A Survey of Adams Morgan

For the majority of its existence, Adams Morgan (originally written with a hyphen) has been a community of immigrants and minorities. The neighborhood was formed from combining Meridian Heights, Lanier Heights, Kalorama, and several other neighborhoods. It was created because residents of these neighborhoods wanted a common voice to protest urban renewal plans for this area and thought that their neighborhood could be revitalized through restoration and repair, not reconstruction.  

The residential area of Lanier Heights...

...And the commercial sector of 18th Street.

Adams Morgan is composed primarily of rowhouses, many of which (especially on 18^th Street) have commercial space on their first and second floors. Having been adapted to this purpose, they make 18^th Street the primary commercial artery in the neighborhood. A sidewalk widening project on 18^th Street has recently been completed, this should help the area grow in its role as a commercial hub and pedestrian artery, as well as providing ample space for outdoor restaurant seating.

The wild rowhouse (once endangered) in its native environment.

Newly widened sidewalks.

In addition to the rowhouses, there are also large apartment/condo buildings in the neighborhood. Some of these have been renovated substantially and are quite desirable, others have had less work done to them and appear to be much more affordable. Houses throughout Adams Morgan seem to be well kept up, and a variety of cars are parked on the street. This, combined with the diversity of the commercial enterprises on 18^th Street, leads me to believe that people of varying income levels live in Adams Morgan. If this is correct, than socioeconomic status cannot be determined by the condition of buildings, which I feel is ideal for an urban neighborhood.  

These look like affordable housing...

...And this was found close by.

From a design standpoint, the neighborhood is extremely diverse. In addition to the Modernist residential towers and rowhouses, industrial buildings and warehouses are present, some of these are still being used for light industrial purposes, such as self storage. Others have been converted into offices and condominiums. Government buildings from the later half of the 20^th century are also present, such as the police station and the elementary school.

Modern architecture makes me uncomfortable.

An electrical substation found a block off 18th Street.

Recently, some replenishment of the housing stock has been occurring. Newer, and mostlikely more expensive dwellings have been built and more are under construction. However, some of this newer development does not respect pedestrian space as older development does, despite being of similar density. Other new development may not include provisions for affordable housing.

Does "PH" stand for "public housing"? 

Some newer buildings completely disregard the street.

While the community has gentrified somewhat over the years, it still retains a high degree of diversity and ethnic culture, despite the fact that an Ethiopian grocery store on 18^th Street has recently closed. The commercial scene is primarily composed of bars and restaurants, however, many record stores, vintage stores, book stores, and ethnic stores, as well as several liquor and convenience stores, line 18^th Street, all housed primarily in older construction.

On the left, a liquor store, on the right, a take out restaurant. 

A bit excessive, no? 

A sprinkling of commercial services are also provided in Adams Morgan, such as dry cleaning, dentistry, health and fitness, and shoe repair. I neglected to note the owners of these establishments, but their location and interior decoration led me to believe that they support the greater community, and not just the younger set.

A news stand on 18th Street (these still exist?!)

And a Middle Eastern Affairs bureau.

Despite the revitalization of the neighborhood, there is plenty of evidence of a grittier past. About half of the houses have bars on the windows, and very few pedestrians were present in the residential areas of the neighborhood. The houses with bars on the windows seem to be evenly distributed throughout the neighborhood, leading me to believe they belong to older residents who were present during the time period most of the crime occurred in.

Well-kept houses, but the owners don't feel safe.

Even though Adams Morgan has gentrified somewhat, I feel it is the ideal model for an urban community. It has used the energy and economic potential of the gentry to its benefit, and it has done so without completely neglecting its original, lower income, residents. The commercial enterprises of Adams Morgan cater to both newer, upper income residents who desire active night live, and to lower income residents who have been in the area longer who desire grocery stores, ethnic markets, and community gathering places.

The ubiquitous fixed gear bicycle of gentrification...

...Parked in front of something noticeably non-yuppie.