11th Street Bridge Park: Community, Health and Equity
The 11th Street Bridge Park is a public project that repurposes aged infrastructure to create a destination park inspired by community-driven programming. This DC Department of Transportation project highlights the connection between the health of communities adjacent to the Anacostia River with the health of the river environment itself. In 2020, COVID-19 increased awareness of the critical need for safe, accessible, and beautiful parks and greenways, especially in economically challenged communities. The park design by OLIN and OMA creates opportunities for recreation, the arts and environmental education.
Through the leadership of the non-profit partner, Building Bridges Across the River, the city of Washington is working to bring together historically disconnected neighborhoods and repair the inequities of past urban planning policies including the displacement of more than 23,000 people, from the Southwest portion of the city. As a result of urban renewal, these citizens lost their homes, businesses, and places of worship but, most importantly, their cultural connectivity and their trust in city government.
The 11th Street Bridge Park project is a national model for community engagement and equitable development. An Equitable Development Plan was prepared by community representatives, key partners and local and Federal agencies to proactively prevent displacement in the face of current and future real estate pressures. The plan focuses on job creation, affordable housing, small business enterprise and arts and culture strategies to promote economic revitalization and wealth creation. OLIN is working with BBAR and the Urban Land Institute on an environmental justice chapter for this plan.