Venice Island
Aerial rendering of Venice Island
The Venice Island Underground Storage Basin project is located between the Manayunk Canal and the Schuylkill River, between the Lock and Cotton Street bridges in the Manayunk neighborhood of Philadelphia. The purpose of the enclosed basin is to temporarily store diverted flow from the sanitary interceptor sewer during intense rain storms. The basin is capable of storing nearly four million gallons of water that is later pumped out and directed to a treatment plant.
The underground storage basin is approximately 400 feet long, 75 feet wide and 25 feet deep, and will be located under the current parking area. The aboveground Pump House will be approximately 90 feet long and 40 feet wide. This project is one component of the Philadelphia Water Department’s efforts to protect and improve the health of the Schuylkill River, a source of drinking water for the City of Philadelphia. A healthy river provides habitat for plants and animals, supports recreational activities such as boating and fishing, and strengthens communities through the value of natural resources.
In order to complete the project, the existing recreation facilities at Venice Island will be demolished. The lost amenities will be replaced with state-of-the-art recreation and performing arts facilities. These facilities were designed with community input to ensure that they meet the needs of the surrounding area. By the project's end, all parking will be replaced but with a different configuration that runs the length of the canal from Lock to Cotton.
In addition to the storage tank, PWD and Philadelphia Parks and Recreation are initiating canal improvements to restore flow to the canal. These efforts include dredging and modification to the spillway at Flat Rock Dam. Click here for a PDF of complementary projects in and around Manayunk.
Construction
As the construction process can be somewhat unpredictable, this is an estimated timeline for this project. Updates can be found on our
Construction Alerts Page
Construction Impacts to the Community
Due to the scale and duration of this project, there are sure to be construction-related impacts to the community. PWD and its contractors are working to minimize traffic disruptions, dust and parking issues and will also work to mitigate issues as they arise. We believe the end result will be well worth the growing pains of this large-scale project.
Please view our Frequently Asked Questions for more information about potential disruptions.
Design
The site design reflects sustainable, ecologically sensitive stormwater management design and riverbank restoration while providing a much-needed public space in Manayunk. The intent is to evoke Venice Island’s industrial heritage, local building techniques and vibrant natural history along the Schuylkill River while creating a safe city park. The design explores the potential created by the intersection of natural processes and the urban infrastructure, incorporating the ephemeral and eternal qualities of the riparian landscape with the powerful man-made environment of the industrial age.
Community Input
PWD, in concert with the community, has developed a plan that results in a full-scale reconstruction of the of the site’s parking and recreational facilities and includes athletic courts, a children’s water garden, a performing arts center and new parking within the context of the site’s natural systems and industrial past.
Contact
Your concerns are important to us. For questions or feedback regarding this project, please call (215) 685-6300.
Aerial rendering of Venice Island
The Venice Island Underground Storage Basin project is located between the Manayunk Canal and the Schuylkill River, between the Lock and Cotton Street bridges in the Manayunk neighborhood of Philadelphia. The purpose of the enclosed basin is to temporarily store diverted flow from the sanitary interceptor sewer during intense rain storms. The basin is capable of storing nearly four million gallons of water that is later pumped out and directed to a treatment plant.
The underground storage basin is approximately 400 feet long, 75 feet wide and 25 feet deep, and will be located under the current parking area. The aboveground Pump House will be approximately 90 feet long and 40 feet wide. This project is one component of the Philadelphia Water Department’s efforts to protect and improve the health of the Schuylkill River, a source of drinking water for the City of Philadelphia. A healthy river provides habitat for plants and animals, supports recreational activities such as boating and fishing, and strengthens communities through the value of natural resources.
In order to complete the project, the existing recreation facilities at Venice Island will be demolished. The lost amenities will be replaced with state-of-the-art recreation and performing arts facilities. These facilities were designed with community input to ensure that they meet the needs of the surrounding area. By the project's end, all parking will be replaced but with a different configuration that runs the length of the canal from Lock to Cotton.
In addition to the storage tank, PWD and Philadelphia Parks and Recreation are initiating canal improvements to restore flow to the canal. These efforts include dredging and modification to the spillway at Flat Rock Dam. Click here for a PDF of complementary projects in and around Manayunk.
