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District of Columbia Visitor Planning (1)
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1563279
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District of Columbia Visitor Planning (1)
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This file contains material relating to transportation, parking, visitors center.
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John O. Marsh Files (Ford Administration)
John Marsh's Bicentennial Subject Files
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Washington (D.C.)
American Revolution Bicentennial, 1776-1976
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The original documents are located in Box 66, folder "District of Columbia Visitor
Planning (1)" of the John Marsh Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald R. Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box 66 of the John Marsh Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
File
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
Washington, D.C.20500
U.S.A.
October 24, 1974
Honorable Leonard Garment
Special Assistant to the President
The White House
Washington, D. C. 20500
Dear Leonard:
This will respond to your request for some specific suggestions
on the problem of accommodating our Bicentennial visitors to
Washington, as we discussed it on the telephone this week.
Our present concern is simple -- to make it as easy as possible
for the millions of Bicentennial visitors in 1976 to arrive at the
Mall area in the heart of Washington, see what they have come to see,
and depart. Ten of our Smithsonian museums are in this area, as well
as the outdoor Festival of American Folklife which will run for
several weeks in the summer of 1976. Each of the museums will have
special exhibitions and programs for the Bicentennial, and one of
them, the new National Air and Space Museum, will open that summer.
We now expect nearly 23 million admissions to the Smithsonian down-
town museums in 1976, representing about ten million visitors. Of
these we expect about six million visitors in the peak months from
April through August. This is about half as many again as in our
highest previous year. Other major visitor attractions in the same
area, the White House, the Capitol, the Archives, the memorials and
the rest will, of course, add to the number.
Working out the solution has not been simple. The Smithsonian
runs a large part of the visitor attractions, but has little control
over the means of visitor access. No one means of access, whether
parking, or bus service, or rapid transit, will suffice. We have
worked constructively with the National Park Service and the D.C.
Department of Highways and Traffic to improve available parking and
other visitor conveniences. We have emphasized to the Department
of the Interior, to the Congress, and to others the importance of
constablishing the National Visitor Center project at Union Station.
in addition, [ recommend the following specific actions for your
consideracion:
GENALD FORD LIBRARY
-2-
1. Current and future parking space reservations for visitors
in the Nall area should be rigidly enforced against com-
muter encroachment, a responsibility shared by the Park
Police and the D.C. Police Department.
2. Widespread, current, and coordinated information should be
provided to the public on availability and location of
parking and access facilities for the Mall visitor.
3. Cheap direct bus shuttle service should be provided within
the Mall area for the visitor after parking his automobile.
This would cover East and West Potomac Parks and the Visitor
Center, when completed, and would connect them with the
visitor attractions on the Mall. The present Tourmobile
service does not address this need.
4. Adams and Washington Drives, down the center of the Mall,
are now planned for removal and replacement with pedestrian
walkways in the National Park Service's Bicentennial re-
design of the Mall. Parking should be permitted along these
walkways for the 1976 peak season at least.
5. Major grass areas in East and West Potomac Parks should
also be opened to parking for the peak season of 1976.
An example is the old polo ground in West Potomac Park.
6. The maximum number of fringe parking areas should be
developed for visitors, linked by direct bus shuttle or
Metro (if available) to the Mall. The Metropolitan Council
of Governments' study of Bicentennial visitors has iden-
tified 21 such fringe parking areas around the city. At
present the Park Service is considering only one, at RFK
Stadium.
7. Government commuter parking lots close to the Mall, such as
those in the Federal Triangle, should be opened to visitors
on weekends and holidays.
If we are able to obtain these improvements for 1976, with the
necessary accompaniments of public information and traffic control,
we should be able to welcome our Bicentennial visitors without the
fear that they will immobilize us and themselves in a blockade of
frustrated people and traffic.
Sincerely yours,
OCT 31 1974
2
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 31, 1974
MEMORANDUM TO: DON RUMSFELD
FROM:
LEN GARMENT
SUBJECT:
Ripley letter re Bicentennial Visitors to
Washington
Dillon Ripley's letter about visitors for the Bicentennial is being widely
circulated around the Executive Branch, but I think you should know
about it with a view to making sure that attention is being given to this
problem. It could be a mess.
By the way, Ripley told me he would like to see you briefly to
discuss this. You might want to have him in. He knows a lot about
rare birds.
Encl.
Jack hadle-DoaR. MARSH
FORD
/
SCHALD R.
H/K
give Dillon see up of 11/at
21
aff
3:15
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
Washington, D.C. 20560
U.S.A.
October 24, 1974
Honorable Leonard Garment
Special Assistant to the President
The White House
Washington, D. C. 20500
Dear Leonard:
This will respond to your request for some specific suggestions
on the problem of accommodating our Bicentennial visitors to
Washington, as we discussed it on the telephone this week.
Our present concern is simple -- to make it as easy as possible
for the millions of Bicentennial visitors in 1976 to arrive at the
Mall area in the heart of Washington, see what they have come to see,
and depart. Ten of our Smithsonian museums are in this area, as well
as the outdoor Festival of American Folklife which will run for
several weeks in the summer of 1976. Each of the museums will have
special exhibitions and programs for the Bicentennial, and one of
them, the new National Air and Space Museum, will open that summer.
We now expect nearly 23 million admissions to the Smithsonian down-
town museums in 1976, representing about ten million visitors. Of
these we expect about six million visitors in the peak months from
April through August. This is about half as many again as in our
highest previous year. Other major visitor attractions in the same
area, the White House, the Capitol, the Archives, the memorials and
the rest will, of course, add to the number.
Working out the solution has not been simple. The Smithsonian
runs a large part of the visitor attractions, but has little control
over the means of visitor access. No one means of access, whether
parking, or bus service, or rapid transit, will suffice. We have
worked constructively with the National Park Service and the D.C.
