2018 is the “Year of the Anacostia”, and Washingtonians are celebrating many revitalization milestones and achievements along the Anacostia River, including the recent opening of Audi Field (the new home of the D.C. United soccer team), and the Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Nationals Park back in July.
On August 9, 2018, Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser released “Resurgence of the Anacostia Waterfront: 15 Years of Progress Along the Anacostia River.”
Jim Foster (left), Exec. Director of the Anacostia Watershed Society, which has led the river’s restoration for decades. REVITALIZATION publisher Storm Cunningham is on the right, with Storm’s wife, Maria Antonia, in the middle. Selfie (by Storm) was taken as Jim took them on a private boat tour of river restoration work.
It’s a report on the outcomes of efforts by the District government—along with community and other partners—to achieve the vision of the Anacostia Waterfront Initiative. In 2017, the DC Council passed a Sense of the Council resolution to declare 2018 as the “Year of the Anacostia”.
“Washington, DC is growing at an incredibly fast pace, and the Anacostia waterfront is a prime example of the positive changes we have seen throughout the District,” said Mayor Bowser.
“From new housing and public waterfront access for our longstanding residents, to regional attractions such as The Wharf, Nationals Park, and Audi Field, the Anacostia waterfront is becoming a place for residents across all eight wards to enjoy, making Washington, DC a true waterfront city!” she continued.
Part of the District’s rapid population growth has taken place along the Anacostia waterfront, which includes Capitol Riverfront/Navy Yard. This is now one of DC’s fastest growing neighborhoods, and it’s based on repurposing, renewing, and reconnecting (AKA the “3Re Strategy”) a large, unneeded portion of the U.S. Navy Yard that was turned back to city ownnership.
Between 2010 and 2025, the District of Columbia is expected to add an estimated 35,000 new residents in Anacostia waterfront neighborhoods.
Anacostia River, north of where redevelopment is taking place. Photo by Storm Cunningham.
In 2003, the Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan set a visionary and ambitious agenda for the revitalization of the Anacostia River waterfront as a world-class destination and center of 21st century Washington, DC. The Anacostia waterfront stretches along diverse neighborhoods in Wards 5, 6, 7, and 8.
This progress report lays out the impacts of public, private, and community investment over the 15-year period since the development of the plan, illustrated with maps, photos, and data on key areas of progress along the Anacostia waterfront.
In 2016, the Bowser Administration established the Anacostia Waterfront Interagency Working Group, led by the DC Office of Planning (OP), to formalize collaboration across District agencies and with non-profit, federal, and regional partners.
Its mission is to maximize the potential of the Anacostia Waterfront for economic development, revitalization, recreation, and environmental value, while promoting resilience and equity.
The Progress Report linked to below is an outcome of the working group, summarizing accomplishments of the Anacostia waterfront and providing a look-ahead to what comes next.
Featured photo of Anacostia Riverwalk at redeveloped Navy Yard site via Adobe Stock.
Download “Resurgence of the Anacostia Waterfront” report (PDF).