I really like the suggested idea about a “walk place”, where no cars are allowed and people can walk freely without the fear of being run over. I love the idea of a traditional historical sections, but I think they will become cheezy and will not remain if not done right (Just like the mall). We need things that become tradition. Also, how about a boardwalk of some kind. Something that can function during the day, but not just to sell junk to tourists. At the same time it would have to be something unique and special. When is the last time St Louis had that? I read what other people are saying here, and it truly seems that most people here are depressed and not very proud of where they live. That really sucks! We live in one of the most historically imoportant cities in our nation. If something is to be done to showcase the Arch, a symbol of who we are and where we came, it better be done right, or don’t bother and leave it grass! Serious time and creativity should be spent, not developers comming in and putting another cheezeball eating establishment like a hard rock cafe. Think outside the box, that’s what made this city great. Ideas and inventions, not another developer idea borrowed from Chicago or anywhere else. Make people be proud to say I’m from St Louis, and make people want to live here. Do something no one else is doing.

the arch was conceived as a truly modern civic project, yet it is completely disconnected from any other civic space in the city(though there are very few). to really revitalize the city, its going to take more than just some ‘freshening up’ at the archgrounds, or a new casino, some lofts on washington. the city needs major work, maybe hold design competitions, get input from around the world, on re-envisioning the city, re-planning, re-inventing, and re-establishing itself as a major urban center. i think that st. louis is experiencing a real ‘brain drain’ because there are no contemporary cultural or civic projects to engage urban activity, to bring people into the city. bring back contemporary thought and explore the unimaginable just as Eero Saarinen once did with the arch.

A huge sign between the ARCH that says “Our Alderman don’t care about their neighborhoods, The Police force sucks, The crime rate is high, We are taxed to death for everything, and oh yeah did I mention…… The Alderman of the city take under the table bribes to get what they want and don’t listen to the people living in their wards!

Bring back the McDonalds and Burger King boats!!!

I agree with others saying the Arch grounds doesn’t need much. Sure, put some paddle boats in the lake, the pedestrian lid over 70 (seriously), and a few things to attract families or nightlife. A free or low fee dog park would be nice since others in the area don’t offer the same environment and charge outrageous fees. Other than that, not much needs to be done. There’s more than enough parking and the Arch is enough to get people to the grounds. It would create an eyesore to clutter the grounds with too much of anything else.

Dan S - The reason why the beach along Lake Michigan is nice is because the lake itself is something nice to look at and people can actually take boats and watercraft out into the lake. Would anyone honestly want to go to a “beach” in St. Louis to enjoy a view of the muddy Mississippi looking across to East St. Louis and not be able to actually get out in the water? My guess on that one is no. However, sand volleyball courts would be nice…add alcohol (Budweiser leagues and whatnot) and there would be plenty of people to play!

#5 Andrew–
Go read your own website. The bar is a fake. http://www.landmarks-stl.org/architecture/st_louis_riverfront

The point is: if they decided to do a Riverfront museum on the grounds, this would be an ideal architectural theme to use. We were promised this 45 years ago, and NPS never delivered.

More dirt. I’ve visited the arch several times over the last three years and every time I’ve noticed that the ground beneath the arch, between the two bases is a soupy, soggy mess. My recommendation would be to add some clean fill and raise the settled ground a foot or so, thus providing better drainage and drier ground for visitors.

The Arch needs increased user functionality, both getting into the Arch grounds and inside the park. Right now, the Arch is very pretty, but cold, and you’re not allowed to touch anything, much like a museum or Cameron Frye’s dad’s house. It needs to be welcoming and serve purposes other than photo opportunities.

StL has one of the greatest, and largest, pieces of pure art in the world, and people come to see it. We need to cater to this audience as well as those with little kids.

What we need is:
1. The Lid over I-70 and a redo of Memorial are critical. People need to be able to walk into the Arch Grounds without dodging major traffic.
2. A reanalysis of Eero Saarinen’s plans for the Arch Grounds, completing the architect’s vision while updating it for 50 years time. We still haven’t fully completed what the Arch is supposed to be, and we should look to fix that.
3. Gut the riverfront itself and put something there that people will want to visit, not just a fast food barge and a helicopter ride. Make it attractive for the every day user, something designed for both visitors and Downtown StL residents.
4. Tie in Laclede’s Landing and Choteau’s Landing for both site footprint and visitor foot traffic. That’s where the parking can go.
5. Put a tarp over the East Side riverfront until Springfield IL is able to dedicate money for EStL’s renewal, because it really is a detriment to MO just sitting there rusting.
6. Put in Charlie Brennan’s beer garden.
7. Take AJ and STL BLOWS to the river, tie them to stakes, and burn them. Let them serve as lessons for all degressivists to adapt or move out of StL. I’ll buy the Greyhound tickets. Until then, stop arguing over the internet.

The High Schools in the area have a Project Lead the Way course “Civil Engineering and Architecture”. This would be a great project/contest for students in that course for the 2008-2009 school year. It would be great for the student, teacher, program, and city to work together!

Gone Corporate–

Like some of your ideas except put in stuff for little kids. There are entirely too many sites catering to children as it is. The Science Center used to be cool–now it’s kiddie land. Ditto the Zoo. There is only so much time you can spend with the flowers at Shaw’s Garden. The Arch does fine with its school group programs, storytelling, and other stuff. There are also way too many places like the Magic House which are kids only. Face it…most people don’t have kids these days. Life exists between the nursery and the bar scene.

Why can’t this town do something for grownups who don’t like sports and can’t afford the theater or concerts? We’re left with alcohol or school.

The grounds already have a fine museum underneath the Arch. Why not just leave the trees & grass as they are.Does every open space between them have to be filled up with things to do and see and smell and hear and eat?
Our National Mall in DC is an example of not knowing when to sit back and enjoy and quit tinkering.