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vania Avenue, leaving an unsightly incomplete project, was objected to strongly. The Commission asked for further information as to why this site is not suitable now. The Commission felt that if the ideas presented 10 years ago by Mr. Peterson's predecessor are now considered antiquated, the same may be said of Mr. Peterson's ideas 10 years from now.

The Commission requested that the Municipal Architect furnished the Commission a set of drawings for the 499 Pennsylvania Avenue site. The project was scheduled to have further consideration at the next meeting of the Commission.

PUBLIC LIBRARY, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

At a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts held on May 19, 1952, the Public Library project received further consideration. Mr. Coe was asked if there were any further developments, and he replied, "No. We are waiting for a report from the Commission of Fine Arts concerning the matter."

Thereupon a letter received from Mr. Albert W. Atwood, President of the Board of Trustees of the Public Library, was read and discussed.

Professor Belluschi felt that the letter set forth about the same arguments that were presented by the librarian, Mr. Peterson, at the April meeting of the Commission, and that it seemed to indicate particularly that the library authorities did not wish to develop a central library at the Sixth Street and Pennsylvania Avenue site. The Commission concurred in the statement of Professor Belluschi.

Thereupon, the Commission reaffirmed the decision made at the April meeting that park land on Mount Vernon Square should not be used for a new library building on that square. The Commission expressed sympathy for the desires of the library authorities to have a building constructed in conformity with present-day standards.

The Commission then decided to report to Mr. Coe and to Mr. Atwood, disapproving the erection of the proposed library building on Mount Vernon Square, and suggesting the consideration of other available sites for the building. The design submitted was disapproved, and the following reports were sent:

May 21, 1952.

DEAR MR. ATWOOD: I wish to thank you for your letter of May 14th which I read to the Commission of Fine Arts, at a meeting held on May 19th. The members were very glad to have the views of the trustees

of the Public Library with reference to extending the present building on Mount Vernon Place.

The Commission recognizes that the proposed building for a Central Library should conform to present day library standards and requirements in design, arrangement of space, etc. They hope that a suitable site may be secured. If the first section of the Central Library, which has been erected at 499 Pennsylvania Avenue, is not suitable for library purposes in relation to current requirements, the Commission hopes that other sites will be recommended in an area that would be convenient for a Central Library.

The Commission is concerned, however, with the fact that the area at Mount Vernon Place, on which the present library is situated, is in Government ownership and is being maintained by the Government as a public park.

The Commission is not in favor of erecting a building that would further eliminate the existing park area by erecting a structure around the present building. The Commission also took note of the fact that the square above mentioned is an integral feature of the L'Enfant Plan, providing an open space or plaza at the intersection of several radial avenues. The erection of the proposed building would entirely change the character of the square and deprive that section of the city of park area that is very much needed. It would also, in the opinion of the Commission, add to traffic congestion at this point.

The Commission hopes, therefore, that a site conveniently located may be secured for the Central Library building which would not involve the elimination of land now in use for park purposes. For the Commission of Fine Arts,

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President, the Board of Trustees, Public Library,
Washington, D.C.

THE COMMISSION OF FINE ARTS,
Washington, D.C., May 20, 1952.

DEAR MR. COE: The Commission of Fine Arts, at meetings held on April 30th and May 19th, has given careful consideration to the design which you presented for a Central Library to be erected on the square facing K Street between Seventh and Ninth Streets, Northwest. The Commission disapproved the design for the following reasons:

The Commission took note of the fact that the park area of the square above mentioned is in Government ownership and is being maintained by the Government. In the center of this square is a monumental library building designed for the site fifty years ago and built with funds donated by the late Andrew Carnegie. The Commission is not in favor of erecting a building that would further eliminate the existing park by erecting a structure around the present building.

The Commission also took note of the fact that the square above mentioned is an integral feature of the L'Enfant Plan, providing an open space or plaza at the intersection of several radial avenues. The erec

tion of the proposed building would entirely change the character of the square and deprive that section of the city of park area that is very much needed. It would also add to traffic congestion at this point.

The Commission recognizes that the proposed building should conform to present day library requirements in design and arrangement of space, etc. If the first section of the Central Library, which has been erected at 499 Pennsylvania Avenue, is not suitable for library purposes in relation to current requirements, the Commission would be glad to have you recommend other sites, now in Government ownership or that could be acquired, in an area that would be convenient for a Central Library building.

For the Commission of Fine Arts:

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DOUGLAS JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

At a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts, held on November 21, 1950, Mr. Merrel A. Coe, Municipal Architect, submitted a design for the Douglas Junior High School, to be built at Stanton and Douglas Roads SE., in Anacostia.

