If they aren't going to announce a big roller coaster that weaves under the train shed, then it's a lost opportunity.
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They've already announced several new rides this year, including a small roller coaster, so it won't be that.
I don't think they are done (or at least should be done) building out rides and attractions under the shed, but I doubt they'd announce another so soon.
My guess is that Union Station is planning some kind of event, whether it be one big event or a series of free concerts or something.
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I don't think they are done (or at least should be done) building out rides and attractions under the shed, but I doubt they'd announce another so soon.
My guess is that Union Station is planning some kind of event, whether it be one big event or a series of free concerts or something.
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It blows my mind that after investing so much into Union Station that they haven't repainting these signs
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In all seriousness, I think we're all focusing in on that parking lot to the immediate west of the station. LHM's multi-family building at Westport is nearing completion. With how well multi-family does in Downtown, and the ongoing transformation of Downtown West, it makes logical sense that this is their next big investment. Line that up with the assumption that interest rates will start declining soon and you have a pretty good idea at what could be cooking.Chris Stritzel wrote: ↑Sep 01, 2024If they aren't going to announce a big roller coaster that weaves under the train shed, then it's a lost opportunity.
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Could be.
Wouldn't living there be kind of irritating with the ferris wheel right there, though?
Also, how tall would they be willing to go with a residential building on that lot? They're going to want the view from the top of that ferris wheel to be worth paying for.
I'd rather them announce something like a St. Louis-themed indoor water park and hotel than residential for that lot.
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Wouldn't living there be kind of irritating with the ferris wheel right there, though?
Also, how tall would they be willing to go with a residential building on that lot? They're going to want the view from the top of that ferris wheel to be worth paying for.
I'd rather them announce something like a St. Louis-themed indoor water park and hotel than residential for that lot.
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I don't see them building an apartment building on that lot. Seems more valuable as buildout space for some big future attraction. But I'm not a real estate expert and I'm also not LHM, so who knows!?
Some kind of water park or pool attraction would be great and so cool.RockChalkSTL wrote: ↑Sep 03, 2024Could be.
Wouldn't living there be kind of irritating with the ferris wheel right there, though?
Also, how tall would they be willing to go with a residential building on that lot? They're going to want the view from the top of that ferris wheel to be worth paying for.
I'd rather them announce something like a St. Louis-themed indoor water park and hotel than residential for that lot.
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It should be resi/commercial infill on the lot, if anything else I won't be too excited.
I think the view of the wheel would be a net positive for residents - it's pretty. And I don't think they'd ever go higher than the wheel.
I think the view of the wheel would be a net positive for residents - it's pretty. And I don't think they'd ever go higher than the wheel.
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I would take a parking garage with street level retail in order to consolidate the massive lot to the south of US. Surface parking should at the very least be removed under the shed but ultimately replaced entirely around Union Station IMO
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I would think residential would do quite well there, what with the stadium across the street. And the ferris wheel is, as I recall, fairly quiet. (There's nothing inherently loud about most of them unless they have a boiler and a calliope.) The bright flashing lights might be annoying to some, but you can buy blackout shades. Anything would be better than a surface lot, but if there's not a residential component I'd say there was a missed opportunity.
I've been dragged kicking and screaming to a few indoor water parks, because that's what you do as a parent: but it's odd we don't have at least one here in St. Louis metro area.RockChalkSTL wrote: ↑Sep 03, 2024I'd rather them announce something like a St. Louis-themed indoor water park and hotel than residential for that lot.
But they're almost always suburban locations.
https://www.greatwolf.com/
IIRC Milwaukee had an indoor water park in their downtown in the 1980s and 90s.
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at some point i would argue we are trying to make something from nothing. The area around union station is not REALLY going to be part of an urban fabric. Its smashed between the practice fields and union station. I am fine with a large parking garage and expanded attractions/ less surface parking under and south of the shed in union station. even something like street facing retail on such a garage seems a bit unnecessary to me. I'd welcome it but i would question its viability.
I mean if someone wanted to build there then sure, but its not the hill i'm dying on. Expanding residential north, east, and west of City Field is more valuable to the city and thats where I'd recommend focusing
I mean if someone wanted to build there then sure, but its not the hill i'm dying on. Expanding residential north, east, and west of City Field is more valuable to the city and thats where I'd recommend focusing
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Bit of a delay but they’re still on track to announce soon. Waiting to get a go ahead from a 3rd party
Can you give us a hint? Development, Experience Expansion, or Event?
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I'm predicting the same thing I predicted back on September 2.... an event.
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Yea, we lack a true Christkindlmarket which is surprising given our strong German history. I went to Union Station last year, and there was not really any market aspect. Though, they overall have a fun setup for the other things. I’ve always thought Benton Park and Anheuser Busch could together create a Christkindlmarket to go along with AB’s light experience. Benton Park has the German history and the actual park itself lacks a signature draw.