Department of Highways and Traffic to improve available parking and
other visitor conveniences. We have emphasized to the Department
of the Interior, to the Congress, and to others the importance of
reestablishing the National Visitor Center project at Union Station.
In addition, I recommend the following specific actions for your
consideration:
-2-
1. Current and future parking space reservations for visitors
in the Mall area should be rigidly enforced against com-
muter encroachment, a responsibility shared by the Park
Police and the D.C. Police Department.
2. Widespread, current, and coordinated information should be
provided to the public on availability and location of
parking and access facilities for the Mall visitor.
3. Cheap direct bus shuttle service should be provided within
the Mall area for the visitor after parking his automobile.
This would cover East and West Potomac Parks and the Visitor
Center, when completed, and would connect them with the
visitor attractions on the Mall. The present Tourmobile
service does not address this need.
4. Adams and Washington Drives, down the center of the Mall,
are now planned for removal and replacement with pedestrian
walkways in the National Park Service's Bicentennial re-
design of the Mall. Parking should be permitted along these
walkways for the 1976 peak season at least.
5. Major grass areas in East and West Potomac Parks should
also be opened to parking for the peak season of 1976.
An example is the old polo ground in West Potomac Park.
6. The maximum number of fringe parking areas should be
developed for visitors, linked by direct bus shuttle or
Metro (if available) to the Mall. The Metropolitan Council
of Governments' study of Bicentennial visitors has iden-
tified 21 such fringe parking areas around the city. At
present the Park Service is considering only one, at RFK
Stadium.
7. Government commuter parking lots close to the Mall, such as
those in the Federal Triangle, should be opened to visitors
on weekends and holidays.
If we are able to obtain these improvements for 1976, with the
necessary accompaniments of public information and traffic control,
we should be able to welcome our Bicentennial visitors without the
fear that they will immobilize us and themselves in a blockade of
frustrated people and traffic.
Sincerely Dien yours,
S. Dillon Ripley
Secretary
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
December 5, 1974
Dear Rog:
I know you are well aware of the numerous accommodations that
must be made for the reception of millions of visitors to
Washington in 1976. Among these is the general question of
automobile parking and, in particular, a situation regarding
the Mall parking facilities.
Dillion Ripley is extremely concerned about the project of
the National Park Service to remove two of the existing paved
roadways on the Mall, Adams and Washington Drives, and to
replace them with pedestrian walkways. Many people, including
Ripley himself, agree of course with the ultimate objective
of freeing the Mall of parked automobiles to enhance its
aesthetic quality. However, I think very serious consideration
should be given now to deferring the Mall improvement program
until after 1976, assuming that provision can be made for
adequate replacement parking at that time.
The timing of this project is especially unfortunate in that
despite your monumental efforts, progress on the National
Visitors Center has been repeatedly delayed. That facility
realistically can not be expected to be in service as a
parking facility for much of the Bicentennial year.
It seems to me that it would be better to defer the Mall pro-
ject rather than pursue it now and thereby eliminate the 700
spaces which accommodate approximately 2100 vehicles and
6300 people each day. This represents about one-half of the
current parking capacity of the Mall.
Most Americans still consider the automobile to be the pre-
eminent means of travel and a major reduction in convenient
parking for visitors would surely have sizeable repercussions.
I understand that the construction cost is $3.5 million, which
may further suggest the need for reconsideration since other
projects, however well justified, are being reduced or
deferred in keeping with our efforts to control inflationary
pressures in the economy.
GERALD FORM
2
Since some preliminary work under the construction contract
has started, time is of the essence. I would appreciate your
views on this situation.
With warm regards,
Sincerely,
Rune
Mrs. Tobin Armstrong
Counsellor to the President
Honorable Rogers C. B. Morton
Secretary of the Interior
Washington, D. C. 20240
bc: Mr. John Marsh
FORD : LISBARY
Some items in this folder were not digitized because it contains copyrighted
materials. Please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library for access to
these materials.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Aave for appt,
that has been set
up for Dick
R. FORD
BERALD
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
January 13, 1975
MEMORANDUM TO:
JACK MARSH
FROM:
RUSS ROURKE R
At your convenience, Dick Lukstat would like to discuss the following
matters:
1) He would recommend that the Vice President conduct the
swearing-in ceremony with Marge Lynch.
2) Wants to discuss the Mall parking situation.
newspaper clippings
attached.
3) He would like as much time as you can afford to discuss the
Bicentennial program itself.
it
Get
Dick
HALD REPALDA ?
m
WASHINGTON POST
January 1, 1975
Wednesday
Parking
On Mall
Will End
By Paul Hodge
Russ Pourke
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
January 16, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR:
JACK MARSH
FROM:
DICK LUKSTAT
was
SUBJECT:
D.C. TRANSPORTATION FOR
BICENTENNIAL
The Bicentennial transportation plan for D.C. is yet
to be resolved although a three-lot fringe parking and
shuttle-bus system has been developed. (Detailed background
attached) Implementation of this system hinges on obtaining
DOD commitments on two of the three necessary parking lots.
Additionally, the appointment of an individual to be
responsible for the coordination and implementation of the
transportation plan is a must.
Proposed Actions:
Since time is of the essence in moving ahead with the
D.C. Bicentennial transportation plan, the following course
of action is proposed as the most expeditious.
1. That you meet as soon as possible with Secretary
of Defense Schlesinger. A commitment to and
authorization for visitor parking spaces is needed
as follows:
a. Pentagon North Parking Lot
1,250 spaces
b. South Post, Fort Myer
2,000 spaces
2. That you request Secretary Schlesinger's support
for a request to the Senate and House Armed Services
Committees for legislative authority to utilize the
Bolling/Anacostia complex for 3,000 visitor parking
spaces for the Bicentennial period.
an
(The availability of the above-cited parking
FORD
spaces is fundamental to the three-lot
fringe parking system as proposed.)
