City Affair Saint Louis

ONE OF THE LARGEST CRITIQUES OF THE CITY OF SAINT LOUIS HAS BEEN THE DEGREE TO WHICH IT HAS DEVELOPED A STERILE AND DEAD DOWNTOWN AREA AND TURNED ITS BACK ON THE RIVERFRONT

While this condition is the legacy of failed midcentury planning and policy, we will continue to struggle if we take the result for granted. Cities around the country are capitalizing on their neglected riverfront areas to catalyze development, attract residents, and bolster tourist economies. In Saint Louis, the channel that slices through downtown disrupts recreational opportunities and depresses the values of adjacent properties. Many strategies have been proposed, but a radical rethinking of downtown may be required.

WHAT IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE MEANS TO RECONNECT THE CITY STREET GRID TO THE RIVERFRONT, THE ARCH GROUNDS, AND LACLEDE'S LANDING? DO NEW DEVELOPMENTS FINALLY MAKE IT FEASIBLE TO REMOVE THE FORMER INTERSTATE 70 THROUGH DOWNTOWN?

City to River, the volunteer grass roots group that is promoting the removal of the former I-70 through Downtown and replacement with a pedestrian friendly urban boulevard will be giving a brief presentation about the concept and its transformative potential. City to River believes that removing the highway is the only real way to restore the lost connections between Downtown, the Arch, districts north and south and the river itself.

City to River will answer questions about the concept and provide an opportunity to get involved with this transformative effort. There are many ways that supporters can assist City to River including contacting and meeting with stakeholders, marketing and promotion, contacting politicians, technical assistance and more.

Come find out how you can be a part of this once in a lifetime opportunity to reopen the front door of St. Louis by resolving a planning mistake from the “urban renewal” era.

The following panel will represent City to River:

RICK BONASCH - Director of Technical Assistance at RHCDA / Coordinator of City to River

ANDREW FAULKNER - Architect, Urban Designer / City to River

PAUL HOHMANN - Architect / City to River

KARA HOLLAND - Designer / City to River


After a brief concept presentation, there will be discussion moderated by Randy Vines.

CITY AFFAIR XV: RECONNECTING CITY AND RIVER

APRIL 1, 2010
7:30-9:00 PM
MORGAN STREET BREWERY (not byob)
721 North 2nd Street
St Louis, MO 63102-2518


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