Transforming the landscape of Ward 5, Mayor Muriel Bowser is slated to inaugurate the Reservoir District Townhomes on the grounds of the historic McMillan Sand Filtration Site today. At 11 AM, the community is set to witness the grand opening of 146 new townhomes, 22 of which are earmarked as affordable housing, a gesture towards inclusive development in a city grappling with housing disparities. The project is a testament to a vision of reinvigoration for an area once dormant, now bustling with promises of residential charm and a breath of recreational life.
Last year, residents heralded the arrival of the Reservoir Park Recreation Center and an Aquatic Center, alongside a sprawling 6.2-acre park, flipping the script on the narrative of an old water treatment plant. This park not just boasts of ample green space but is also home to a grand plaza equipped with splash pads, an amphitheater ready to host community events, a substantial grass field which serves as an inviting canvas for local festivities, and a designated space for children to unleash their playful spirits. The Olmsted Walk embraces the site, showcasing adult exercise stations and exemplifying the site’s transformation into a haven of health and community engagement.
Acknowledging the past interwoven with the tapestry of the present, the Reservoir Park Recreation Center proudly houses amenities attuned to contemporary needs. "The world-class recreation center delivered last year features a multipurpose community meeting room, outdoor gathering space, a fitness studio with lockers and shower facilities, a pool with three-lap lanes and a learn-to-swim area and gallery space to showcase the history of the site," according to the Mayor's Office.
