Architects unveil four bold visions for 11th Street Bridge Park

The subject of Washingtons buzziest architecture competition isnt a Smithsonian museum or a downtown office building, but a series of concrete piers jutting out of the Anacostia River a dozen blocks east of Nationals Park.

More than 40architecture teams comprised of 82 firms initially expressed interested in designinga park traversing the Anacostia what could become a local version of New Yorks High Line Park atoppiers thatheld up the old 11th Street Bridge before it was replaced.

The four finalists submitted their proposals to the projects organizers Tuesday, andtheyleave nothing to the imagination: there are amphitheaters, education centers, dining piers, urban gardens, waterfalls, climbing walls and an array of eye-catching architectural features, any of which could transform the old bridge site into adistinctivelandmark.

Scott Kratz, director of the 11th Street Bridge Park, said the project has the chance to bring needed attention toa river that has suffered environmentally and long served as a barrier between the majority of the city and some of its poorest communities. He said he was thrilled at the quality of responses.

These are some of the best designers in the world and their work reflects that, he said. We were hoping that the proposalswould not just be shades of gray and we received reds and blues and greens and purples. They are all so different while still responding to the communitys vision.

The teams will come to Washington to present their ideas to a jury of experts in design, architecture, health and economic development onSept. 29-30 anda final decision is expected Oct. 16.

Whoever is named the projects designer will do so with a caveat, as some $40 million needs to be raised to build and operate the park.The project is a collaboration between the D.C. government and the non-profitBuilding Bridges Across the River, and already the D.C. government has committed to providing $14.5 million of the $25 million construction price tag, Kratz said.

Here is an initial look at each of the proposals. In addition to the jury, public input will play a factor in making a final selection, so for readers interested in taking a more detailed look at the proposals and offering opinions, please take our poll. (All images are courtesy of the architecture teams, via the 11th Street Bridge Park.)

*****

Bridge Park

Follow this link:
Architects unveil four bold visions for 11th Street Bridge Park