Storm Drain Murals in Anacostia

Art of War Concept: Military tactics are like unto water; for water in its natural course runs away from high places and hastens downwards... Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows
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We all pass by storm drains every day and forget they are a fast lane for our urban storm water directly into the Anacostia River. Unfortunately, some use these drains as sort of a trashcan, sweeping trash and debris into them thinking they will never to be seen again. This is not the case.

This trash eventually ends up in the Anacostia River.  One of the many reasons why the River is polluted preventing us from fishing, swimming or enjoying other water activities is because of this trash. Some even say that the health of the River is tied directly to the health of the community it is named after. This past week was a perfect example. It rained every day and the litter you saw on the street was swept away by the rain water into the drain. See the video below.

Earlier this year the Historic Anacostia Block Association partnered with the Anacostia Watershed Society (AWS) in their Storm Water Drain Mural project. The goal of the project is to paint murals on the drains to hopefully make people think twice about littering and also bring awareness to the importance of a clean river. The AWS asked local artist to submit renderings. Community members served as the judges and picked the best 8 to be painted on the drains. We are happy to report we selected several Ward 8 residents as winners.

Take a look at the newly painted drains below.

One of my favorites, because I know the artist.
Location: Valley and Chester SE

Location: Bottom of Green St SE

Another one my favorites
Location: V and 15th St SE

Location: U and 13th St SE

Location: V and 13th St SE

Location: Anacostia Library Parking Lot

The Anacostia Heritage Trail is Here!

Did you notice something different on Good Hope Rd. and MLK Ave? Next time you are driving or walking down the street look a little closer and you will notice the Anacostia Heritage Trail signs have been installed! 

Yup, it took us nearly 10 years, but we finally did it! It was an effort that began with the Anacostia Main Street organization and later picked up by the Historic Anacostia Block Association and the Anacostia Coordinating Council.

The signs look great! There are 20 signs installed that give a detailed history of the neighborhood. We are planning a ribbon cutting ceremony in July. If you are interested in helping join us on Thursday June 4^th at 6:30pm at 1800 MLK Ave for the planning meeting. 

Congratulations to the Greater Anacostia Neighborhoods and all the people who helped with the process! Of course, a special thanks to Cultural Tourism DC for leading the way and staying the course to get this done!

Right outside of the Frederick Douglass Home

Did you know there used to be parades held in Uniontown (aka Historic Anacostia)?

Old Market Square (14th St)

Churches played an important role in the neighborhood

20 signs = about 2 miles long

History of Rose's Row. A row of homes on U St

Perfect placement. This sign at the 11th St bride speaks to
John Booths escape after the assassination of President Lincoln

My favorite sign. Gives you a look into the gateway into the neighborhood

Can't leave out the Big Chair

East of the River Book Festival!

The River East Emerging Leaders and the Historic Anacostia Block Association team up for the East of the River Book Festival!

Historic Anacostia Block Association Meeting - TONIGHT

Finally, it feels like the warm weather is here to stay. We'd like to encourage everyone to attend the HABA Meeting on this Thursday. As the neighborhood continues to evolve, our goal is to keep you informed and involved in the conversation. We got a solid agenda lined up that includes the following:

Crime: Public safety in our neighborhood is always a major concern. Commander Hoey will attend the meeting to give an update on how we all can work together to improve the quality of life in our community.

7-Eleven: There has been a lot of progress made at the old Anacostia Warehouse Supermarket. We hear 7-Eleven is schedule to open a new store facing Good Hope Road in June. Come get updates from the store representatives as well as updates on additional retail options at the location. We hear Little Caesar's may be coming as well.

Anacostia Business Improvement District (BID): Not sure if you are aware, but Anacostia has a new BID. Come hear what progress has been made to improve the retail prospects of Good Hope Rd and MLK Ave. We will also get an update on the Cedar Hill home development.

Anacostia River: The health of the Anacostia River is a reflection of the health of our community. Come learn about updates on cleaning up the River and how we can get involved.

Good Hope Laundromat & 16^th Street Corner Store: We continue to hear complaints from residents regarding the unkempt appears of these two establishments in our neighborhood. We have invited DCRA to come talk about how we as a community can work with store owners to improve the services in our community. 

When: TONIGHT: Thursday April 10, 2014

Time: 7pm

Where: Anacostia UPO Center - 1649 Good Hope Rd., SE

Historic Anacostia Block Association Meeting

Happy April Neighbors!

It finally feels like spring has arrived! We hope everyone is enjoying the warm weather.

HABA would like to invite you to our April community meeting. We have a solid agenda filled with very important topics that includes the following:

1. Anacostia Consignment Boutique: This past Saturday, was the grand opening of a consignment boutique located on MLK Ave., SE. We invite you to meet the owner and learn more details as to what is being offered at the store.

2. St. Elizabeth's East Campus Development: Though St. E's is located in Congress Heights, we all know the future development of this site will have a major impact on our entire Ward. Come and meet the project directors and learn about the development plans.

3. Councilmember Phil Mendelson: In March, we initiated a letter writing campaign that was submitted as testimony to the City Council. Council Chair Mendelson is coming to visit our neighborhood to discuss the many concerns we outlined in our letter and how we can work together to get resolution.

Please invite your friends, family, and neighbors to TONIGHT's meeting! The meeting will be held at the Anacostia UPO Center located at 1649 Good Hope Rd., SE. The meeting will begin at 7pm.

Historic Anacostia Block Association (HABA) Meeting Tonight

Spring is Here...Well Almost!

Can you feel it...? Can you hear it...? Yup, the weather is getting a bit warmer and HABA is going to "spring" forward. We would like to invite you to our monthly meeting tomorrow night where the agenda will include the following:

1. Uniontown Bar & Grill: We recently found out there is a new restaurant owner for Uniontown Bar & Grill. Come get an update on the name change, menu options and theme of the new restaurant establishment set to open in early summer.

2. Anacostia Heritage Trail: This project is four years in the making and is almost complete! We will display poster proofs of all 20 Heritage Trail signs, fronts and backs, for your review. This is your opportunity to help us fact-check, spell-check, and get it as close to perfect as we can before final print.

Please invite your friends, family, and neighbors to TONIGHT's meeting! The meeting will be held at the Anacostia UPO Center located at 1649 Good Hope Rd., SE. The meeting will begin at 7pm.

Thanks,

Charles Wilson

President

Historic Homeowner Grant

Art of War Concept: Opportunities multiply as they are seized.

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What is it going to take to revitalize downtown Anacostia? Various ideas and initiatives have been proposed, but there is one program that has had a tremendous immediate impact. Look no further than the Office of Planning's Historic Homeowner Grant. It has been 5 years since members of the Historic Anacostia Block Association (HABA) began the discussion on how to take advantage of this grant opportunity. The program affords homeowners who live in any of the city's historic districts to apply for up to $35k to fix-up the facade of their homes.

From new windows, doors, siding and new paint jobs, this program has done wonders for our neighborhood. Each renovation feels like an overnight transformation of our community and builds on our sense of pride. Since its inception, HABA has brought nearly $1.5 million in grant funds to our neighborhood!

A couple of long-time neighbors of mine recently took advantage of the program and I wanted to show off some of the pics.

BEFORE - U St

 Kinda blah...

 

 

AFTER - U St

 

Big Blue!

 



New windows, paint job and porch!

 Definitely adds to the curb appeal

 

Before - 16th St

 

 Trust me, the potential is there...

 

 After - 16th St

Even with a basic white paint job, the curb appeal is
much more inviting.