Gateway Mall Master Plan

downtown stl fan · PostJul 18, 2007#4512007-07-18T04:10+00:00

Earlier this year I was asked, along with many others, to provide suggestions for improving the Mall to the Downtown Resident's Association who in turn submitted those suggestions to the City (I believe at the City's request). I felt like I'd had my chance to say what was on my mind and if my ideas were good ones, I may have had a chance of having a couple of them come to fruition. I never thought the City asked for the suggestions just to pay lip service to the public. I really believe they wanted input and they got it and it helped them reach their final plan for the Mall.

I like that buildings won't be built on the Mall. I like the vast expanse of greenway going down the Mall. I'd like to see it get more use and suggested having a farmer's market there during the summer months, but I'm not going to b**** because it's not going to be used for that and I'm not going to form a lobby of like-minded citizen's to fight City Hall, which I think would stall any progress at all.

The true dissenters should run for public office if they feel they're in the majority and therefore should get their way. You can say whatever you want about Mayor Slay, but the guy has accomplished more during his tenure than the last several mayors before him and he gets re-elected because of it.

MattnSTL · PostJul 18, 2007#4522007-07-18T04:14+00:00

I'm too young to legally run for office, and how much of what has gone on can be attributed to the Mayor himself or just fortunate timing on his part? I think he has been good for the city, but so much more could be accomplished if just a few things were done differently. However, this isn't the thread to discuss that.

jefferson · PostJul 18, 2007#4532007-07-18T13:17+00:00

I have to say, even as someone who wants to see some development on the mall I have no issue with the percieved lack of public involvment in this process. Most people just aren't ready to see any building on the mall. More public involvement wouldn't have changed this, and may have actually led to a worse plan than we have now. In fact, I think most of the reason the current plan is so uninspiring is because they have been listening to the public (dog parks, more sculptures, playgrounds, etc.). Those of us who want to see more innovative solutions such as introducing some development on the mall are still in the minority and I think it will be a generation at least before the perception changes and people realize that this area needs more serious help.

the central scrutinizer · PostJul 18, 2007#4542007-07-18T13:54+00:00

JCity wrote:probably. I just don't understand the reason for getting rid of the fountain. I think it's attractive and is pretty unique. Sure, improve it, but don't remove the whole fountain

There will be fountains. Not sure if it will be that exact fountain though.

cmd+h · PostJul 18, 2007#4552007-07-18T14:16+00:00

I was there last night (and last month). The meeting last night was an overview of what was discussed last time with the addition of addressing safety and maintenance issues as well as materials. Overall, I think the ideas are coming together well. No, it's not overwhelmingly ground breaking but you're right -- it's MUCH better than what is there!

JCity wrote:-sort of liked the idea of the skating rink around Milles Fountain, but I'm not sure it's big/wide enough for it

I love this idea! They would actually flood the area surrounding the fountain to make it wider. I look forward to the day I can (pretend I can) skate there! How neat would it be to have lighting from below the ice too? I think it's great that they're thinking about year round purposes for this area rather than just fair weather fun.

JCity wrote:-outdoor art is cool along with interactive fountains

I think the art should be interactive too! Allow people to play with it and climb on it and spin it around! There's a reason that Turtle Park is so popular!

JCity wrote:-the more water features, the better. and I'm not just talking a number of fountains popping out of the street, as is currently in the plan.

-needs more permanent kiosks/vending/cafes

I completely agree! This would definitely bring people in.

JCity wrote:-WHY get rid of Kiener Plaza? this is arguably the MOST popular thing in the ENTIRE mall.... Sure, update it, but don't demolish the MOST popular attraction that the mall currently has going for it.

I don't believe the idea is to remove it altogether but update/remodel/make safer. Depressed areas are, generally speaking, unsafe.

doug · PostJul 18, 2007#4562007-07-18T17:38+00:00

This entire project is simply propaganda for 2009. Very little will actually be done, except for Park Pacific and the donated art.

If he wants something really cool for 2009, then how about the Riverfront Master Plan and the Lid. Those I would have no criticism if they became reality.

cmd+h · PostJul 18, 2007#4572007-07-18T19:37+00:00

Allegedly 4 of the blocks are in the works. A fifth block is going to have the info structure started so it is ready for when the funding comes through (there's a river below the block which has to be taken care of first).

Propaganda or not, I hope to see it come to fruition.

MattnSTL · PostJul 18, 2007#4582007-07-18T19:43+00:00

Infrastructure?

cmd+h · PostJul 18, 2007#4592007-07-18T19:58+00:00

Yes, thank you -- long day proofreading Swedish. Forgive me!

bonwich · PostJul 18, 2007#4602007-07-18T20:10+00:00

Jag älska Sverige.

cmd+h · PostJul 18, 2007#4612007-07-18T20:17+00:00

I wish I could agree but I've never been there

the central scrutinizer · PostJul 18, 2007#4622007-07-18T20:50+00:00

Doug wrote:This entire project is simply propaganda for 2009. Very little will actually be done, except for Park Pacific and the donated art.

You may be right. You may be wrong. We'll see.

