Urban Revitalization Defined

The past century has been one filled with change for Southwest, D.C. I seek to analyze this change through compiling a comprehensive research paper, encompassing each of the major stages of change that the Southwest of D.C. has undergone during, mainly, the last 80 years. I’ll cover the decline of Southwest during the 1920s and 30s, and its subsequent revitalization in the 1950s and 60s. Because of the city’s massive effort to reorganize Southwest, including bulldozing essentially the entire quadrant, I will place most of my focus on this era of Southwest’s history. Recent gentrification in the area has also added a lot of character to the area, and a number of endeavors undertaken by Southwest residents have greatly improved the quality of life and citizenry that inhabit the quadrant. Topics I will focus on include: the art of Call Boxes; the recently upgraded, self-guided walking tour markers; the history behind Ft. Leslie McNair; the placement of the Titanic Memorial and its traditions, and the rebuilding of the baseball stadium. I will most likely be referring to a Southwest resident, and former head librarian for the National Archives, for information regarding the aforementioned topics, and primarily urban revitalization.