GEOGRAPHY: Ivy City, is an eighteen block area located in the Northeast section of Washington, District of Columbia, the capital district of the United States of America. It is located two miles northeast of the Capitol Hill complex in an area of mixed commercial and residential development.
The eighteen blocks which compose Ivy City form a wedge, the boundaries of which are New York Avenue, West Virginia Avenue and the grounds of Gallaudet College. Across New York Avenue is an expanse vil of railroad yards. Mount Olivet Cemetery and an industrial area line the opposite side of West Virginia Avenue. Large warehouses, bus garages and public buildings in Ivy City itself, present an its almost unbroken front to the thousands of commuters who daily travel on the major boundary arteries.
POPULATION: Ivy City’s 1800 residents have an average of just over ten years of formal education. Children attend Webb Elementary, Hamilton Junior High and McKinley High Schools, all within walking distance of the neighborhood. The Crummel School, an imposing brick structure in the center of the community, has been an Ivy City landmark since it was built in 1912. It has been closed for several years, but it could provide community meeting space and a playground area for the children. About 16% of the young adults of the community neither go to school nor work and recreation programs are not available locally for any age group. The closest health facility is located on H Street, three-quarters of a mile away. Providence Hospital and Rogers Memorial Hospital are within two miles of the community. Several gas stations, two grocery stores, a credit to union, a barber shop, a dry cleaners and two cafes offer consumer services to the community. Two Metro bus lines link the neighborhood to downtown Washington. A branch of the new subway system will connect Ivy City to Washington National Airport.
CHALLENGES: Focus was to enhance the social environment, to fully utilize the basic resources of the community and to ensure neighborhood well-being.
HISTORY: Ivy City is one of the historic neighborhoods of Washington, D.C. When Mrs. Mary Fenwick had her land surveyed for a housing development in 1873, Ivy City was a plot of countryside pasture and farm land along the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. The area became a brick manufacturing center and contributed to Washington’s construction boom of the 1880’s. By the turn of the century, Ivy City was the site of a widely known racetrack. Washingtonians took the train to what was then the country to see the races. At about the same time, residential growth became rapid and industries sprang up. Despite the gradual entrance of large commercial and manufacturing establishments over the years, the community remained closed, stable and permanent. Even when urban Washington expanded to encompass Ivy City, the community retained its name and its identity. Commerce shifted away from Ivy City between 1950 and 1970, expanding out to suburban locations, and – ever since, the community has been increasingly used for warehouses, wholesale outlets, public utilities, vehicle storage areas and junk yards. Over half of the community space is now given over to these ees uses. As more transient population moved into the community, renting rather than owning their flats and homes, traditional close neighbor nd hood ties loosened. The old solidarity reawakened when citizens e prevented a scheduled highway from running through the community. Community meetings held since June of this year have indicated a deep enthusiasm to move as one community again, to-rebuild Ivy City.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
An 18,000 square foot industry complex has been leased to house present and future industries.
“Unlimited Impressions”, a community owned and operated print shop employs 5 people and grossed $150,000 last year.
An abandoned school has been renovated to serve as the community center – the central node of the community and also a city-wide cultural arts center,
Cleanups, murals, signs, parks, workdays, playgrounds, and celebrations have established new community pride.
An Early Learning Center was established and located in 1976 in the Community Center with 4 local staff.
From 1976-79, the crime rate in Ivy City dropped from 5th highest to 19th in the police crime statistics of the 20 communities in the Precinct 5. The incidence of crime has reduced 43% over the four years.
Ivy City, in the nation’s capital, has hosted thousands of guests from many nations, cities, governments, and agencies.
