^ For almost a full year, I've been complaining to the CSB as well as working directly with the City's ADA office to get this taken care of. A contractor broke through to Bi-State's tunnel, causing a host of jurisdictional issues. Very recently I was notified that the project to fix this issue has been put out to bid. So, hopefully we'll see this area finally cleaned up (and Ead's Bridge finally made accessible for people in wheelchairs). It's unfathomable to me that it's taken this long to rectify the issue.
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I have asked about this a couple times on twitter. They are aware but apparently no one cares enough to find a quick solution.Tim wrote: ↑Jan 29, 2020^ For almost a full year, I've been complaining to the CSB as well as working directly with the City's ADA office to get this taken care of. A contractor broke through to Bi-State's tunnel, causing a host of jurisdictional issues. Very recently I was notified that the project to fix this issue has been put out to bid. So, hopefully we'll see this area finally cleaned up (and Ead's Bridge finally made accessible for people in wheelchairs). It's unfathomable to me that it's taken this long to rectify the issue.
Over the summer, I finally convinced them to implement a temporary solution for the "step separation" along the sidewalk so that wheelchair users could at least access the sidewalk along the bridge (the only pedestrian crossing across the river for many miles). The street department put down some asphalt to create a small ramp, but it's now disintegrated. I was told by the ADA office that they are asking the street department to put down more asphalt while the contract for the full repair is pending.
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I traveled to Tulsa recently. I really like what they’ve done with their riverfront, specifically ‘The Gathering Place’. This would be a great use of some part of our riverfront. They have the kids park, trails and recreation areas for adults. It is something that could be part of a North Riverfront redevelopment, could possibly be what spurs movement in that area, get people down there. Could also be tied in the the trails being done to connect the parks to the river.
https://www.gatheringplace.org/
https://www.gatheringplace.org/
The Gathering Place much more matched the role of Forest Park as a regional destination. As for children's playspace, I think Forest Park's natural playscape under construction should only be a start. They need more. I think The Gathering Place would be a good precedent.
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Would love to see it in the NE corner of the park with strong interaction with the CWE. Always thought that section of park land was a bit bland
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I was downtown Saturday and it was sunny and in the 50's. Walked through the Arch Museum, had lunch at the cafe under the Arch and came out the North leg exit. When I got to the Arch leg, a young man there with his wife and small kids approached me and asked, "How do you get inside that thing." I pointed to the grassy mound in the distance and told them to go to the other sided of that mound by following people on the sidewalk in that direction. I realized they had parked down on the riverfront cobblestones and had walked up the Arch Stairs. His kid asked "How did you know that?" I told him that was where I went in.
There was one food truck parked on the riverfront featuring NY food. It was parked where the stage would sit for concerts on the riverfront. Has there ever been a concert down there like in the old days with Live on the Levee? You'd think if downtown Kirkwood can have a free concert every week in the summer and fall, St. Louis could.
Took a couple of photos of items needing maintenance. The Arch inside and out had a very sterile feel, even for a sunny day. The cafe food at the museum was inferior to what any food truck would produce. Maybe in the summer they should close it and just point folks to food trucks on the riverfront. The MVVA winning proposal included least 5 cafes I believe, some that only opened in summer, such as the beer garden, but the project ended up with one sandwich shop.
There was one food truck parked on the riverfront featuring NY food. It was parked where the stage would sit for concerts on the riverfront. Has there ever been a concert down there like in the old days with Live on the Levee? You'd think if downtown Kirkwood can have a free concert every week in the summer and fall, St. Louis could.
Took a couple of photos of items needing maintenance. The Arch inside and out had a very sterile feel, even for a sunny day. The cafe food at the museum was inferior to what any food truck would produce. Maybe in the summer they should close it and just point folks to food trucks on the riverfront. The MVVA winning proposal included least 5 cafes I believe, some that only opened in summer, such as the beer garden, but the project ended up with one sandwich shop.
+1
They host jazz concerts on the north amphitheater area in the summer. Live on the Levee was a great series, though, no doubt. Saw BB King there. I think it'd be a great thing to bring back. Just doesn't have the same feel putting it in the grass and the stairs made for natural seats.
^^There aren't any signs on the grounds directing people to the new entrance?
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my year of tweeting about it paid off
I mean, finally. But does this make crossing there any safer in actuality? Perhaps marginally as I watch crosswalks disregarded all over the city. That whole underpass area needs a rework for basic pedestrian visibility. Obviously that won't happen for the foreseeable future, and they had their opportunity to undo the elevated lanes in 2013. One wonders if the state will start looking at unnecessary upkeep costs for some highways (doubtful) given the current and growing economic crisis. Or as a small jobs stimulus.
