---
title: An Abandoned D.C. Water Site Regains its Utility
date: 2025-06-30T10:00:00-04:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/an-abandoned-d-c-water-site-regains-its-utility"
section: Articles
---
# An Abandoned D.C. Water Site Regains its Utility

*June 30, 2025* — by [Maggie Haslam](/author/maggie-haslam)


> Award-Winning Project Taps UMD Faculty and Alums to Revive Historic D.C. Site for Surrounding Community

*Mc Millan 0054481 1920x1080 — The Reservoir District Recreation Center in Washington, D.C., was conceived and developed by Professor Matthew Bell, Christian Calleri M.Arch ’01 and their colleagues from Perkins Eastman.*

For decades, abandoned concrete silos cresting the horizon like post-apocalyptic chess pieces presented an eerie curiosity for drivers on one of the busiest north-south arteries in and out of Washington, D.C.

The MacMillan Sand Filtration Site was once an engineering marvel that supplied clean drinking water to District residents—including the president and first lady—for close to a century. Now, an inventive adaptive reuse project led in part by University of Maryland architecture faculty and alums highlights MacMillan’s history in D.C.’s largest new park since 1903; complementary housing, retail and office space will be later additions to the site.

The master plan and recreation center at Reservoir District received the 2025 Regional & Urban Design Award from the American Institute of Architects in June, recognizing its commitment to sustainability, inclusivity and resilience. The project was conceived and developed over eight years by UMD Professor Matthew Bell, Christian Calleri M.Arch ’01 and their colleagues from Perkins Eastman, in collaboration with Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects. The baton was then passed to Tom Jester M.Arch ’99 of Quinn Evans, whose team served as the architect of record.

“This was an opportunity to bring something special to this part of D.C.,” said Bell, who served as the project’s principal in charge. “It’s a unique site and a wonderful opportunity to reactivate a site for the community in a way that also celebrates a forgotten part of its history.”


*Black and white photo of historic silo bins — These historic silo bins remain are integrated into the park's new landscape. (Courtesy of the Archives of the Washington Aqueduct.)*




**Topics:** [Campus & Community](https://today.umd.edu/tags/campus-community)


**Tags:** [Alumni](https://today.umd.edu/topic/alumni), [Architecture](https://today.umd.edu/topic/architecture), [Historic Preservation](https://today.umd.edu/topic/historic-preservation), [Urban Studies and Planning](https://today.umd.edu/topic/urban-studies-and-planning)


**Units:** [School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation](https://today.umd.edu/topic/school-architecture-planning-and-preservation)