In 1888, the city's
first motorized streetcars began service. Their introduction generated growth in areas of the district beyond the City of Washington's original boundaries, leading to an expansion of the district over the next few decades. Georgetown's street grid and other administrative details were formally merged with those of the City of Washington in 1895. However, the city had poor housing and strained public works; this led it to become the first city in the nation to undergo
urban renewal projects as part of the
City Beautiful movement in the early 20th century.