The Commission considered the design, which was drawn in the contemporary style of architecture for public school buildings. The design showed a two-story building faced with brick, over reinforced concrete and cinder block backing; the interior had an asphalt tile floor, steel sash, painted cinder block walls for the class rooms. The design also contained provisions for a third floor later on as needed. cost of the building was estimated at $1,702,000. Money was available to begin construction. Upon recommendation of Mr. Belluschi, the Commission approved the design.

OPERATIONAL CONTROL CENTER BUILDING, LORTON, VA.

The

Mr. Merrel A. Coe, Municipal Architect, submitted at a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts held on November 21, 1950, a design for the Operational Control Center Building, to be built at the District of Columbia Reformatory at Lorton, Va. The Commission considered the design, which was in the colonial style of architecture to conform to other existing buildings on the grounds.

Mr. Neild and Mr. Belluschi recommended a few changes in matters of detail, such as re

moving false chimneys and cornices. The design was approved subject to those changes.

SUBMISSIONS BY THE MUNICIPAL ARCHITECT

At a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts, held on April 30, 1952, Mr. Merrell A. Coe, Municipal Architect, submitted designs for the following buildings:

(a) Women's Bureau, Police Department. The design showed a building to be built on North Capitol Street, between K and L Streets NW. Mr. Coe stated that the first floor provided space for clerks, files, and interviewing offices. The second floor will be divided into single rooms for prisoners, and will be maximum security cells. The windows will be security-type windows; the sash will be steel with screen inside. On the third floor will be the kitchen and dining room. After inspection of the design, the Commission approved it.

(b) Margaret Mary Washington Vocational High School: This building was designed to be built on O Street, between North Capitol and First Streets NW. The plans provided for an addition to the existing building; a wing similar to the old one will be duplicated.

After inspection and consideration, the Commission advised restudying the design. It was referred to Mr. Neild for conference with Mr. Coe, which was held later in the day.

A revised design was submitted to the Commission at a meeting held on May 19, 1952. It was noted that Mr. Coe had embodied the suggestions by the Commission, and the design was approved.

DESIGNS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDINGS

At a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts, held on February 20, 1950, Mr. Merrel A. Coe, Municipal Architect, submitted designs for public school buildings, as follows:

(a) Terrell Junior High School, First and Pierce Streets NW.: The Commission approved the design, subject to the suggestion that the windows in the face of the stair tower be removed and a brick wall substituted. The windows were to be located on the side of the tower at the stair landing, and at the exit door. The head of the element containing the exit door should be raised up to the top line of the shed over the main entrance.

(b) River Terrace Elementary School, 34th and Dix Streets NE. The Commission inspected the design and approved it.

(c) Francis Junior High School Addition, 24th and P Streets NW.: The Commission inspected the design and approved it with the suggestion that the stone base be carried up to the sills of the windows of the first floor and that there be four windows the same size on the N Street facade, instead of two small ones and one large one.

DISTRICT GENERAL HOSPITAL

(FORMERLY GALLINGER HOSPITAL); PEDIATRICS AND CRIPPLED CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

At a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts, held October 29, 1948, Mr. Merrel A. Coe, Municipal Architect, submitted a design for a pediatrics and crippled children's hospital which will be built as part of the Gallinger Hospital

group.

Mr. Coe stated that it was eventually to be a large building but only a section was to be built at the present time. The Commission took note of the location of the building, and discussed the details of the design.

After consideration, the Commission approved the design.

EAST CAPITOL STREET BRIDGE

At a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts held on May 21, 1951, Mr. J. N. Robertson, Director of Highways, of the District of Columbia, submitted a model and drawings for the East Capitol Street Bridge, with a letter which reads as follows:

There is submitted for your consideration plan and architectural drawings of the proposed East Capitol Street Bridge over the Anacostia River.

The total length of the project is approximately 1% miles from 19th Street on the west to Burns Street on the east, and consists of a bridge and a depressed section with traffic interchanges at important intersections. The estimated cost is within the $12,000,000 authorized by the Congress of the United States in H.R. 7341.

The District of Columbia has retained the firm of J.E. Greiner Company of Baltimore as consultants in the development of the geometric, structural and architectural plans for this project.

The design herewith presented has been reviewed and approved in principle by the District of Columbia Department of Highways, the Board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia and the National Capital Park and Planning Commission, subject to further study of the ramp roadway connections in the vicinity of the Armory and at Minnesota Avenue.

The consideration and subsequent approval of the Commission of Fine Arts is respectively requested.

