ST. LOUIS - Interior Secretary Ken Salazar dropped by the Gateway Arch today to view the ideas for reshaping its surroundings, and declared, "We will get this done somehow, some way."

Salazar viewed the five finalists' general plans that are on display in the museum area under the Arch.

Among those accompanying him was U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., who also promised to do all she can to find money from the government and other sources -- maybe even bake sales,

"We are going to have to demonstrate to Congress that this has consequences beyond St. Louis and we will have to show that this is a high priority," McCaskill said.

"We will not just ask for federal money. we're looking at local and charitable giving, and kids having bake sales."

Salazar called the five designs exciting and said that better use of the Arch grounds and connections to St. Louis and East St. Louis are important goals in even in a recession.

"We will make this one of our highest priorities," he said. "I cannot find any place in the U.S. that has the frame for an urban park lilke you have here with the Arch and river."

The National Park Service, which controls the Arch and its grounds, reports to Salazar..

On Thursday, the finalists will describe their plans in detail to the eight-member jury that will pick a winner on Sept. 24.

FOR MORE ON THIS STORY, SEE SATURDAY'S POST-DISPATCH.