East Capitol Urban Farm - DCBIA Community Build Day a Success!

On Saturday, September 26, 2015, over 1,000 volunteers united to build the East Capitol Urban Farm – a model for temporary use of vacant lots – as part of the District of Columbia Building Industry Association's (DCBIA) 23rd Annual Community Improvement Day. The project is a partnership effort that includes DCBIA, Urban Waters Federal Partnership, American Forests (a non-profit organization), the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, Sustainable DC, Department of Energy & Environment, the DC Housing Authority and other District government agencies. 

The transformed, three-acre parcel of land is the largest of its type in DC and will provide Ward 7 residents with an Urban Food Hub that includes: (1) food production; (2) food preparation; (3) food distribution; and (4) water management; and targeted community education programs. Features of the farm (food hub) include community gardening space, a demonstration area, exercise trails, a nature discovery area for children, public art, rain and pollinator gardens, a market place and later this fall, an aquaponics facility. The farm is located at 5900 East Capitol St. SE DC. 

We would like to thank the District of Columbia Building Industry Association and members: 
Forest City Washington, Hines, HITT Contracting, and Property Group Partners, Balfour Beatty Construction, Clark Construction, Fidelity National Title Insurance Company, Fort Lincoln New Town Corp., Grunley Construction, JLL, Quadrangle Development, WC Smith, Cunningham Quill Architects, David M. Schwarz Architects, HOK, RTKL Associates, SmithGroupJJR, Corenic Construction, DAVIS Construction, Gilbane, Langan Engineering, LendLease, Monarc Construction, Turner Construction and many others, including select agencies of the Urban Waters Federal Partnership including the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. 

Additional thanks to the Walmart Foundation, who provided $40,000 towards maintenance of the farm and aquaponics facility. Finally, thank you to the hundreds of volunteers for your time.

A second opportunity for the community to put the finishing touches on the site will be held on October 17, 2015, so stay tuned for details! Additional photos from the DCBIA Community Improvement Day are available on our Facebook page.