Park Service will discuss Arch grounds plan

By Jake Wagman

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

05/08/2008



ST. LOUIS -- The National Park Service announced today it will begin taking public input on what to do with the grounds surrounding the Gateway Arch.



The move comes eight months after former U.S. Sen. John Danforth and other regional leaders floated the idea of taking over some of the area surrounding the Arch, which is controlled by the federal government, as a way to revive downtown and the riverfront.

Got any ideas for improving the Arch grounds? Well, now's the time for sharing them. The arch superintendent has scheduled two public meetings -- June 25 and July 1 -- when people can share their views.



The National Park Service won't be replacing the Gateway Arch's gleaming stainless steel with, say, yellow enamel paint (or installing a drive-thru window), but if you have an idea for improving the grounds surrounding the 630-foot memorial, now is the time to speak up.



Arch superintendent Tom Bradley says that two upcoming "open house style meetings'' are designed to get people thinking about ways to improve the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, which includes the Arch and Old Courthouse.