Doug wrote:If he wants something really cool for 2009, then how about the Riverfront Master Plan and the Lid. Those I would have no criticism if they became reality.

The Lid has run into "issues".

PostJul 18, 2007#4632007-07-18T20:52+00:00

MattnSTL wrote:Infrastructure?

That was addressed this time. Last time it wasn't. Bryant Park in NYC was used as an example. Mowers, carts, etc are kept in an underground garage.

MattnSTL · PostJul 18, 2007#4642007-07-18T21:00+00:00

See the post directly above the one I was responding to. Maybe you should Scrutinize a little better.

the central scrutinizer · PostJul 18, 2007#4652007-07-18T21:51+00:00

MattnSTL wrote:See the post directly above the one I was responding to. Maybe you should Scrutinize a little better.

Maybe you should learn to use the Quote feature. That way we know to which post you are responding.

shadrach · PostJul 18, 2007#4662007-07-18T21:55+00:00

bonwich wrote:Jag älska Sverige.

'Something' loves Sweden/Swedes?

rbb · PostJul 19, 2007#4672007-07-19T00:10+00:00

The Central Scrutinizer wrote:
Doug wrote:This entire project is simply propaganda for 2009. Very little will actually be done, except for Park Pacific and the donated art.

You may be right. You may be wrong. We'll see.

Doug wrote:If he wants something really cool for 2009, then how about the Riverfront Master Plan and the Lid. Those I would have no criticism if they became reality.

The Lid has run into "issues".

Ugh. What kind of issues?

-RBB

MattnSTL · PostJul 19, 2007#4682007-07-19T01:35+00:00

The Central Scrutinizer wrote:
MattnSTL wrote:See the post directly above the one I was responding to. Maybe you should Scrutinize a little better.

Maybe you should learn to use the Quote feature. That way we know to which post you are responding.

Happy, I used the quote feature.

Personally, I thought it was pretty obvious being the post directly below a semi- misleading misspelling, and a response back from the person directly below that.

If I was asking about the infrastructure of the project I would have posted more than one word.

Back to topic.

the central scrutinizer · PostJul 19, 2007#4692007-07-19T04:10+00:00

MattnSTL wrote:
The Central Scrutinizer wrote:
MattnSTL wrote:See the post directly above the one I was responding to. Maybe you should Scrutinize a little better.

Maybe you should learn to use the Quote feature. That way we know to which post you are responding.

Happy, I used the quote feature.

Personally, I thought it was pretty obvious being the post directly below a semi- misleading misspelling, and a response back from the person directly below that.

If I was asking about the infrastructure of the project I would have posted more than one word.

Back to topic.

Nope. When you simply post one word "infrastructure", it's not at all clear that you are "responding" to any post at all.

Back to topic.

PostJul 19, 2007#4702007-07-19T04:11+00:00

RBB wrote:
The Central Scrutinizer wrote:
Doug wrote:This entire project is simply propaganda for 2009. Very little will actually be done, except for Park Pacific and the donated art.

You may be right. You may be wrong. We'll see.

Doug wrote:If he wants something really cool for 2009, then how about the Riverfront Master Plan and the Lid. Those I would have no criticism if they became reality.

The Lid has run into "issues".

Ugh. What kind of issues?

-RBB

He couldn't share them with us. Other than to say "it's political".

innov8ion · PostJul 19, 2007#4712007-07-19T12:39+00:00

shadrach wrote:
bonwich wrote:Jag älska Sverige.

'Something' loves Sweden/Swedes?

Jag älskar Sverige = "I love Sweden." Been there, done that. Love the Midsummer festival.

And as far as the lid goes, it's due to politics. More specifically, the National Park Disservice. That's all the guy would say to CS and I about it. He knew more but couldn't comment further. Hopefully Danforth can do something about it.

bonwich · PostJul 19, 2007#4722007-07-19T14:41+00:00

innov8ion wrote:Jag älskar Sverige = "I love Sweden." Been there, done that. Love the Midsummer festival.

I was in Uppsala once for the Midsummer festival. Even further north than Stockholm, so it basically only gets dim between about 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. Pretty remarkable.

Perhaps it's about time to stop talking about the so-20-years-ago solution of the "lid" and to get Danforth or one of the other "visionaries" to wake up to a new bridge and elmination of the aptly named "depressed section."

the central scrutinizer · PostJul 19, 2007#4732007-07-19T15:07+00:00

bonwich wrote:Perhaps it's about time to stop talking about the so-20-years-ago solution of the "lid" and to get Danforth or one of the other "visionaries" to wake up to a new bridge and elmination of the aptly named "depressed section."

Remove the highway from downtown, ala Portland? Sounds good to me!

bonwich · PostJul 19, 2007#4742007-07-19T15:16+00:00

Portland, San Fran, Boston (and, to a lesser extent, Chicago). Perhaps it will happen here by the 22nd Century.

the central scrutinizer · PostJul 19, 2007#4752007-07-19T15:50+00:00

bonwich wrote:Portland, San Fran, Boston (and, to a lesser extent, Chicago). Perhaps it will happen here by the 22nd Century.

It will give me something to look forward to when I am 141.

Gateway Mall Master Plan

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