Memorandum for Jack Marsh
Page 2
3. That you appoint a senior-level person from
Department of Transportation to implement the
transportation plan. DOT will be requesting the
FY-76 budget money for the D.C. Bicentennial
transportation system. Deputy Under Secretary
Ted Lutz comes highly recommended by a number of
individuals in the transportation area.
Finally, the controversy over the removal of some 600
parking spaces in the Mall continues. Dillon Ripley has
discussed this with you and Anne Armstrong wrote Secretary
Morton requesting a deferral on this until 1977. (Letter
attached) There has been no response to this request.
At this point, an early meeting between you and Secretary
Morton would be required to resolve the issue.
GERALD
December 5, 1974
Dear Rog:
I know you are well aware of the numerous accommodations that
must be made for the reception of millions of visitors to
Washington in 1976. Among these is the general question of
automobile parking and, in particular, a situation regarding
the Mall parking facilities.
Dillion Ripley is extremely concerned about the project of
the National Park Service to remove two of the existing paved
roadways on the Mall, Adams and Washington Drives, and to
replace them with pedestrian walkways. Many people, including
Ripley himself, agree of course with the ultimate objective
of freeing the Mall of parked automobiles to enhance its
aesthetic quality. However, I think very serious consideration
should be given now to deferring the Mall improvement program
until after 1976, assuming that provision can be made for
adequate replacement parking at that time.
The timing of this project is especially unfortunate in that
despite your monumental efforts, progress on the National
Visitors Center has been repeatedly delayed. That facility
realistically can not be expected to be in service as a
parking facility for much of the Bicentennial year.
It seems to me that it would be better to defer the Mall pro-
jact rather than pursue it now and thereby eliminate the 700
spaces which accommodate approximately 2100 vehicles and
6300 people each day. This represents about one-half of the
current parking capacity of the Mall.
Most Americans still consider the automobile to be the pre-
eminent means of travel and a major reduction in convenient
parking for visitors would surely have sizeable repercussions.
I understand that the construction cost is $3.5 million, which
may further suggest the need for reconsideration since other
projects, however well justified, are being reduced or
deferred in keeping with our efforts to control inflationary
pressures in the economy.
FOR
2
Since some preliminary work under the construction contract
has started, time is of the essence. I would appreciate your
views on this situation.
with warm regards,
Sincerely,
(5)
Mrs. Tobin Arastrong
Counsellor to the President
Monorable Rogers C. B. Morton
Secretary of the Interior
Washington, D. C. 20240
RHL:cph
FOR
;
GERNED
Bicentennial Transportation Program
for the National Capital Area
Description
In order to alleviate the impact of serious traffic congestion
and inadequate parking in downtown Washington, D.C. during the
Bicentennial celebration in 1976, a combined fringe parking lot-
special bus service program is proposed for Section 6 (UMTA
Demonstrations) in the Department of Transportation's Fiscal Year
1976 budget. Total program costs are estimated to be some $10
million.
The plan proposes using three close-in high density parking lots
with Metrobus shuttle service to and from the Mall area. A one-day
pass sold at a parking lot kiosk is envisioned as the method of fare
collection. Special express bus service to 17 major hotel/motel
corridors within the region is also proposed. A comprehensive
marketing and advertising effort would be undertaken. Local
responsibility for the administration and operation of the program
would rest with WMATA.
Need
It is projected that approximately 35 million tourists will
visit the Nation's Capital during the Bicentennial period and
some 70 percent of these would arrive by automobile. During the
peak visitor period (April to September) in 1976, some 202,000
persons in approximately 63,000 cars per day would visit Washington.
A severe parking shortage for the Bicentennial visitor is
anticipated. While some 63,000 cars per day have been projected
as competing for parking spaces in the Mall/downtown area, there
are currently only some 3,000 Mall area parking spaces. By 1976,
this number will be cut in half to 1,500 because of the National
Park Service's plans to rebuild the Mall for predominately pedestrian
use. The current efforts by the District of Columbia Government to
prohibit non-residential parking in such areas as Capitol Hill and
the Southwest will also limit the amount of available parking.
In the recognition of the logistical/transportation problems
facing such centers of national Bicentennial interest as Washington,
D.C. and Philadelphia, the White House Interagency Committee on the
Bicentennial established a subcommittee chaired by the Deputy Under
Secretary of Transportation to study these visitor impact problems.
-2-
The result of this subcommittee's efforts was the recommendation that
logistical support funds from the Federal Government be provided
through normal program approval actions and that a special Federal/
local effort would have to be made in behalf of Washington, D.C.
This proposed transportation program was a key element of that
recommended special effort.
Proposed Program
The COG/WMATA comprehensive study recommended a transit support
program with two basic elements: (1) a fringe parking lot system
with express bus service to the Mall and (2) a special bus service
program to the major hotel/motel concentrations within the metro-
politan area. An extensive marketing and advertising program is a
major part of the total project. The General Manager of WMATA has
agreed that METRO would assume full management and operating
responsibility for the program.
Fringe Parking
The previously mentioned COG/WMATA study published in December
1973 recommended a comprehensive system of fringe parking lots inside
or near the Capital Beltway. Three alternative plans were suggested
using as many as 21 lots. The study recommendation, however, was
extremely costly ($21 million) and as a result, WMATA and D.C.
Government staff began a revaluation of the fringe lot proposal.
The result of that revaluation is the recommendation that three
close-in locations be used to serve as both an intercept for potential
driving visitors to the Mall and as an overspill parking system for
tourists who couldn't find parking downtown. The three locations
are: RFK Stadium (6,000 spaces), Anacostia Naval Air Station (3,000),
and the Pentagon area (3,000). A supplement to these 12,000 spaces is
the potential use of five future METRO station sites for some 4,000
parking spaces. These potential sites are: Huntington, Dunn Loring,
Springfield, New Carrollton and Glenmont.
