(Photo Credit: Office of Planning, Government of the District of Columbia)
HISTORY
Like most of the area that is now Washington D.C., Ward 1, was first inhabited by Native Americans who “had moved away from the area” by the end of the 1600’s, according to a “Ward 1 Heritage Guide” written by the D.C. Historic Preservation Office, and funded by the U.S. Department of Interior.
BOUNDARIES
Ward One’s easternmost streets are Michigan Avenue and Park Place; to the west- Beach Drive. The northern boundary of Ward 1 is Piney Branch Parkway. The southern boundary is Florida Avenue N.W., according to a D.C. Office of Planning Map.
METRO STOPS
The Shaw-Howard University Metro Stop is the closest Metro Stop.
SIZE AND POPULATION
Ward 1 is only 2.5 square miles, with a population of 79,448 according to the census.
DEMOGRAPHICS AND MEDIAN INCOME
According to Census Reporter, 45% of the people who live in Ward 1 are white; 23% are Black; 20% are Hispanic and 6% are Native American or Asian. The median age is 32.6 years old. 51% of the people in Ward 1 are female. The median income is $118,395.
CLAIMS TO FAME
African Americans “transformed the U street area into a self-sufficient community that “rejected the traditional approach of gaining equality through civil rights advocacy. U Street also became “ known nationally as “Black Broadway,” according to the Ward 1 Heritage Guide.
CHALLENGES
Some Ward 1 residents are concerned about violent crime. A November 29, 2023 article on WTOP.com stated that residents at a meeting at 8th and Florida Avenue N.W. expressed concern to the police chief about the need for more officers.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
The local government is the Government of the District of Columbia which includes a Mayor (currently Mayor Muriel Bowser) and Council of the District of Columbia. The Council Member for Ward1 is Brianna K Nadeau. There are also five Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, ANC 1A, ANC 1B, ANC 1C, ANC 1D, and ANC 1E. Additionally, there are multiple ANC Commissioners, most of whom are “voted and seated.” If there is an unfilled seat, the ”D.C. Board of Elections publishes the vacancy in the D.C. Register.”
POLICE AND POLICE SERVICE AREA DESIGNATIONS
Two MPD districts serve Ward 1. According to Councilmember Brianne Nadeau’s website, “MPD’s 3rd district covers most of the ward, while the 4th district is responsible for the Park View neighborhood in the northeastern corner of the ward.” Each police district has three Police Service Areas.
ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS
Meetings are posted on the ANC websites. Some of the meetings are in person. Some are virtual.
KEY WARD 1 LEADERS
Brianne K Nadeau is the Councilmember for Ward 1.
KEY CHURCHES
All Souls Unitarian Church
First African New Church
National Baptist Memorial Church
Parkview Christian Church (Source: Ward 1 Heritage Guide)
SCHOOLS
Benjamin Banneker Academic High School
Bruce-Monroe Elementary School @ Park View
C.H.O.I.C.E. Academy Middle/High School
Columbia Heights Education Campus
RECENT TRENDS AND FUTURE OUTLOOK
The biggest challenges to Ward 1’s character relate to “development pressure especially as the city’s population grows”, according to the Ward 1 Heritage Guide. Newcomers want to live in the city’s urban neighborhoods.
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