Press Releases
11th Street Bridge Park Announces Comcast as Connectivity Partner with In-Kind Donation Valued at $1 Million
Comcast partnership to help bridge digital divide east of the river with free Wifi, free laptops, and digital skills training at Bridge Park
February 6, 2024
Washington, D.C.–The 11th Street Bridge Park, Washington’s first elevated public park, today announced Comcast as its official “Connectivity Partner.” The company will provide free high-speed internet access, free laptops, and digital skills programming for the park’s anticipated one million annual visitors, and surrounding community. The investment announced today is part of Project UP, Comcast’s $1 billion commitment to help advance digital equity.
While the District of Columbia has robust broadband infrastructure, 23 percent of households do not subscribe to broadband services – and many of these households are concentrated in Wards 5, 7 and 8.
“Addressing the inequity between those who have access to broadband and those without requires meaningful investment in providing Ward 8 residents with the tools they need, as well as teaching them how to use those tools,” said Scott Kratz, Senior Vice President, Building Bridges Across the River & Director, 11th Street Bridge Park. “We heard from community members that it’s a priority for the Bridge Park to address the digital divide, and we’re thrilled to partner with Comcast to make a lasting impact in doing so.”
Comcast’s donation, valued at $1 million, includes:
Building Bridges Across the River Honored by Leadership Greater Washington
Ward 8 Nonprofit Receives Community Partner of the Year Award
June 20, 2023
Washington, D.C. – Building Bridges Across the River was honored by Leadership Greater Washington (LGW) today, receiving the organization’s Community Partner of the Year Award.
Mike Schwartz, program officer for the Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, presented the award on behalf of LGW to Building Bridges President Rahsaan Bernard and Senior Vice President Scott Kratz. Kratz is the director of 11th Street Bridge Park, a joint project between Building Bridges and the DC government.
“Building Bridges Across the River is honored to receive LGW’s 2023 Community Service of the Year Award,” Kratz said. “Our goal is to serve as a collective force for social change building a more equitable and inclusive capital city.
11th Street Bridge Park Announces Mobile Small Business Kiosk Pilot Program With Eight Local, Black-Owned Businesses, Funded by Capital One and LISC DC
In partnership with the Anacostia BID, “The Bridge Spot” is scheduled for pop-ups across the region with operational support from Accenture
May 10, 2023
Washington, D.C. – Today, the 11th Street Bridge Park announced “The Bridge Spot,” a mobile small business kiosk pilot supporting east of the Anacostia River entrepreneurs – a key strategy of the Bridge Park’s Equitable Development Plan. Named the “Bridge Spot” by a popular vote of local residents, the kiosk is designed to increase sales and visibility for East of the River small businesses and will be a key feature on the park when open in early 2026. The Bridge Spot will launch on May 20 at the Anacostia River Festival.
11th Street Bridge Park Unveils New Art Installation at National Children’s Center Urban Farm
Supported by $8,000 Darryl Chappell Foundation, new mural unifies art and urban agriculture
April 5, 2023
Washington, D.C. – Today, the 11th Street Bridge Park – a partnership between the local non-profit Building Bridges Across the River and the District government – unveiled a new art installation – Hands in Bloom – by local artist Sonia Jones at National Children’s Center (NCC) Baby Bloomers Urban Farm, supported by an $8,000 gift from the Darryl Chappell Foundation.
Public Art Commissions Selected for 11th Street Bridge Park
June 23, 2022
Washington, D.C. – Four commissioned public art pieces were announced today by the 11th Street Bridge Park – a partnership between the local non-profit Building Bridges Across the River and the District government – reflecting the park’s design principles and values. In response to over 200 community meetings where public art was prioritized, a lighted sculpture inspired by plants growing along the Anacostia River; a mural depicting the African American and Native American experiences tied to caring for the land, hammocks created to honor DC culture reflective of the community; and design of a mobile, small business kiosk aimed at supporting East of the River Black entrepreneurs were selected from over 60 entries by the park’s curatorial committee comprised of local residents, experts, and artists.