The three high density lots were chosen because of their close-in
location, resulting in substantially lower capital and bus operating
costs than previously projected in the earlier study. Negotiations
are currently underway between the National Park Service and the
Stadium/Armory Board for the use of RFK Stadium parking during calendar
year 1975. A $364,000 UMTA demonstration grant will provide funds
for a visitor shuttle service between RFK and the Mall while
reconstruction of the Mall takes place. A firm agreement to use RFK
parking should be reached shortly.
-3-
The use of the Anacostia Naval Air Station and the Pentagon
north parking lot is dependent upon agreement with the Department
of Defense. Informal discussions with DOD representatives have
been inconclusive but there is strong feeling at OMB, and the
American Revolution Bicentennial Administration (ARBA) that some
interim use agreement is possible. After several discussions with
GSA staff, there appears to be good reason to believe that some
1,200 spaces at the Pentagon north parking lot can be made
available. An additional 2,000 spaces at the former Ft. Myer South
Post (Arlington Cemetary expansion) has also been requested.
BERALD
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
January 16, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR:
JACK MARSH
FROM:
DICK LUKSTAT
SUBJECT:
D.C. TRANSPORTATION FOR
BICENTENNIAL
The Bicentennial transportation plan for D.C. is yet
to be resolved although a three-lot fringe parking and
shuttle-bus system has been developed. (Detailed background
attached) Implementation of this system hinges on obtaining
DOD commitments on two of the three necessary parking lots.
Additionally, the appointment of an individual to be
responsible for the coordination and implementation of the
transportation plan is a must.
Proposed Actions:
Since time is of the essence in moving ahead with the
D.C. Bicentennial transportation plan, the following course
of action is proposed as the most expeditious.
1. That you meet as soon as possible with Secretary
of Defense Schlesinger. A commitment to and
authorization for visitor parking spaces is needed
as follows:
a. Pentagon North Parking Lot
1,250 spaces
b. South Post, Fort Myer
2,000 spaces
2. That you request Secretary Schlesinger's support
for a request to the Senate and House Armed Services
Committees for legislative authority to utilize the
Bolling/Anacostia complex for 3,000 visitor parking
spaces for the Bicentennial period.
014839
(The availability of the above-cited parking
spaces is fundamental to the three-lot
fringe parking system as proposed.)
Memorandum for Jack Marsh
Page 2
3. That you appoint a senior-level person from
Department of Transportation to implement the
transportation plan. DOT will be requesting the
FY-76 budget money for the D.C. Bicentennial
transportation system. Deputy Under Secretary
Ted Lutz comes highly recommended by a number of
individuals in the transportation area.
Finally, the controversy over the removal of some 600
parking spaces in the Mall continues. Dillon Ripley has
discussed this with you and Anne Armstrong wrote Secretary
Morton requesting a deferral on this until 1977. (Letter
attached) There has been no response to this request.
At this point, an early meeting between you and Secretary
Morton would be required to resolve the issue.
FORD
KENILWC
AVENI
RFK
STADIUM
NATIONAL VISITOR
CENTER
MALL
AREA
/
ANACOSTIA
PENTAÇO
NAVAL AIR
STATION
&
T-295
I-95
$
FIGURE 1
PARKING LOTS $ ACCESS ROUTES
3 LOT PLAN
PROPOSED FRINGE PARKING LOTS
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
ACCESS ROUTES To FRINGE LOTS
NATIONAL V'ISITOR CENTER AND MALL AREA
Bicentennial Transportation Program
for the National Capital Area
Description
In order to alleviate the impact of serious traffic congestion
and inadequate parking in downtown Washington, D.C. during the
Bicentennial celebration in 1976, a combined fringe parking lot-
special bus service program is proposed for Section 6 (UMTA
Demonstrations) in the Department of Transportation's Fiscal Year
1976 budget. Total program costs are estimated to be some $10
million.
The plan proposes using three close-in high density parking lots
with Metrobus shuttle service to and from the Mall area. A one-day
pass sold at a parking lot kiosk is envisioned as the method of fare
collection. Special express bus service to 17 major hotel/motel
corridors within the region is also proposed. A comprehensive
marketing and advertising effort would be undertaken. Local
responsibility for the administration and operation of the program
would rest with WMATA.
Need
It is projected that approximately 35 million tourists will
visit the Nation's Capital during the Bicentennial period and
some 70 percent of these would arrive by automobile. During the
peak visitor period (April to September) in 1976, some 202,000
persons in approximately 63,000 cars per day would visit Washington.
A severe parking shortage for the Bicentennial visitor is
anticipated. While some 63,000 cars per day have been projected
as competing for parking spaces in the Mall/downtown area, there
are currently only some 3,000 Mall area parking spaces. By 1976,
this number will be cut in half to 1,500 because of the National
Park Service's plans to rebuild the Mall for predominately pedestrian
use. The current efforts by the District of Columbia Government to
prohibit non-residential parking in such areas as Capitol Hill and
the Southwest will also limit the amount of available parking.
In the recognition of the logistical/transportation problems
facing such centers of national Bicentennial interest as Washington,
D.C. and Philadelphia, the White House Interagency Committee on the
Bicentennial established a subcommittee chaired by the Deputy Under
Secretary of Transportation to study these visitor impact problems.
-2-
The result of this subcommittee's efforts was the recommendation that
logistical support funds from the Federal Government be provided
through normal program approval actions and that a special Federal/
local effort would have to be made in behalf of Washington, D.C.
This proposed transportation program was a key element of that
recommended special effort.
