Condos rise on corner once mostly known for its crime

Development

Condos rise on corner once mostly known for its crime

by John Muller • January 3, 2013 3:07 pm

At the intersection of 17th and Euclid Streets in Adams Morgan, adolescents making hand-to-hand drug sales and running up to cars with out-of-state license plates are long gone, as is a corner market. In its place will be 19 new condominiums, scheduled for delivery this spring.

Corner of 17th & Euclid St. NW, December 2012.

Euclid Market, March 2012.

The Washington City Paper has chronicled many incidents over the years at this rather infamous corner, tucked behind Adams Morgan's main commercial strip. A Maryland teen was recently killed at the Woodley Park Metro station after a fight ensued from an earlier robbery that took place in this immediate area.

Corner of 17th & Euclid St. NW, December 2011.

More than 5 years ago, the Metropolitan Police Department installed a closed-circuit TV camera here. Whether that is responsible for scattering activity elsewhere, or just changes in the neighborhood, the corner is now quiet. The Euclid market has been demolished, and the shell of the coming condos is yet another subtle sign of change and transition in the neighborhood.

10 comments

Tags: Adams Morgan, crime, DC, development

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Then and Now: The O Street Market (Jun 24, 2009)
Hill East changes tune on commercial strip (Dec 26, 2012)

John Muller is a local journalist and historian. His first book, Frederick Douglass in Washington, DC: The Lion of Anacostia, was published by The History Press last year. John is now at work on Mark Twain in Washington, DC.

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I ran past here this morning. It looked to me like one of the infamous 1701-1703 houses is for sale, too.

by JS on Jan 3, 2013 3:28 pm • link • report

The reputation of this corner is much over-stated. It's been quiet for years. It's a bit much to bring up Mr Griffin's death, that wasn't a neighborhood thing, it started over on 18th St. Yups hate on the Bennets but they never gave me any trouble in 6 years living there. It's an aggressive development to squeeze 19 units in there, but that's what cities are for.

by renegade09 on Jan 3, 2013 4:24 pm • link • report

I live not far from here and the corner seems still to be known mostly for its crime. I would not say it is "quiet". The condos definitely help though. Some more street lights would help as well.

by Scoot on Jan 3, 2013 4:34 pm • link • report

It does look like a big change from the pictures, but I don't doubt that the crime/activity mentioned is overstated (as renegade09 pointed out)

I agree with Scoot too. Here in Miami we have tons of "bad" streets that don't have a lot of lightning... and that would change everything. Instead of having all sorts of sting operations going on, just light up the area. They'll move somewhere else.

by Fort Lauderdale Condos on Jan 3, 2013 4:56 pm • link • report

I used to live 2 blocks from 17th and Euclid (in 2001-2004), and back then the crime wasn't overstated at all. I avoided "the stoop" like the plague. I have no doubt that with the infusion of crappy, overpriced PN Hoffman condos in the immediate vicinity, plus the MPD camera, crime has decreased.

Is is more than a stretch to attribute the murder at the Woodley Park Metro to this corner. In fact, it's ridiculous, without some sort of factual support. There's plenty of crime in Adams Morgan that has zero to do with this litle piece of real estate.

by dcd on Jan 4, 2013 8:02 am • link • report

Lighting is good, but it can also be overrated. It's not that hard to break a few street lamps. It's not like when you see one that's broken it had just spontaneously broken itself. Plus light pollution can be a problem for residents. Obviously no lighting in an area is bad news.

by Alan B. on Jan 4, 2013 8:46 am • link • report

14 years ago I was held up at gunpoint by some children at that corner.

by Michael on Jan 4, 2013 10:16 am • link • report

Looks like another crappy, mid-rise frame complex to me that will no doubt be going for 400 grand for the smallest unit.

by Nickyp on Jan 4, 2013 11:30 am • link • report

Looks like another crappy, mid-rise frame complex to me that will no doubt be going for 400 grand for the smallest unit.

From what I have read and seen, the construction and finishes are projected to be quite nice. You are right on the price but most of the 1-BR units are significantly larger than what is typically found in the area. But mostly buyers would be paying for the location, which is close to lots of amenities, parks and transit.

by Scoot on Jan 4, 2013 12:42 pm • link • report

" But mostly buyers would be paying for the location, which is close to lots of amenities, parks and transit."

I actually looked at this. It looks very cheap, and I wouldn't say that area is close to "transit". The 16th st buses and circulator, but a nice hike from the metro. No easy bikeshare either.

Yes, one of the "stoop" houses is for sale but I suspect the developer is trying to sell these before the summer.

by charlie on Jan 5, 2013 7:58 am • link • report