University of Florida Thesis Or Dissertation Formatting

PRODUCING AUTHENTICITY: THE PROCESS, POLITICS, AND IMPACTS OF CULTURAL PRESERVATION IN WASHINGTON, DC by ALLISON JANE ABBOTT HECK Dissertation submitted to the faculty of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOHY in Planning, Governance & Globalization Derek S. Hyra, Chair Margaret M. Cowell Elizabeth C. Fine Elizabeth Morton August 2, 2013 Alexandria, VA Keywords: Cultural preservation, redevelopment, authenticity, place branding, community engagement, equitable development, anchor institutions, community and economic development, gentrification © 2013 Allison Jane Abbott Heck PRODUCING AUTHENTICITY: THE PROCESS, POLITICS, AND IMPACTS OF CULTURAL PRESERVATION IN WASHINGTON, DC by ALLISON JANE ABBOTT HECK Derek Hyra, Chair Planning Governance & Globalization ABSTRACT This dissertation investigates how the process, politics, and impacts of culturally-framed redevelopment balance growth and equity within inner-city neighborhoods experiencing change. Redevelopment programs that draw upon existing arts and cultural assets have been supported and identified by planners as a strategy of local economic development (Stern & Seifert, 2007; Wherry, 2011). However, critiques of cultural preservation as a form of economic development argue that the norms and goals of such planning efforts and their impact on existing residents require further evaluation. For example, planning scholars find that cultural preservation may reinforce both existing spatial divides and forms of social exclusion (Grams, 2010; Zukin, 2010). At the same time, the recognition of ethnic and minority heritage by non-local forces has been identified by some scholars as an opportunity to further the multicultural transformation of public history as well as locally sustainable community development that benefits the neighborhood’s original inhabitants (Hurley, 2010; Lin, 2010). I employ an extended case study research design and ethnographic methods to analyze how the process of producing authenticity contributes or impinges on development and market potential as well as social preservation efforts in a historic African American neighborhood, U Street/Shaw, within Washington, DC. An analysis of the implementation of the guiding vision for the neighborhood’s cultural redevelopment, The DUKE Plan, occurs on three scales: neighborhood, anchor institutions, and individual (residents and visitors). Pro-growth strategies that bolstered the marketable “Black Broadway” place brand were supported at each scale rather than opportunities to preserve the neighborhood’s identity through the retention of long-term residents and interpretation of the breadth of the community’s identity. As a result of culturally- framed redevelopment, the U Street/Shaw neighborhood continues to gentrify causing a loss of belonging and ownership of cultural heritage among long-term residents. Solutions to ensuring that social equity provisions are delivered in culturally-framed redevelopment requires the adoption of accountability measures defined by existing residents during the planning process that commercial and government stakeholders must continually adhere to throughout and after implementation. iii For My Family and the Past, Present, and Future U Street/Shaw Community iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The completion of this dissertation represents not only my research endeavor on the U Street/Shaw community, but a journey I embarked upon nearly ten years ago as I began to study how urban affairs and planning methods and practices impacted race, class, and sense of place in neighborhoods. Throughout this journey I have come to rely upon and highly regard the opinions of particular individuals that I will now recognize. First and foremost, I would like to thank my adviser, Derek Hyra, who provided much appreciated advice, thoughtful critiques, and unflagging encouragement and support throughout my research, advancement in my doctoral program, and life in general. I am also indebted to the remainder of my doctoral committee: Margaret Cowell, Elizabeth Morton and Elizabeth (Betty) Fine. Margaret continually provided insight on critical aspects of my research and served as a role model to me as a junior member of academia. Discussions I have had over the past four years with Elizabeth challenged me to analyze the impacts and politics of preservation through the lenses of various stakeholders and political stances. Finally, Betty’s careful and close attention to the role of the ethnographer and relation to participants were important reminders throughout my work of the delicate nature of participant observation and the respect required to navigate the researcher and participant relationship. Together, my committee has been a wonderful support system and champion of my scholarly endeavors. I deeply appreciate their positive encouragement and commitment to my graduate career they have exhibited throughout my time at Virginia Tech. I am also indebted to members of the U Street/Shaw community and city stakeholders that welcomed me into their homes, social lives, and thoughts on sensitive topics. I am thankful to all of my participants for their openness in interviews and interactions. In particular, I would like to thank three key informants who continued to provide insight on the community throughout my research: Brianne Nadeau, Tim Christensen, and Jane Freundel Levey. As an v active participant in neighborhood politics, Brianne was a helpful resource in understanding the inner-workings of the U Street/Shaw political landscape. I am also in gratitude of Tim’s candor and kindness in describing the process of neighborhood preservation. In addition, Jane was one of the first participants in my U Street/Shaw study. She has continued to update me on the work of Cultural Tourism DC and their subsequent projects in the neighborhood and community engagement. Her encouragement of my work and suggestions for additional participants were extremely helpful in developing my knowledge on the community. I am grateful to my former academic advisers and educational institutions that supported my development as a scholar, academically and financially. First, Jennifer Coffman and James Madison University introduced me the study of social justice and cultural lifeways that has become my passion. Second, Kristin Larsen and the University of Florida developed my knowledge of urban and regional planning. I am very proud to be an alumnus of both of these institutions. Finally, Virginia Tech’s National Capital Region has provided a flexible environment in which to work on my dissertation and continue to build my knowledge of urban affairs. The Urban Affairs and Planning Department has become a network of support throughout my time at Virginia Tech. Finally, I owe my family a great deal of thanks. My parents have supported my graduate career since I told them I was going to get my Ph.D. at the ripe age of 10. Their support has never faltered, only grown, as they have enthusiastically served as financiers and editors of my graduate work. My sister, Sonya, has also contributed to this work with keen insight and by introducing me to the U Street/Shaw neighborhood 10 years ago. I also want to thank the Heck Family who opened their home to me and my husband during my initial year at Virginia Tech allowing me to focus on my scholarly pursuits. I was also happy to have a research assistant of vi sorts during the last stages of my research and dissertation in the form of my now 10-month-old daughter, Ada. I thank Ada for being complacent as I walked around U Street/Shaw in the heat of the summer months and gathered as many interviews as I could before her arrival. I also thank her for being a new source of inspiration that fueled my writing process and hopes for a better tomorrow for inner city neighborhoods and understanding across social groups. Lastly, I thank my husband, Patrick, who has supported my work without reservation each step of the way over three graduate degrees. His critiques, companionship, and love have contributed to the completion of this work. Working on this project has given me an understanding of the complexities involved in neighborhood life, change, and sense of belonging. I provide this work knowingly as a selective view, but hope that the members of the community do find some resonance in pages that follow. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ...............................................................................................................v LIST OF TABLES ....................................................................................................................... xiii LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................................................... xiv LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ........................................................................................................xv 1 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................1 Contextualizing 14th & U as “Every Corner, USA” and Study Significance ...........................3 Research Approach and Research Questions ....................................................................7 Multi-Scalar Community Engagement and Research Objectivity ..................................10

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