Evening star., 1961-05-22
Savings Seen
In Having One
BuIkheud Job
By GILBERT GIMBLE
Star Staff Writer

lion, would probably be cheaper
in the long run although it
would mean closing boating
and commercial operations now
located on the bulkhead all at
the same time.
Mr.. Searles said the bulk
head project could begin in
September and would take a
year to finish. New boating
facilities could be then COM
pleted by the spring of 1868,
he said.
Changes Considered
The RIA plans were discussed
at the hearing called by the
District Commissioners who are
considering several changes in
the urban renewal plan for
Southwest area c, which in
cludes the waterfront. Under
the notifications the bulkhead
would be extended by about
100 feet into the Washington
channel.
The plan changes have already
been approved by the National
Capital Planning Commission
and the RIA.
Land use proposals for the
waterfront area have already
been adopted by the RIA along
the lines of a plan drawn up by
Mrs. Chloethiel Smith, Wash
lngton architect who did the
project at the request of the
Federal City Council.
The Smith plan, which has
already received informal ap-
proval by the District, calls for
developing the waterfront with
parks and commercial build
ings connected by promenades
and walkwayS.
Mr.. Searles emphasized that
the plan will provide "an- on
tlmum combination of use OF
the waterfront by the general
public, the boating public and
for commercial uses"
Balance" Is Sought
He noted that the limited
amount of waterfront land
could be completely taken over
for use by boaters, commercial
interests or as public parkland
but that the current planning
represents "a balance" of these
three interests.
Several boating facility oper-
atorS objected to the plans
primarily because of their diff
ficulty in finding suitable sites
to relocate.
One of these objectors, Tom
Miller, who has a marina and
salvaging business on the wa
terfront, objected to the RLA's
decision that no service facili-
ties for large boats be included
in the new waterfront. Mr..
Miller also declared that he
has been unable to find an
other waterfront location for
his business.
District Commissioner Rob-
ert E. Mclaughlin then raised
the matter with Mr.. Searles,
stating that the District should
be sure that boat service facili-
ties be available.
Boating Service Studied
Mr.. Searles said that services
for small boats will be included
in the new waterfront and that
large boats probably should be
accommodated on the Anacos-
tia River. He said a survey is
now being made of available To-
cations.
Extension of C m m ercia I
buildings beyond the new bulk
head into the channel was OBJ
iected to by Charles L. Norris,
a spokesman for the Capital
Yacht Club. He also asked that
improvements that have been
made for the clubs 121 boat
slips be left alone.
Watson B. Rulon, jr., preSi-
dent of Hogate's Seafood Res
taurant, presented to the Com
missioners a plan for developing
the waterfront which he said
would provide greater space for
buildings, park sites and park
ing spaces.
His plan which he had pre-
viously outlined to the RIA
calls for construction of a large
conceurse which would have
commercial operations above it
and parking areas beneath it.
The concourse would border the
bulkhead.
Urges Parking Revision
Mr.. Rulon said his plan
would provide so per cent more
parking spaces than is contem-
plated under present design.
He noted that the present
plans call for off-street park
ing for 514 cars. This is a
frightening loss of productive
land" Mr.. Rulon said. His plan
would place all parking on the
waterfront below the surface.
The proposed changes in the
urban renewal plan also involve
locations of several streets, and
redesigning some areas for
commercial and public use.
One change would provide a
site for a Southwest library
branch at Third near I streets.