Category Archives: Neighborhood Profile

2016 Fort Totten Profile Sheet

Posted by nextstoprp in Neighborhood Profile

The Washington, DC Economic Partnership released its 2016 DC Neighborhood Profile Report. The WDCEP lumps various neighborhoods into the Fort Totten profile report. The profile report shows a substantial decline in the percentage of owner-occupied homes versus renter-occupied homes from 2014 to 2016 (66% owner-occupied in 2014; 54% owner-occupied in 2015; and 52% owner-occupied in 2016), while showing an increase in median housing value from $340,682 in 2014 to $383,564 in 2016.

Fort Totten 2016 WDCEP Profile Sheet

Fort Totten 2016 WDCEP Profile Sheet_Page_2 Fort Totten 2016 WDCEP Profile Sheet_Page_1

TBT: WaPo profile of neighborhood

Posted by nextstoprp in Neighborhood Development, Neighborhood Profile

The Washington Post did a profile on the neighborhood back in 2010. I think that feature provides a bit of context for the latest neighborhood profile published by the Post yesterday. Where the previous article highlighted the stable, established aspect of the community, this newer article focuses more on the development and “transition” taking place. The author took a tour of the neighborhood with Barbara Rogers, president of the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association, and interviewed several residents. Readers will see the blog mentioned.  I agreed to speak with the reporter and we talked about different aspects of the neighborhood for maybe 30 minutes. I was not sure what narrative the reporter was interested in pursuing, but I did know she wanted to speak to residents who had moved into the neighborhood in the past five years.

Rereading the previous profile, it is interesting to consider what has and has not changed since 2010, at least from my perspective.

Civic participation

“Among all of the neighborhood association meetings I attend, Lamond Riggs always has the most people — 50 to 60 folks” – then ward 4 councilmember Muriel Bowser in the Washington Post in 2010

The level of civic participation has not changed. I became involved in community affairs through an invitation by a resident to attend a community meeting . When I invited a DC agency official to discuss a city program at a recent civic association meeting, I advised him that around 70-80 people would likely attend. I think he was surprised to find out I was not exaggerating. Recently, many newer residents have signed on to committees to contribute to the work of the civic association.

Respect and appreciation for longtime residents

“The stable of longtime residents is complemented by a bevy of young families looking for affordable single-family homes in the city. Many of them say the longtime residents helped draw them to the neighborhood.” – Washington Post in 2010

I love talking to my older neighbors who have lived in the neighborhood for 40, 50 years. As I mentioned in my comments, they sincerely ask how I am doing and how my family is doing. People stop and chat as I work in my garden. I know I am not unique in that aspect. As new residents move in, they ask about the history of the neighborhood. For the most part, there is a level of engagement between newer and long-term residents that fosters mutual respect and allows us to work for the things we would like to see in the neighborhood.

Desire for more amenities

“Residents are hungry for more amenities, such as upscale retail stores, coffee shops and sit-down restaurants, said Gwen Cofield, co-chairman of the citizens association’s development task force.” – Washington Post in 2010

Residents still want amenities and some of them are on the way.  In 2010, both Art Place at Fort Totten and Fort Totten Square (FTSQ) were in a lull phase. Now, FTSQ is pretty much done and construction is in full swing at Art Place. When I started the blog, I decided to publish a neighborhood wish list. Not much has changed since I first published it and the present as newer residents move in. Residents want quality sit-down restaurants, neighborhood bar, coffee shop, bookstore, bank, home goods store, pharmacy, gym, pet store, neighborhood pool, lots of folks would like a Trader Joe’s, and a number of other amenities.

Appreciation for what we do have

“‘We’re lucky to be close to many of the things we need . . . If we want groceries, there’s a Giant close by. If we want to go downtown, we’re close to public transportation. We aren’t isolated at all.'” – Lawrence Martin in the Washington Post in 2010

I told the reporter the neighborhood has a low crime rate, it is affordable, and it is close to a metro station and you usually do not get all three of those features in one place. Maybe two, but not all three. It has been easy to live without owning a car for three years and that is a lifestyle that is important to me. We now have a bikeshare station at the metro station, as well as Enterprise carshare (and before Enterprise there was Zipcar). Car2go vehicles can be spotted here and there. Planning is underway to finish the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) between Brookland and Takoma.

