Preserving Ward 1’s cultural diversity, architecture and character requires a hands-on approach." -- Kent Boese
Regardless of whether you are a life-long Washingtonian or new arrival to the neighborhood, many of us who call Ward 1 home, chose to live here because of Ward 1’s attractive architecture, housing that includes both apartment and single-family home living options, and the density of the Ward allows neighbors to directly engage each other, resulting in a stronger sense of community.
Kent’s love of people, history, and architecture has resulted in a strong record of balancing change in the Ward to achieving community serving outcomes that preserve the best of our neighborhoods for today and the future.
What makes Ward 1 the beautiful and interesting place, is due to its culturally diverse communities, architecture, history, and culture – making Ward 1, literally, the heart of Washington. Each neighborhood has its own unique character and the many small businesses draw customers from near and far.
Preserving Cultural History
As the heart of the city, Ward 1's rich cultrual history includes go go music and DC's Black Broadway on U Street. Ward 1's cultural diversity includes Latino, Ethiopian, LGBTQ, and other communities that have each played, and continue to play, a significate role in definitely what it means to live and work in Ward 1. Kent values these cultures and works to preserve their legacies for future generations.
Kent successfully nominated five properties for inclusion on the African American Heritage Trail – Dr. Roscoe Conkling Brown residence, Park View Playground, Judge William C. Hueston residence; Charles H. Wesley residence; and Nob Hill.
Preservation through Development
Kent has a growing record of working with developers to include historic buildings or incorporate historic façades in new projects. Some examples include:
Incorporating William Sidney Pittman’s Trinity Church into the Morton Street Mews development.
Adaptively reusing and incorporating the façade of the Arcade-Sunshine Laundry into a new 225-unit housing development.
Collaborating with Adams Morgan residents to preserve the Avignone Frerés façade and incorporate it into the new development at 1777 Columbia Road.
Preservation through Zoning
Kent testified before the Zoning Commission for increased oversight and community engagement in rowhouse neighborhoods to better manage pop-ups and rear additions. (read testimony here).
Preserving Historic Architecture
Kent has a growing record of accomplishment when it comes to historic preservation. His achievements include:
- Has successfully nominated ten properties to the DC Inventory of Historic Sites with additional nominations pending. Examples include the Park View Recreation Center and the Bruce School (read full list here).
- Introduced a resolution urging DC Council action to include D.C. Public Charter Schools using District owned buildings in the Historic Preservation Office’s design review process (read ANC resolution here; view DC Council Committee Report; view resulting Law L20-0095).
Additional Reading
"What's Up With Pop-Ups? Here's A Primer On A Debate That's Reaching New Heights." WAMU 88.5. January 26, 2015.