Douglass

Douglass is a neighborhood of approximately 5,697 residents (2010 data) and is located east of Bolling Air Force Base in Southeast section of the city. The neighborhood is generally bordered by Matin Luther King Jr. Avenue, the Suitland Parkway, Stanton Road, 16th Street S.E and Mississippi Avenue S.E. The median age of the residents according to 2010 data is 25.7 years. The median price of homes here is $135,92 with approximately 58% being occupied by renters.

The immediate neighborhood has numerous schools including Johnson Middle School, Turner Elementary School @ Green and Malcolm X Elementary School. Recreational facilities include the Hayden-Johnson Recreational Center and the Malcolm X Recreational Center. Metro access is easy with a station being located along Alabama Avenue near St. Elizabeths Hospital-East Campus. Commuters to jobs outside of the immediate area will like the access to 295 and 95. Residents will find at least 4 churches in Douglass with a few restaurants along with some shopping. Residents will need to leave the neighborhood to find extensive shopping and nightlife and other entertainment opportunities. The Washington Hebrew Congregation Cemetery is also located in Douglas.

Crimes could deter many from living here with crimes against people and property being common place. Potential residents should look at the current crime statistics and make an informed decision prior to moving here.

Douglass is a low income to middle class, almost exclusively African- American neighborhood. Historically it has mainly consisted of public housing complexes, but recently it has also included some single family homes as well. Vacant lots have been developed, and older structures torn down to make room for more modern amenities. Recent redevelopment has turned some neighborhood lots into shopping areas as well. Most of these new stores are not trendy, but nonetheless they serve the purpose of allowing Douglass residents to purchase more everyday items without going far from home. Perhaps more importantly, more services in the neighborhood does mean more minimum wage jobs, the sort which most Douglass neighbors are qualified for. Unfortunately, crime is still a major blight in the area. Thefts and burglaries are common, and often this reflects desperation on the part of locals looking for drugs. Residents complain of young people who smoke marijuana on the sidewalk, and neighbors who make noise at all hours. Then again, perhaps it is a good thing that they are complaining: such complaints express a desire for change. We can only hope that these desires lead to some genuine improvements. With the recent redevelopment, this is highly likely.

The Douglass neighborhood got its start during the early 1960s when it became the home of two of the area’s largest public housing complexes. Built near the original home of abolitionist Frederick Douglass, these high rise buildings were intended to provide affordable housing to the nation’s poorest families. While this did happen at first, it also generated the law of unitended consequences. In addition to attracting families, the unit also attracted crime and drugs. Before long, these structures, named Douglass Dwellings and Stanton Dwellings, were adding to the already rising crime rate in that part of the District.
However, due at least in part to shoddy construction and poor maintenance, these buildings did not stand the test of time. Fortunately, after they were torn down they were replaced with higher quality single family homes that have sparked a sort of Renaissance in the community.
Today Douglass boasts several banks, businesses and restaurants, not to mention centers of higher education and culture.
One of the nice things about the neighborhood is that your need never leave, since it also has several well-kept cemeteries.