$364,778Average Value$216Average Price per Sq Ft3Homes For Sale
Midcentury residential community on the outskirts of the capital
Located just along the Maryland border, Civic Betterment is a small enclave with a housing market below the District's average. The neighborhood is primarily residential and part of the better-known Marshall Heights area in Southeast D.C., and is one of the city's original historically Black communities, where many African American veterans settled after World War II. It is continually growing, evidenced by its new buyers, home renovations, and new construction on community institutions like Woody Ward Recreation Center. The community seeks to expand development on Fletcher Johnson Rec Center to bring in more amenities and housing options, and this process is ongoing.
Civic Betterment's history and future
Civic Betterment and much of the Marshall Heights area are among D.C.'s original historically Black communities. The area started as a more rural hamlet. Still, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt's visit to the community in 1935 spurred urban development and the construction of sewer lines and connection to the city's water supply. A series of redevelopment clashes between residents and the city would occur for the next few decades, as locals did not want to be priced out by more expensive properties coming in. This is why many of the original brick rowhouses and duplexes from the 1940s remain on the market. Civic Betterment became a popular landing spot for African American veterans following World War II and many fleeing the Jim Crow South. Fletcher Johnson Campus also has historic significance for locals, as it was once Payne's Cemetery, a burial ground for African Americans dating back to the 1850s. Keith Hasan-Towery, former Chair of the Marshall Heights Civic Association, says, "The cemetery was abandoned [when] that land turned into Fletcher Johnson campus." Though it is a popular place to exercise in town, the community's vision for the future involves redeveloping Fletcher Johnson Rec Center into a mixed-use center with retail, an urgent care clinic and new apartments and townhouses. However, these plans have yet to be approved by developers. Hasan-Towery says, "We wanted to see something happen there that would encourage economic development, care for infant health, elderly health, affordable housing options for purchase, as well as have a little more rental units for families and larger families [who need] more than two bedrooms."
Woody Ward Rec Center is newly renovated
Woody Ward Recreation Center is the neighborhood's main green space and underwent an $11 million renovation in 2021. This facility now has a boxing ring, a modern fitness center, an upgraded dance room, a multi-purpose space with projectors and an arts and creativity room. Outside is a dragon-themed playground for children, a pool where folks can sign up for swimming lessons, a baseball diamond, and basketball and tennis courts. There's also a paved trail around the rec center for a leisurely dog walk or bike ride. Residents can also venture a few blocks west to Fort Dupont, a National Park featuring over 10 miles of walking trails. There's also the Fort Dupont Community Gardens, where residents 18 and older can reserve a plot of land to plant fruits, vegetables and herbs. Fletcher Johnson Recreation Center was once a middle school, but now, folks play on its basketball and tennis courts and turf field, where minor league flag football teams often practice.
1940s era Cape Cods and brick townhouses
Home values in Civic Betterment range from $300,000 to $625,000, varying by age, remodel status and square footage. The average home price in the D.C. metro area is around $619,000. World War II-era brick rowhouses and duplexes comprise most of the housing market and feature painted facades, colorful awnings and stylized fences. Most properties have modest vertical lawn space in the backyards, which is a rarity for homes of this price range in the District. There are also wide, grid-patterned alley streets that allow for more parking availability behind homes. There are also occasional detached Cape Cod homes and multi-unit properties here. Melissa Melendez, a Realtor with the Keller Williams EmpowerHome Team, says, "If you're looking for future equity, this is a great time to buy low and see your investment grow." Melendez also pointed out that some homes may need some TLC, "...if you have $20,000 or $30,000 to put into renovations on an older home, give it two or three years, and you're going to have outstanding equity in this area of D.C."
D.C. Public Schools and nearby charter options
Students can attend District of Columbia Public Schools like C.W. Harris Elementary, with a C-minus overall rating on Niche. They can then go to Kelly Miller Middle School, rated a C, and finish at the C-minus rated H.D. Woodson High School. Many families choose local charter, private or alternative schools because of their exceptional academic opportunities. For example, nearby Bard High School Early College DC offers students the opportunity to simultaneously earn their high school diploma and an associate in arts degree from Bard College at no cost.
Bird's Kitchen has crab cake sandwiches
Civic Betterment and the Marshall Heights area do not have many insulated options for groceries or dining. Still, there are takeout spots like Bird's Kitchen, which serves gourmet burgers, "Saucy Wings," and its signature "As-Is" crab cake sandwich. Residents can travel along Benning Road SE across the Maryland border to the Carol Hills Shopping Center in minutes to get groceries from Shoppers. Benning Road SE also leads north to the bustling East River Park Shopping Center and Minnesota Avenue Corridor in 10 minutes or less.
Locals drive to Downtown or explore Prince George's County
Folks generally need a car to reach retail centers and employers. Downtown D.C. is less than 9 miles from Civic Betterment, along Interstate 695. Traffic across the Anacostia River into downtown is notoriously dense around rush hour. The Maryland border is just across Southern Avenue SE, so locals are a street away from Prince George's County for commutes to work or points of interest like NFL games at FedEx Field, 5 miles east or National Harbor, 11 miles south. The Capitol Heights metro station is the closest to Civic Betterment, less than 2 miles north, and offers Blue and Yellow line access through the greater D.C. area. Metrobuses also line Benning Road SE and Fitch Street SE for more public transit between the metro stations and home.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Civic Betterment, Washington sell after 66 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Civic Betterment, Washington over the last 12 months is $240,000, down 40% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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