In 1945, Congress passed the District of Columbia Redevelopment Act that established the need and purpose of urban renewal in the District and created the Redevelopment Land Authority (RLA). Working in conjunction with the National Capital Planning Commission the RLA worked to survey “Slum or blighted areas” in the city and develop plans for their redevelopment. The Southwest neighborhood was the first identified project area, followed by neighborhoods including Shaw, Downtown, the H Street Corridor, and 14th Street. Using eminent domain, properties and businesses were acquired and razed and new housing and parks were developed. By 1972, 10 plans for redevelopment were approved. The Southwest projects and eminent domain were challenged in the Supreme Court in the landmark case Berman V. Parker (1954). The Court rejected the plaintiffs/appellants’ charge, ruling that the District of Columbia Redevelopment Act of 1945 was constitutionally applied and that the use of the eminent domain did not violate the 5th Amendment. The redevelopment plan in the Southwest neighborhood displaced approximately 1,500 businesses and 23,000 residents; and led to the construction of the Southeast/Southwest freeway, the relocation of Maine Avenue, the waterfront promenade, and several parks. The RLA became a District agency in 1974 with the passage of the Home Rule Act. The RLA was dissolved in 1999 and replaced by the National Capital Revitalization Corporation.