It was
announced this morning (well,
last night, actually) that the
11th Street Bridge Park's design competition has been won by "Anacostia Crossing," from the team of the
Office of Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) and
Olin Studio.
OMA/Olin designed a park in "a sloping 'X' shape" over both the river and the banks on its eastern side. Features include a central plaza, a café, boat launches, an amphitheater, and "a series of nets that would allow people to dangle out over the river."
One competition juror described the design thusly: " 'It is at once both a crossing and place. In its purest role it is a hyphen that connects and celebrates the physical and cultural histories of two historic and vibrant Anacostia shoreline communities, while establishing a civic expression of democracy.' "
As always, however, the looming question remains the full funding of the park's $40 million price tag. As explained by the
Post, "The D.C. government has committed to providing $14.5 million of the $25 million construction price tag[.] An additional $15 million would provide operations funding." A capital campaign is underway to fund that $25 million difference. So, needless to say, construction won't be starting next week.