Kingman Park going downhill

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

Yeah 20 year Hill East resident here and the PP is full of it. 10-15 years ago there was considerably more violent crime and drug activity than there is now. Gentrification has increased some social tensions but it's also increased the number of people in the neighborhood who are unwilling to accept crime as a fact of life. I'm not one of the new wealthy residents of this area but the new thing I appreciate about them is a sense of entitlement to safety. We should all feel entitled to safety and freedom from crime, regardless of how come or how much our home cost.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Couldn't disagree more. What a ridiculous post.

-Kingman Park resident, 15 years

Yeah 20 year Hill East resident here and the PP is full of it. 10-15 years ago there was considerably more violent crime and drug activity than there is now. Gentrification has increased some social tensions but it's also increased the number of people in the neighborhood who are unwilling to accept crime as a fact of life. I'm not one of the new wealthy residents of this area but the new thing I appreciate about them is a sense of entitlement to safety. We should all feel entitled to safety and freedom from crime, regardless of how come or how much our home cost.

Kingman Park does not equal “Hill East.” Residents of Kingman Park don’t make this mistake. Appreciate things may have been different in other areas of town, but let’s not conflate neighborhoods.

[Anonymous]

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

Except that since 2021, most violent crimes are no longer reported and therefore not included in crime statistics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

Except that since 2021, most violent crimes are no longer reported and therefore not included in crime statistics.

So true!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

Yeah 20 year Hill East resident here and the PP is full of it. 10-15 years ago there was considerably more violent crime and drug activity than there is now. Gentrification has increased some social tensions but it's also increased the number of people in the neighborhood who are unwilling to accept crime as a fact of life. I'm not one of the new wealthy residents of this area but the new thing I appreciate about them is a sense of entitlement to safety. We should all feel entitled to safety and freedom from crime, regardless of how come or how much our home cost.

+1 That poster is also cherry picking a short period of history. Many of these neighborhoods are not "historically black." They were diverse neighborhoods that had many white residents too until the riots when MLK was assassinated. Same with Logan, U St, Columbia Heights etc. They were depressed ghettos with primarily black residents only from the late 1960's until the late 1990's.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

Yeah 20 year Hill East resident here and the PP is full of it. 10-15 years ago there was considerably more violent crime and drug activity than there is now. Gentrification has increased some social tensions but it's also increased the number of people in the neighborhood who are unwilling to accept crime as a fact of life. I'm not one of the new wealthy residents of this area but the new thing I appreciate about them is a sense of entitlement to safety. We should all feel entitled to safety and freedom from crime, regardless of how come or how much our home cost.

Not to mention their hatred for the new Fields and playground at RFK on the adjacent federally owned land. Apparently it was way better when it was a sea of asphalt and litter? Sadly some of the RFK land still is wasteland and may continue to be for a long time as congress keeps dropping RFK bills before they get to a final vote. Eff Steve Daines for blocking the latest one in committee (if I'm understanding what happened correctly).

To have concerns about immediate neighborhood access/pay for play is fair, but they literally just sound bitter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

Yeah 20 year Hill East resident here and the PP is full of it. 10-15 years ago there was considerably more violent crime and drug activity than there is now. Gentrification has increased some social tensions but it's also increased the number of people in the neighborhood who are unwilling to accept crime as a fact of life. I'm not one of the new wealthy residents of this area but the new thing I appreciate about them is a sense of entitlement to safety. We should all feel entitled to safety and freedom from crime, regardless of how come or how much our home cost.

+1 That poster is also cherry picking a short period of history. Many of these neighborhoods are not "historically black." They were diverse neighborhoods that had many white residents too until the riots when MLK was assassinated. Same with Logan, U St, Columbia Heights etc. They were depressed ghettos with primarily black residents only from the late 1960's until the late 1990's.

They are not incorrect re: Kingman Park which was not built till the 1920s and yes, is a historically Black neighborhood. The developer tried to market it to white families and was unsuccessful and so marketed it to Black families instead. Yes, it is a true historically Black neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Couldn't disagree more. What a ridiculous post.

-Kingman Park resident, 15 years

Yeah 20 year Hill East resident here and the PP is full of it. 10-15 years ago there was considerably more violent crime and drug activity than there is now. Gentrification has increased some social tensions but it's also increased the number of people in the neighborhood who are unwilling to accept crime as a fact of life. I'm not one of the new wealthy residents of this area but the new thing I appreciate about them is a sense of entitlement to safety. We should all feel entitled to safety and freedom from crime, regardless of how come or how much our home cost.

Kingman Park does not equal “Hill East.” Residents of Kingman Park don’t make this mistake. Appreciate things may have been different in other areas of town, but let’s not conflate neighborhoods.

