Big Kennedy Center Expansion Includes Pedestrian Bridges to the Potomac

A missed opportunity, famously criticized by Ada Louise Huxtable, will be rectified when the Kennedy Center's $175 million expansion project is complete.

1 minute read

July 16, 2016, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Kennedy Center

Andrei Medvedev / Shutterstock

"Steven Holl Architects has won approval for a pedestrian bridge to accompany its expansion to Washington, D.C.'s John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts," according to an article by Deane Madsen.

The approved plan will improve public access between the Kennedy Center and walkways along the Potomac River by creating a pedestrian bridge across the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway.

Madsen describes more of the significance of the bridges to the expansion project: The Kennedy Center, which Ada Louise Huxtable criticized on the occasion of its opening as much for its scale and lack of imagination as for its isolated position between the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway and the various on- and off-ramps for highways that link Washington, D.C. to Virginia, now attempts to rectify the latter issue by creating the Kennedy Center's own pedestrian on-ramp from beside the river. The article includes lots of renderings of he project.

The Associated Press also reports on the approval of the bridge, also reporting the expansion project's total cost of $175 million.

Thursday, July 14, 2016 in Architect

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 16, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Geese flock to a frozen pond in Aurora, Colorado. There are houses in the background.

Colorado’s Largest Data Center Could Rise Next to Homes — Without a Public Hearing

The proposed campus would consume 11 times the power of Denver International Airport; as it has across the country, opposition mounts.

September 17, 2026 - Capital & Main

The Hoover Dam blocking the Colorado River. The river's water level is noticeably low. The cliffs surrounding the blue water are brown and jagged.

US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico

A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.

September 11, 2026 - The Arizona Republic

A busy highway in Richmond, with construction and the city visible in the background.

'This is going to be painful:’ Virginia stares down $1.7 billion funding gap for highway maintenance

The state may address the deficit by shifting $290 million from its construction budget to maintenance projects.

3 hours ago - The Virginia Mercury

The Gross Reservoir, a large body of water surrounded by trees and mountains.

Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion

Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.

September 18 - Inside Climate News

Passengers board an Amtrak train under a cloudy sky.

Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement

The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.

September 18 - Mass Transit