With Revitalization, Port Towns' Ship Has Come In
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, October 19, 2006; Page T15
As a youngster growing up in Northeast Washington, Diane Griffin often visited Bladensburg. Sometimes her parents brought her to the town's skating rink. Other times, she would frolic and fish along the banks of the Anacostia River.
Despite the fun, Griffin, 52, who is African American, sometimes feared walking along Bladensburg's waterfront years ago because it meant passing through a predominantly white community where residents kept big angry dogs that barked as she passed by.
  At the old Edmonston pumping station along the Anacostia, problems have contributed to flooding in the town. The pumping station is being replaced. (By Hamil R. Harris -- The Washington Post) |
But times have changed. These days, Griffin works as Bladensburg's secretary, and she no longer worries about the barking dogs.
"Today the air around Bladensburg is fresh and light," Griffin said, referring to a new attitude and spirit of cooperation in the racially and ethnically mixed community.
Many longtime and newer residents credit that spirit with rejuvenating Bladensburg and the three other Prince George's communities -- Colmar Manor, Cottage City and Edmonston -- that hug the Anacostia River and collectively are known as the Port Towns.
In recent years, residents and officials in the Port Towns have worked to rid their communities of their gritty images. In addition to improving the waterfront, townspeople have cleaned up their streets and spruced up their towns' landscaping. The result is revitalized communities that have quickly grown into destinations for people who like to be outdoors and who like living in close-knit towns.
The pride is reflected in the annual Port Towns festival the four communities put on to celebrate their history and shared desire to promote the waterfront and all that it offers.
Boom in Bladensburg
The Port Towns revitalization began with the transformation of Bladensburg, which years ago served as a busy port for the export of tobacco and flour and the movement of slaves. Today, Bladensburg has more than 8,000 residents, and it is still a hub for commerce.
Long Fence, United Rentals and the Maier Construction Co. are among the businesses in Bladensburg. CSX railroad has a major exchange in the town.
"Bladensburg and all of the Port Towns have changed quite a bit," Bladensburg Mayor Walter James said. "One of the things we are most excited about is the growth of our businesses that are now reinvesting in the community."
James, 31, added that Bladensburg, the largest of the Port Towns, has pushed hard to reshape its image. The town is known for its public boat ramp, fishing pier, picnic pavilion and historical displays and canoe, kayak and rowboat rentals.
"We have worked hard to revitalize business and to show that Bladensburg is more than an industrial area," James said. He added that he holds a monthly breakfast to engage the business community and encourage investment.
