urbanSTL

jstriebel wrote:How many conventions actually take place inside the dome as opposed to the attached convention center? I know there's some that utilize the floor space, but even then, how many utilize the seating?

The Dome may stay standing for a while because it's cheaper to do nothing with it than to tear it down but I don't see it being around long-term.

And I certainly don't think the NBA will have an impact. The Scottrade Center would be our NBA home. Now, if you mean NCAA Final Fours, that's a different story, but I still don't think that's in the long-term future of the Dome.

The Dome won't get Final Fours either because the new stadium has a roof of some kind and is getting them, or because the Dome is not a nice enough venue relative to the competing cities' bids.

I just don't see much of a future for it.

How about a permanent 24-hour monster truck rally mecca.

Actually, I think there is a good chance the Rams play there through 2025, even if the last few years are during new stadium construction. A giant screen would be great for 10 or 15 years. After that, all giant screens everywhere will be old and obsolete anyway and will need to replaced. The screen and lighting will extend the usefulness of the dome for a long time -- I'm not sure we can predict what might need a giant venue like that 10 years from now, but whatever it is, they will want a giant video screen and brighter lighting.

Nobody anticipated current uses for City Musuem, Laclede's Landing, Union Station, or Cupples Hotels etc. when those venues originally became obsolete. I still recall that a lot of people wanted tear down Union Station in the late 1970's because it wasn't being used at the moment. Same with Cupples for an earlier Arena proposal. I don't get the rush to raze buildings in this town just because the current generation can't think of a use for a particular building at the moment. Maybe the next generation will be more clever and will grateful we didn't raze the dome for another parking lot. The rule should be that you may only raze a building if you are replacing it with a better building architecturally, to gradually raise the average architecture level of the area. Otherwise, keep the building and find some other empty lot to build your pharmacy or whatever on. There are plenty of empty lots around to fill up.

FWIW, I wasn't advocating raising the Dome without another plan in place.

I just think it might make sense to turn that space into an expansion of the convention center. Basically a large space similar to what it provides now, but without all the unnecessary things like the stands.

Additionally, I'm not sure the quality of the Dome is remotely on par with the structures you mention, but it's a fair point.

How about turning the dome into a medical mart ? or unique offices for entrepreneurs i know sounds ridiculous just throwing it out there or most likely tearing it down and restoring the street grid to create a new part of a downtown neighborhood. As far as the NFL goes its done even better without LA and i don't think LA is as big of a priority like many may think. St.Louis does just fine with the Rams and will do much better once the team is actually winning . Most NFL patrons don't go to NFL games to see their teams lose the die hards will cause they still believe but if your team is winning take for example the Colts they packed there stadium cause the Colts are winning but once they start losing its very different and that goes for any pro sport team.. St.Louis and the NFL work well together ... LA will get a team it wont be the Rams..

blzhrpmd2 wrote:Who's going to the rally next week? Is there any buzz brewing about this back on the home front? I'm hoping I can get away from work to get up there......

I plan to be there.

I'll be there as well.

There already isn't enough to do Downtown. If there were, people would go down there more. The Bottle District has the potential to be what BPV could have been. I hope it turns out to be the greatest, most fun part of the whole City. Maybe throw in some stores like Apple or something, too.

blzhrpmd2 wrote:This Britt signing is an interesting one to me. I get the whole low downside/high upside thing, and Fisher seems to love to dip into his pool of Lost Boys, however it's moves like this that call into question their plan over the last few years at receiver. Does this mean they are about to give up on Quick? If so, that was a huge swing and a miss for this regime's first draft. Does this mean that Sammy Watkins is a now a pipe dream? Either way, this draft is very intriguing as either 1) Fisher will draft his first O lineman in the first round 2) We get Clowney which would be a welcomed embarrassment of riches on the D Line 3) We trade down again for a likely collection of "guys" instead of highly touted talent.

While many would recommend spending my time on more valuable facets of culture than sports, it's pretty great to simultaneously hear engaging discussions regarding all 3 of our teams right now.

