Navy Yard, Washington, D.C.

Navy Yard, also known as Near Southeast, is a neighborhood on the Anacostia River in Southeast Washington, D.C. Navy Yard is bounded by Interstate 395 to the north, South Capitol Street to the west, and the Anacostia River to the south and east. Approximately half of its area (south of M Street, SE) is occupied by the Washington Navy Yard (including the Naval Historical Center), which gives the neighborhood its name. The neighborhood is located in D.C.'s Ward 6, currently represented by Tommy Wells.[1] It is served by the Navy Yard – Ballpark Metro station on the Green Line.

Contents

History

Historically, the Anacostia River was once a deep water channel with natural resources and home to the Nacotchtank Indians. In 1791, Pierre Charles L’Enfant designed the plan for Washington D.C. and, recognizing the assets of the Anacostia River, located the city’s new commercial center and wharfs there. In 1799, the Washington Navy Yard was established in the area and for several decades was the nation’s largest naval shipbuilding facility. Today, the Washington Navy Yard is the Navy's longest continuously operated Federal facility.[2]

The Navy Yard was a bustling nautical center during the 19th century and played an integral role in the development of the area. The lively wharf was a hub for jobs, serving ships with lumber and raw materials for the growing city. It also played a key role in defending the city from the British during the War of 1812. Surrounding the wharfs was an extensive commercial district, light industrial businesses, and one of the city’s most significant neighborhood communities. As the city and nation evolved, the Navy Yard changed from ship building to production of finished ship products and weapons ammunition. By the mid-1940s the Navy Yard and the expanded Annex area reached peak production with 26,000 employees in 132 buildings on 127 acres (0.51 km2) of land.[2]

However, during the 20th century the river deteriorated. The pollution of the river diminished its value as an asset to the city. After World War II, the Navy Yard consolidated its operations to a smaller campus, which slowed the economic and neighborhood activity of the area. Around this same time, the elevated portion of Interstate 395 was completed, creating a physical barrier for access to the river. The combination of these and several other factors led to the river and the riverfront neighborhoods becoming neglected and overrun with crime.[2]

For many years, the neighborhood was home to eight LGBT bars and nightclubs that have since been displaced. Velvet Nation was a weekly dance event that took place at the nightclub Nation. The club, formerly known as The Capitol Ballroom, hosted musical acts such as The Ramones, Björk, David Bowie, Eminem, and Prince.

Redevelopment

Long an industrial district, the neighborhood has undergone a great deal of transformation since the 1990s. The area was formerly home to a large commercial and adult-entertainment district, which has now been displaced. The construction of the U.S. Department of Transportation office complex and Nationals Park, the new US$600 million stadium of the Washington Nationals Major League Baseball team, have spurred rapid growth in the neighborhood.[3] Most of the neighborhood's land and businesses have been purchased by companies and is currently being developed into commercial and residential projects.[4] The area plans to contain 12 to 15,000,000 square feet (1,400,000 m2) of office space, 9,000 residential units, 1,200 hospitality rooms, 800,000 square feet (74,000 m2) of retail space, four public parks, and an Anacostia Riverwalk trail system.[5]

Projects

References

  1. ^ DC Council Members
  2. ^ a b c Capitol Riverfront BID | History of the Neighborhood
  3. ^ Dana Hedgpeth - Contesting a Stadium's Power - washingtonpost.com
  4. ^ A Transformed Neighborhood Awaits Stadium
  5. ^ Capitol Riverfront BID | Neighborhood Dynamic
  6. ^ FRP/RiverFront - Near Southeast DC Revitalization
  7. ^ South Capitol Street/Frederick Douglass Bridge - Near Southeast DC Revitalization
  8. ^ "The Yards"/Southeast Federal Center - Near Southeast DC Revitalization
  9. ^ Department of Transportation HQ - Near Southeast DC Revitalization
  10. ^ Nationals Park - New DC Baseball Stadium for the Washington Nationals
  11. ^ DC Ballpark District
  12. ^ Capper/Carrollsburg Housing Redevelopment - Near Southeast DC Revitalization
  13. ^ New Community Center at Capper/Carrollsburg - Near Southeast DC Revitalization
  14. ^ New Marine Bachelor Enlisted Quarters
  15. ^ Madison Marquette Acquires 770 M Street Near New Nationals Baseball Stadium in Washington, DC - Madison Marquette
  16. ^ 8th Street Historic District - Near Southeast DC Revitalization
  17. ^ East M Street - Near Southeast DC Revitalization
  18. ^ Washington Canal Park - Near Southeast DC Revitalization
  19. ^ Diamond Teague Park/Earth Conservation Corps

External links

 
Nearby Neighborhoods in Washington, D.C.
Ward 1
NW
Ward 2
NW
SW
Ward 3
NW
Ward 4
NE
NW
Ward 5
NE
NW
Ward 6
NE
NW
SE
Barney Circle · Capitol Hill · Navy Yard
SW
Ward 7
NE
SE
Ward 8
SE
SW