The last time I was in DC was back in mid-95 and even back then, the grass areas on the Mall weren’t looking so good.
I figured it was due to so many people walking across it as well as all the demonstrations, etc that are held there.
I don’t remember the sidewalks looking all cracked and beat up though. They probably were though.
What I do remember is how rough-looking DC starts to get when you walk about 2-3 blocks north or east of the Capitol though.
You’d swear you were in a totally different city.
We were in DC for a couple of days last fall. One evening we were driving back to our hotel and took an unfortunate turn. YIKES!! Scaaaaaarrrry.