I don't think the Britt signing means anything other than we could use more production at WR and he was a talented WR sitting out there that Fisher is familiar with.

It's a 1-year deal which mean it doesn't impact anything long-term. If Britt finds his #1 form, you bet they'll try to keep him. But it won't stop them from drafting a Watkins or an Evans if they want to (I hope they do), and it doesn't mean guys like Quick and Givens won't be given another opportunity to show their ability.

I would love to snag a sure fire prospect like Watkins, but honestly, I'm excited about the Rams core of WRs regardless of that. You have Britt who can be a #1 if his head is on straight. You've got Austin who is a top notch playmaker. Givens who can be a down field threat. Pettis who is a sure-handed veteran. And Quick who has been awfully disappointing but still has those tools to be that big target. The Rams don't have a need at WR, they have a question mark at WR. They might have the pieces for a great core, or it might be disappointing again. We'll see. I still support getting Watkins, though!

Downtown has cool stuff to do but I've lived here my whole life and have already done most of it.

I understand that stuff like the Apple Store wouldn't draw County residents to visit Downtown, but it would motivate people to live there knowing that they don't have to go 10 miles to the Galleria every time they have to shop. Hopefully pretty soon OPO square can change the retail experience.

I like that the Bottle District is flashier than BPV and if they were each already completed as they should have been, I feel that the Bottle District would be a cooler area. As far as connectivity is concerned, it could bridge Wash Ave, Laclede's Landing, and to a lesser extent Crown Square together better. From Wash Ave, the OPO Square's current revival will bridge that toward BPV and Cupples. The proposed MLS Stadium at Union Station + all the station's renovations and McKee's Downtown West proposals could potentially make Downtown much less disjointed.

St. Louis has a lot to offer and tons to do, including Downtown, but it's not all connected very well, such as that stretch of Lindell in Downtown West which creates a disconnect between Downtown and Midtown. St. Louis is like a really beautiful woman/handsome guy with a lot to offer, but unfortunately has missing and crooked teeth that are kind of a turn off that many people have a hard time looking past.

If ever built Bottle District could survive under one circumstance.. I-44 needs to be removed and replaced with a at grade road. This will then connect Both Bottle District and Lecledes Landing together becoming a very attractive district and new neighborhood.. I believe downtown should be the entertainment mecca for the entire region.. Malls are horrible and they don't survive more than 10-15 years .. Bring all that retail downtown it will force residents to come downtown and actually interact connect with their birthplace.. So many locals don't know anything about their own city . As far as Britt i think its a very so so signing he has the potential to be one of the best only problem is he's never healthy ....

blzhrpmd2 wrote:As expected, couldn't get out of Memphis this weekend to make it up there. Looking forward to a report of how the event goes today. What a great day to be downtown-Rams Rally, day Blues game, after party at BPV for Cards/Bucs. Nice little Saturday.

I was there for around an hour in the early going. There were a few hundred people at the time. Fans seemed to be enjoying themselves. I'm hopeful the crowd only grew from there, but I'm not really sure.

Apparently former Rams LB Mike Jones ("the Tackle") was a guest speaker later on.

From what I saw, it wasn't amazing or anything, but it was good. A good first step for a fan base that cares and is starting to organize.

Rams are like the Blues .. They already have a top 10 defense they need to gamble on getting Sammy Watkins if they want to actually compete with Seattle Arizona and SF ..In the NFL defense wins championships but have a decent offense goes a long ways and Britt isn't the answer just like Miller and Steve Ott of the Blues weren't the answer... Please draft Sammy Watkins ...

BrickCity4470 wrote:Rams are like the Blues .. They already have a top 10 defense they need to gamble on getting Sammy Watkins if they want to actually compete with Seattle Arizona and SF ..In the NFL defense wins championships but have a decent offense goes a long ways and Britt isn't the answer just like Miller and Steve Ott of the Blues weren't the answer... Please draft Sammy Watkins ...

I'm with you. Although the Robinson, the OT from Auburn, would certainly be helpful.

You're right they'll get Robinson unless they pull off a secret surprise!