Water Street Staircase Rehabilitation & Capital Crescent Trail Trailhead Project

The Capital Crescent Trail and the C&O Canal Towpath are two of the most heavily traveled bicycle and pedestrian trail routes in the region. At the Potomac Aqueduct, the concrete staircase was in poor condition—crumbling concrete stair risers, lack of a handrail, overgrown weeds, and graffiti—and did not provide a safe or functional connection between the two trails. On the Water Street level, the prior conditions were also poor, with packed dirt, loose gravel, overgrown weeds, and ponding water. This location is the logical meeting point for many users of the Capital Crescent Trail, the C&O Canal Towpath, and the Potomac River.

The Georgetown BID contracted with Bradley Site Design, a Georgetown-based landscape architecture firm, for the design. Georgetown BID staff led the project effort with local stakeholders – including DDOT and NPS – to plan a more functional space, obtained necessary permits, hired contractors, and oversaw the construction, planting and fixture installation. in doing so, we:

1. Created a safer pedestrian connection between the C&O Canal Towpath and the Capital Crescent Trail by rehabilitating the concrete staircase at the Potomac Aqueduct

2. Created a trailhead area for users of the Capital Crescent Trail, featuring seating, bike parking, landscaping, and improved drainage

The above rendering shows the proposed improvements to the staircase and the trailhead. View the full recommended design concept below.

Site Plan and Renderings
Site Analysis and Context

Public Meeting #2
November 17, 2020
The Georgetown BID presented the recommended design concepts for the staircase and the trailhead area.

Click here to watch the recording
Click here for the meeting presentation

Public Meeting #1
August 25, 2020
The Georgetown BID introduced the project, provided an initial site analysis and concept sketch, and solicited input from the public about the site.

Click here to watch the recording
Click here for the meeting presentation

The project kicked off in August 2020, and was completed in Fall 2022.

This project was funded through a $187,500 grant from the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) through the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). The Georgetown BID  provided matching funds to complete the project.

For questions, email Nat Cannon at ncannon@georgetowndc.com.