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After reading (I admit, I didn't read the whole thing!) this post on the Urban Review STL site I got to thinking, how would I fix the problem that is the failed Gateway Mall. The answer to me is pretty simple, I'd build on it.
The last thing Downtown St. Louis needs is more "open space." Unfortunately, past and current administrations have given us more space than we need and seem to think we need more. What downtown does need is modern office and residential space. The Gateway Mall sits on some of the best real estate in town. Just a few blocks from the stadium, Kiel Center (I know, Scottstrade Center, but that sounds stupid), Washington Avenue and many other amenities, I can't think of a better downtown address than the strip of land between Market and Chestnut.
The "master plan" of the whole mall was ruined when Gateway One was built, so just scrap the "plan", sell the land off and get some tax paying businesses and residents into that space. Why does everything have to be so hard? The Mall doesn't work. Instead of beating an old horse and trying to make it work, let's try something new. It's not sacred ground, it's OK to build on it. Besides, the only time the mall is busy is during lunch hour on nice days.
Get some vision already, St. Louis "leaders!" No sculpture parks, no winding paths and fountains, BUILDINGS WITH PEOPLE IN THEM & PEDESTRIANS ON THE STREET are the way to go.
If you want to create an urban oasis, city leaders, how about fixing up Lucas Park and the surrounding area. Now THERE is where some of this planning can go. Surrounded by the Main Library and the Shell Building, there isn't a more interesting corner of the city than Lucas Park. I know you have trouble seeing things that are right in front of you, benevolent leaders, but if you clean up the park and surrounding area I bet you'd have one of the most unique & beautiful parks in the City. Your hard work to improve this area may not get you any media coverage, further your political career or win you any awards, but it would make life for those who live and work downtown just a bit nicer than it already is.
The last thing Downtown St. Louis needs is more "open space." Unfortunately, past and current administrations have given us more space than we need and seem to think we need more. What downtown does need is modern office and residential space. The Gateway Mall sits on some of the best real estate in town. Just a few blocks from the stadium, Kiel Center (I know, Scottstrade Center, but that sounds stupid), Washington Avenue and many other amenities, I can't think of a better downtown address than the strip of land between Market and Chestnut.
The "master plan" of the whole mall was ruined when Gateway One was built, so just scrap the "plan", sell the land off and get some tax paying businesses and residents into that space. Why does everything have to be so hard? The Mall doesn't work. Instead of beating an old horse and trying to make it work, let's try something new. It's not sacred ground, it's OK to build on it. Besides, the only time the mall is busy is during lunch hour on nice days.
Get some vision already, St. Louis "leaders!" No sculpture parks, no winding paths and fountains, BUILDINGS WITH PEOPLE IN THEM & PEDESTRIANS ON THE STREET are the way to go.
If you want to create an urban oasis, city leaders, how about fixing up Lucas Park and the surrounding area. Now THERE is where some of this planning can go. Surrounded by the Main Library and the Shell Building, there isn't a more interesting corner of the city than Lucas Park. I know you have trouble seeing things that are right in front of you, benevolent leaders, but if you clean up the park and surrounding area I bet you'd have one of the most unique & beautiful parks in the City. Your hard work to improve this area may not get you any media coverage, further your political career or win you any awards, but it would make life for those who live and work downtown just a bit nicer than it already is.
4 comments:
By 
Doug Duckworth, at
2:05 PM
I wish people shared your logic. Building on the Gateway Mall is the obvious solution, one which apparently no one, in power, really considers.
Obviously it is because those that created the Mall are still alive. An incremental change wouldn't alienate them as much as destroying the Mall would. Ironically, not destroying the Mall alienates the City and its advocates.
i get the feeling we're going to be talk about this thing for awhile now. now if we can just build things with real craftsmanship again :P
By Brick City, at
6:30 PM
This post has been removed by the author.
By
Urban Review, at
11:22 AM
LOL, my post was a just a tad long...