With Revitalization, Port Towns' Ship Has Come In

By Hamil R. Harris
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, October 19, 2006

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.

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.

Positive changes have won Bladensburg some recognition.

In 1999, the Washington-based Joint Center for Sustainable Communities, a federally supported group, recognized Bladensburg, Cottage City, Colmar Manor and Edmonston for their collaboration with Prince George's County in the creation of the Port Towns Revitalization Initiative.

A Kinder, Gentler Colmar Manor

The initiative has worked well, said Port Towns officials, who also point to Colmar Manor's transformation from an old, sleepy town to a vibrant and neat community.

Like its larger counterpart, Bladensburg, Colmar Manor is steeped in history, starting with its name, which is derived from its location between Maryland and the District: "Col" for the District of Columbia and "mar" for Maryland. The town is near a small body of water flowing into the Anacostia River called Dueling Creek, for good reason. According to town history, the creek was the site of many duels in the 1800s, the most famous being the match in March 1820 that resulted in the death of Stephen Decatur, the naval war hero whose name adorns cities, towns and schools across the country.

Things are much friendlier in Colmar Manor today -- a testament to the hard work of townspeople to bridge the many cultures of its diverse neighborhoods.

The 2000 Census showed that Colmar Manor was 49 percent black, 25 percent white, 18 percent Hispanic (who can be of any race) and 10 percent Asian and Pacific Islander. The town had a median household income of $43,906 and a median home price of $100,000.

"In the last decade, we have really grown together as a community," Colmar Manor Mayor Diana Fennel said, adding that cosmetic work has gone a long way in improving the town's building facades, reputation and pride.

"I am excited that we've done that," Fennel said.

Other improvements include a pedestrian bridge over the Anacostia River and a vehicle bridge on Bladensburg Road.

"When one looks at the Port Towns, we have a lot to be proud of," Fennel said.

Small Towns, Substantial Changes

Like the other Port Towns, Cottage City is diverse -- blacks make up 55 percent of the 1,136 residents, while whites total 29 percent and Hispanics 13 percent, according to census data. Cottage City's median household income was $38,500 in 2000, and the median house price was $105,000.

Like its fellow Port Towns, Cottage City is changing. In its early days, the town was home to several Native American tribes and European settlers who were said to like the area because its deep water access along the Anacostia River could handle large vessels.

The town also boasts a bit of presidential history. It served as the summer retreat for Ulysses S. Grant, who fancied a place called Friendship House. The land where that house once stood now holds apartment buildings.

Anna Angolia, vice chairman of the Cottage City Town Commission, said the town continues to work to strengthen its look as well as its reputation. The town is also trying to update its technology and is working with Verizon to wire Town Hall for high-speed Internet.

"We are really trying to bring ourselves into this century," Angolia said.

Edmonston is the smallest of the Port Towns, with fewer than 1,000 residents. The town is named for a member of a prominent Bladensburg family who in 1742 paid 5 shillings for the land that became the town. It sits between the Anacostia River and B&O Railroad tracks.

Residents say they like the community's diversity. It is 44 percent white, 41 percent black and 19 percent Hispanic. In the past few years, Edmonston has received attention for its flooding problems stemming from an old pumping station that is soon to be replaced. But people who live in Edmonston are quick to point out that they are not just about wet basements.

No, the people of Edmonston pride themselves on being friendly and keeping their community clean and safe; the town has its own police department. And it is known for welcoming new residents, including the many immigrants who have chosen to make Edmonston their home.

"Our biggest strength is our genuine diversity and our sense of community," said Mayor Adam Ortiz. "Our identity as a mixed community has become very strong."