The Park Southern was considered one of the best-run apartment complexes in the city until 1973. The Polinger company installed H. R. Crawford as resident manager. Strict in his enforcement of housing rules and selective in who he rented to, Crawford created a safe, well-landscaped, well-maintained apartment building which won national praise. The Park Southern attained what "The Washington Post" called an "iconic" status for both helping very low-income people but maintaining a high standard of living. Crawford left his post in March 1973 to take a position at HUD.