Would love to have one in the city but don't think that is a great location. Better to be in park in a more densely populated area like TGP.Chris Stritzel wrote: ↑Oct 01, 2024I’m thinking maybe a true Christmas Market.
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Union Station actually draws huge numbers of families each holiday season because of the Polar Express experience. This traffic alone is probably consistent enough to support a Christmas market.
A legit ice rink would be awesome as well, smaller than Steinberg but bigger than that sorry excuse for one in Keiner Plaza. Rent out ice skates in the winter and roller skates in the summer
A legit ice rink would be awesome as well, smaller than Steinberg but bigger than that sorry excuse for one in Keiner Plaza. Rent out ice skates in the winter and roller skates in the summer
With November approaching…dbInSouthCity wrote:I’m told some big news regarding US coming in September.
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I wish it was the announcement that some trains would return to Union Station, even if it’s a new station built in the shadows of the station where trains could just pull through. Kansas City, Denver, Cincinnati, Chicago all get to use theirs and we get stuck with Gateway Station? - Not quite a memorable station to start or end a journey…It wouldn’t be so frustrating if other cities also didn’t get to use their grand stations
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^And Denver isn't even a pull through anymore. It was historically, but they tore out the tracks on one end, so the Cal Zephyr has to back in now. St. Louis has a lot more operations, but the number of through operations is identical, and the stop timing is pretty similar. (The Zephyr is scheduled to stop at Denver for 50 minutes westbound and 32 minutes east. The Texas Eagle calls here for about 30 minutes eastbound and 44 minutes west. Not quite identical, but very much in the same ballpark.) Now getting a few tracks of a thousand feet length back onto the site would require a bit of creativity, but if there's a will there's a way. (There's still several there, but they're all too short, especially what with the wheel now. And they don't have the wye anymore. So you'd need new ones.)
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Someday a region-wide respected hero leader will emerge in St Louis and demand that trains return to Union Station again. But probably not in my lifetime. Maybe when Missouri becomes a swing state again so it can be a political rallying position.symphonicpoet wrote:^And Denver isn't even a pull through anymore. It was historically, but they tore out the tracks on one end, so the Cal Zephyr has to back in now. St. Louis has a lot more operations, but the number of through operations is identical, and the stop timing is pretty similar. (The Zephyr is scheduled to stop at Denver for 50 minutes westbound and 32 minutes east. The Texas Eagle calls here for about 30 minutes eastbound and 44 minutes west. Not quite identical, but very much in the same ballpark.) Now getting a few tracks of a thousand feet length back onto the site would require a bit of creativity, but if there's a will there's a way. (There's still several there, but they're all too short, especially what with the wheel now. And they don't have the wye anymore. So you'd need new ones.)
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How hard would it be to reorient trains back into Union Station, or close to it?
Could we move the Civic Center, with the Greyhound, MetroLink, and MetroBus connections, over by Union Station?
I don't see why this would be so difficult that it would take a lifetime or longer to do it.
Make Union Station the downtown transit center.
Could we move the Civic Center, with the Greyhound, MetroLink, and MetroBus connections, over by Union Station?
I don't see why this would be so difficult that it would take a lifetime or longer to do it.
Make Union Station the downtown transit center.
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There is definitely plenty of space to make it work. I mean, it did use to accommodate more trains than anywhere else in the world. Union Station StL looks like a European train hub.
The Amtrak tracks go directly into current tracks that go into Union Station where the Polar Express ride begins. It cannot be very difficult to make it work considering a non-rail company operates a seasonal tourist ride from the terminal. I think Amtrak could figure it out
There is so much space even outside the train shed to build out capacity for passengers. That would be pretty neat for it to become a transit hub again. Already existing metrolink stop. With the Jefferson Alignment especially, you would even have only a 3 block walk to another line from Union Station, so it may make practical sense to do so. I think the post office has seriously floated moving a few times (not necessarily wanting that), which may be something to take into account in the vision if that is likely to happen.
With the ferris wheel and incoming attractions along with the existing grandness of the station, I would venture to say it would be one of the two or three best train stations on the continent.
The Amtrak tracks go directly into current tracks that go into Union Station where the Polar Express ride begins. It cannot be very difficult to make it work considering a non-rail company operates a seasonal tourist ride from the terminal. I think Amtrak could figure it out
There is so much space even outside the train shed to build out capacity for passengers. That would be pretty neat for it to become a transit hub again. Already existing metrolink stop. With the Jefferson Alignment especially, you would even have only a 3 block walk to another line from Union Station, so it may make practical sense to do so. I think the post office has seriously floated moving a few times (not necessarily wanting that), which may be something to take into account in the vision if that is likely to happen.
With the ferris wheel and incoming attractions along with the existing grandness of the station, I would venture to say it would be one of the two or three best train stations on the continent.