11th Street Bridge Park Design Competition

Sponsor: Building Bridges Across the River at THEARC, Office of Planning

Type: RFQ, three stage, national

Location: Washington, D.C.

Awards: Each design team selected for Stage Three will receive a $25,000 stipend.

Languages: English

Eligiblity: Architects and landscape architects can register as lead designers by submitting a portfolio of their qualifications.

RFQ Submission Deadline: 22 April 2014

Jury:

  • Howard Frumkin, dean and professor of environmental and occupational health sciences at the University of Washington School of Public Health;
  • Toni Griffin, professor of architecture and founding director of the J. Max Bond Center on Design for the Just City at the Spitzer School of Architecture at the City College of New York;
  • Carol Mayer-Reed, partner-in-charge of landscape architecture and urban design at Mayer/Reed;
  • Michaele Pride, AIA, professor of architecture at the University of New Mexico;
  • Harry Robinson III, FAIA, professor of urban design and dean emeritus at Howard University’s school of architecture and design

Design Challenge: Qualified firms are challenged to convert an existing freeway bridge spanning the Anacostia River in Southeast D.C. into an elevated park that unites the neighborhoods of Capitol Hill and Anacostia. The project aims to re-engage District residents with the riverfront, offer new civic space that fosters play and health, and provide environmental education. The 11th Street Bridge Park is estimated to cost $25 million to complete, with the earliest projected opening date in 2017 or 2018. The park’s backers also anticipate raising a $10 million endowment to support park programming, operations, and maintenance.

Given the unique nature of this project and its location in the nation’s capital, there has been tremendous interest from the country’s most innovative designers. Later this spring, the top four concepts will be shared with community members for feedback. The final design will be selected in fall.

For more information, go to: http://bridgepark.org/competition