“DePriest Village” rings with a certain folksy charm. That was the original name for this area. Now, we know it as Capitol View.
Capitol View in southeast Washington D.C. holds more stories than you might imagine. It is bounded by East Capitol Street to the north. Central Avenue SE borders it to the southwest and south. Finally, Southern Avenue SE forms the southeast boundary.
Imagine this area back in the 1930s. It was mostly unsettled forest and farmland. By 1938, things started to change. Many single-family houses and small apartment buildings appeared. The neighborhood coalesced and took its current name. The United States Capitol building could be seen on the western skyline.
Capitol View became home to mostly Black families in the 1920s. By the 1940s, about 35% of the residents were white families. But by 1950, the white population dropped significantly to only 7%. The neighborhood became almost exclusively African American.
In the early 20th century, Capitol View became a middle-class Black enclave. By 1960, it was 99% Black. An impressive 95% of residents owned their homes.
Unfortunately, some parts of Capitol View faced tough times in the 1980s and 1990s. It became one of the city’s most violent and drug-ridden areas. The neighborhood had several large public housing projects. These were poorly maintained. They were eventually demolished in the 2010s.
The District of Columbia government stepped in. It partnered with private real estate developers. Together, they constructed the Capitol Gateway mixed-use development. This happened between 2000 and 2010.
The East Capitol Dwellings were the city’s largest public housing development into the 2000s. Sadly, they were shoddily constructed. Problems with plumbing and maintenance were constant. The complex was finally torn down in 2003.
Capitol Plaza opened in 1971. It included townhouses and a high-rise apartment building. Capitol View Mall, a small strip mall, opened nearby in 1976. Capitol Plaza II, another high-rise, opened soon after. It was for senior citizens. But it suffered from structural and design flaws.
The city realized it had concentrated poverty too much. It began supporting affordable townhouses. The Capitol View Townhomes project opened in 1990. These were meant for larger families. But sales faltered. The townhouses became public housing.
Determined to improve housing, the city applied for a grant. It demolished the East Capitol Dwellings and Capitol View Plaza. In their place, Capitol Gateway was constructed. This included senior citizen apartments and new homes.
A grocery store was planned for Capitol Gateway. But Walmart backed out of the deal. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced a Giant supermarket development. As of May 2024, the site remains empty.
The 1970s brought a rise in drug use and gun violence to Capitol View. By 1980, drug dealers lined the streets. Gunfire was common. In 1999, Helen Foster-El was killed while trying to save children.
The police changed their approach after Foster-El’s murder. They made massive sweeps of drug dealers. They also worked to improve the neighborhood. This included fixing streetlights and upgrading playgrounds.
Locals credit the drop in crime to the demolition of the large public housing projects. Community organizations supported literacy efforts. The Marshall Heights Community Development Organization purchased the Capitol View Mall. Their aim was to improve business and create jobs.
Capitol View has faced challenges. But it has also shown resilience. It is a neighborhood with a rich history. It has transformed over the decades.
Singer Marvin Gaye once lived in the East Capitol Dwellings. The Capitol View Neighborhood Library is located just outside the neighborhood. Marion P. Shadd Elementary School was built in 1954. It is now a public charter school.
Capitol View is served by the Benning Road and Capitol Heights Metro stations. Plans are underway to improve walking and cycling conditions. The neighborhood has two Capital Bikeshare stations nearby.
As we leave Capitol View, remember its journey. From farmland to a vibrant community, it continues to evolve. Its story is one of change, challenge, and hope.