Overwhelmingly for at the Arch. Just as easy to take the metro, I have a free seat, a free view of the band, and my friends actually know where the Arch is, vs Soldiers Memorial. I have gone to every single concert the previous two summers, and I only went to 2 this summer because I couldn’t see the band, and the food you had to leave the area near the stage. Also the VIP section was nearly empty when I went to see Grace Potter, and those people were up and out of their seats in clear view of the performer. Disgraceful. The people who loved her had to stand, wedged against the fencing to show their support. If we keep it at Soldiers Memorial, artists will not be as pumped to perform because the visuals are lacking.

Having seen it both ways, I have to say the arch grounds are the better place. Being under the arch right on the river is distinctly St. Louis - having it @ Soldier’s made it feel like every other weekend festival, nothing different.

I will say that the parking at the arch needs a whopping overhaul. This year I took the family down to the arch for the fireworks on the 4th as we’ve done for years. We expected some wait to get out of the garage, maybe 15 or 20 minutes. But we sat in that hot garage for 90 MINUTES before we got out. People were yelling, cussing, honking, cutting each other off, and going berserk toward the end. I thought a riot was going to break out, seriously. There was no explanation from the security guys, just a periodic PLEASE STAY INSIDE YOUR CARS. We never did find out what the problem was.

I don’t know the details of the Danforth plan, but does it include better parking? What about building another garage on the south edge of the grounds? Maybe a garage with 4 or 6 exits instead of that stupid bottle-neck they have now. At least they could have organized off-site parking with shuttles. Metrolink is part of the solution, but you can’t clear 100,000 people at the end of the night with just Metrolink.

Great points from everyone. Here are the things that some of you are not considering or don’t realize.

Capacity: The stairs hold approximately 5000 people, Leonor K. Sullivan will hold another 2000. The soldiers memorial area is only limited by surrounding buildings. The crowds at the Black Crowes and OAR were estimated in the 20,000- 50,000 range. The increase in attendance is great for the event and all of the downtown businesses. Most people who were leaving the Arch Grounds, were heading straight out of down town.

Revenue: With all of the extra patrons in and around the downtown area, the festival vendors and local bars and restaurants have an increased economic opportunity. More money in downtown = more tax revenue = more downtown development. The groups who sell the beer, soda, and water at the events are not for profit organizations. The greater opportunity for them to sell will create increased philanthropic activities. If they can keep their beer sales numbers high, An-Bev is much more likely to continue sponsorships.

National Parks Service: The “Fair” could return to the previous location with its renewed attendance levels. However the National Parks Service is not easy to work with and the costs of operating greatly increase at that location. Regulations with how you move vehicles, number of paid security staff, security check points, Park fees, etc. all increase with the Arch Grounds. These don’t apply on the stairs or on street. The event will be too costly for a move back to the Arch Grounds.

The Future: The city is making a move to make soldiers memorial the new event space for many downtown. A lot of the major events will be making the move there. The ones that haven’t already will be in the near future. If everyone wants to see a different look/feel for the event space, make those suggestions here.

So I’m sure with the overwhelming opinion to move the VIP seating area, it will happen. It will create a more intimate environment. When some of the trees are cut down and additional infrastructure is put into place, the area will be a great event space. The event organizers will have additional vending booths to accommodate the demand for beverages, the sound system will grow in size, and they will take your recommendations and implement the ones that work.

The concerts need to go back to the Arch. Not even close. The setting is what makes the concerts so much more special and so uniquely St. Louis. No other site can come close.

I went to a lot of the free concerts on the arch and they had VIP seating to, if you can remember. There was a set of seats blocked off right in the middle of the steps. The best seats. And you also had to walk all the way around and it was hard to get down the steps. Kinda dangerous. At the Levee concerts I felt like I was about to die, there was no room to breath or walk. I felt the memorial field had more space. And they had the big screen during the 4th of July concert. Not sure if they did on the other nights. Now some of the VIP seating is for the people who donate money and they can give tickets to their family and friends. Also for radio and tv personalities. I’m glad they do have the free concerts, not complaining but if they do have again at soilders field, they do need more food vendors.

Go back to the arch.

i agree with les. you can see free concerts on the streets of other cities, but there’s only one place you can go to have the arch, and that’s st. louis, baby!

while it was easier to get in and out of the soldier’s memorial, the vibe just wasn’t the same. we could barely see the fireworks after the concert because of all of the buildings, and we surely couldn’t hear them. what’s the point of fireworks that you can’t see or hear?!

I forgot to mention my biggest complaint of the concerts, ON or OFF The LEVEE. The freaking horrible music played during the fireworks display must go! I am as patriotic as the next guy, but please cut the canned tape and just let the fireworks do the entertaining. That pre-recorded music if horrible. If you must have it played, bring in the symphony, LIVE.

Holding this summer’s music events at Soldiers’ Memorial has caused a tremendous parking shortage around the court buldings and City Hall on weekdays,much to the incovenience to people who have business in those buildings because the fences remain up all week, not just during the events. They should be removed when no events are being held.

I hated at the memorial. If it is there again, I won’t attend. The Arch grounds were fantastic. There was a great view and there is nothing like the fireworks at the Arch. So, you have to walk a little. it won’t kill you. Get rid of the VIP section and thank them in another way.