Washington Avenue Green Design-Build

Washington Avenue Green has the potential to regenerate economic vitality, community well-being, and ecological processes, making the Delaware riverfront a healthy and connected whole.

The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC) sought to initiate early action projects that would foster a community of riverfront users and demonstrate the City’s commitment to revitalizing the waterfront. The abandoned Pier 53 offered an ideal starting point for this effort. In addition to providing new green space and public river access, the project was seen by Biohabitats as an opportunity to actively engage South Philadelphians in the restoration and ongoing care of their riverfront.

To bring this vision to life, DRWC enlisted Biohabitats for turn-key design-build services to develop a park along a stretch of riverfront trail and restore urban habitat. Guided by principles of simplicity, inspiration, and sustainability, Biohabitats crafted a design for Pier 53 and its surroundings that would serve as a catalyst for revitalizing both the waterfront and the riverfront greenway.

Biohabitats’ approach integrated sustainable design elements such as porous paving, the reuse of on-site materials, a rain garden, and native plant landscaping. The site was thoughtfully designed to adapt to the evolving needs of the riverfront and its environmental conditions.

TAGS

• Design-Build
• Ecological Restoration