urbanSTL

The Hyatt isn't going anywhere. Before COVID it was still a successful hotel and very luxurious (4 star) on the inside. You can argue it needs a reclad and better street presence but don't get your hopes up that it will be torn down anytime soon.

I know I am in the minority of people who appreciate brutalism, but I quite like the Hyatt building.

Clearly, I hate it.

Another building that I hate in this part of downtown is the Hampton Inn with Tigin Irish Pub.

I'm curious if anyone or organization of substance either it be in city government, city or regional planning agency, and or even one of the strong non profit's have even put out a stand alone vision of removing the raised section of the freeway itself?  Not talking Arch Grounds remake and or even any desire to do away the trench.   Essentially the freeway ends with an at grade intersection with Wash Ave/Eads Bridge, becomes a short Boulevard  where the raised section exists, and then back into a freeway ramp as you go onto I70 (I would argue that MLK bride should go as well).  

You think the pitch of taking this short stretch of freeway and getting rid of the bridges/seismic worries with a minimal impact to travel time on this short stretch a selling point that might gain ground with MoDOT/regional and state powers to be.    I think it just really needs someone to show what is possible while at some articulating the minimal impacts to traffic times that will undoubtly come up.    Something manageable and doable & along lines of the recent removal of the old 22nd parkway.  

I would love to know if anything has been studied or discussed. 

I think this is one of the most important things the city needs to do, short of merging with the county and solving some of this crime.

Loads of discussion and buy in, then CityArchRiver.

I guess I just feel like the highway in downtown St. Louis feels like the macro version of the dead end streets with Schoemehl pots you see all across the rest of St. Louis. 

As such, building design in this area of St. Louis has not been satisfactory for about 65+ years. 

KansasCitian wrote: ↑

Jan 02, 2021

Clearly, I hate it.

Another building that I hate in this part of downtown is the Hampton Inn with Tigin Irish Pub.

It was never much of an urban building, but at least it had character back in the day: The Bel Air East - Loss of a Mid Century Modern Hotel

Oh god, yeah; The Bel Air was awesome. And just look at that entrance to the Trader Vic's. Another great example of why re-cladding of vintage buildings is so short-sighted:

 

 

^I live in hope that that particular reclad could be removed. It looks to me as thought they walled in the balconies rather than removing them. And I'm fairly certain you can still see the rounded corners of the original garage walls inside the current facade. I worked at that hotel before the reclad, so I have something of a personal fondness for it. The mock-polynesian door was gone by then, as I recall, but some of the Trader Vic's interiors might still have been there. (I was there during Ramada days and we used it for storage. Was long closed.)

Great interior shot of Trader Vics.  Ultimate Tiki experience never to be duplicated.  Look at the posts and railings, ceilings, etc.  Wow.  If you gonna do a theme...

The chairs and tables and lights were gone. Might still have been the same carpet. The colors certainly match my memory, though it wasn't remotely that nicely lit when I was in there. (Which didn't happen much. I was mostly behind the desk finding the mistakes from the previous day. But everyone pitches in for everything sometimes.)

Just Say No to Reclads. 

^It's a particularly shameful one.

This reclad alone makes me unwilling to stay in any Hampton Inn. It makes me so angry.

OMG

Streets Blog - Senate Considering $10B for Highway Removal

https://usa.streetsblog.org/2021/01/11/ ... oval-bill/

How far would $10B go?  I know the lid over the interstate was like $30-35M, but that was a lid and not a full blown removal and rebuild.  The Seattle Alaskan Way Viaduct demolition was $94M, not including the cost of the tunnels. The Boston big dig was like $20B.

Not against this by any means, just trying to understand how much impact $10B would have since the size and scope of each project could quickly eat into those funds. 

Not sure that Downtown St. Louis, bordering on a National Park, is the type of neighborhood that this initiative was intended for.  

^ What Sc4mayor said. 

This is a no brainer if local politicians and business interests step up to the plate.  Especially if Senate Democrats want to make a grant program specifically for freeway removal as part of any infrastructure stimulus package.   Yes, it would take some engineering but not difficult and the basics could be hashed out pretty quickly.   Heck, make it BUILD grant application as well.    The time for any meaningful infrastructure investment from the Feds is going to happen in next two years.

They may be able to get the ball rolling, but they're probably not the organization or agency to get the job done.