Urban renewal history in DC

Adams-Morgan history trail sign on 18th Street NW.

We all know that DC was one of the pilot locations for urban renewal. SW DC along with New Haven, Connecticut, were the test places. And we are aware that after the 1968, urban renewal plans were created for many areas of the city that had suffered physically from fire and other destruction--H Street and Shaw are two of those areas.

But I didn't know until last October that the SW DC project was only the first of many intended urban renewal projects in DC. After all, urban "renewal" was supposed to be the future of otherwise declining cities.

Adams-Morgan was one of the targeted areas. This is covered in the recently installed set of history trail signs.

As one of my colleagues says "what were they thinking?"
"As it is now."

"As it can be."

As it is and as it can be on H Street NE. Looking towards the urban renewal era Delta Towers building, planned for and executed through the H Street Urban Renewal Plan. Photo by Inked78.

Index Keywords: urban-renewal