BRIDGING COMMUNITIES AND ECOLOGIES

Van Leesten Memorial Bridge

Providence, RI

The new Van Leesten Memorial Bridge reworks abandoned freeway infrastructure (I-195) to connect five prominent neighborhoods and institutions within the city. Acting as a pedestrian center, the pedestrian bridge not only performs as a practical connector between regions, but also offers multiple programmatic interventions to encourage community connection and social engagement among city residents. The project captures a potential much larger than that of a pure connector. It leverages integrated program elements to serve as a mediator between urban and ecological spaces, allowing east and west to become a singular public space.

In addition to establishing a visual symbol of renewal, the Van Leesten Memorial Bridge also provides access to over 40 acres of prime waterfront real estate that was freed up when interstate I-195 was relocated. So while the history of the area will remain embedded in the bridge’s foundations, this new gateway will connect the site to the rest of the city, giving it a new lease of life for future generations. 

The bridge is named after Michael S. Van Leesten, a civil rights advocate, community leader, and lifelong Providence resident. The bridge now stands as a celebration of his life’s work and uncanny ability to gather people to build community and shared cultural experiences.

 

CLIENT

City of Providence, RIDOT

SIZE

15,170 sf

STATUS

Complete

YEAR

2019
Night drone aerial of lighting site plan of Providence River Pedestrian Bridge Project in Rhode Island Urban Design Architecture and Computational Design

Detroit

235 E Main Street, Suite 102b, Northville, MI 48167 / p 248 449 3564

Chicago

188 W RANDOLPH STREET, SUITE 200, CHICAGO, IL 60601 / P 309 825 1351

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DETROIT

235 E Main Street, Suite 102b

Northville, MI 48167

p 248 449 3564

BILLING

235 E Main Street, Suite 102b, Northville, MI 48167 / p 248 449 3564

DETROIT

235 E Main Street, Suite 102b

Northville, MI 48167

P (248) 449-3564  

Chicago

188 W Randolph Street, Suite 200

Chicago, IL 60601

P (309) 825-1351