A shuttle service would be a great idea, and having some statues that commemorate westward expansion would be nice. We need to keep in mind that this is Federal land, a national monument, and we shouldn’t put things there to cheapen it and turn it into some sort of tourist trap. Moreover, we should be original, and not have something that’s “like New York’s this” or “Chicago’s that”. This is St. Louis, Missouri, lets be proud of who we are, and put something there that will complement the Arch, not take away from it.

We need the lid, first and foremost. Next, the actual riverfront, not the arch, has got to be dealt with. Just 10 years ago, I remember The Goldenrod showboat, the McDonalds Boat, the Burger King Boat, the President (the excursion boat not the casino), The mine sweeper, the Helicopter tours, the becky Thatcher and Tom Sawyer….. now there is barely anything. Lets give the facade a makeover… restore the cobblestones, Add some attractions… Lets embrace the small stretch of land that made St. Louis an actual city.
*I’d love to see the Admiral as an excursion boat again. *Bring back the boats.
*How about a floating concert series geared towards local blues artists.
*Add a boardwalk.
*Light up the Eads at night.
*how about a Laser show projected onto the arch

Oh, and eliminate naive, close-minded, idiots like AJ that suggest putting a large tombstone, and continuously project a negative un-educated attitude about this great city. Instead, lets be progressive thinkers, look forward, not backwards, and fix up what is long overdue.

Put a lid over the highway, throw in a couple of riverboat museums and get everyone to use OUR “central park” (Forest Park) for everything else….won’t have to worry about the grass, the feds, whether or not to sell things or being too confining. There are already boats on the lake, museums, a zoo, restaurants, etc.. That’s what it’s for ain’t it? Just keep the thugs out and you’re good to go. Make it part of a tourist package deal; here’s the arch now let’s go to the zoo!

DanS- I love that idea! We could have OBB (off beach betting) on how many people get swept away in the Mississippi’s current on a daily basis from the deck while we enjoy a cold Bud.

keep it in Federal hands or all we will have is a bunch of cousins and nephews of aldermen running around.

#1 - I love the green, but adding some pretty, seasonal, 3D gardens here and there would be nice… herbs, greens, flowers, etc. strategically placed here and there on and around the grounds, with benches so people can walk, sit, walk some more, etc.

#2 - what about elevated walkways above the 70 (like what goes over Highway 40 at the science center, and what used to go over to the Arena), over Highway 70 and the depressed section?

#3 - add a select few turn of the (20th) century buildings down on the riverfront near the cobblestones (not more than 2 stories tall as to not block the view from the arch-grounds) which are built on an elevated boardwalk.

#4 - i really love the idea of an elevated, wide boardwalk, with temporary vendors, (setup/tear down) which can be removed for special events, etc., fountains, museum-quality maybe 1904 tribute shops and food places (not Applebee’s, but an old hot dog, ice cream, etc. shop, antiques, etc. but not clothing or t-shirt places to cheapen it…) The boardwalk should be a learning experience, not just a commerce experience.

#5 - put a lid on AJ.

I think that the Arch grounds should be left mostly void of commercial interference. The new ball park is laden with advertising and has lost any visual appeal to days gone by. The Arch upper grounds can be improved with better picnic areas around the lake and better seating areas at the top of the hill overlooking the river. A simple eco-friendly electric powered shuttle (Six flags style) from the parking garage to the entrance would alleviate the distance problem. It can be self funded by charging a few bucks round trip and would also serve as a security sweep of the grounds on a regular basis.Its a better alternative to adding closer parking when the existing garages are sufficient. I think the lower streets below the steps can be used for commercial opportunity such as a floating wine garden and a proper amphitheater for various events. It should feel like a boulevard for strolling.

Nothing will happen until you put a lid on the depressed sections of I-70. Until it is easy and safe to get to the arch grounds from downtown, you will never fully utilize the arch grounds no matter what is put there.

Make the landing more like Beale St. in Memphis…that will attract more out of town guests. Then we could have a St. Louis Landing music festival on the arch grounds, just like the 3-day Beale St. Music Festival at Tom Lee park in Memphis, which had over 100,000 people in attendance. That would fill the hotels and restaraunts for sure!!

Leave it alone. I do not understand wanting to touch this for anything when there is a decaying mess just south of the arch begging for demolition. A bridge over the highway is fine, but leave the greenspace alone. Some things are allowed to be simple. For the people who have suggested turning it into our version of central park I say we have better than that in Forest Park.
For those that say we need more parking and shorter walkways, go out and walk some more. A shuttle for the disabled and senior citizens is a different story though.