Evening Star Newspaper, May 11, 1940, Page 22

City Leadership Is Urged fo Prevent Decay of Sections Cl;icugo Acts to Salvage’ Values of Residential Areas Near Business The failure of city authorities to tate the leadership in preventing the decay of property adjacent to business districts, when it might be turning tax revenue into city treas- uries, was sharply criticized today by Fred W. Catlett, member of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board. “These properties are privately owned, it is true,” declared Mr. Cat- lett, “and a great share of the blame rests on the owners, many of them absentee landlords. But the indi- vidual often is powerless'to act by himself and nothing is going to be done toward rehabilitating these areas—and conserving the value of other properties which have not yet reached a serious stage of decline— unless civic authorities take the lead in a definite rehabilitation and con- servation program.” The drift of home seekers to the suburbs and the activity of opera- tive builders and real estate con- cerns in new housing developments on the outskirts of cities, have in- tensified the problem in the last few years, Mr. Catlett pointed out. En- tire residential areas near down- town districts, and even those con- sidered “the best part of town” a short time ago, now are marked by “For Sale” “For Rent” signs, with many of the houses in a dilapi- dated condition from neglect. Chicago Case Cited. Cities not only are losing the di- rect tax revenue from these dis- tricts, Mr. Catlett emphasized, but the abandonment of utilities which serve them will represent a still greater loss in the future. He cited Chicago as an example of a city where the visitor leaves the “Loop” and at once finds himself in districts to the south and west which gradu- ally- are being abandoned to decay, many properties even being boarded ] p. “Chicago is no worse than many other cities in the country,” said Mr. Catlett, “and, as a matter of fact, today it’s the scene of one of the few attempts to find an answer to the problem. In the Woodlawn district, near Jackson Park and Lake Michigan, a conservation- rehabilitation program already is under way which may provide a model on which other sections of the city can be reclaimed. “About 42,000 persons live within REAL ESTATE. o Promote ome Building LOANS FIRST TRUSTS to finance or refinance homes in the District or nearby Maryland and Virginia. Current Rates Straight Loans or Monthly Payments LINCOLN NATIONAL BANK Tth & D Sta. N.W. 17th & H S N.W. Administration s e B T e Exceptional Furniture rural communities. 218 Kennedy Drive W HEN building or buying a nice home the first important considera- tion is neighborhood. What ma yappear to be a “bargain’’ in ground may prove to be a very expensive purchase. Find out if there are rigid restrictions that protect your investment and insure you with good exposure for every room, the first floor offers a most desirable location for the den. It is accessible from the living room and kitchen, as well as the rear porch. The porch off the living room is placed so that it may easily be inclosed as a sun parlor, leaving an open private porch off the rear garden. Mr. Johnson estimates that without lot the house can be built for about $8,200, including full basement, complete insulation, cop- CAPE COD-TYPE DWELLING—The house planned this week for The Star by the Washington Metropolitan Section of the Maryland Society of Architects is inspired by the Cape Cod Colonial cottage of New England. It is the work of Donald 8. Johnson, prominent local architect. Well adapted to the preva- lent style of architecture in Washington, the house is designed this area, in a variety of buildings ranging from frame and masonry houses of the 1870's to apartment hotels built in 1929. Many apart- ment houses have been converted into cheap rooming houses and kit- chenette apartments. Lack of rec- reation space, obsolescence of street good neighbors. Also are all improvements in and paid for? KENWOOD, now in all its glory of Spring beauty, stands all the acid tests—and then some. While in Kenwood learning why it has been the