Mr. Robertson then introduced Mr. McCord of the J. E. Greiner Company to explain the drawings. Mr. McCord said:

"I will call your attention first to the map and then to the model. The project lies in the line of East Capitol Street commencing at Burns Street, which is a street just to the east of Minnesota Avenue, and carries on in the line of East Capitol Street across Minnesota Avenue, underneath the railroad, across the Anacostia River and Kingman Lake and into East Capitol Street on the west side of the River. That generally is the location of the project.

"The bridge is of deck plate girder construction, six lanes, divided by a four-foot median and sidewalks. The spans are 120 feet center to center and the mini

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mum under clearance, which has not been approved, is 26 feet above the mean water level in the River. The spans over Kingman Lake are provided to assure a clearance sufficient to allow motorboats or similar craft to get underneath the bridge. We have built an abutment at this point (indicating) in Kingman Lake and carried the facility through to the west on a filled causeway.

"At the west bank of Kingman Lake the roadways separate, one at the left leading into Independence Avenue and the one to the right into Constitution Avenue. There is also a plaza at the west bank of Kingman Lake around which is a roadway connecting with East Capitol Street. At the left of the Plaza looking west is the National Guard Armory and at the right are numerous temporary war buildings at a site considered for a stadium."

Thereupon Mr. Hough, of the firm of Harbeson, Hough, Livingston, and Larson, consulting architects, of Philadelphia, explained the architectural features of the design. Mr. Hough said:

"We felt that basically the structure should be a simple one with no particular embellishments or pylons or any strong architectural features. We have felt that one who approaches the city would pass over the river and would also have before him the thought that the United States Capitol was the main object of his interest. And particularly since the visit to this site impressed us that this end of the Mall offers a very impressive sight. We know from the plans of the National Capital Park and Planning Commission that. a great development is contemplated for East Capitol Street.

"We have accepted a very simple steel girder span with the concrete treatment of the hand rail and metal top resting on concrete. If this bridge is extended and continues to approach the level of the water, as you see, we do get into trouble with this type of bent where the bents get shorter and shorter. "Two considerations we had in mind primarilyone was the preservation of that site at the end of the Mall; and, secondly, treating the structure as a very simple inconspicuous one which could fit the situation rather than something that is more ponderous and more assertive than that. We believe for the location the treatment is appropriate."

The scheme for the bent pier and the twin piers were then considered. Mr. Hough said the twin piers scheme was designed only a few days ago and had not been acted on by the District Commissioners.

After some discussion the Commission approved the scheme for twin piers and recommended that the causeway be omitted. The Commission reported to Mr. Robertson its approval of the design, subject to the following provisos:

(1) The Commission prefers the design submitted for twin, solid shaft concrete piers, granite faced to above the water level, rather than the design suggesting concrete bent piers.

(2) The Commission suggest extending the west bank of Kingman Lake and carrying the structure to the new west bank, omitting a proposed causeway.

THEODORE ROOSEVELT ISLAND AND PROTEST AGAINST ERECTION OF A BRIDGE TO CROSS THE ISLAND

At a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts held on March 28, 1952, Major General Ulysses S. Grant 3d (Retired) and Hermann Hagedorn, Secretary and Director of the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Association, protested against a plan of the Highway Department of the District of Columbia to erect a bridge from E Street across Theodore Roosevelt Island and the Potomac to Arlington County, Virginia. The Act of Congress reads as follows:

PUBLIC LAW No. 146, 72D CONGRESS
AN ACT

To establish a memorial to Theodore Roosevelt in the National Capital

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Director of Public Buildings and Public Parks of the National Capital be, and he is hereby authorized to accept and receive as a gift from the Roosevelt Memorial Association (Incorporated), for and in behalf of the United States, the island in the Potomac River heretofore variously known as Barbedoes, Analostan and Masons Island, together with accretions thereto; and that, upon acceptance of this gift of land, the said island shall hereafter be known as Roosevelt Island and shall be maintained and administered by the Director of Public Buildings and Public Parks of the National Capital as a natural park for the recreation and enjoyment of the public: Provided, That no general plan for the development of the island be adopted without the approval of the Roosevelt Memorial Association; and that, so long as this association remains in existence, no development, inconsistent with this plan, be executed without the association's consent.

SEC. 2. That the director is hereby authorized to provide suitable means of access to and upon the said Roosevelt Island as appropriations are made available from time to time and subject to the approval of the National Capital Park and Planning Commission; and that the appropriations needed for such construction and annually for the care, maintenance, and improvement of the said lands and improvements, are hereby authorized to be made from any funds not otherwise appropriated from the Treasury of the United States. SEC. 3. That the Director of Public Buildings and Public Parks be, and he is hereby, further authorized and directed to permit the Roosevelt Memorial Asso

ciation (Incorporated) to erect on said Roosevelt Island such monument or memorial and related structures as may be recommended by it and approved by the National Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Park and Planning Commission. Approved May 21, 1932.

