Where We Live: Pleasant Plains is carving out its own (non-Columbia Heights) identity

By Audrey Hoffer January 16

Pleasant Plains has a lower profile than the neighborhoods that surround it inNorthwest Washington Columbia Heights, LeDroit Park, Bloomingdale and Park View.

In fact, its often referred to as Columbia Heights. If we look at our tax assessments our neighborhood is called Columbia Heights, but in our deeds it says Pleasant Plains, said Darren Jones, a lifelong resident, president of the Pleasant Plains Civic Association and co-founder of the Georgia Avenue Community Development Task Force. Thats because the city can charge more, because Columbia Heights houses are bigger.

Still, Pleasant Plains residents say that doesnt stop them from trying to ensure their neighborhood gets the respect it deserves.

Jones and Patrick Nelson are leading activists who can rattle off a list of accomplishments toward that goal.

We work together on everything, said Nelson, vice president of the civic association and a 22-year resident. For example, getting 19 stops on the Pleasant Plains Heritage Trail. We lobbied the city for three years.

The Georgia Avenue Window Walk is another project. We put local artwork in the windows of vacant storefronts, Jones said, pointing to colorful paintings on glass, paper and brick in empty stores.

Ingrid Frey, who moved into her Pleasant Plains condo more than five years ago, works on this project. Anytime I heard about neighborhood events, I joined, she said. That got me to know the community, merchants, and I learned how much people care about living here.

Banneker Recreation Center, built in 1939 as the citys first such facility built for African Americans, was dilapidated until recently. Today, there are two ball fields, a pool, a playground and basketball courts. It was rebuilt through community pressure and lots and lots of meetings, Nelson said.

Sherman Avenue also benefited from local input. We lobbied the D.C. Department of Transportation and worked with [former council member] Jim Graham to reduce traffic, Nelson said. The result was installation of a median in the middle of the boulevard.

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Where We Live: Pleasant Plains is carving out its own (non-Columbia Heights) identity