urbanSTL

Of course this might as well be science fiction as we all know the residents of St. Charles have no interest in public transit as it might allow *gasp* black people to cross the Missouri river.

^Two points: First, St. Charles is a very different place than it was in the 90s the last time someone seriously proposed something like this. Second, I love Sci-Fi. Sign me up!  (Said sing me up at first. Which . . . also fits. If you know me.)

St. Charles County's composition and its politics have not meaningfully changed, and certainly not to the degree necessary to make MetroLink expansion politically feasible.

STLEnginerd wrote: ↑

Jun 06, 2022

^ i agree st. Charles is a different place demographically, but the current population will have to live with the consequences of the decisions that where made in the 80s-90s.  Tearing down the old bridge into downtown.  Building Page extension bridge, renovating the Blanchette Bridge.  All done without consideration for rail transit.  Until there is another major Reno or bridge replacement proposal i just don't see rail transit making the jump across the river.

That is unless that Hyperloop to KC gets built...

The old bridge opened in 1904. It would probably have needed replacement no matter what.

symphonicpoet wrote: ↑

Jun 07, 2022

STLEnginerd wrote: ↑

Jun 06, 2022

^ i agree st. Charles is a different place demographically, but the current population will have to live with the consequences of the decisions that where made in the 80s-90s.  Tearing down the old bridge into downtown.  Building Page extension bridge, renovating the Blanchette Bridge.  All done without consideration for rail transit.  Until there is another major Reno or bridge replacement proposal i just don't see rail transit making the jump across the river.

That is unless that Hyperloop to KC gets built...

The old bridge opened in 1904. It would probably have needed replacement no matter what.

Yep. Driving over that bridge was a rite of passage for all St. Charles youth prior to it being closed in the mid 90's. I miss the pedestrian catwalk and how it delivers you right into downtown St. Charles, but it was definitely showing it's age.

 It's a shame they couldn't have rebuilt it the way the bridge into downtown Hermann was in 2008 or so but with 370 being built to span the river a couple miles downriver and the Page extension going in a few miles upriver in the early aughts there was no reason to have a smaller bridge within a mile or so of Blanchette. 

Looks like this has resurfaced - St Charles in talks with the Steamboat Arabia museum 

https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/met ... -top-story

Is there no way they would consider, idk, the actual steamboat mecca - downtown StL at the convergence of the Missouri and Mississippi? The arch tourist crossover makes a lot of sense

They want 13 mil just for the collection. A new facility will cost even more. With that being said I would still argue it's a decent long term investment that STL should consider.

Something like this at Laclede's Landing would be pretty incredible... Sounds like St. Charles has the inside track for it, though. 

GoHarvOrGoHome wrote:They want 13 mil just for the collection. A new facility will cost even more. With that being said I would still argue it's a decent long term investment that STL should consider.

There is a reason KCMO has been in no rush to keep this museum…I don’t think you want this in Lacledes Landing

ldai_phs wrote: ↑

Jan 03, 2025

GoHarvOrGoHome wrote:They want 13 mil just for the collection. A new facility will cost even more. With that being said I would still argue it's a decent long term investment that STL should consider.

There is a reason KCMO has been in no rush to keep this museum…I don’t think you want this in Lacledes Landing

I agree. This is a poisoned chalice and a poor use of public resources. 

These folks definitely seem difficult to work with. Apparently their lease with the farmers market has come with significant consternation and caused them to cancel its live music series

With that being said, the collection is fantastic and unique. It would be among the top destinations in STL (at least for nerds like me)

If I was the city I wouldn't touch this with a ten foot pole unless it was a clean sale of the collection with the museum to be operated by the City (or maybe NPS depending on the location) and no involvement from the current owners outside of speaking arrangements

Guess I'm a nerd too. Tha Arabia museum was my favorite place on my most recent visit to KC a few years ago (well, maybe along with the miniatures/toy museum).