Meet the Trinidad Team Leader

My name is Andrew. I've been a Team Leader for Investigating Where We Live three times now - in Deanwood, in the U Street Corridor, and now in Trinidad. Each summer I learn more about the city I've called home for over four years, and more about how to explore it with a group of teens and middle schoolers. I've enjoyed seeing Trinidad because it has such a great neighborhood feel that I don't necessarily always experience where I live in Columbia Heights. If you live in the neighborhood and see a sweaty group of teens and adults, say hi!

Who is Waterfront Writer?

Hi my name is Mary Cameron aka Waterfront Writer. I am interning with the National Building Museum this summer. During the school year I am a grad student in Art History at American University. I am working with Lauren Wilson on exploring the Southwest Waterfront. We have already visited the neighborhood twice, and I am looking forward to taking the students there.

Here are some pictures I've taken in Southwest so far-

The Evolution of Petworth- Photographic Comparisons

See how Petworth has changed. The color photographs are from Google Map streetview. The black and white photos date from the 1920s, and are courtesy of the Washington, DC Historical Society.

New Hampshire Avenue (L) and Rock Creek Church Road , 2010

New Hampshire Avenue (L) and Rock Creek Church Road, 1927

Southwest Waterfront- From Alley Houses to Condos

The Southwest Waterfront area is bounded by Interstate 395 to the north, Washington Channel to the west, the Anacostia River to the south, and South Capitol Street to the east. Southwest is the smallest of Washington's four quadrants, and Southwest Waterfront is one of only two residential neighborhoods in the quadrant; the other being Bellevue. Southwest Waterfront lies in Ward Six and is represented to the D.C. council by Tommy Wells.

Trinidad...The One in DC

Trinidad is bound by Gallaudet University, Mount Olivet Road, Florida Avenue and Bladensburg Avenue. The community consists of 700 two-story, brick row houses with porches, including about 350 government-subsidized houses and apartments located in the eastern section of the neighborhood.[1] Trinidad is located in Ward 5, and is represented by Harry Thomas, Jr. The neighborhood was primarily a residential community until the mid 1970s, when a commercial development boom created a hodgepodge of retail stores, used car lots and waste facilities.

An Introduction to Petworth

Petworth is a residential neighborhood in the Northwest quadrant of Washington, D.C. It is bounded by Georgia Avenue to the West, North Capitol Street to the East, Rock Creek Church to the South, and Kennedy Street NW to the north (see map). The neighborhood is primarily residential, with a mix of townhouses and single-family homes. Petworth is part of Ward 4, which is represented in the D.C. Council by Muriel Bowser. According to Muriel Browser’s website, residents describe Petworth as a charming and historical neighborhood with great neighborhood attractions, such as the Petworth Library and the Petworth Recreation Center. One resident describes the neighborhood as a “a typical Ward 4 community that is slowly developing into a diverse neighborhood. Young families are frequently spotted strolling through the neighborhood visiting each other or eating dinner at a local restaurant.”Another resident explains, “In downtown Petworth, [visitors] will find a neighborhood under construction and revitalization, making lots of changes for the better, making things look cleaner and newer. In Petworth north of the Metro, they will find a very friendly neighborhood, increasingly diverse, where residents are proud.” This secure and stable community is quickly becoming one of the most popular in the Ward thanks to its combination of urban access and neighborhood feel. Over $380 million is being invested in new development around the metro station over the next several years, including more than 1,000 residential units and nearly 80,000 square feet of new retail opportunities.[1]

Welcome to IWWL- 2010

Hello, and thank you for stopping by the IWWL Blog. The 2010 program will begin June 29th. In the meantime, we are going to provide some background on the three neighborhoods we are exploring this year- Petworth, Trinidad, and Southwest Waterfront.