ST. LOUIS • The agencies spearheading the renovation of the Gateway Arch grounds are looking for 30 residents to sit on a citizen advisory committee.
The committee will be led by Great Rivers Greenway, the trails organization overseeing public spending on the renovations, and CityArchRiver 2015, the nonprofit raising private money and directing renovation designs.
Great Rivers Greenway said that the committee will meet monthly to provide input on programs, activities, visitor experience and grounds upkeep. It is open to residents in eight counties on both sides of the Mississippi River.
The project first builds a lid and park over Interstate 70 – a phase already funded and planned. The second phase, however, aims to build out Luther Ely Smith Square with benches and gathering space, dig a new western plaza and entrance to the Arch museum, expand the museum, demolish the north parking garage, close the adjoining stretch of Washington Avenue, and replace it all with trees, gardens, an elevated walk and pathways into Laclede’s Landing.
People are also reading…
CityArchRiver estimates the project to cost $380 million. Of that, about $90 million could come from a sales tax measure up for a vote April 2 in St. Louis and St. Louis County. St. Charles leaders have declined to put the tax on the ballot.
Federal, state and local governments will pay an additional $69 million. CityArchRiver aims on raising $221 million in private funding.
Area residents joining the citizen committee “have a unique opportunity to be a part of a historic project that will forever change the front door of the St. Louis region,” CityArchRiver Executive Director Maggie Hales said in a prepared statement.
Applications are due by February 25. For more information, go to www.GreatRiversGreenway.org/ArchCommittee, or call (314) 436-7009.
The greenway anticipates the committee will hold its first meeting in April or May.
David Hunn covers taxpayer spending on regional cultural institutions. Follow him on Twitter @davidhunn.
