RDG partnership wins Water Works Park makeover contest
By Chelsea Keenan
Sasaki Associates Inc., with RDG Planning & Design and Applied Ecological Services Inc., won the rights to give Water Works Park a makeover.
The firms’ design went up against 45 others in the Des Moines Water Works Parkitecture competition. Their next steps will be to settle a contract with Des Moines Water Works, establish a budget and put together a master plan for the 1,500-acre site, which is located between Fleur Drive and 63rd Street in the southwest part of Des Moines.
Des Moines Water Works – with help from Iowa State University – launched the international competition in June 2011 to bring in a broad range of applicants and design ideas to help transform the park. The competition sought proposals to integrate the ecological and social functions of the park and river into a unified landscape, and to offer innovative design solutions to address ecological and recreational challenges specific to Water Works Park.
In October, five firms were named finalists, and each was given $10,000 to further develop their concepts. The concept plan by Sasaki, a Boston-based design firm, won the “People’s Favorite” award after the finalists presented their ideas in front of about 150 people at an open house in December at the Des Moines Art Center.
Throughout the design process, the design team interviewed citizens, community leaders, focus groups, and stakeholders, and it will continue engaging the public throughout the master plan and implementation process of the park.
Des Moines Water Works plans on raising the funds for the improvements privately, and has said that water rates will not be affected.
Sasaki Associates Inc., with RDG Planning & Design and Applied Ecological Services Inc., won the rights to give Water Works Park a makeover.
The firms’ design went up against 45 others in the Des Moines Water Works Parkitecture competition.
Their next steps will be to settle a contract with Des Moines Water Works, establish a budget and put together a master plan for the 1,500-acre site, which is located between Fleur Drive and 63rd Street in the southwest part of Des Moines.
Des Moines Water Works – with help from Iowa State University – launched the international competition in June 2011 to bring in a broad range of applicants and design ideas to help transform the park. The competition sought proposals to integrate the ecological and social functions of the park and river into a unified landscape, and to offer innovative design solutions to address ecological and recreational challenges specific to Water Works Park.
In October, five firms were named finalists, and each was given $10,000 to further develop their concepts. The concept plan by Sasaki, a Boston-based design firm, won the “People’s Favorite” award after the finalists presented their ideas in front of about 150 people at an open house in December at the Des Moines Art Center.
Throughout the design process, the design team interviewed citizens, community leaders, focus groups, and stakeholders, and it will continue engaging the public throughout the master plan and implementation process of the park.
Des Moines Water Works plans on raising the funds for the improvements privately, and has said that water rates will not be affected.
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