Ultimately, I think what has made this neighborhood a desirable community is the collective effort of residents over many, many years to make it a good one. I know some express wariness about the evolution of the community. Some worry about more traffic, more opportunities for crime, and being priced out of the neighborhood. Those are real concerns. I certainly do not wear rose-colored glasses. I think it will be the continued collective efforts of all residents that will ensure we keep the community flavor people enjoy even as development draws new residents to the neighborhood.

 

Ward 5 Heritage Guide Released

Posted by nextstoprp in Neighborhood Profile and tagged with

DC’s Office of Planning recently released the Ward 5 Heritage Guide, a 68-page guide chock full of information about the development of the ward and points of interest in various ward 5 neighborhoods. Construction of the Riggs Park subdivision began in 1952. The guide highlights how the Supreme Court’s 1954 decision in Brown v. Board of Education led to the departure of white families from ward 5 neighborhoods to neighborhoods west of Rock Creek Park.  That led the way for black families to move into these communities, including Riggs Park. (Sidenote: I recently met a family that moved into the neighborhood on Jefferson Street in 1954 and left in 1995).  The guide provides a fascinating look into how the ward developed over time from the 1800s to present day.

Riggs Park shoutout in WaPo

Posted by nextstoprp in Neighborhood Profile and tagged with , , , ,

A Washington Post article includes Riggs Park in a list of neighborhoods that are good alternatives to more popular, expensive neighborhoods for homebuyers in DC.  Along with Riggs Park, the article lists Petworth, Takoma, SW Waterfront, Brookland, Woodridge, and Hillcrest.  I am never quite sure what to make of articles like this.  Nevertheless, it is true that Riggs Park is a great neighborhood in a pretty good location.

When I was in the market 3 years ago, I considered most of the neighborhoods listed in the article, eventually narrowing my search to Brookland and Riggs Park.  One of the major draws of Riggs Park is the metro access.  I can walk to Fort Totten metro station in less than 10 minutes and get on the red, yellow, or green line, or hop on one of several buses at the station.  In fact, I finally sold my car earlier this year because (a) I do not like driving or car maintenance; (b) I was not driving much at all; and (c) it is easy enough to get to all the things I need and want without a car.  I walk about one mile to the Giant on Eastern Ave or the 1.5 miles to Yes! Organic Market in Brookland for groceries.  Occasionally I walk the couple of miles to the Takoma Park farmers market.  I walk/bike to Brookland or metro to Takoma for dance classes.  I can walk to Lamond Riggs neighborhood library in less than 10 minutes for books and movies.  And getting to work downtown takes 30 minutes door to door.

Developments in the neighborhood will add retail and restaurants to the mix in the next few years.  The neighborhood is also home to Food & Friends and the Backus campus of UDC-CC.  There is a neighborhood recreation center (Riggs LaSalle).  Crime is relatively low and neighbors are super friendly.

As the article noted, many of the homes in the neighborhood are semi-detached.  However, there are detached single family homes available that of course cost a bit more.  The new Hampshires development at 6000 New Hampshire Ave NE added several single family homes about one mile from Fort Totten metro station.  The development is also bringing new townhomes to the area (grand opening this Sat. from 12 pm to 2:30 pm).

Of the neighborhoods listed, Riggs Park is probably the most affordable, partially owing to a lack of amenities as compared to some of the other areas.  Proximity to Petworth, Brookland, and Takoma helps to mitigate the lack of amenities a bit.  Semi-detached homes with at least 3 bedrooms/1.5 bathrooms and a decent backyard can still be had for under $300,000.  Renovated semi-detached homes are now selling for over $300,000.  Newly constructed homes at the Hampshires are listed in the $500,000 range for townhomes and upwards of $600,000 for the detached homes.  Prices are up, but one can still manage to get a solid home in an established neighborhood without breaking the bank.