choice of so many discriminating purchasers, visit the beau- tiful Colonial exhibit home. It measures up to the most exacting patterns and many buildings, and general congestion have tended to| cause property values to decline. Many Join for Action. | “But residents of the neighbor- hood have joined in a conservation program, under the sponsorship of the Chicago Plan n. An executive committee has been formed which includes not only leading citizens, but representatives of the Home Owners’ Loan Corp., the Federal Housing Administra- tion, the Reconstruction Pinance Corp, and the University of Chi- cago, which owns property in and adjacent to the area.” The initial study and survey of the district has been designated as a W. P. A. project, with $45,000 to $50,- 000 contributed in W. P. A. “white collar” labor and services, according to Mr. Catlett. The Plan Commis- sion is providing some $23,000, with funds and services contributed by various neighborhood interests, banks, utility companies, the univer- sity, the Real Estate Board and many others. . “This section of Chicago definitely is determined to see what can be done to preserve and increase prop- erty values,” said Mr. Catlett. “But in Chicago, as in all other commu- nities, the success of the movement is dependent on the co-operation of city authorities. As a matter of fact, no one will gain more than the city. 1% is losing tax revenue every time it permits a neighborhood to decline. It is & sad commentary on the vigil- Chevy Chase, D. C. Newly Renovated Owner will t; s little as $1,500 cash down a back a trust for balance on easy monthly pay- ments at low interest rate. 3725 Livingston 8 Rms., Lot 80x130 3-Car Garage st of Conn. Ave, & ome more ,000 lr. Just been it in ting it like NEW. B oriehi " cneerre "Searoeam: Open Today & Sunday L. T. Gravatte 729 15th Recltor NA. 0753 [ ance of city authorities all over the preferably for a lot at least 70 feet in width. Center hall in plan, per pipes and flashings and tiled baths. country that they have failed to take steps. to remedy conditions which are a reproach to this modern age.” Undertaken in Baltimore. ‘The Chicago projectth mt.l: second. major program to ge! ler way.: the first having been started more than a year ago in the Waverly sec- tion of Baltimore, Mr. Catlett ex- plained. _The Waverly district i8°a community of individual homes and row houses, whereas the Chicago district is largely of multiple dwell- ings, but the basic problem is the same. Both communities are essen- tially sound residential districts, threatened by blight within their borders and from detrimental influ- ences outside. “In Waverly, some 38 blocks con- taining about 1,600 Homes, were sur- veyed through a W. P. A. project similar to that operating in Chi- cago,” said Mr. Catlett. “The sur- vey was completed some months ago | and this spring, a ‘cleanup, paintup and fixup’ campaign was launched. It is producing definite results and & repair - and - modernization pro- gram now is under way. “Eventually it is hoped that the entire district will be brought up to a high standard. Residents of the neighborhood have been enlisted in a Waverly Conservation League. Technicians have laid plans for im- provement of streets and alleys, bet- ter traffic facilities, more recrea- tional space, and centralization of commercial establishments in a def- inite zone. “These two communities in Bal- cities 'to the necessity of. preserving property values. Officials in Louis- gn;:y.muymu-muw the potentialities of a simi- | b lar program there. Other cities have shown considerable interest. “But such will only suc- ceed where the city authorities themselves accept a good share of the responsibility, where local lead- ers realize that they have a definite stake in.dollars and cents in the preservation of property values— and do something about it.” New ‘Hurricane’ Designs The “Hurricane” line of furniture which has seats made of pine felled by New England’s hurricane, has been extended to include side-arm rockers, side-arm chairs and benches. All seat bottoms of this “limited edition” bear the Hurricane brand. The chairs are finished