Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-11-02
New Survey Asked
For Adams-Morgan
District Seeks
Solid Data on
Renewal Area
By CHARLES d. PIERCE
Star staff Writer

| GsAI 6l4aA Mtlt9r
The District Commissioners
have asked for a resurvey Of
the Adams-Morgan urban re-
newal area to make certain
they do not fall into another
Columbia Plaza type of pitfall.
Commissioner John B. Dun
can said yesterday that the
Commissioners have requested
the Redevelopment Land
Agency to update the data on
the conditions Of buildings and
the environment in the Adams
Morgan area.
1--WE regret that this will de-
lay action on the Adams
Morgan plan, but we consider
it absolutely necessary" said
Mr.. Duncan.
The survey viii cost an esti-
mated $4,000 to $4,000, Mr..
Duncan said. Obtaining this
money and carrying out the
study is expected to take about
two months.
Purpose of the survey, Mr..
Duncan said, will be to make
complete information avail
able to the Commissioners be,
fore they determine whether or
not to approve the project
boundaries and the urban re-
newal plan proposed by the
National Capital Planning
Commission.
Possible Questions
an discussions with repre-
sentatives Of the Redevelop-
ment Land Agency, the Com
misSioners decided that in view
| of the questions which may be
raised. it is essential that cur
rent data be obtained and re-
corded so that If the project
is undertaken, its eligibility
viii not subsequently be ques-
ltioned."
Walter N. Tobriner, presi-
dent Of the Board Of Commits
sioners, recently conceded at q
House District Subcommittee
hearing that the Commission
ers may have made a mis-
take" in approving the Column
bia Plaza renewal project.
The legality Of the Comms-
sioner's approval Of Columbia
Plaza has been questioned on
the grounds that most Of the
substandard buildings found In
the original survey in this area
had been demolished BY the
time the Commissioners ap-
proved the project.
A basic factor in justifying
an area for redevelopment is
the percentage Of substandard
structures existing during the
time q local jurisdiction Is APP
plying for Federal aid and APP
proval Of a project,
Mr.. Duncan, when asked If
the Columbia Plaza situation
was responsible for the deci-
sion to ask for q resurvey, re-
piled:
II don't think it is only that.
Across the country there is a
trend to make sure urban re-
newal survey data meets all the
requirements involved"
Four Year Old Data
Mr.. Duncan said some Of the
Adams Morgan survey in
formation is as much as four
years old and that there have
been some changes in neigh
borhood conditions since this
data was obtained.
Mr.. Duncan spoke as acting
president of the Board Of Com
misSioners in the absence of
Mr.. Tobriner, who is on a short
vacation trip to Puerto Rico.
Phil A. Doyle, RIA execu-
tive director, said the Urban
Renewal Administration will
be asked to provide the money
for the new survey.
II think it is a good idea to
make another survey so we
will have up-to-date data"
said Mr.. Doyle.
At the same time, Mr.. Doyle
said, he realized that "a great
many Adams Morgan residents
will be disappointed by the
delay the survey will entail. I
hope they will recognize the
stIldv lie in tho Y1iIIalio iy1farosf -