Evening star., 1960-09-07
RIA Okays Lease
For New Arena Site
Parker Rejects
Objections by
Wilson Line
BY GILBERT GIMBLE
Star STAFF Writer

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Drama Society, which will OPP
crate the Arena Stage at the
new Southwest waterfront site.
The action came soon after
Andrew J. Parker, chairman
of the RIA, praised the plans
for the Arenas theater-in-the-
round.
He described as "the type of
activity we want on the water
front to bring people into the
area and rejected arguments
that it may cause a parking
problem.
Mr.. Parker, presiding at a
public hearing called by the
RIA, said he feels the plan
ners have provided sufficient
parking area near the proposed
Arena Stage.
The theater, to be built on a
site bounded by Maine avenue,
Sixth street and L street, is ex-
pected to open in the fall of
1861.
Wilson Line Dubious
Ernest F. Henry, an attorney
representing the Wilson Line.
questioned whether there will
be enough parking space to
handle the theater crowd and
those using the Wilson Line
pleasure craft that dock at the
nearby municipal pier.
John R. Searles, jr., RIA
executive director. replied that
the parking space of the Town
Center project would be used
during the evening hours to
augment Arena Stage parking
needs. He said Wilson Line
parking needs will be consid-
cred should any problem arise.
Mr.. Henry also questioned
the $6,582-a-year rental the
RIA is charging for the Arena
Stage site. He said other COM
mercial sites nearby will be
renting at a higher price and
suggested that the lower rental
allowed Arena Stage indicates
inappropriate use for that
area"
/ Mr.. Henry said he believed
the RIA was doing the public
an injustice" by allowing Arena
SSge a site at a price below
the actual value of the prop
erty."
Mr.. Searles explained that the
Arena Stage site was originally
planned for park use. He said
its development cannot be for
commercial purposes. but that
a non-prof1t. cultural use such
as contemplated by Arena Stage
is permissible.
The RIA Board, at it's meet
ing following the public hear
ing on the arena, decided to
defer action on a housing de-
velopment proposed by Elder
Solomon Lightfoot Michaux.
The elder, who has had a
long and colorful career as
Negro preacher and leader in
the Washington area, has sub
mitted plans for a low-rent
housing development adjacent
to the Mayfair Mansions area
on the Anacostia River.
/ Richard Atkinson. a member
of the RIA board, said he
wants to learn more about
Elder Michaux's plans before
taking any action on them.
Mr.. Atkinson, also a Negro,
said he has heard comments"
that Elder Michaux's project
might become a ghetto"
Mr.. Searles commented, 1--WE
don't want to go along with
anything approXimating a ghet-
to or anything segregated for
any particular group"
Endorsed by U. S. Unit
The Michaux project is pro-
posed as an "unassisted urban
renewal project" Mr.. Searles
explained, but the elders ap-
plication for Federal Housing
Agency insurance must be ap-
Iproved by the RIA board. Mr..
Searles said the project has
been given strong Endorsement
by Federal officials, including
David Walker, head of the Ur-
ban Renewal Administration.
The RIA board decided to
invite Mr. Walker and Thomas
Barringer, director of the FHA's
District Regional Insurance Of
flee, to discuss the application
at the next board meeting.
| Meanwhile the National Cap
Iital Planning Commission will
take up Elder Michaux's hous-
ing development proposal at its
meeting tomorrow.
School Bid Received
The RIA board also has re-
ceived a proposal from the
Hawthorne School, a private
institution now located in the
1900 block of Massachusetts
avenue NV, to acquire the old
Washington Boys Club meeting
place at Sixth and l streets
NV. to be used as a new loca-
tion for the school.
The RIA board decided to
have appraisers study the value
Of the Boys Club structure. The
school is a non profit. .organiza-
ton and is described as
modern, progressive" educa-
tional institution for youngsters
from about the eighth grade