estab-
lished in consultation with in
terested citizens and groups"
The group called present
plans $50 impracticable and
flagrantly needless of the es-
sential character and tradition
of the Old Town area" as to
constitute an irresponsible
waste of public funds"
The civic association hit
planners for failing to consult
with persons most vitality af-
fected. A copy of the resolu-
tion was sent to the City
Council.
The school board charged
that the project makes no
provision for school facilities
that would be needed if the
plan were carried out.
The redevelopment plan, un-
veiled Tuesday, recommends
the construction of high-rise
apartments containing from 75O
to 1900 family units in the
downtown area.
Il am considerably distressed
to find the population will dou-
bic" in the renewal area, said
Thomas B. Mechling, the boards
recently elected chairman.
| The boards new vice chair
man, Mrs. Dan E. Kerbel, also
scored the plan, because moth
ing was set aside for schools"
Hite w. Sweeney said he felt
the plan shows mo considera-
ton" of school problems.
If it should become a real
ity," Mr.. Mechling said, II don't
know where we would put the
children"
Supt. T. C.. Williams was
asked to request information
from the Redevelopment Hous-
! ing Authority on how the prof.
ect would affect the schools.
Mayor Leroy S. Bendheim is
sued a statement today stress
ing that the plan "has not been
-approved either unofficially,
I tentatively or otherwise" by the
city council.
The plan, he said, represents
only beginning from which
a suitable. appropriate and
! perma a n ent plan may be
: evolved"
:, He noted that the proposal
iS%drastic and extreme in some
, instances" and said that this
: fact merely renders it more
pliable to moderation, compro-
mise and change"
. He said a number of hearings
3 would be held in the fall and
,, added: Our job now is together
! in cooperation, harmony and
; free of panic and emotion to
come up with a plan that will
spell out progressive achieve
: ment in keeping with the tradi-
: tional and historic character
: of Alexandria"
: The school board last night
approved the appointment of
! Mrs. Aimee T. Brown, of Tri-
, angle, as principal of the Stone
wall Jackson School.
Mrs. Brown, wSo just finished
: her first year as assistant prin-
cipal at George Mason, is a
former elementary teacher. Her
l3 years of teaching experience
include eight in Alexandria.
The board also named IS new
teachers, bringing the total of
appointments for the coming
session to 104. There are cur
rently 81 vacancies on the city's
faculty, the superintendent
said.
The board receives excerpts
Of the annual school report,
showing a total enrolment for
1959-60 of 14,494. Negro pupils
totalled 2,115.