Proposed Program
The COG/WMATA comprehensive study recommended a transit support
program with two basic elements: (1) a fringe parking lot system
with express bus service to the Mall and (2) a special bus service
program to the major hotel/motel concentrations within the metro-
politan area. An extensive marketing and advertising program is a
major part of the total project. The General Manager of WMATA has
agreed that METRO would assume full management and operating
responsibility for the program.
Fringe Parking
The previously mentioned COG/WMATA study published in December
1973 recommended a comprehensive system of fringe parking lots inside
or near the Capital Beltway. Three alternative plans were suggested
using as many as 21 lots. The study recommendation, however, was
extremely costly ($21 million) and as a result, WMATA and D.C.
Government staff began a revaluation of the fringe lot proposal.
The result of that revaluation is the recommendation that three
close-in locations be used to serve as both an intercept for potential
driving visitors to the Mall and as an overspill parking system for
tourists who couldn't find parking downtown. The three locations
are: RFK Stadium (6,000 spaces), Anacostia Naval Air Station (3,000),
and the Pentagon area (3,000). A supplement to these 12,000 spaces is
the potential use of five future METRO station sites for some 4,000
parking spaces. These potential sites are: Huntington, Dunn Loring,
Springfield, New Carrollton and Glenmont.
The three high density lots were chosen because of their close-in
location, resulting in substantially lower capital and bus operating
costs than previously projected in the earlier study. Negotiations
are currently underway between the National Park Service and the
Stadium/Armory Board for the use of RFK Stadium parking during calendar
year 1975. A $364,000 UMTA demonstration grant will provide funds
for a visitor shuttle service between RFK and the Mall while
reconstruction of the Mall takes place. A firm agreement to use RFK
parking should be reached shortly.
-3-
The use of the Anacostia Naval Air Station and the Pentagon
north parking lot is dependent upon agreement with the Department
of Defense. Informal discussions with DOD representatives have
been inconclusive but there is strong feeling at OMB, and the
American Revolution Bicentennial Administration (ARBA) that some
interim use agreement is possible. After several discussions with
GSA staff, there appears to be good reason to believe that some
1,200 spaces at the Pentagon north parking lot can be made
available. An additional 2,000 spaces at the former Ft. Myer South
Post (Arlington Cemetary expansion) has also been requested.
December 5, 1974
Dear Rog:
I know you are well aware of the numerous accommodations that
must be made for the reception of millions of visitors to
Washington in 1976. Among these is the general question of
automobile parking and, in particular, a situation regarding
the Mall parking facilities.
Dillion Ripley is extremely concerned about the project of
the National Park Service to remove two of the existing paved
roadways on the Mall, Adams and Washington Drives, and to
replace them with pedestrian walkways. Many people, including
Ripley himself, agree of course with the ultimate objective
of freeing the Mall of parked automobiles to enhance its
aesthetic quality. However, I think very serious consideration
should be given now to deferring the Mall improvement program
until after 1976, assuming that provision can be made for
adequate replacement parking at that time.
The timing of this project is especially unfortunate in that
despite your monumental efforts, progress on the National
Visitors Center has been repeatedly delayed. That facility
realistically can not be expected to be in service as a
parking facility for much of the Bicentennial year.
It seens to no that it would be better to defer the Mall pro-
ject rather than pursue it now and thereby eliminate the 700
spaces which accommodate approximately 2100 vehicles and
6300 people each day. This represents about one-half of the
current parking capacity of the Mall.
Most Americans still consider the automobile to be the pre-
eminent means of travel and a major reduction in convenient
parking for visitors would surely have sixeable repercussions.
I understand that the construction cost is $3.5 million, which
may further suggest the need for reconsideration since other
projects, however well justified, are being reduced or
deferred in keeping with our efforts to control inflationary
pressures in the economy.
2
Since some preliminary work under the construction contract
has started, time is of the essence. I would appreciate your
views on this situation.
with warm regards,
Sincerely,
(5)
Mrs. Tobin Armstrong
Counsellor to the President
Nonorable Rogers C. B. Morton
Secretary of the Interior
Washington, D. C. 20240
RHL:cph
FORD
SERALD
crossed
ducintennial
January 23, 1975 Schlesinger
Dear Jim:
As you might know, I now have certain responsibilities
for the Bicentennial in addition to my other duties as
Counseller.
One of my particular concerns is this area is the
planned transportation system for visitors to the Nation's
Capital. Frankly, I feel a treaendous amount of effort is
required if a satisfactory transportation plan is to be
implemented in time to serve the millions of Americans
coming here in 1976.
There is a basic transportation plan recommended and
agreed upon by the Federal Agency Bieentennial Task Force.
Current planning calls for three lets (12,000 spaces), and
a combination of special bus services at standard fares.
These lots use cost-free land under Federal or Washington
Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) control and lie
as clese as possible to the Mall/Nonuments area. The three
lots presently anticipated are at RFK Stadium, the unused
Naval Air Station at Belling-Anacostia S.M., and a combination
of spaces at the Pentagon and South Post-Fort Myer.
I feel it imporative that the Federal establishment have
a well-conceived and well-phased plan to present to the Congress
as early as March 1975, when the Department of Transportation
must discuss its appropriation requests. Therefore, I an asking
for your assistance as follows:
1) Authorization from the Department of Defense to
utilize 1,250 parking spaces in the North Pentagon
parking lot. (gra has indicated this number will
be available upon completion of Matro construction.)
FORD i LIBRARY 938870
+
2) Authorization from the Department of Defense
to create & 2,000 space temperary parking lot on
South Post-Fort Myer. (I understand this space
is ultimately to be used for an expension of
Arlington Cemetery.)
3) Support from the Department of Defense in
obtaining legislative authority for utilizing the
Belling/Anacestia complex for 3,000 visitors'
parking spaces.
Your consideration of these matters will be sincerely
appreciated.
with wase regards.
