…you can see the Washington Monument.
This is what you notice when waiting to pay for a couple of bags of dirt. There are great views from odd parts of the city. You can also get a good view of the DC skyline from the platform of the Rhode Island metro station, the bridge for New York Avenue near the Florida Avenue intersection, and just the top of the monument from the Giant parking lot.
So when the gentrification train rolls in these views are seen as a valuable asset, regardless of the surrounding neighborhood. Those great views might hurt affordable housing in previously neglected areas. It was hinted at in yesterday’s article in the Post about various apartment complexes, such as Sursum Corda, Tyler House, and such where their future may be uncertain due to market forces. Those apartments are close to Union Station and I’m sure several of them have wonderful views of the Capitol dome and the Washington Monument.
I don’t have a clue what is going to happen with Sursum Corda, which is south of Truxton, on the other side of NY Ave. The whole being owned by residents AND being in HUD foreclosure is confusing. What will HUD do? Will HUD kick everyone out and rebuild so that the rich and middle classes get the good views? And place the poor and working classes in the equivalent of steerage? Or will there be a place for the working classes at all?
I don’t know. All I know is if I want a good view of the Capitol is to stand in the middle of New Jersey Ave and try not to get hit by a car.