11th Street Bridge Park Announces Closing cost Assistance Program for the First-Time Homebuyers in Ward 8
May 3, 2022
Washington, D.C. – Today, the 11th Street Bridge Park – a partnership between the local non-profit Building Bridges Across the River and the District government – announced a new Closing Cost Assistance Program funded through a $50,000 donation from GEICO to expand access to home ownership and wealth creation for low-to-moderate income residents in Ward 8. The program will help alleviate the burden for first-time homebuyers in Ward 8 by covering up to $2,500 in closing cost fees for residents at 100 percent median family income or lower.
11th Street Bridge Park Unveils Plans for “Mussel Beach” Play Area
March 24, 2022
Washington, D.C. – Today, the 11th Street Bridge Park – a partnership between the local non-profit Building Bridges Across the River (Building Bridges) and the District government – unveiled plans for the interactive “Mussel Beach” play area by landscape architects OLIN and play consultants from Studio Ludo. Given the proximity of the play area to the park’s Environmental Education Center and the Anacostia Watershed Society’s work to repopulate thousands of mussels within the Anacostia River improving river water quality, the play area will feature sculptural mussels, sea grass climbers, water sounds, and slides.
11th Street Bridge Park Announces Selection of Major Commissioned Artwork
February 16, 2022
Washington, D.C. – Today, the 11th Street Bridge Park – a partnership between the local non-profit Building Bridges Across the River (BBAR) and the District government – announced the selection of “Anacostia’s Sunrise/Sunset Portals” by DC-based artists Martha Jackson Jarvis and Njena Surae Jarvis of Jackson Jarvis Studio as the park’s first and largest commissioned artwork.
11th Street Bridge Park Announces $3.5M Capital Campaign Gift!
January 31, 2022
The 11th Street Bridge Park, a partnership between the local non-profit Building Bridges Across the River (BBAR) and the District government, today announced $3.5M in capital campaign gifts from the Reveda Foundation of the Logan Family and Bloomberg Philanthropies to be recognized at the park’s River Amphitheater and Bloomberg Trail. Located on the piers of the former 11th street bridge spanning the Anacostia River, D.C.’s first elevated public park will connect two long-divided communities providing a new venue for healthy recreation, environmental education and the arts.
Mars Food’s Seeds of Change™ Brand Awards $115,000 Grant to Building Bridges Across the River
May 15, 2019
WASHINGTON, May 15, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — SEEDS OF CHANGE™, a certified organic seed and food brand from Mars Food, proudly announces a partnership with the Ward 8 non-profit Building Bridges Across the River (BBAR) to support sustainable community-based farming in Washington, D.C. Over the last three years, BBAR has built seven urban farms in Ward 6 and 8 in collaboration with communities of faith and local non-profits. These Bridge Park Plots along with a nearly two-acre THEARC Farm are designed to address fresh food access on both sides of the Anacostia River by developing local capacity to grow food.
Mar’s Food’s Seeds of Change™ Brand Awards $115,000 Grant
Let’s Celebrate! It’s the 5th Annual Anacostia River Festival
March 6, 2019
The 11th Street Bridge Park and the National Park Service proudly present the Anacostia River Festival, a premier event of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, on Sunday, April 14, 2019. This year we are celebrating the River Festival’s FIFTH ANNIVERSARY as well as the 100th Anniversary of Anacostia Park! Held in Anacostia Park, steps away from the future 11th Street Bridge Park, this FREE event invites District residents and brings thousands of visitors from across the region to experience arts, culture, communities and parks east of the river.
CAAB, 11th Street Bridge Park and Capital One Launch EduSaveDC: the First Children’s Savings Accounts Program in Ward 8
February 25, 2019
Capital Area Asset Builders (CAAB) and 11th Street Bridge Park, with the support from Capital One, have launched EduSaveDC, an innovative and ambitious Children’s Savings Accounts pilot program for the benefit of 110 families residing in Washington D.C.’s Ward 8.
