Recently, Senator John Danforth discussed the future of the Arch grounds and St. Louis riverfront with various media outlets in St. Louis. Select each of the audio clips below to listen to what he had to say.
May 8, 2008 - Charlie Brennan Show on KMOX
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May 13, 2008 - The McGraw Show on KTRS
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May 29, 2008 - The McGraw Show on KTRS
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From the Saint Louis Beacon:
Before Thursday morning, St. Louis civic leaders who have been actively promoting a revitalization of the St. Louis riverfront sat south of square one in the progress department, in a holding pattern, maintaining hope perhaps, but definitely sitting still. The sticking point was the reluctance of the National Park Service to consider any changes or alterations of the grounds of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, the site of the Gateway Arch and the Old Courthouse to its east. The National Park Service will consider improvements to the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, including a design competition for the area and a better connection between the Memorial and downtown.
On Thursday morning, however, the new superintendent of the memorial, Tom Bradley, sent out a press release announcing the National Park Service’s intention to begin a process that could open the grounds to changes. This change of attitude could offer the potential of a dramatic riverfront revival, one long hoped for but never achieved.”
Read the full article
From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
John Danforth has presided over the funeral of a president, groomed a Supreme Court justice, investigated the government’s response to the Waco siege, tangled with the religious right and tackled civil war in Sudan.
The former U.S. senator, Missouri attorney general and ordained minister — not to mention author, diplomat and philanthropist — has been staring down his latest challenge from his office in the 35th floor of downtown’s tallest building. It’s hard not to be impressed by the sweeping view of the Gateway Arch and Mississippi River.
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© 2008 St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Republished with permission.
From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
The National Park Service (NPS) today announced the initiation of a General Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement (GMP/EIS) process for Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (commonly referred to as the Gateway Arch).
In the dry prose of a press release issued Friday comes a magnificent opportunity for St. Louis. For the first time in 48 years, the National Park Service has opened the door a crack. It is willing to listen to ideas for changing the way it manages the 91 acres that surround the Gateway Arch.
Read the full article
© 2008 St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Republished with permission.
From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
After nearly 50 years of operating the same way, the Arch is opening up a suggestion box.
The National Park Service announced Thursday it will accept public input for improvements to the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, taking advice on how to make the park more enjoyable and easier to get to.
Read the full article
© 2008 St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Republished with permission.
The National Park Service (NPS) today announced the initiation of a General Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement (GMP/EIS) process for Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (commonly referred to as the Gateway Arch).
Read the full press release
Last summer, St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay asked us to offer our counsel about how St. Louis can transform its Riverfront into a world-class destination for the people of our region and visitors. We were guided by these principles:
- Preserve and protect the Gateway Arch as one of the world’s greatest monuments;
- View the Riverfront, the Arch grounds and what are currently the depressed lanes of Interstate-70 as one integrated project area;
- Maximize the use and impact of St. Louis’ two greatest physical assets, — the Gateway Arch and the Mississippi River — for the long-term benefit and enjoyment of area residents and tourists;
- Ensure that the future of the project area is guided by individuals with a long- term vision for St. Louis and accountability to the public.
Read the full press release
The Danforth Foundation is pleased that the National Park Service is initiating a public planning process that will consider improvements to the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. We appreciate the Park Service’s responsiveness toward our report of last August and its hard work in moving the issue to this stage.
As we said last August, we believe we are wasting our region’s two most valuable physical assets – the Gateway Arch and our position on the Mississippi River. There is little to do on the riverfront, and the Gateway Arch stands in splendid isolation amidst 91 acres devoted strictly to “passive use.” The riverfront and Arch grounds are cut off from downtown by six lanes of Memorial Drive and four lanes of Interstate 70. Small wonder that visitorship is declining and that the Arch grounds and riverfront are often nearly empty.
Read the full press release
