The Naming of this Place

Posted on May 27, 2014 by Lindsay Hoffman

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As we noted in our post last week, the naming and branding of the White Flint Sector has been long overdue (click here for that post).  Although the issue is usually framed as “renaming” the redevelopment district, I would offer a different perspective.  I don’t think we’re “re-naming” anything — I think we’re just finally naming it for the first time.

To “rename” something suggests that it already has a name and an identity.  But, if you ask any four people what they call this area, I’ll be you’ll get four different answers.  Those of us who pay attention to White Flint redevelopment everyday tend to use the term “White Flint,” so it’s sometimes a challenge for us to step back and realize that’s not always the norm.  We need consistency if we’re building a destination.  As has been oft repeated, we need a “there” there.

So, the Washington Post has started asking the same question and has run an article on the subject.  Questions still remain – most notably, what are the borders of this to-be-named area?  Will we use the borders of the White Flint Sector Plan or stretch beyond?  Single-family neighborhoods adjacent to the redevelopment area are wondering how much of a dog they have in this fight – and that might shift the conversation considerably.

Interested in discussing the subject further?  Come to our meeting on Thursday evening!  Click here for the Washington Post article and click here for more information on this week’s meeting.