The very last part of CityArchRiver is finally moving forward. The full interior renovation of the Old Courthouse.
https://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/ ... the-latest
https://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/ ... the-latest
The improvements include renovated exhibit galleries, an elevator and other updates such as a fire suppression system and a new heating and cooling system. Gone will be the air conditioning units that jut from the courthouse windows, as well as its finicky radiator heating.
........
The building has been closed since March because of the coronavirus. Construction will start this year. The work is expected to take about two years, which means it will not reopen until late 2023 or early 2024. Workers recently completed $3 million in foundation work and exterior and interior ramps to improve accessibility.
^ I knew renovated exhibit space here was part of it but not a full renovation. I also figured it had already been done.
Between this, Soldiers Memorial, and Central...I’d really love to see the old muni courts become some sort of a museum instead of a hotel. Maybe a branch of the History Museum’s vast library or something like that.
Between this, Soldiers Memorial, and Central...I’d really love to see the old muni courts become some sort of a museum instead of a hotel. Maybe a branch of the History Museum’s vast library or something like that.
Very excited to see the results of this. The Dred Scott exhibit and a guided tour of the Courthouse, if you can catch one, is a substantially better experience than going up in the Arch and the arch museum IMO. I was afraid at one point that the renovations had already happened, to disappointing results or the renovation had been cut completely. I really need to add the old courthouse to my regular list of STL recommendations.
All four mayoral candidates said they'd apply to the highway removal program.
And on that note...
Here is a nice little before and after of Rochester’s Inner Loop removal.
https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/202 ... HPn_mUG9HU
Here is a nice little before and after of Rochester’s Inner Loop removal.
https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/202 ... HPn_mUG9HU
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Should we consider renaming the Gateway Arch the "Dred and Harriet Scott Nation Unification Arch"? It can represent all that it does now as the gateway that unified East and West. But it could also be rededicated as the symbol of unification of North and South.aprice wrote: ↑Feb 04, 2021Very excited to see the results of this. The Dred Scott exhibit and a guided tour of the Courthouse, if you can catch one, is a substantially better experience than going up in the Arch and the arch museum IMO. I was afraid at one point that the renovations had already happened, to disappointing results or the renovation had been cut completely. I really need to add the old courthouse to my regular list of STL recommendations.
Who better than Dred and Harriet Scott to serve as the symbols of America's racial divide and the ongoing efforts to heal.
Cleveland.com: $380M revamp of Gateway Arch Park in St. Louis offers a how-to guide for Cleveland on reconnecting downtown, waterfront
"ST. LOUIS, Missouri — In 2015, they finally fixed the mistake on the Mississippi.
St. Louis and a slew of government, business, and private donors built a 250-foot-wide landscaped pedestrian bridge over the interstate highway trench that had long severed the city’s downtown from the soaring Gateway Arch — its most famous symbol.
Designed by the mid-century modern architect Eero Saarinen as the centerpiece of a new national park that opened on the riverfront in 1965, the arch was a 630-foot-high arc of stainless steel that rocketed the eye into the sky. It was intended to celebrate the city’s role as the launchpad for America’s westward expansion after the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark expedition.
..."
"ST. LOUIS, Missouri — In 2015, they finally fixed the mistake on the Mississippi.
St. Louis and a slew of government, business, and private donors built a 250-foot-wide landscaped pedestrian bridge over the interstate highway trench that had long severed the city’s downtown from the soaring Gateway Arch — its most famous symbol.
Designed by the mid-century modern architect Eero Saarinen as the centerpiece of a new national park that opened on the riverfront in 1965, the arch was a 630-foot-high arc of stainless steel that rocketed the eye into the sky. It was intended to celebrate the city’s role as the launchpad for America’s westward expansion after the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark expedition.
..."
Always nice to get Kudos from somewhere. and thanks sc4mayor for the earlier photos. Will use of the photos to make my point in next comment
I think most would agree that St. Louis still has a ways to go it relates to the riverfront. In part, One of the two intersections that should be at grade now in my humble opinion is the approach from above photo and the other is Grand & FPP. St. Louis would make big strides for future north riverfront and downtown/near northside development t if freeway ends at Wash Ave grade intersection with Blvd to at least an at grade Cass Ave intersection. Throw in a Grand Ave & Forest Park Parkway intersection as part of rebuilding the convulated Market Street/FPP & brickline. Ok, make that three at grade intersections and elimination of Market St/FPP split.
A great read. Good extension analysis on our riverfront project by the Cleveland folks.
Looks like some landscaping improvements are on deck near the Old Courthouse and at the West Visitor Entrance.
Overall site:
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West: Existing:
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West: Improvements:
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Overall site:
West: Existing:
West: Improvements:
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