in natural pine, walnut or black lacqquer, gold trimmed. . Faucets Save Time Several sill or lawn faucets in- stalled at various points around the house will eliminate the bother of dragging a long hose in order to water the lawn and garden properly. Dusty Blue Woodwork For a living room decoration that is light in tone but not perishable. ‘walls and woodwork painted a dusty blue are satisfactory. With these use a rug of either warm beige or . Have the couch uphol- stered in blue to match the walls and the easy chairs covered with mwum in burgundy, beige and LUXURIOUS 16th STREET| RESIDENCE 6701 16t St 'Sounuan Avinus At ™ 58 / SEE FAIRFIELD and lot its homes be you: measure of comparison. ONS: Drive out P STANDARD PROPERTIES 213 Woodward Bldg. NAtional 5573 Your longing come trwe . . . in SPRINGBROOK q'IRED of the commonplace? Want your home to give you not just shelter, but lots of pleasure, too? If you thrill to the feel of a good gun on a frosty morning, can take a fence be- hind the hounds with the best of them, find joy in the great outdoors, in the coun- try life . . . if these things interest you, then so will Springbrook. Out of Maryland's picturesque country- side we have carved something entirely requirements of fine planning and construction. Ask to see the other homes, not so large, nearing completion. HOMES AND HOMESITES FOR SALE ONLY TO APPROVED PURCHASERS Kennedy-Chamberlin Development Co. Kenwood Office: Kennedy Drive and Chamberlin Ave.—Wisc, 4425 Directions for Reaching: Drive out Connecticut Avenue to Chevy Chase Circle, west on Grafion Street through Somerset to Kemwood, or out Wisconsin Avenue to Dorset Avenus, west on Dorset Avenue, through Somer- set to Kenwood, or out Comnecticut or Wisconsin Avenue to Bradley Lame and West . on Brafley Lane to Kenwood. formal opening... THE DE LUXE $3,500 MODEL HOME IS NOW READY FOR YOUR INSPECTION IN West Lanham Hills A Beautiful Planned Community of 1,000 Homes Which F eature Quality Economy and Livibility . CHECK THESE FEATURES AND TERMS $3,500—$300 Cash—$25 Monthly Four le rooms, bath and porch on Kitchen combination sink end laundry average 8,000 square feet wooded lot. insulated—asphaltic insulate tray, metal base and wall cobinets. Insulated 4-burner gas range, full oven capacity, heat control, and utility drawer. Automatic 30-gallon hot-water heater. Zephyr gun type summer-winter oil-fired air-conditioned air flow duct system with Completely board sidewall and 2 inches of rock whe'olhunm. Double floor construction—select hard- wood finish, trol grilles giving balanced heat in @ Inloid linoleum in kitchen and bath, At b BASE PRICE HOMES ONLY! new in modern living . . . three- to eight: acre or larger estates, where you can have your home, your horses, your dogs—all the things you want .. . be within twenty-five minutes from downtown .. . . for as little as eleven thousand dollars or as much as thirty thousand or more. OFCOUFSEyouwaM!hobut...und this particular group of Bowling and Gardiner homes (one of ‘which was recently awarded the coveted Silver Star) is the place to find it. ' Spacious 3-bedroom homes in an unexcelled location’ on high elevation one block south of Edgemoor Club. - Quality construction and modemn features throughout. Churches, schools and shopping center are convenient-—bus at your door. Come out today—they are going fast. ‘8,250 F. H. A. APPROVED OPEN DAILY 10 AM. to 9 PM, To Reach Soringbrook: Drive from the trafie Ught in Stiver Soring five miles out Colesville Rosd. MOSS REALTY COMPANY Tower Building . Springbrook MEtropolitan 1776 SHepherd 5246 Woodmoor Office SHepherd 4517 TO REACH: Out Wiscon- 17 ‘o oadien Hhod" 3 on ; Fairfaz Road. then' rioht to Ezhibit Home. The new houses are in the 4800 block of Chestnut St. Furnished Exhibit Home 4424 Rosedale Avenue : _ Drii out = Wisconsti S e B :'le’fltllta‘ Sample se is last house = HENRY J. CONNOR, INC. ¢ Owners—Builders 6840 Wisconsin Ave. Wis. 1683 Exhibit Home—61703 FAIRFAX RD. A New and Larger Parking Ares for Your Car. PHILLIPS H. CLARKE CO0. Overative Builders DRIVE OUT AND SEE THIS BEAUTIFUL k DEVELOPMENT TODAY L T I aly, on TN “On A0 rosd 1o