Sincerely,
John 0. Marsh, 38.
Commeller to the President
Honorable James R. Schlesinger
Secretary of Defense
Department of Defense
Washington, D. c. 20301
be: Dick Lukstat
RHL/sjd
FORD i LIBRARY GERALD
crossed.
Schlising
January 23, 1975
Dear Jim:
As you might know, I now have certain responsibilities
for the Bicentennial in addition to my other duties as
Counsellor.
One of my particular concerns in this area is the
planned transportation system for visitors to the Nation's
Capital. Frankly, I feel a tremendous amount of effort is
required if a satisfactory transportation plan is to be
implemented in time to serve the millions of Americans
coming here in 1976.
There is a basic transportation plan recommended and
agreed upon by the Federal Agency Bicentennial Task Force.
Current planning calls for three lots (12,000 spaces), and
a combination of special bus services at standard fares.
These lots use cost-free land under Federal or Washington
Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) control and lie
as close as possible to the Mall/Monuments area. The three
lots presently anticipated are at RFK Stadium, the unused
Naval Air Station at Bolling-Anacostia S.E., and a combination
of spaces at the Pentagon and South Post-Fort Hyer.
I feel it imperative that the Federal establishment have
a well-conceived and well-phased plan to present to the Congress
as early as March 1975, when the Department of Transportation
must discuss its appropriation requests. Therefore, I am asking
for your assistance as follows:
1) Authorization from the Department of Defense to
utilize 1,250 parking spaces in the North Pentagon
parking lot. (GSA has indicated this number will
be available upon completion of Metro construction.)
FORD is LIBRARY 07/170
-2-
2) Authorization from the Department of Defense
to create a 2,000 space temporary parking lot on
South Post-Fort Myer. (I understand this space
is ultimately to be used for an expansion of
Arlington Cemetery.)
3) Support from the Department of Defense in
obtaining legislative authority for utilizing the
Bolling/Anacostia complex for 3,000 visitors'
parking spaces.
Your consideration of these matters will be sincerely
appreciated.
With warm regards.
Sincerely,
John 0. Marsh, Jr.
Counsellor to the President
Honorable James R. Schlesinger
Secretary of Defense
Department of Defense
Washington, D. C. 20301
be: Dick Lukstat
RHL/sjd
LIBRARY GERALD FORD
crossed ton
January 23, 1975
Dear Rog:
As you know, I now have certain responsibilities in
the Bicentennial area in addition to my other duties as
Counsellor since Anne Armstrong left in December.
While I have not yet had the opportunity to become
very deeply involved in the overall Bicentennial program,
I an particularly concerned with the transportation
system proposed for the District of Columbia.
On December 5, Anne wrote to you requesting a deferral
until 1977 in the removal of some 600 visitor parking spaces
from the Mall area. I urge your earliest consideration to
that request.
Although I realize the removal of the spaces had been
planned for some years, I feel the current situation
warrants another hard look. The vastly reduced parking
capacity at the National Visitor Center, the alimination
of planned underground parking at the Mall and potentially
reduced Metro service all affect this situation. And,
needless to say, the saving of some $3 million in Federal
expenditures to remove the Mall spaces at this time also
should be taken into consideration.
Your personal attention to this matter would be greatly
appreciated.
With warm regards.
Sincerely,
John 0. Marsh, Jr.
Counsellor to the President
Honorable Rogers C. B. Morton
Secretary of the Interior
Department of the Interior
Washington, D. C. 20240
i
FORD
be: Dick Lukstat
RHL/sjd
GERALD
Dear Rog:
certain
As you know, I now have responsibility for the Bicentennial
area in addition to my other duties as Counsellor since Anne Armstrong
left in December.
While I have not yet had the opportunity to become very deeply
involved in the overall Bicentennial program, I am particularly concerned
with the transportation system proposed for the District of Columbia.
On December 5, Anne wrote to you requesting a deferral until 1977
in the removal of some 600 visitor parking spaces from the Mall area.
I urge your earliest consideration to that request.
Although I realize the removal of the spaces had been planned
for some years, I feel the current situation warrants another hard
look. The vastly reduced parking capacity at the National Visitor
Center, the elimination of planned underground parking at the Mall
and potentially reduced Metro service all affect this situation. And,
needless to say, the saving of some $3 million in Federal expenditures
to remove the Mall spaces at this time also should be taken into
consideration.
Your personal attention to this matter would be greatly
appreciated.
With warm regards.
Sincerely,
John 0. Marsh, Jr.
Counsellor to the President
Honorable Rogers C. B. Morton
is
Secretary of the Interior
Department of the Interior
Washington, D. C. 20240
GERALD
December 5, 1974
Dear Rog:
I know you are well aware of the numerous accommodations that
must be made for the reception of millions of visitors to
Washington in 1976. Among these is the general question of
automobile parking and, in particular, a situation regarding
the Mall parking facilities.
Dillion Ripley is extremely concerned about the project of
the National Park Service to remove two of the existing paved
roadways on the Mall, Adams and Washington Drives, and to
replace them with pedestrian walkways. Many people, including
Ripley himself, agree of course with the ultimate objective
of freeing the Mall of parked automobilas to enhance its
aesthetic quality. However, I think very serious consideration
should be given now to deferring the Mall improvement program
until after 1975, assuming that provision can be made for
adequate replacement parking at that time.
The timing of this project is especially unfortunate in that
despite your monumental efforts, progress on the National
Visitors Center has been repeatedly delayed. That facility
realistically can not be expected to be in service as a
parking facility for much of the Bicentennial year.
It seems to no that it would be better to defer the Mall pro-
ject rather than pursue it now and_ thereby eliminate the 700
spaces which accommodate approximately 2100 vehicles and
6300 people each day. This represents about one-half of the
current parking capacity of the Mall.
