Evening star., 1961-11-15
NCPc Plans
Outlined to
Civic Council

pose them.
That was made clear last
night by an NCPC official. who
said the renewal-taking area
could exclude or include
existing homes, depending on
community sentiment.
There is no intention on
our part to make any changes
IN the houses, except for those
on M street." Miss Mary Small,
a community relations official
with the agency, told a newly
formed citizens protective
group.
Miss Small summarized q
tentative staff proposal for the
redevelopment of a e7-acre
waterfront area at a meeting
Of the Georgetown Canal and
Riverside Council.
The association held its first
last night in Grace
Episcopal Church, Wisconsin
avenue and South street NV.
The planners waterfront pro-
posal has never been fully ex-
planned to the public nor been
acted on by the commission,
though a few printed copies
of it have been distributed to
citizens groups.
Area Defined *
AS defined by the planning
staff, the waterfront area is
located roughly between Rock
Creek Park and Key Bridge
and between M street and the
Potomac River. Both sides of
M street-one Of Georgetown's
two main commercial streets
would be included.
Under staff proposals lob
jectionable and inappropriate"
commercial and industrial es-
adjustments would be pur-
chased and the sites cleared for
redevelopment predominantly
as a residential area. Redevelop-
ment plans also call for estab-
lishment Of an international
affairs center, a small mu-
scum, a language school, shops,
restaurants and other enter
prises.
NJ street would have a mix
ture" of residences and shops
and could expect a raduction
In traffic with completion of O
double decker" Potomac free.
way. Miss Small said. s
Under the freeway plan now
being developed. an additional
four lanes OF traffic would be
accommodated In a highway
structure above the Whitehurst
freeway.
The proposed new construc-
ton. Miss Small said, would
provide four lanes of traffic in
two directions on different
levels
Norris Outlines Aims
Temporary chairman of the
Canal and Riverside Council is
Robert B. Norris, an assistant
United States attorney. The
organizations objective, he said,
Is sy-to protect the interests OF
Georgetown residents south of
M street and to have the area
reach its fullest potential" as
an integral part Of Georgetown.
The organization adopted a
constitution at last nights
meeting which expressed the
purpose Ito preserve the areas
historic traditions and aesthetic
values while encouraging the
best planning governmental or
private, as the case may be-
preservation and restoration of
the beauty of the Georgetown
waterfront and canal areas"
Mr.. Norris said he had invited
the planning commission to pre-
sent its case for renewal in the
area "in the spirit Of inquiry"
"We are interested in finding
out what will be for the best
interests of this area and are
reserving our freedom of ac-
tion." he said.
Views Are Sought
Miss Small emphasized that
the staff report "is merely a
proposal and that now the
commission is hoping to elicit
"neighborhood sentiment"
CAS- the plan develops, your
ideas and everyone else's will
be thrown into the pot, and
from this win develop the final
plan," she said. .
The trend Of questions from
those present failed to develop
any predominant bias either for
or against the urban renewal
proposal.
Mr.. Norris said:
What bothers lot of people
when they hear about urban
renewal is what will replace
what has been torn down. Who
eventually owns the property?"
Miss Small replied that "it
Ill depends on how the project
IS designed" and that citizen
interest can help guide the de-
sign.
SIS it possible for people to
buy land from the urban re.
newal agency?" one woman
asked.
Eyes, you can form a corpora
ion and do this" Miss Small
said.
Then the land wouldn't have
20 go to Zeckendorf?" the wom-
IN said. j
"Oh, no." Miss Small replied.