Douglass Community Land Trust Names Executive Director
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
The Douglass Community Land Trust (DCLT) Advisory Committee, Building Bridges Across Rivers (BBAR), and City First Enterprises (City First) are pleased to announce the appointment of Ginger Rumph as founding executive director of the DCLT. The DCLT is a community-based initiative to establish a large-scale land trust in Southeast, Washington, D.C. with the intent to preserve and increase affordable housing and prevent displacement.
Building Bridges Across the River Provides Healthy Food to Ward 8 Families
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
Building Bridges Across the River is launching its new Community Raised Inspired & Sourced Produce (CRISP) program, a venture designed to create a fresh, healthy and local food network to address the social determinants of health and improve food access in Ward 8.
2018 Anacostia River Festival
Thursday, March 1, 2018
The 11th Street Bridge Park and the National Park Service present the fourth annual Anacostia River Festival, a premier event of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. This year we are throwing a birthday bash for the 100th Anniversary of Anacostia Park by celebrating the “Year of the Anacostia!” Held in Anacostia Park, this FREE event will encourage District residents and visitors from across the region to explore communities and parks east of the river. In 2017, the Anacostia River Festival attracted nearly 10,000 participants.
City First Enterprises and 11th Street Bridge Park Receive $250,000 Investment from JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
JPMorgan Chase & Co has invested $250,000 in City First Enterprises and 11th Street Bridge Park to create a Community Land Trust for communities in Wards 8 and 6, a key recommendation of the Bridge Park’s.
District of Dance: A D.C. Rhythm & Blues Celebration
Monday, February 13, 2017
On February 26, Washington Performing Arts’ Mars Urban Arts Initiative and the 11th Street Bridge Park will host District of Dance: A D.C. Rhythm & Blues Celebration inspired by the rhythm & blues history of Washington, D.C. from the 50s, 60s and early 70s. Held at Anacostia High School from 3 pm to 8 pm, this FREE event will feature live performances, hand dance lessons and panel discussions.
2017 Anacostia River Festival
Monday, February 13, 2017
On February 26, Washington Performing Arts’ Mars Urban Arts Initiative and the 11th Street Bridge Park will host District of Dance: A D.C. Rhythm & Blues Celebration inspired by the rhythm & blues history of Washington, D.C. from the 50s, 60s and early 70s. Held at Anacostia High School from 3 pm to 8 pm, this FREE event will feature live performances, hand dance lessons and panel discussions.
The 11th Street Bridge Park and ARCH Development Corporation Partner to Explore East of the River Housing Issues and Solutions
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
The 11th Street Bridge Park and ARCH Development Corporation are partnering to examine critical affordable housing issues in two FREE public programs at the Anacostia Arts Center. These events complement the “Better Homes and Gardens” exhibition on view at the Anacostia Arts Center’s Vivid Solutions Gallery and the 11th Street Bridge Park’s Equitable Development Plan. Over the course of 8-weeks, Becky Borlan will transform Vivid Solutions into a whimsical urban jungle. The space will be filled with larger-than-life plant structures juxtaposed against tiny, hand-sized wax houses. Exhibition runs through November 18. And throughout 2016, the 11th Street Bridge Park has been implementing its Equitable Development Plant, an effort to ensure that nearby residents can continuously benefit from the future civic space.
2016 Lantern Walk
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
The 11th Street Bridge Park and Washington Performing Arts present the Lantern Walk, a commemorative community event inspired by the story of African-American families who built their homes in the historic Barry Farm/Hillsdale neighborhoods east of the Anacostia River by candlelight after returning home from a long day’s work. Participants of this free event will begin in The Yards Park, continuing down the river walk trail in front of the Navy Yard, crossing the 11th Street Bridge and ending at the Anacostia Arts Center. Partners including ArtReach at THEARC, The Phillips Collection and the Ward 8 Arts & Culture Council will lead workshops in the weeks preceding the event for participants to construct their own lanterns.
11th Street Bridge Park and the Anacostia Watershed Society Receive National Endowment for the Arts Grants
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
The 11th Street Bridge Park and the Anacostia Watershed Society are thrilled to announce that both organizations have received National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grants as part of the Art Works category.
2016 Anacostia River Festival
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Celebrate the Anacostia River, Anacostia Park and the National Park Service’s 2016 Centennial celebration.
