The Old Southwest Historic Resource Documentation and Preservation Plan
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The Old Southwest Historic Resource Documentation and Preservation Plan University of Maryland Historic Preservation Studio, Fall 2005 The Old Southwest Historic Resource Documentation and Preservation Plan University of Maryland Historic Preservation Studio, Fall 2005 The Old Southwest Studio Team Cory Herrala Renee S. Novak Rosemary Faya Prola Hillori Schenker Tahani El-Share Pamela Watson Studio Faculty Mary Konsoulis Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank Professor Mary Konsoulis for her guidance and support throughout the researching and writing processes of this study. We thank her for honing our knowledge, and helping us put it to practical use. We would also like to express our appreciation to the following individuals. Without their time and interest, our insight into the Study Area would have been limited: Patsy Fletcher, Rebecca Miller, Roberta Patrick, Vanessa Ruffin-Colbert, Hayden Wetzel, and the residents of Old Southwest. We would also like to thank the following organizations, whose staff and resources were invaluable to our research for this paper: DC Preservation League, DC Historic Preservation Office, DC Office of Planning, DC Housing Authority, Kiplinger Research Library, the Mathew Henson Earth Environmental Center, National Park Service, The Southwester, and the Washingtoniana Division of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. Table of Contents Chapter One: Introduction 1 Figures Index 107 Chapter Two: Overview of Existing Conditions 5 Bibliography 109 Section 1. Demographics and Land Use 5 Appendices 118 Section 2. Elements of Neighborhood Character 17 A. DC Census Tract 64 Profile 118 Section 3. An Overview of the History of Old Southwest 21 B. DC Zoning Chart 120 Section 4. Inventory of Historic Resources 33 C. Large-scale Maps 121 Chapter Three: Analysis and Recommendations 91 D. Neighborhood Survey Questions 125 Section 1. Factors Affecting Historic Resources and Neighborhood Character 91 Section 2. The Preservation Plan: Preserving Heritage and Community 95 Section 3. Conclusions 105 i The physical and psychological character of Old Southwest is Executive Summary divided into two parts. The dominant features of the northern portion, or residential section, are two-story, historic rowhouses and large, historic residential complexes. Large trees shade This report is the product of a study conducted by students in the courtyards and streets, demonstrating the time taken to shape this University of Maryland’s fall 2005 Historic Preservation Studio. neighborhood. The area known as Buzzard Point contains large The report summarizes the historic resource documentation and industrial and commercial ventures. Mazes of fencing allow examination of the potential for preservation within the glimpses of machinery and operational equipment, presenting a residential neighborhood and industrial area bounded by M very different landscape from the residential neighborhood a few Street, SW, and the Anacostia River, and Canal/2nd Street, SW, blocks to the north. and South Capitol Street; or what the students termed “Old The residents of Old Southwest face some social and economic Southwest.” The Old Southwest residential neighborhood was challenges similar to other urban neighborhoods. There is also a the only area within southwest Washington, DC, that was not feeling of uncertainty within the community due to the prospect redeveloped in the 1950s and 1960s. Thus, historic buildings and of changes from impending development. Despite this, a vibrant long-standing neighborhood social connections were erased from and complex spirit defines the psychological character. nearby city blocks, but live on here. Although both the Neighbors interact with each other in a familiar, walkable area. residential and industrial areas of Old Southwest were Old Southwest possesses a “small town” atmosphere within an overlooked for much of its history, the area is experiencing overarching metropolis. development pressure and is included in many proposed development plans. The team created an inventory of the 21 resources they discovered. Each inventory listing briefly describes the structure This study attempts to document the major historic resources or site, identifies factors of significance, and lists pertinent facts. within the neighborhood boundaries, and to explore how the While in the future additional resources may be discovered by preservation of these assets could provide benefits to the other researchers, creating the inventory establishes a record of Old Southwest Study Area residents of Old Southwest and to the District of Columbia. existing structures and also helped the team find relevant Both the physical appearance and the psychological character of patterns. For instance, most of the identified resources are two- Old Southwest are unique within both the Southwest quadrant story residential buildings built between 1892 and 1958. Most of and the nation’s capital. the dwellings are of modest size and are constructed of brick. By ii combining observation and research, the team determined that, 1. Create awareness of Old Southwest history and historic for more than 100 years, Old Southwest has been an area where resources among community residents. With local individuals low-and moderate-income individuals find housing and create and organizations already involved in researching the history of homes. Old Southwest, or with a new group effort, residents will begin to learn about their neighborhood’s complex past. By asking the questions – Are there historic resources in the Study Area? What are the elements that comprise neighborhood 2. Once interest in local history is generated, the community can character? How can preservation play a major role in future take advantage of Washington, DC, regulations and incentives to community development to preserve historic resources and protect its historic resources and neighborhood. Specialized maintain neighborhood character? – the team identified historic Planning Areas, Special Treatment Areas, overlay districts, and resources in Old Southwest needing protection and learned other zoning mechanisms can protect the special historical, residents’ concerns related to existing conditions. The team’s cultural, and physical characteristics of the neighborhood and recommendations, collectively the Old Southwest Preservation mitigate the impact of new development. Economic incentives Plan, are designed to address both issues. The plan lays out a can help fund efforts for revitalization. roadmap for activities that can 3. Lastly, designating the residential area as a historic district (or - Protect historic resources of individual buildings or groups of buildings as DC Historic - Sustain neighborhood character Landmarks) would allow the most protection for historic resources in the neighborhood. The properties within the historic - Help maintain the stock of affordable housing district would also be eligible for a variety of financial incentives - Contribute to community revitalization to help maintain and rehabilitate historic structures. - Create awareness of the special history of Old Southwest both The Old Southwest community may choose to pursue all three in the community and beyond. Proposed Historic Designations within the Old recommendations, or only the first one or two. However, the To answer the research questions, the study team viewed historic Southwest Study Area team believes that each step increases the level of protection for preservation as a tool to help moderate the change that the historic resources, and improves the power of community accompanies development. Preservation strategies can protect residents to preserve the elements of neighborhood character that the old while creating new opportunities. are important to them. Preservation Strategies The team recommends three steps toward preservation. iii Chapter One Introduction neighborhoods in the District with large, underdeveloped tracts Chapter One of land, the Old Southwest is viewed as a prime location for new housing, businesses, and recreation. A proposed Major League Introduction Baseball stadium, sited opposite the area of study on the east side of South Capitol Street, could also affect the area’s residents and neighborhoods, as will planned enhancements to the South Capitol Street transportation corridor. Taken together, these Every fall, second-year students in the Master of Historic various public and private initiatives represent both opportunities Preservation Program at the University of Maryland apply their and challenges for the Old Southwest. knowledge, skills, and experience to the resolution of a real-life preservation challenge in the Historic Preservation Studio. Study Issues Through the studio, students contribute to the public discussion This report focuses on two specific elements of community – of important preservation issues in nearby communities and gain historic resources and neighborhood character – and explores valuable experience in the preservation field. how the preservation of these assets could provide benefits to At the suggestion of the DC Preservation League, the fall 2005 residents of the Old Southwest Study Area and to the District of studio project focused in Southwest Washington, DC, in an area Columbia. that we called the “Old Southwest Study Area.” This area is The team’s investigation focused on three questions: bounded by South Capitol Street to the east, Canal, First, and 2nd streets to the west, M Street to the north, and the Anacostia River 1.