Construction
As the construction process can be somewhat unpredictable, this is an estimated timeline for this project. Updates can be found on our
Construction Alerts Page
Construction Impacts to the Community
Due to the scale and duration of this project, there are sure to be construction-related impacts to the community. PWD and its contractors are working to minimize traffic disruptions, dust and parking issues and will also work to mitigate issues as they arise. We believe the end result will be well worth the growing pains of this large-scale project.
Please view our Frequently Asked Questions for more information about potential disruptions.
Design
The site design reflects sustainable, ecologically sensitive stormwater management design and riverbank restoration while providing a much-needed public space in Manayunk. The intent is to evoke Venice Island’s industrial heritage, local building techniques and vibrant natural history along the Schuylkill River while creating a safe city park. The design explores the potential created by the intersection of natural processes and the urban infrastructure, incorporating the ephemeral and eternal qualities of the riparian landscape with the powerful man-made environment of the industrial age.
Community Input
PWD, in concert with the community, has developed a plan that results in a full-scale reconstruction of the of the site’s parking and recreational facilities and includes athletic courts, a children’s water garden, a performing arts center and new parking within the context of the site’s natural systems and industrial past.
Contact
Your concerns are important to us. For questions or feedback regarding this project, please call (215) 685-6300.
Aerial rendering of Venice Island
The Venice Island Underground Storage Basin project is located between the Manayunk Canal and the Schuylkill River, between the Lock and Cotton Street bridges in the Manayunk neighborhood of Philadelphia. The purpose of the enclosed basin is to temporarily store diverted flow from the sanitary interceptor sewer during intense rain storms. The basin is capable of storing nearly four million gallons of water that is later pumped out and directed to a treatment plant.
The underground storage basin is approximately 400 feet long, 75 feet wide and 25 feet deep, and will be located under the current parking area. The aboveground Pump House will be approximately 90 feet long and 40 feet wide. This project is one component of the Philadelphia Water Department’s efforts to protect and improve the health of the Schuylkill River, a source of drinking water for the City of Philadelphia. A healthy river provides habitat for plants and animals, supports recreational activities such as boating and fishing, and strengthens communities through the value of natural resources.
In order to complete the project, the existing recreation facilities at Venice Island will be demolished. The lost amenities will be replaced with state-of-the-art recreation and performing arts facilities. These facilities were designed with community input to ensure that they meet the needs of the surrounding area. By the project's end, all parking will be replaced but with a different configuration that runs the length of the canal from Lock to Cotton.
In addition to the storage tank, PWD and Philadelphia Parks and Recreation are initiating canal improvements to restore flow to the canal. These efforts include dredging and modification to the spillway at Flat Rock Dam. Click here for a PDF of complementary projects in and around Manayunk.
Construction
As the construction process can be somewhat unpredictable, this is an estimated timeline for this project. Updates can be found on our
Construction Alerts Page
Construction Impacts to the Community
Due to the scale and duration of this project, there are sure to be construction-related impacts to the community. PWD and its contractors are working to minimize traffic disruptions, dust and parking issues and will also work to mitigate issues as they arise. We believe the end result will be well worth the growing pains of this large-scale project.
Please view our Frequently Asked Questions for more information about potential disruptions.
Design
The site design reflects sustainable, ecologically sensitive stormwater management design and riverbank restoration while providing a much-needed public space in Manayunk. The intent is to evoke Venice Island’s industrial heritage, local building techniques and vibrant natural history along the Schuylkill River while creating a safe city park. The design explores the potential created by the intersection of natural processes and the urban infrastructure, incorporating the ephemeral and eternal qualities of the riparian landscape with the powerful man-made environment of the industrial age.
Community Input
PWD, in concert with the community, has developed a plan that results in a full-scale reconstruction of the of the site’s parking and recreational facilities and includes athletic courts, a children’s water garden, a performing arts center and new parking within the context of the site’s natural systems and industrial past.
Contact
Your concerns are important to us. For questions or feedback regarding this project, please call (215) 685-6300.