Kingman Park going downhill

[Anonymous]

It’s not a desirable place to live anymore. Too violent. You can’t even go on a walk pushing a stroller without being panhandled or verbally accosted. Everyone said this neighborhood would gentrify but they were wrong.

[Anonymous]

No trolls to take the bait?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No trolls to take the bait?

C'mon - just trying to lower property values so I can afford to move in!

[Anonymous]

Sorry, I can’t relate with your woes. I don’t venture east of Woodley Park, too unsafe for me

[Anonymous]

lol

[Anonymous]

Gentrification all along the H Street/Benning corridor has slowed in the last few years since Covid, due to crime, homelessness, and drug issues. But the neighborhood is still better than it was 10 years ago. It's just that 5 years ago, it felt like it was on an upward trajectory economically and then Covid took things down a notch and now it feels like it's in a holding pattern. If you moved here in the last 4 years, you probably feel like it's not getting better because... it's not getting better than 4 years ago. It's still better than a decade ago and based on other neighborhoods in DC, I would expect it to continue to improve over the next 10 years.

I imagine the most frustrating thing for people who over here recently is the cost of living given the lack of progress. Housing prices are absurd -- we would never be able to afford to buy here now. We bought here 10 years ago for a lot less, but on the other hand, the neighborhood was really rough when we bought and now it's sort of half-gentrified. So we got a discount you didn't get, but you benefit from a lot of changes that occurred after we bought.

[Anonymous]

I went recently to a restaurant on H St. just walking from parking the car to the restaurant (half a block) felt really sketchy. I’ll pass next time that friend invites me

[Anonymous]

If it was considered safe that must have been very short lived. Violent crime is down over 30% citywide in 2024.

[Anonymous]

Well Steve Daines had to go and screw up the most recent attempt for DC to be able to do anything, ever, with the RFK site. Bill seems like it has stalled in committee thanks to him.

In general, the OPs comment about KP could generalize to a lot of areas of DC right now. Hill East in general including the SE side, Petworth, etc. etc. etc.

[Anonymous]

A friend has a flip coming to the market soon. OP please don't screw that up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A friend has a flip coming to the market soon. OP please don't screw that up.[/quotim
Never clear what the purpose of a post like this is.

[Anonymous]

Friends just sold their rowhouse in Kingman Park, and have left the city to live with the DW's parents elsewhere in VA while they figure out where they want to land. They have a small child. I am not sure what happened, but something made them feel unsafe and with no hesitation they were out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gentrification all along the H Street/Benning corridor has slowed in the last few years since Covid, due to crime, homelessness, and drug issues. But the neighborhood is still better than it was 10 years ago. It's just that 5 years ago, it felt like it was on an upward trajectory economically and then Covid took things down a notch and now it feels like it's in a holding pattern. If you moved here in the last 4 years, you probably feel like it's not getting better because... it's not getting better than 4 years ago. It's still better than a decade ago and based on other neighborhoods in DC, I would expect it to continue to improve over the next 10 years.

I imagine the most frustrating thing for people who over here recently is the cost of living given the lack of progress. Housing prices are absurd -- we would never be able to afford to buy here now. We bought here 10 years ago for a lot less, but on the other hand, the neighborhood was really rough when we bought and now it's sort of half-gentrified. So we got a discount you didn't get, but you benefit from a lot of changes that occurred after we bought.

