urbanSTL

Im not sold on the whole amusement park attraction however only they know what they're doing. I wonder how much of draw they think this will be. I would love for the ferris will be the original height as the worlds fair wheel. In all i'll reserve my judgement until theres complete renderings to this respective project.

matguy70 wrote:

You know what would probably be the best use for Union Station? As a transit hub. The reason it was built in the first place.

Yes, when the USA has hundreds and thousands of trains running coast to coast again... maybe.

We have a transit hub "Gateway Station" a block away... yes, Union Station has Metro Rail Lines and MetroBus. But the station was for national train transportation that no longer exists on that scale.

Union Station is also privately owned - no publically owned.

I think if our civic leaders had done the proper planning for this, especially when Metrolink was conceived, it could've been extensively overhauled as a proper transit hub. It could have been something special if it had been redesigned to accommodate an underground multimodal station where the train shed still stands. Imagine east-west and north-south Metrolink lines meeting underground at Union Station- perhaps then the shopping mall concept may have been a more viable option- at least on a small scale.

Unfortunately, all I can do is imagine, because as I said before, we spent the 50 years following the topping-out of the Gateway Arch alternating between playing it safe and pursuing big-ticket projects that didn't live up to their expectations.

I think the amusement park idea is interesting, and it's worth nothing that LHM has a track record. I will reserve judgment until I see specifics, but since the transit center opportunity was missed many years ago, it might be the best option now.

DogtownBnR wrote:Why would I go to a lesser amusement park in Union Station, if I can go to Six Flags. It has to be unique and draw people from the entire region and then some.

I think that the central location would be a huge advantage over Six Flags honestly. I sometimes want to go to six flags but then think of the drive out to Eureka and back and how I'd basically be dedicating an entire day to just Six Flags. If downtown, I could easily go for an hour or two and then still have the rest of my day. Also downtown is where tourists are. I have often seen Six Flags in St. Louis promotional literature and think, really? Is any one really going to come to St. Louis and then drive all the way to Eureka for Six Flags? I think that this Amusement Park could be really awesome if it's done in the European style, where it truly is a park with attractions rather than the American Walt Disney model. When I have visited European amusement parks (as a child) it was never with the intention of spending a whole day there, rather that they were notable places of interest and actually beautiful parks. The ability to pay for individual rides rather than all access passes really encouraged casual use which I think the Union Station location could capitalize on.

I think this has a lot of potential. They don't need to compete with six flags here, and they shouldn't try to. I just hope they put enough effort into it to draw the crowds that it will need to survive. They will need to keep it open at night (at least to midnight). Add a mix of good cheap food. Maybe they can partner up with Taste of STL or something along those lines for an opening ceremony or even a yearly thing to bring in the crowds.

These plans include ferris wheel, aquarium, Lego pieces.

http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2014/11/13/ ... ing-ahead/

This sounds more like a concept than a plan. I think citygarden showed us that kids and family come out of the woodwork downtown if there is something to do. I wonder what they might charge. Combining CityMuseum, CityGarden, and CityStation, could make downtown a nice kids destination.

They are doing Polar Express trips in the Winter. How about Harry Potter train rides in the summer. Is there a place along the tracks that looks like Hogwarts, other than Union Stations itself? Maybe the train could leave from a track where the kids can't see Union station easily and just make around trip, only they think they end at a place that looks like Hogwarts, sort-of.

Why not 7 dollar rates from Kirkwood to Union Station?

roger wyoming II wrote: Here is info on the Polar Express train, btw...
http://www.stlpolarexpressride.com/

The site also sez Amtrak is offering a $7 holiday rate from its station to Kirkwood.

Unless the site has an error it looks like every Polar Express has sold out. Also it says that PE includes a 6 mile round trip through DT STL lasting 1 hour. What tracks are they running on? Does anyone know an exact route?

My guess would be to go through the Arch grounds, cross the river on the Merchants Bridge, go south to get the view of downtown, and cross on the MacArthur.

Check out this proposal in Orlando. Would something similar to this be able to work at the amusement park on the US property?

Video


http://patch.com/florida/brandon/watch- ... ostpopular

quincunx wrote:My guess would be to go through the Arch grounds, cross the river on the Merchants Bridge, go south to get the view of downtown, and cross on the MacArthur.

I wish my son wasn't too old to be too 'cool' for this and that my daughter wasn't too young to enjoy it. I'd love that train ride just to cross the bridges and to get such a sweet view of downtown St. Louis! /thechildinsidethreeonefour

I would guess the bad weather has discouraged people on Jury Duty from walking/drive over there. I don't see it getting better until the Amusement Park opens.

I look at the Fudgery as more of a mall place, not a BPV - type place. It would be perfect at an amusement park. I know that is probably still a ways off and they need to survive in the meantime, but inevitably, the Fudgery should go back to Union Station. I just don't see it as a good fit at BPV. It is more of a drinking oriented venue. They would be better off at the Galleria versus BPV.

The Fudgery is still at Union Station. At least they were last Thursday.

^ I just assumed they were leaving Union Station; hopefully they'll remain at Union Station as well, but they are definitely opening today at 11 in BPV. Tonite is also Shirtless Bull Riding Night at the PBR.... yee-hah and see ya there! (Look for the dude who is Wyoming bred and fit as a bronco!)

^^ Good question about its proper fit, but I could see the Fudgery doing well at BPV.... and I do think a decent offering of family offerings will help solidify the CBD as a destination, e.g. splashing at the City Garden or spelunking at City Museum and then heading over to BPV for lunch and a treat.

^That is good to hear. I was thinking, with all of the redevelopment on the horizon, the Fudgery would be dumb to vacate Union Station. With an amusement park going in, that type of place should flourish and be a great addition to the park. Hopefully, it attracts a lot of people, families. Between US, City Garden, City Museum and the Arch, Downtown and is becoming VERY family friendly. That brings traffic and money to Downtown.

The few times I have been in Union Station recently The Fudgery was one of the only places that had consistent business. I would hope they will wait it out and see what happens with the amusement park proposal.

I don't know that I think this is a good idea but it sure is fun. I hope it works!