I'm really excited about the potential of this project. I think this will really bring a lot more tourists into St. Louis, and will help jumpstart revitalization of East STL. I can envision years after this park is built that a large residential area is built around it. How great would it be to get up in the morning, take a run along the river across from the Gateway Arch and STL skyline? I think if they tie the park into the Eads bridge - any residential development in downtown STL near the Eads will become much more desirable - just for the fact that you could run across the bridge and along the east bank of the river.
I like this project. Though, the topography of the area is questionable.
What are main flood plain areas of the St. Louis metro area? Does anyone have map with this info?
What's happening with this project?
What are main flood plain areas of the St. Louis metro area? Does anyone have map with this info?
What's happening with this project?
Again, people need to be reminded that that area borders the MetroEast's best floodwall, built at a time when East St Louis was rapidly growing. It's safe from major amounts of flooding.
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better than what was there...sure would like to see development... we always talk about the postcard view...probably the best anywhere around...it astonishes me that noone wants to capitalize on it and build some residential towers...I know east st. louis has a terrible rep..but right there on the river, come on isn't this a no brainer???
Man, I get dizzy just looking at that thing! I guess that's what they call "wheelchair accessable". Might be good for downhill rollerblade races, too. 
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Wow, that is really going to be something! It's interesting that there appear to be bollards between the street and the structure itself.
I wish it was more to look at from the STL side - so looking down from the arch was at much a view as that platform gets looking at the arch.
^
Yeah, I have to say, that thing doesn't do much for me. It looks like a series of parking garage ramps. (Albeit appropriate, I suppose.) It's a good idea in theory, but poor in execution.
I suppose that park land is not commercially buildable? It would be neat to have a mass of restaurants with rooftop decks, integrated with some public rooftop viewing areas.
Yeah, I have to say, that thing doesn't do much for me. It looks like a series of parking garage ramps. (Albeit appropriate, I suppose.) It's a good idea in theory, but poor in execution.
I suppose that park land is not commercially buildable? It would be neat to have a mass of restaurants with rooftop decks, integrated with some public rooftop viewing areas.
^ lets hope that never gets built, lest people object when a real development idea comes along.
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the park is already funded. i thought groundbreaking had begun.
IL law on the wheelchair thing. thats probably the dirt cheapest handicap accessible tower anyone could engineer.
M Martin was the sole force behind the park & geyser. millionaire philanthropist, building an east waterfront park was his lifes ambition..
IL law on the wheelchair thing. thats probably the dirt cheapest handicap accessible tower anyone could engineer.
M Martin was the sole force behind the park & geyser. millionaire philanthropist, building an east waterfront park was his lifes ambition..
To be honest, I feel for anyone in a wheel chair. That has to be a workout.
I don?t think an elevator would be that expensive- especially compared to the cost of quadrupling the size of the structure to make way for all those darn ramps. It is stupid, plain, and boring - with or without the ramps.
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IMO that thing is terrible...its ugly... why do we need an observation tower there...can you not see the skyline perfectly from the ground..i'm confused... that thing just gives me a bad vibe... Wish Whittaker would have put new town on the east riverfront...with a much more urban design of course... anyone know who owns most of that land (Not the park) along the east riverfront? Why are they just sitting on it for so long? It has to have some highest and best use other than what it is now.... I'd really like to see that park surrounded by a grid system of streets, with dense mixed use developments. A new neighborhood for people of all demo's. We might have to call it something other than east st. louis though... If only I ruled the world...
How about a HUGE new amphitheater facing the city/ arch. Retail, housing, other towers around it would be ideal, but for now, a new Riverport ON the river would be cool to me. The view platform is "kind of cool" if it were a small part of a huge plan.. but as the MAIN focus of the whole east side of the river.. come on..
I am not sure STL can support another "venue" proposal - but in general I like this idea - Can u imagine how cool it would be (picture wise) to have a concert here with the preformer and stage framed by the arch with the ever-growing skyline in the back ground? One of the better Ideas Ive heard - along with the soccer stadium - for the east rivre front.
That model is just tragic! It lacks any kind of imagination. Let's hope that eyesore never comes to fruition.
"support another venue"? UMB Bank/ Riverport is PRIME real estate, it will eventually be turned into an industrial/ office park site. the land is becoming too valuable.- granted it's in a floodplain...
^Industrial/office park...? I hope not.
^^Couldn't agree more. Its downright ridiculous. Exactly what is the purpose of that silly platform...to see the arch over the weeds when East St. Louis runs out of money to keep the grass cut??? Who would even use the silly thing in the first place? I wish someone would wake up and do some real development with this valuable real estate already.