While it is true the neighborhood has been in a bit of a holding pattern since COVID, the neighborhood was much better 10 and 20 years ago. Gentrification didn't make it better, it has made it worse. For instance, before the bulk of the gentrifiers arrived you could grab a coke and some snacks at the Exxon, etc. in peace. More gentrification is not the solution. Let's look at some of the history that has led us to this point. The fabric of the historic community started to change when new pro-gentrifier ANC commissioners started getting elected. The real tipping point was when the first white ANC commissioner was elected in this historic African-American neighborhood. He used his economic privilege to help support projects that drove more people and visitors to our neighborhood. While such gentrification changes have benefited certain elements of our community, either politically or financially, it does not appear to have helped all. When we first attended our neighborhood association meetings, African-Americans ran those meetings. Now that's not the case. As opposed to earmarking resources for those living in areas that are most in need of support in Kingman Park (e.g., Benning Road), many gentrifiers focused on building sports fields primarily serving non-DC residents. Since COVID the authority that runs the fields has even created barriers to community members wanting to access formally open green spaces with new paid activities. In fact, as a side note, one of the Commissioners who pushed all of these change on the community served on Board that now manages the fields. We need to earmark our community resources to those most in need as opposed to an entertainment infrastructure that requires pay for play. This dynamic has created a new socio-economic barrier to access open space that was not there before. Focusing on the interests of the economically privileged has been a factor in Kingman Park moving in the wrong direction in recent years. It's a great neighborhood, with a wonderful history. Still optimistic that Kingman Park can return to her former glory. Many folks love this neighborhood. It's worth fighting for. It's usually those who want to change it to an Alexandria or Capitol Hill 2.0 who are disappointed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gentrification all along the H Street/Benning corridor has slowed in the last few years since Covid, due to crime, homelessness, and drug issues. But the neighborhood is still better than it was 10 years ago. It's just that 5 years ago, it felt like it was on an upward trajectory economically and then Covid took things down a notch and now it feels like it's in a holding pattern. If you moved here in the last 4 years, you probably feel like it's not getting better because... it's not getting better than 4 years ago. It's still better than a decade ago and based on other neighborhoods in DC, I would expect it to continue to improve over the next 10 years.

I imagine the most frustrating thing for people who over here recently is the cost of living given the lack of progress. Housing prices are absurd -- we would never be able to afford to buy here now. We bought here 10 years ago for a lot less, but on the other hand, the neighborhood was really rough when we bought and now it's sort of half-gentrified. So we got a discount you didn't get, but you benefit from a lot of changes that occurred after we bought.

While it is true the neighborhood has been in a bit of a holding pattern since COVID, the neighborhood was much better 10 and 20 years ago. Gentrification didn't make it better, it has made it worse. For instance, before the bulk of the gentrifiers arrived you could grab a coke and some snacks at the Exxon, etc. in peace. More gentrification is not the solution. Let's look at some of the history that has led us to this point. The fabric of the historic community started to change when new pro-gentrifier ANC commissioners started getting elected. The real tipping point was when the first white ANC commissioner was elected in this historic African-American neighborhood. He used his economic privilege to help support projects that drove more people and visitors to our neighborhood. While such gentrification changes have benefited certain elements of our community, either politically or financially, it does not appear to have helped all. When we first attended our neighborhood association meetings, African-Americans ran those meetings. Now that's not the case. As opposed to earmarking resources for those living in areas that are most in need of support in Kingman Park (e.g., Benning Road), many gentrifiers focused on building sports fields primarily serving non-DC residents. Since COVID the authority that runs the fields has even created barriers to community members wanting to access formally open green spaces with new paid activities. In fact, as a side note, one of the Commissioners who pushed all of these change on the community served on Board that now manages the fields. We need to earmark our community resources to those most in need as opposed to an entertainment infrastructure that requires pay for play. This dynamic has created a new socio-economic barrier to access open space that was not there before. Focusing on the interests of the economically privileged has been a factor in Kingman Park moving in the wrong direction in recent years. It's a great neighborhood, with a wonderful history. Still optimistic that Kingman Park can return to her former glory. Many folks love this neighborhood. It's worth fighting for. It's usually those who want to change it to an Alexandria or Capitol Hill 2.0 who are disappointed.

Couldn't disagree more. What a ridiculous post.

-Kingman Park resident, 15 years

[Anonymous]

I miss the Wendy's with the drive-thru window in the alley. One of a kind.