Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-03-21

OtDOH NSHGWO1 SOSI
The Redevelopment Land
Agency is dissipating tax
payers money.
Approximately 100000 al
ready has been spent by RIA
In efforts to brainwash citi-
zens Of Adams-Morgan into
agreeing to spending $24 mil
lion In that area. This would
include permanent scattered
site public housing for dis
placed families; and others
from the $40 million South
west demolition spending
spree Of the last 10 years.
At a recent civic meeting,
a restoration expert was que
ried as to whether he could
restore all Of the houses in
Adams Morgan slated to be
restored, plus those to be
demolished by the RIA, with
$24 million. Given the num-
Der Of houses to be rehabili-
tated or demolished. this ex-
pert stated that he would
have approximately $4,000
to spend on each such build
ing and added, laughingly,
II certainly could" Surely,
no person in his right mind
would spend anywhere near
an average of $4,000 on re-
storing houses In George
town or Capitol Hill-or even
In Adams Morgan. Thus, our
question Is: For what pos
sible purpose can RIA use
$24 million in beautiful Ad-
ams-Morgan?"
To make the spending of
$24 million on urban renewal
In Adams-Morgan still more
absurd, we are on the very
crest of the tide of new con-
struction rolling up from
downtown.
There was finished in Ad-
ams-Morgan more than q
year ago. by the Cafritz in
terests, the Universal Build
ing, one Of the finest In the
city. They are constructing
a second and larger one next
door to it. Several huge,
beautiful luxury apartment
houses have been finished on
Eighteenth street NV, Just
outside our southern border,
with more to follow. The
worlds finest Hilton Hotel
which viii cost $50 million is
going UP In Adams-Morgan.
Owners Of about 38 homes
and apartment houses In the
area have been trying to do
a Georgetown restoration Job
on their properties for more
than a year. But, 1t Is said
the RIA has planned to seize
a great percentage Of them,
If they can persuade the Dis
trict Commissioners to OK
Adams-Morga for urban re-
newal.
william Webster,
President, Property Owners
Protective and Improvement
Association.
Thank you for your timely
editorial MAR. I'D on urban
renewal in the District. Be-
tween limited funds and ur-
gent needs throughout the
city. one can sympathize
with Commissioner Clark's de-
sire to establish priorities Of
some sort.
Unquestionably. the need
for renewal In Northwest
One-the area Of top priority
In Commissioner Clark's view
= Is great. But plans for
other renewal projects are
equally urgent. II, for ex-
ample, plans for Adams Nor
gan are shunted aside for the
present" In the future the
area can be expected TO de-
teriorate TO the point where
complete slum clearance prof.
ects will be necessary-and
at a vastly higher price. The
ounce Of prevention" now
being requested by the RIA
for Adams-Morgan is well
worth the pound OF cure"
that will surely be needed in
the future II the plan is ig-
nored.
The Adams Morgan plan
has been drafted by RIA and
NCPC with corporation Of
the area citizens. II calls for
Improvement OF existing
structures. maintenance OF
the heterogeneous nature Of
the community. and con-
struction OF both lower and
upper income housing In the
area: is aim Is TO substi-
tute paint brushes and ham,
mers for bulldozers and
wrecking machines. As such.
II is one Of the pioneering
efforts In the Nation 10 ar
rest urban blight. and de-
serves the strongest possible
support from the d. G. gov
eminent and Congress.
Helen Bronhelm.