^^Couldn't agree more. Its downright ridiculous. Exactly what is the purpose of that silly platform...to see the arch over the weeds when East St. Louis runs out of money to keep the grass cut??? Who would even use the silly thing in the first place? I wish someone would wake up and do some real development with this valuable real estate already.
I also dislike this platform idea - it looks stupid IMO. I've also always thought an amphiteatre idea would be just perfect for the east side. Only problem is how do you make the amphiteatre see-through so you can see all of the river and city behind it?
In my perfect world, here is what would be done.
1. Cargill tower would come down and all land between the Eads bridge south to the Poplar, east to the highways would become available.
2. A running path would be put in directly along the river. This path would connect to that of the Eads bridge, allowing a running/walking path continuously from the Arch grounds across the river to the east riverfront.
3. The land directly across from the Arch would be graded at a high enough level so as to provide a grand view of the downtown skyline. It would meet the same height as the platform proposal, but instead be landscaped with flowers, bushes, trees, retaining walls, etc... It could be made the same width as the gateway mall so as to "extend" the mall on the east side.
4. The rest of the land would be zoned for mid-density to high-density residential, and mixed-use development. It could be based on a "new town" idea - w/ townhouses, condos with storefronts, and mid and high-rise buildings.
5. Finally, a new name given for the new neighborhood. Call it "east town" or "east riverside" or something. Then it wouldn't feel like you're living in East St. Louis.
Anyway, I think we all share a similar/same vision. So frustrating this land just sits there. I wonder if a group got together how much money they could pull together from investors to "jump-start" land acquisition, and get financing on board to start something like this. It just seems like it would be a windfall once going.
In my perfect world, here is what would be done.
1. Cargill tower would come down and all land between the Eads bridge south to the Poplar, east to the highways would become available.
2. A running path would be put in directly along the river. This path would connect to that of the Eads bridge, allowing a running/walking path continuously from the Arch grounds across the river to the east riverfront.
3. The land directly across from the Arch would be graded at a high enough level so as to provide a grand view of the downtown skyline. It would meet the same height as the platform proposal, but instead be landscaped with flowers, bushes, trees, retaining walls, etc... It could be made the same width as the gateway mall so as to "extend" the mall on the east side.
4. The rest of the land would be zoned for mid-density to high-density residential, and mixed-use development. It could be based on a "new town" idea - w/ townhouses, condos with storefronts, and mid and high-rise buildings.
5. Finally, a new name given for the new neighborhood. Call it "east town" or "east riverside" or something. Then it wouldn't feel like you're living in East St. Louis.
Anyway, I think we all share a similar/same vision. So frustrating this land just sits there. I wonder if a group got together how much money they could pull together from investors to "jump-start" land acquisition, and get financing on board to start something like this. It just seems like it would be a windfall once going.
^Excellent ideas!!! I like the name "East Riverside". I have thought for a long time a good name would be "East River Place"...good name for a pricey high rise condo project...???
I've always thought it would be cool to put in a marina there, man made. Surround the marina with highrise residential buildings, similar to downtown St. Petersberg.
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I just think you could really create an awesome atmosphere on the East Side, and you could start with making water more accessible. IMO, people gravitate towards water, so we need more accessable water around downtown. That's why one of my favorite potential projects in the Chouteau Lake Greenway.
I just think you could really create an awesome atmosphere on the East Side, and you could start with making water more accessible. IMO, people gravitate towards water, so we need more accessable water around downtown. That's why one of my favorite potential projects in the Chouteau Lake Greenway.
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you don't see many marinas on rivers, probably because the river levels change alot more than the oceans. i absolutely agree about finding some better ways to use the miss for recreation. the river is the reason stl was picked to be here, but it's utilized little more than a moat. i have zero suggestions..
i'm torn on the park .. it will bring people and attention to the east side, but the east water front as a whole has so much more potential. is this hodge podge park better than just sitting and landbanking longer? unfortunately the cargill plant is probably solvent and though many rail lines over there are abandoned, many are not.. it would take a coordinated effort by east st louis leadership & a rash of civic-mindedness by the landowners to relocate those facilities... i dont see it happening anytime soon. are they still building a new landbased casino over there?
and yes, more bike trails please.. i think it's very good to have as many eyes on that land as possible, keep people aware of the waste.. and the potential.
i'm torn on the park .. it will bring people and attention to the east side, but the east water front as a whole has so much more potential. is this hodge podge park better than just sitting and landbanking longer? unfortunately the cargill plant is probably solvent and though many rail lines over there are abandoned, many are not.. it would take a coordinated effort by east st louis leadership & a rash of civic-mindedness by the landowners to relocate those facilities... i dont see it happening anytime soon. are they still building a new landbased casino over there?
and yes, more bike trails please.. i think it's very good to have as many eyes on that land as possible, keep people aware of the waste.. and the potential.