Most Americans still consider the automobile to be the pre-
eminent means of travel and a major reduction in convenient
parking for visitors would surely have sizeable repercussions.
I understand that the construction cost is $3.5 million, which
may further suggest the need for reconsideration since other
projects, however well justified, are being reduced or
deferred in keeping with our efforts to control inflationary
pressures in the economy.
LIBRARY GERALD ? FORD
2
Since some preliminary work under the construction contract
has started, time is of the essence. I would appreciate your
views on this situation.
with warm regards,
Sincerely,
(5)
Mrs. Tobin Arastrong
Counsellor to the President
Honorable Rogers c. B. Morton
Secretary of the Interior
Washington, D. C. 20240
RHL:cph
GERALD ? FORD
crossed
Lub
MAY
1975
tricentennial
January 23, 1975
Dear Rog:
As you know, I now have certain responsibilities in
the Bicentenuial area in addition to my other duties as
Counsellor since Anne Armstrong left in December.
While I have not yet had the opportunity to become
very deeply involved in the overall Bicentennial program,
I am particularly concerned with the transportation
system proposed for the District of Columbia.
On December 5. Anne wrote to you requesting a deferral
until 1977 in the removal of some 600 visiter parking spaces
from the Mall area. I urge your earliant consideration to
that request.
Although I realize the removal of the spaces had been
planned for some years, I feel the current situation
varrants another hard look. The vastly reduced parking
capacity at the National Visitor Center, the elimination
of planned underground parking at the Mall and potentially
reduced Matro service all affect this situation. And,
needless to say, the saving of some $3 million in Federal
expenditures to remove the Mall spaces at this time also
should be taken into consideration.
Your personal attention to this matter would be greatly
appreciated.
with warm regards.
Sincerely,
John 0. March, Jr.
Counsellor to the President
Henorable Regers c. B. Morton
Secretary of the Interior
Department of the Interior
Washington, D. c. 20240
be: Dick Lukstat
RHL/sjd
R. FORD
JAN 29 1975
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
Washington, D. 20560
U.S.A.
M
January 28, 1975
Honorable Rogers C. B. Morton
Secretary of the Interior
Washington, D. C. 20240
Dear Rog:
This is to inform you of action taken by the Board of
Regents of the Smithsonian Institution relating to the pro-
posed ban on Mall parking at their regular meeting on
January 24, 1975.
Specifically, the Regents delegated to their Executive
Committee authority "to represent the position of the Board
of Regents in intervening in behalf of the Smithsonian
Institution to alleviate the problems being created by the
Mall parking ban and to seek immediate answers to questions
primarily posed to the National Park Service concerning
substitute parking closer to the museums on the Mall [as
alternatives to R.F.K. Stadium parking].
Sincerely yours,
Win
S. Dillon Ripley
Secretary
FORD
cc: Mr. John 0. Marsh, Jr.
0410
Washington Post
Friday, January 31, 1975
Page C-1
Court Delays Ban
On Mall Parking
Toman
By Timothy S. Robinson
Washington Post Staff Writer
U.S. District Judge Joseph
C. Waddy yesterday delayed
for at lest one week the Na-
tional Park Service's plan to
forbid traffic. and parking
THE WHITE HOUSE
My
WASHINGTON
Date 2-7-74[1975]
2:30p.m.
FOR: JACK Marsh
FROM: Richard H. Lukstat Dick
The attached may be of interest
to you.
It's Secretary Morton's reply
to Anne Armstrong's letter of Dec 5.
As you know, the case is
being heard today -so
far, no decision.
tricentingly
DIFARIMENT S DEP OF THE INTERIOR
THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR
WASHINGTON
March
3
349
January 22, 1975
Dear Anne:
Although I realize that you officially do not have
to be concerned with such matters, I wanted to answer
your letter of December concerning the problem of
removing some parking on the Mall which is part of our
plans to prepare for the Bicentennial.
I can assure you that we have given very earnest con-
sideration to your suggestion to defer the Mall
improvement program until after 1976. As you know,
the funding necessary for this project was reviewed
very carefully in relation to overall national priorities
before being included in the Bicentennial program. We
have at hand solutions to several of the factors which
have caused repeated delays.
First of all, we now know that the National Visitor
Center can be made available during the Bicentennial
year. The problems that necessitated work stoppage have
been resolved, and our contractor is busy resuming his
construction schedule.
Secondly, the fringe parking-shuttle service between
the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium and the Mall is
being implemented and will begin prior to the removal of
any Mall parking.
Funds to carry out the plan that the Smithsonian, National
Gallery of Art, the National Capital Planning. Commission,
Fine Arts Commission, and the President's Council on
Historic Preservation have all enthusiastically endorsed
may not be forthcoming after the Bicentennial. I can
certainly give no assurance that the Department of the
Interior will be able to support a future budget request
for the funds necessary to complete the project that we
now presently have underway. Adherence to the Adminis-
tration's policy for use of a fringe parking system,
- 2 -
established in the Bicentennial message of February 4,
1972, seems the most reasonable and effective alternative
for the relatively few parking spaces that will be lost
due to this construction.
I hope that we can all pull together to effect these
Bicentennial plans. Please let me know if you have
further questions on this matter.
Anne, I hope that you won't ever hesitate to get in touch
with me if I can be of any assistance to you here in
Washington.
Warm personal regards.
Yours sincerely,
Rogers Rog C. B. Morton
Mrs. Tobin Armstrong
Armstrong
Texas 78338
lucentennial
February 13, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR: DICK LUKSTAT
FROM:
JACK MARSH
Please give me your thoughts and suggestions on the attached.
Thanks.
FORD LIBRARY s GENALD
February 13, 1975
Dear Tom:
Just a short note to acknowledge and thank you
for your letter in reference to the parking
situation in connection with the Bicentennial.
