Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (with collaboration from Hargreaves and BIG) was considered by many to be the leading team in last year's competition to redesign and reconnect the Archgrounds and surrounding areas. Their design was fresh and focused on activity and sightlines. The team took into consideration all points of access by foot, bicycle, car and public transportation. Much to my incredible dismay, they were overlooked for the more staid (and presumably more feasible) MVVA plan.

Now having been passed over to connect the city to its river, its neighbors and its world-famous beacon, S.O.M. is working to strengthen connections between two separate countries in the Great Lakes/Ste. Lawrence River area.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/nat ... le2193780/

It kind of sounds like they're the ones pushing for this project. They haven't been commissioned for it. They're just actively interested in doing it. Definitely would have appreciated that enthusiasm and vision on the City+Arch+River project.

In related news, S.O.M. is being awarded the first ever Gold Medal in Architecture from the National Arts Club:

http://www.som.com/content.cfm/national ... ure_to_som

I know, I know. No use dwelling on past possibilities...