Local Control of the Arch 8.29.2007 | 2 Comment(s)

"Mayor Francis Slay and former Sen. John Danforth, hoping to revamp the city's riverfront, want to convince the public and the federal government there is only one way to do it: obtain part of the Arch grounds." Full Story.

While I certainly advocate better connections between the Arch and downtown as well as making the Arch something more than super passive space, I have no confidence in Mayor Slay or his administration to do the right thing by the Arch or the City.

While I think development of the Arch grounds is an intriguing idea, I also believe that the grounds are perfect the way they are. I walk through the Arch grounds every day and there is something tranquil and really relaxing about the park. It's peaceful.

"Danforth did say that the middle third, which includes the Arch and its immediate open surroundings, shouldn't be touched, but that some part of the remaining two-thirds to the north and south could be developed."

The north and south areas that Slay and Danforth propose developing are some of the most peaceful acres on the Arch grounds. The rows of trees are gorgeous in the summer and fall and I'd hate to lose the masterfully planned landscaping around the Arch."

"As long as we assume those 91 acres can't be touched, there is really nothing we can do," said Danforth, a Republican senator from Missouri from 1976 to 1995 and member of the family that owned Ralston-Purina who now works on civic projects. "We might do something cosmetic, but nothing big can happen if we don't free up real estate."

Oh, boy! How many times have we heard this before??? "Nothing can be done if we don't get what we want!" Sheesh, heaven forbid we actually get creative in this town. Maybe the riverfront should be a place of quiet contemplation. Let's beautify it and leave the hustle, bustle, fun and frivolity to the main streets of downtown...which needs it more than the Arch grounds.

The Arch grounds aren't really broken, so why fix it? Maybe the National Parks Service could loosen its strangle hold on the Arch grounds so more events could take place there?

The Arch grounds need minor tweaks, better connectivity to downtown and maybe some more events, but, until I see some great plans, which Danforth and Slay admit they don't have...

"Slay and Danforth were careful to say that nothing about their idea constitutes a specific plan."

...I will not advocate development on the Arch grounds. I want to be super progressive, creative and innovative and all that, but sometimes being "progressive" means leaving well enough alone.

For better or worse, St. Louis destroyed a huge part of her history when the Arch was built to make St. Louis a "place", I just don't know if I want to go down that path again.

By  bev, at 12:58 PM

I just finished reading the article and I have two words for Mayor Slay:

"Laclede's Landing"

Rather than handing it over to the casinos, that portion could be developed the way Slay et al would like: bike rentals were mentioned, the Landing could include small shops, galleries, and so on ala the Loop or CWE. An aquarium? Is there land available further north or south of the Arch grounds?

There is so much room - both literally and figuratively - for this sort of development in other parts of the city that are close to the Arch grounds. Why does that open space *have* to be where it happens? Make the Arch grounds accessible from the immediate downtown and then develop the city, leaving the National Park alone.

By  equals42, at 3:15 PM

How about we just get that cap over I-70 first? That might help to tie the Arch and Downtown together and make the Arch and even better place for large events. More grass, less 18-wheelers stomping on the brakes when you're walking from the courthouse to the Arch grounds.

I also agree that the North and South portions are important and great places to take a break from the city. The quiet of the ponds with an old loaf of bread and the ducks with the crisp air of Fall is amazing.

Screw Danforth. Put a trolley that connects all the areas (Laclede's Landing, Chouteau's Landing, Arch and Downtown) and make it really cheap. People will ride. People will do things that are convenient. Nothing Downtown is convenient when you have to involve parking your car again or walking very far in Winter or Summer.

My $.02