11th Street Bridge Park Releases Equitable Development Plan
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
As part of a year-long community-led effort, the 11th Street Bridge Park releases an Equitable Development Plan, an effort to ensure the future 11th Street Bridge Park can serve as an anchor for inclusive development.
11th Street Bridge Park Receives $1.2 Million Grant from the Kresge Foundation
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
The 11th Street Bridge Park, a project of the Ward 8-based non-profit Building Bridges Across the River at THEARC, received a $1.2 million grant from the Kresge Foundation, one of the country’s leading philanthropic organizations. The Kresge Foundation works to expand opportunities in disadvantaged and underserved communities by investing in arts and culture, education, environment, health, human services and community development.
Community Shapes 11th Street Bridge Park Equitable Development Plan
Thursday, September 17, 2015
In an effort to ensure the future 11th Street Bridge Park can serve as an anchor for inclusive development, we have posted a draft list of actionable recommendations as part of a year-long “Equitable Development Task Force.”
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center Exhibits the 11th Street Bridge Park Mural
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
The Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center will exhibit the 11th Street Bridge Park Mural, a giant 55 foot artwork created by local teen artists from both sides of the Anacostia River.
11th Street Bridge Park Mural Project: Creating a Healthy City
Monday, August 3, 2015
11th Street Bridge Park and Washington Performing Arts Receive ArtPlace America Award
Monday, July 13, 2015
11th Street Bridge Park and Washington Performing Arts have received an award of $250,000 from ArtPlace America, to support community-driven East of the River arts programming and the continued work of transforming an old freeway into a new civic space over the Anacostia River.
June 27 Equitable Development Community Meetings
Thursday, June 11, 2015
The 11th Street Bridge Park will work with the community to help ensure this new civic space will become a driver of inclusive development through two public meetings on Saturday June 27. The meetings are part of Bridge Park’s Equitable Development Task Force, which was created to develop a series of programs and policies to encourage equitable development in the neighborhoods surrounding the park.
11th Street Bridge Park Creates Equitable Development Task Force
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Ensuring the new 11th Street Bridge Park will be a driver of inclusive development, we have established an Equitable Development Task Force to provide opportunities for all residents in neighborhoods surrounding the Bridge Park regardless of income and demography.
2015 Anacostia River Festival
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
This free first-ever Anacostia River Festival will celebrate the history, ecology and communities along the banks of the Anacostia River. The 11th Street Bridge Park and the National Park Service present the event, which will offer free kayaking and canoeing, musical performances, fishing and water filtration workshops, live birds of prey demonstration, a photography exhibition and a bike parade. The Anacostia River Festival is a premier event and official closing of the 2015 National Cherry Blossom Festival.
11th Street Bridge Park Announces Selected Design Team OMA + OLIN
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
The 11th Street Bridge Park is thrilled to announce the selection of OMA + OLIN as the selected design team for Washington D.C.’s first elevated park over the Anacostia River.
National Design Competition Update – Final Four Teams Selected
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
As part of an extraordinary nationwide design competition, the 11th Street Bridge Park is excited to announce four nationally recognized design teams have been selected to envision Washington D.C.’s first elevated public park on the foundation an old freeway bridge spanning the Anacostia River.
11th Street Bridge park Jury Invites 6 Design Teams to Competition’s Phase 2
Friday, May 2, 2014
The 11th Street Bridge Park’s Jury of national experts selected six teams made up of landscape architects and architects to form interdisciplinary teams for Phase 2 of the design competition.
11th Street Bridge Park Announces Design Competition
Tuesday, March 12, 2014
Building Bridges Across the River at THEARC in collaboration with the D.C. Office of Planning launches a nation-wide design competition to create the 11th Street Bridge Park, transforming an old freeway bridge into a new civic space over the Anacostia River. As the old 11th Street river bridges that connect Washington, D.C.’s Capitol Hill and historic Anacostia neighborhoods have been replaced, this aged infrastructure will be transformed into the city’s first elevated park: a new venue for healthy recreation, environmental education and the arts.
