Billionaire Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska's mansion at 2501 30th St. NW was raided by the FBI last week. Everyone's Googling around for details on Deripaska, but naturally, we're more interested in the history of the property.

In 1996, the District government cancelled a development agreement that gave a partnership led by Herbert Haft exclusive rights to develop five parcels of city-owned land in Columbia Heights. Now, the area is a hub of gentrification and economic life. Read to learn more about the story that led to its transformation.