Poor Anacostia, so far from God, and so close to the United States (Government and the Washington Post)

Anacostia development analysis image by Arkitera.

In college, studying political science, I was especially interested in "political development" and Latin America. The saying about Mexico, "Poor Mexico, so far from God and so close to the United States," has always stuck with me.

The same must go for Anacostia. It has so many great assets:

-- historic residential building stock;
-- the Anacostia River;
-- close-in location;
-- some of the most incredible views in the city;
-- Frederick Douglass House and the Anacostia Museum; etc.,

yet it is "aided" by the city's planning regime, the Federal Government, and the Washington Post.

That's perhaps a three strike situation.

Its interesting that there is the Anacostia Waterfront Initiative, but to the best of my knowledge, not a real "neighborhood plan" to guide revitalization. There is some stuff on the OP website, the East of the River Initiative, with these goals:

- Encourage neighborhood economic development
- Expand job opportunities
- Improve housing and increase opportunities for homeownership
- Strengthen the infrastructure
- Raise the quality of life for residents east of the Anacostia River

but the stuff on the web lacks detail.

So today's Post editorial, "Use St. Elizabeths," subtitled "Federal offices may be the best bet for a vacant historical landmark. But does it have to become a fortress?"is more of the same. It says that it's better to do some "satisficed" use (not their term, one I learned in a public administration class) than let it moulder.

I don't have the energy to rail against the piece. Instead, I will refer you to these past writings:

-- Enclave development won't "save" Anacostia;
-- Office buildings won't "save" Anacostia;
-- One more thing about Anacostia and office buildings;
-- Arson as a(nother) redevelopment strategem; and
-- Falling up -- Accountability and DC Community Development Corporations.

Index Keywords: urban-revitalization