Agree that Kingman Park has not historically meant Hill East and still doesn't but the line is getting blurrier with time. There was also a time where people separately referred to Rosedale vs Kingman Park and that

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Couldn't disagree more. What a ridiculous post.

-Kingman Park resident, 15 years

Yeah 20 year Hill East resident here and the PP is full of it. 10-15 years ago there was considerably more violent crime and drug activity than there is now. Gentrification has increased some social tensions but it's also increased the number of people in the neighborhood who are unwilling to accept crime as a fact of life. I'm not one of the new wealthy residents of this area but the new thing I appreciate about them is a sense of entitlement to safety. We should all feel entitled to safety and freedom from crime, regardless of how come or how much our home cost.

Kingman Park does not equal “Hill East.” Residents of Kingman Park don’t make this mistake. Appreciate things may have been different in other areas of town, but let’s not conflate neighborhoods.

Agree that Kingman Park has not historically meant Hill East and still doesn't but the line is getting blurrier with time. There was also a time where people separately referred to Rosedale vs Kingman Park and that

...ship seems to have sailed, it seems rare that people think of them separately nowadays.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Have yet to be panhandled or verbally accosted living in KP walking w/ my kids to/from the playgrounds. Which actual part of KP are you complaining about? Benning road is its own separate animal and has always been crazy. Actual KP streets around 21-Oklahoma Ave are very quiet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

Welcome to Kingman Park. What’s ridiculous is all of the new traffic caused in part because of all the new development that was primarily supported by our pro-gentrifier neighbors. I miss the days when Kingman Park was a more quiet neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

Welcome to Kingman Park. What’s ridiculous is all of the new traffic caused in part because of all the new development that was primarily supported by our pro-gentrifier neighbors. I miss the days when Kingman Park was a more quiet neighborhood.

I'm confused - what new development and traffic? On Benning? The Streetcar which involved much more advocacy than from within Kingman Park? The Fields at RFK? There really still isn't much development in KP beyond that. A few small apartment buildings?

If you actually preferred to have an entire stretch of road of abandoned/blighted properties, along with a large swath of decaying, litter filled asphalt rather than the RFK Fields and Playground(!!), I don't even know what to say. That does seem to be what you're saying.

Are you one of the long time residents who actually opposed the community garden that took the place of a blighted interior lot of land? I'm going to guess yes.

The traffic is actually better than 15 years ago within the neighborhood roads thanks to speed bumps preventing much of the racing (24th st still needs them, not sure what happened with that). There are far fewer cars barreling down the one way roads the wrong way nowadays.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

Sound like Jade. What is ridiculous is the attempt to minimize the history of our neighborhood. The larger point is gentrification does not equal a better neighborhood. Will concede not everything over the past 15 years or so has been negative. For example, the development of the community garden is a welcome plus. However, other actions such as the treatment of the KPCA and other things already discussed don't appear to be positive. Elections have consequences. Realize Mr. C and their supports now speak for most neighbors via how they vote. That doesn't mean that some of us don't think things were better when leaders such as former ANC Commissioner Raglin was our elected voice. There are pros and cons in every community. Kingman Park is a great place to live and always has been.

[Anonymous]

Let's defund vagrancy and violent crime already.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

Sound like Jade. What is ridiculous is the attempt to minimize the history of our neighborhood. The larger point is gentrification does not equal a better neighborhood. Will concede not everything over the past 15 years or so has been negative. For example, the development of the community garden is a welcome plus. However, other actions such as the treatment of the KPCA and other things already discussed don't appear to be positive. Elections have consequences. Realize Mr. C and their supports now speak for most neighbors via how they vote. That doesn't mean that some of us don't think things were better when leaders such as former ANC Commissioner Raglin was our elected voice. There are pros and cons in every community. Kingman Park is a great place to live and always has been.

Jade who? Honestly don't get the specific complaints. Without question, the Fields and Playground were an improvement. That space is not owned by DC though and just getting anything there at all is such a Federal fight. Continuing to reject any progress may mean that the remaining RFK grounds stay blighted for many decades to come. But I guess you prefer blight. It sounds that way - hey, it's quieter right? Less noise st the Exxon.

Are you literally saying you'd prefer Benning and RFK grounds don't get developed because at least the neighborhood is quieter? Leave the remaining vacant properties because if someone develops them or builds anything, it makes the neighborhood desirable and you don't want that? It does sound that way. I honestly do not understand your complaints. It just sounds like you hate all change, except the community garden was kinda ok.

It's clear based on voting that the community as a whole was frustrated with Raglin, and not at all just the gentrifiers.