Mr. Hagedorn said "The terms of that legislation have been carried out by the Roosevelt Memorial Association and so far they have made the plans that were needed, and the plans have been approved by the Planning Commission and the Department of the Interior, so that the bargain has been made; but then, during the years since the war, the Congress has been trying to economize; so has the Bureau of the Budget, and the estimates for appropriations for the improvement of park land have been cut out of the Park Service bills every time in appropriations, so they had no money to actually go on with this improvement and the Roosevelt Memorial Association did not press the matter of appropriations very much because they realized the financial situation of the country did make economies necessary. Therefore the island is still very much in the condition in which it was originally acquired excepting that a certain amount of cleaning up and few paths have been put on it and some trees planted. The Park Service has done what it could, you might say, in the way of maintenance. planted 20,000 trees and shrubs.

They

"So that there has been improvement but it is along the lines of the plan, but the structures which are not very extensive and which are illustrated in his pamphlet, have not been actually built.

"Now then, the District Commissioners come up with a proposal to build a bridge from E Street across to Virginia, going right across the island. It would go just back of the Lincoln Memorial terrace; and that is not the whole story. That is what they have put up now. But I have seen maps in their office which showed a pretzel, more or less, on the island and a connection with another causeway or something of that sort running out right along the length of the island over here to Rosslyn. I know the Highway Department so well that I know that, although that is not in their present project and they will not confess that it is in their minds, once they have thought of anything that will destroy a few trees and a serene or pleasant view, they will never forget it and they will come up and get authority for it. . . . The situation I think, is very dangerous and I am hoping that the Fine Arts Commission will regard it likewise.

"Of course, to me, it is just common sense that since we are struggling in Washington as they are in all other cities with overcongestion in the central area, the way to overcome this congestion is not to bring more traffic into the central area, but to provide ways of going around it. We have, therefore, for years in the Planning Commission recommended a new bridge at Alexandria and one further up the river. The Alexandria bridge particularly because there is an enormous stream of coastal traffic that is going from the south to the north and from the north to the south that now goes through Washington. A bridge at

Alexandria would give it a route not to bypass the city entirely, but to bypass the central part of the city by going over the new Washington-Baltimore Parkway and the Kenilworth Freeway and come into the eastern part of the city. Vehicles could come into the city from the South over the Alexandria and South Capital Street bridges, or bypass the congested area by the Kenilworth Freeway, going over this line which the Highway Department has at least recognized the need for and join the Baltimore Parkway. From these the people will have a nice view of the city, of the Capitol, and off in the distance, but they would not have to go through the crowded part of the city . . . Congressman Smith introduced a bill requiring the District Commissioners to study the bridge project at Alexandria.

"So far as a plan for Theodore Roosevelt Island is concerned, Mr. Hagedorn said, the trustees of the Association want to put no elaborate memorial there whatsoever. There will be no structure, no monument of any sort, but merely an overlook with an inscription would run around the back wall, facing toward the Lincoln Memorial. It is proposed to have a ferry from Columbia Island to Roosevelt Island. What appealed to us tremendously was Olmsted's idea of developing a replica of the ancient Potomac forest, the climax forest which at a certain period reaches maturity and then remains for centuries in that condition. Olmsted Brothers had the artist design show what that sort of forest would look like. There is nothing like that within easy reach of a great city and we thought it would be a wonderful thing to have such a forest in the very heart of the Capitol of the United States of America."

Continuing, Mr. Hagedorn said, "We have definite rights in the matter, and I think we could bring a suit. Here is the phrasing of the law: 'Said island shall be maintained and administered by the Director of Public Buildings and Public Parks of the National Capital as a natural park for the recreation and enjoyment of the public: Provided, That no general plan for the development of the island be adopted without the approval of the Roosevelt Memorial Association; and that, so long as this association remains in existence, no development, inconsistent with this plan, be executed without the association's consent' *** We had the plan made by Olmsted Brothers. It cost us about $20,000."

Thereupon the Commisison discussed the subject, and adopted the following Resolution:

Resolution of the Commission of Fine Arts Concerning the Proposed Bridge Over Theodore Roosevelt Island

The protection of the parks of Washington is a responsibility which rests upon every agency concerned with municipal affairs. Washington has few parks but they are of supreme beauty and must be protected for the benefit of those who live after us.

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