Construction cranes rise above the neighborhoods near the Washington Nationals’ new ballpark as the community continues it radical conversion from industrial to mixed-use.
The change is striking, at least on the southeast side of South Capitol Street, where commercial and residential high-rises are proliferating.
But with all the change has come some chaos. And, with all the change, some area problems persist.
Andre Tobe, a community liaison with the Capitol Riverfront Business Improvement District, directs passengers from the Navy Yard Metro station to the stadium, or to a growing number of businesses along and off M Street. For the moment, those walks are an obstacle course of construction equipment and covered walkways (track them all at www.jdland.com).
“I don’t know about Opening Day, but when they’re finished, I’m sure they’ll clean it up,” Tobe said. “It’s going to take a while.”
And a chronic crime problem in the area is not expected to disappear overnight, especially in Southwest. The police department’s 1st District will shift 10 officers to crime and vending patrol during games, officials said.
There were 23 violent crimes reported through March 13 within 1,500 feet of M Street SW and Half Street SW, including one homicide, one armed robbery and 10 robberies without a gun. Another 28 property crimes were reported, among them 11 thefts, eight thefts from auto and seven stolen cars.
In Southeast, 1,500 feet from New Jersey Avenue and K Street, there were zero violent crimes and 12 property crimes reported through March 13, both down significantly from 2007, according to police statistics.
Mary Williams, a longtime Southwest activist who lives a half block from the ballpark, said the neighborhood hasimproved in recent years but most crimes still go unreported, especially those committed in and around the area’s three public housing projects. She points to the dark alleys where she fears stadium-goers will be easy prey for robberies, and to the crumbling warehouses that serve as hangouts for drug users — all a stone’s throw from the $611 million stadium.
“See how they did Southeast?” Williams said. “Why aren’t they doing that here?”
