Shaw–Howard University station


Shaw–Howard University is a Washington Metro station in Washington, D.C., on the Green Line and Yellow Line. The station primarily serves the Shaw neighborhood of Washington, which also contains Howard University.
The station is located within the neighborhood of the same name in the Northwest quadrant of the city, specifically on 7th Street between R and S Streets. It lies just outside the defined boundaries of the Shaw Historic District, which encompasses much the area to the southwest.

Transit-oriented development

Like other stations along the stretch of the Green and Yellow Lines between Gallery Place and Fort Totten, Shaw has been revitalized by transit-oriented development, increasing economic development, residential density, and—controversially—accelerating the pace of gentrification.
Among other projects, Progression Place and CityMarket at O catalyzed development in the area in the early 2010s. The former occupies previously vacant land on the same block as the northern entrance to the station and contains of office space, 205 apartments labelled as "7th Flats," and of retail.
CityMarket at O, located between 7th, 9th, O, and P Streets NW, renovated the long-neglected O Street Market and added of retail and 629 residential units.

History

Part of the original Metro plan, the station was initially referred to simply as "Shaw." It opened on May 11, 1991, as part of a northward extension of the Green Line from Gallery Place–Chinatown to U Street. The central route under 7th Street, below which the station sits, was only added in 1967 primarily to serve the "inner city." Instead of opening in 1976, the first Green Line stations opened in 1991. While a cut-and-fill tunnel for the Green Line was built under 7th Street and U Street, both street traffic and pedestrian access on those streets were difficult. The result was the loss of the traditional retail businesses along the route. The downtown segment of the line was originally projected to open in September 1977.

Station layout

Like most underground Metro stations, Shaw–Howard University is an island-platformed station lying directly below street level. There are two entrances, one to the north at the corner of 7th and S Streets and the other to the south on R Street between 7th and 8th Streets.