urbanSTL

It's just such a boring building. Rainbow windows don't change that. It serves it's purpose just fine even if it's oddly tucked away under the highway.

But it doesn't look like a train station. If they don't want to use Union Station, okay, but why'd we have to build something so befitting of the name "Transportation Center" instead of a nice looking train station.

Give me Champaign, IL's (1999) or Normal, IL's (2012).

Champaign, IL


Normal, IL


St. Louis, MO


I hate seeing that $31.4 million was spent building such a forgettable structure even if the logistics of it are great.

I try not to be the curmudgeon-type. I try to embrace what's done and see the positives not the negatives. But our "transportation center" just bothers me.

captainjackass wrote:Honestly, if they (who?) built a nice shed over the Gateway station platforms, with a nice StL logo on both ends, it would look all the more the part of a bonafide train station. Plus, people using the platforms would be free from the elements.

Amen. Would also be nice to see Debaliviere & Central West End Metrolink Stations get roofs high over the platforms and tracks to protect riders from the elements and give the stations a more substantial feel. Something simple and structural would do wonders:

I really want to agree with you, but I just can't. You can argue ours fits the design of the Scottrade Center to the north, but beyond that, it really doesn't match the environment. Although due to it's placement, there's not a ton of environment to match anyways, I suppose.

But mostly I just prefer the classic brick design, a design that would fit very well in St. Louis. Sure the ones in Champaign and Normal aren't amazing, but they fit the environment around them, and they have a certain staying power. Ours looks odd and in my opinion dated. It's not exactly cool odd either, IMO.

And the experience inside is lacking too. It's not a place to enjoy waiting for your train or bus or enjoying your arrival to St. Louis, but simply a place to pass through, hopefully without much delay.

Back to Champaign's, one thing I really like about it is the way it echoes a lot of the design of it's precursor. Not to an exact degree. And the new one is certainly cheaper looking and a bit less exciting, but they sit across the street from each other (side by side, not facing) and compliment each other extremely nicely.

Train service isn't coming back so it doesn't make sense to argue the point.

So what does everyone think about the new improvements to Union Station? Good? Bad? Meh?

I'm totally wait and see with this. Nothing sounds overly impressive, but it could be cool. It doesn't have to be hugely impressive to be successful, either.

If they're successful in bringing in office tenants, and retail following that, I think this will be a success. It's the daily foot traffic that will make or break this place.

A cool bar and the light show will be enough to bring some people in, but in order to bring people back, they need to be convinced that other people will be there and what to be there, too.

So if the offices are full and those workers are visiting the retail and stopping by the bar, it will go a long way towards bringing other people in.

I'd say I'm cautiously optimistic.

Same as everyone else. Like that something's happening, cautious until it does (and does so well).

Grand Hall redesign: I love this space how it is, especially the intricate designs on the ceiling and walls. Worried how much a laser-projection likely conflicts with the Hall's beautiful classicism.

St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame: Early rumors point to a build-out within the Midway, which seems like the right move. It'll fit in to the existing Union Station, rather than be jammed into it (ahem...Hard Rock Cafe). Plus, with FSMW holding office space in the Post Office Annex under the trainshed, there should be an easy opportunity for some sports-focused events and outreach. Maybe with them, FSMW and easy access to 2 of 3sports venues, more sports-focused events (conferences, rallies, etc.) and businesses (Lockerdome, MVC, Rawlings, etc.) consider a move to Union Station.

Trapeze School: I'm very excited by this, if for no other reason than the fact this means LHM recognizes the possibility of different uses for the trainshed other than a g-damn parking lot. I'm hoping the summer season trapeze school opens the door for even more trainshed activity, such as a winter season ice rink:



Hotel upgrades: Meh. I don't know the business and likely will never stay at Union Station (I really think the Embassy Suites on Wash Ave. is my new favorite). The best way for the hotel to succeed though is for the Station to not be a desolate joke of its former self.

Excursion trains: Great idea, but we all want MORE. Somewhere down the line, I'd like to see this serve as a Commuter Rail hub too (think of Chicago's Metra) bringing people downtown from the City and suburbs on both sides of the river (not to be confused with Metrolink, which desperately needs its own Southside line).

Kevin B wrote:Somewhere down the line, I'd like to see this serve as a Commuter Rail hub too (think of Chicago's Metra) bringing people downtown from the City and suburbs on both sides of the river (not to be confused with Metrolink, which desperately needs its own Southside line).

At the risk of deviating too much from the topic at hand, I think this is one of the biggest problems with the Metrolink. It's trying to be both Chicago's Metra and Chicago's El because that's exactly what it's tasked with being.

It's regional urban transit. And no, those things don't go together.

Not that you can't have regional connectivity and urban connectivity under the same umbrella, but they need to be built out separate from each other. Instead every new Metrolink project is so hampered by having to be "regional" it tends to be lacking in both categories.

But I digress.

^ I don't think it is odd that they list a group that are most likely to be recognized.

Curious also on status of their next entertain phase and wonder if LHM could pull off some good regional marketing for downtown. Downtown St. Louis can put together a pretty good weekend/long weekend on top of sporting from pro to NCAA and annual events, etc. that will only get better in 2016

- Arch/Arch Grounds & Old Courthouse
- City Museum
- City Garden
- Blues Museum
- hopefully more planned or regular rail excursions
- etc.

Still think a water park under the shed would go over well. LHM can also market Forest Park pretty heavy with metrolink station at its door front. I wonder if they are even thinking more rooms in the future.

Planet Hollywood!

roger wyoming II wrote:
Also, I think it is kind of odd their website doesn't list the all of the shops there; just lists Landry's, Hard Rock and Station Grille.
http://www.stlouisunionstation.com/

Because there aren't any.

Yeah Strange Folk and Q in the Lou. That entire area should be hopping.

Saw workers on the train shed roof this morning. I'll be really excited if the plan is to completely restore/paint the huge structure. Anyone have details?

The "candy emporium" coming to US is expected to cost $8 million. Clearly, this is not your average candy shop.

https://www.stltoday.com/business/local ... 991ce.html

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