I deeply appreciate the cooperation of the Depart-
ment and particularly your interest in this.
Sincerely,
John o. Marsh, Jr.
Counsellor to the President
Mr. Thomas K. Latimer
The Special Assistant
Office of the Secretary of Defense
Washington, D. C. 20301
FORD & LIBRARY
FEB 11 1975
OF DEFENSE FENST
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20301
(NIFED STATES of AMERICA
10 FEB 1975
Honorable John O. Marsh, Jr.
Counsellor to the President
The White House
Washington, D. C. 20500
Dear Jack:
In response to your letter of January 23, 1975, to Secretary Schlesinger,
we have taken a close look at our capability to handle some 6,000 of the
12,000 private car parking spaces required for the 1976 Bicentennial
celebration and believe that we can satisfy all or the greater portion
of the requirement levied upon us. While we will be suggesting a some-
what different approach from the one outlined in your letter, I believe
that our plan will prove more manageable, timely, cost effective and
beneficial to our out-of-town visitors.
Essentially our plan would be to scrap the 3,000 car Bolling/Anacostia
segment of the proposal and, in lieu thereof, to make available within
the Pentagon/Fort Myer South Post Complex existing paved parking and
land suitable to accommodate a total of 6,000 cars at any one-time.
Further, if it is found feasible from an engineering standpoint, it
would be our preference to concentrate all 6,000 parking spaces at South
Post to gain the advantages which would accrue from one Virginia location,
enumerated below, and to avoid the access problems involved in utilizing
Pentagon parking.
The advantages of this approach are as follows:
The Government would avoid the high cost of improving, and
eventually restoring for planned follow-on use, the only available portion
of the Bolling/Anacostia Complex --- a semi-improved, low lying area at
the northerly boundary of the Anacostia Naval Station immediately west of
the Naval Photographic Center and north of the Presidential helicopter
compound. This area has extremely poor access from the already saturated
Douglas Bridge and Route 295 and, even with adequate posting, would create
serious problems for the average driver not familiar with the area.
Construction is now ongoing at Bolling/Anacostia with attendant confusion,
dust and pilferage and the introduction of a visitor and his family into
this area, albeit temporarily, would be doing them a disservice. Pre-
liminary engineering estimates place the cost of needed fill, pavement
and fencing and exclusive of site restoration at a minimum $976,000 - a
substantial proportion of the $10,000,000 being sought by Department of
Transportation. Deletion of the Bolling/Anacostia proposal would also
2
negate the need for special legislation to overcome the "Rivers"
Amendment (Section 610b, PL 93-166) --- which legislation could prove
acrimonious in debate, time consuming and uncertain of the desired
result.
Concentration of parking in two major lots would still service
both sides of the National Capital Region hemisphere created by the
Potomac River. Visitors from the west and south would probably gravitate
to the Fort Myer lots from existing good road networks while those from
the north would establish their first base of exploration from the RFK
lots. Savings should result from fewer shuttle routes, less guides and
security personnel and other factors relative to two versus three dis-
parate locations.
The counterproposal also takes advantage of the existing visitors'
facility and parking area at Fort Myer/Arlington National Cemetery and
the fact that the Cemetery and the Kennedy gravesites are probably on
everyone's agendas. Cost savings are also apparent when one contrasts
the expense of new pavement for two locations (Fort Myer and Bolling/
Anacostia) with the efficiency and unit cost of laying pavement under
one contract at a homogeneous location.
Access to the City via the Memorial, Key and Roosevelt Bridges is
superior to the South Capitol Street corridor while the consolidated
Pentagon/Fort Myer lot also enjoys easier access to I95 and other trunk
routes than does the Bolling/Anacostia one.
For these and other reasons we would prefer the consolidation plan and
would urge your support. If acceptable to you and to the Agencies and
Governments involved, we are prepared to issue whatever authorizations
are needed. We understand that the plan will be accomplished solely with
funds budgeted by the Department of Transportation, that the land at Fort
Myer/Arlington Cemetery be restored at the end of the 1976 Bicentennial
year, and that whatever Environmental Impact, planning or local govern-
mental approvals are needed are obtained by Department of Transportation,
Department of Interior, or the cognizant authority for the Bicentennial
transportation plan.
Sincerely,
Tom
Thomas K. Latimer
The Special Assistant
is
FORD
GERALD
ABVERIT
crossed.
Dugasbackup) Dugad backup
March 5, 1975
Dear Mr. Dugas:
Thank you for attending last month's meeting on
Bicentennial transportation planning for Washington.
I regret not being there as I had planned; however, I
appreciate your being there to hear what the Federal,
District. and regional governments cooperatively must
do to accommodate the millions of additional visitors
expected in Washington in 1976.
I feel certain that adequately planned and executed
transit services along those lines discussed at the
meeting will benefit both the visitor and the City.
These services, for which the President is asking the
Congress for an additional $10 million in his 1976
budget, should neither unduly burden the City's
services nor disrupt its daily residential and business
life. The full support of the District Government to
this proposed program. within the timetable outlined on
February 3, 1975 will help bring it to fruition.
Various committees of the Congress will no doubt
be interested in the preparedness of the Nation's Capital
for 1976. I understand that the District's own
Congressional budget process will be starting shortly
after the Federal Departments begin their testimony. In
this regard, I hope that the District and the Federal
Government provide a clear presentation to the Congress
of the logistical problems facing the City and the Federal
establ ishment and of our common solutions to them.
I look forward to meting with you in the near future.
Sincerely,
John 0. Marsh, Jr.
Counsellor to the President
Monorable Julian Dugas
City Administrator
District of Columbia
14th and E Streets, NW
Washington, D. C. 20004
BERALO FORD VIBRARY
RHL/sjd
CC: Dick Lukstat