There is a new highway sign up in the City of St. Louis on westbound I-44 just east of the Southwest Avenue exit. The sign directs drivers to "Historic Downtown Maplewood".
For years, there has been a similar sign at 44 and Elm about historic old town Webster Groves.
Southwest is one of the best streets in St. Louis, and now it's the preferred route to one of our region's coolest destinations! Congratulations to all who made this happen.
Friday, April 09, 2010
Boulevard Attractions
A landmark boulevard connecting downtown St. Louis assets and opening new land for development creates unique development opportunities. Some have suggested Apple stores. What about new tourist destinations? Is a downtown with more tourist attractions the kind of city we want to encourage?
Friday, April 02, 2010
Rare downtown alley
There used to be lots of alleys in downtown St. Louis. Now, not so much. This alley connects Olive and Locust between 7th and 8th Street.
What's wrong with this picture?
This view is taken from the corner of Washington Avenue and Memorial Drive. The corner is very much in the heart of downtown St. Louis.
Despite the fact that you're already there, signs on the roads are plastered everywhere to direct drivers into downtown St. Louis and Memorial Drive.
The heart of downtown St. Louis is so carved up by highways, we need signs directing people to get to where they already are. That can't be a good thing. Will the Arch design competition help solve problems like these?
Thursday, April 01, 2010
Boulevard plan adds value to downtown, City to River says
Learn more at this event tonight: City Affair, 7:30 pm, Morgan Street Brewery, Laclede's Landing
Image courtesy City to River. Click for expanded view.
Form-based zoning - for pizzas!
When planning the perfect pizza, it is always important to put the big things under the little things.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Dear Anonymous...
To balance the good with the bad...
The building above is just a few blocks from the one in the "Open floor plan" photo below...
Most buildings fall somewhere between these two extremes and are the ones that really matter for the long term future of the neighborhood. Few buildings are saved like the one shown above. And too many wind up like the one in photo below.
How good a job we do preserving the ones in the middle is the challenge we really face. How do we meet that challenge? Anonymous, what do say about that?
The building above is just a few blocks from the one in the "Open floor plan" photo below...
Most buildings fall somewhere between these two extremes and are the ones that really matter for the long term future of the neighborhood. Few buildings are saved like the one shown above. And too many wind up like the one in photo below.
How good a job we do preserving the ones in the middle is the challenge we really face. How do we meet that challenge? Anonymous, what do say about that?
"Open floor plan with lots of light"
Clever marketing can make the most bland product sound appealing. Unfortunately, I don't think there's anything words can say to convince a would be homebuyer to take a second look at a place like this:
When it comes to demolition, clearing away urban debris like the building shown above can't happen fast enough. Bring on the bulldozers and dumpsters. Today maybe?
While the crews are out there, why not make it a two-fer and take down the one next door too?
When it comes to demolition, clearing away urban debris like the building shown above can't happen fast enough. Bring on the bulldozers and dumpsters. Today maybe?
While the crews are out there, why not make it a two-fer and take down the one next door too?
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Synchronizing Traffic Signals on a New Memorial Drive?
If I-55 and I-70 were connected through downtown via a new Memorial Drive, would synchronized traffic signals help keep traffic moving through the connection, reduce travel times, and conserve gasoline?
On YouTube:
Cities Try to Get Traffic Lights In Sync
On YouTube:
Cities Try to Get Traffic Lights In Sync
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Are Stars Aligning For Downtown?
Yesterday I joined City to River on its "Walking of Future Connections" tour. The tour went from Busch Stadium to Laclede's Landing, by way of Memorial Drive and the Arch grounds. There were stops along the way at key points of future connections.
The first stop was at the intersection of Memorial Drive and Spruce. Presently, the corner is a no-mans land. Even though this is the closest direct route between Busch Stadium and the riverfront, hardly anyone ever ventures in this direction. (Click on all images for a larger view).
.JPG)
The image below is the intersection with a new Memorial Drive at Spruce. Pedestrians would have a direct connection from Busch Stadium to the Arch grounds and riverfront. A possible arts, music and loft district at Chouteau's Landing would be directly connected through this new opening.
From Spruce and Memorial, we headed north towards the Old Cathedral. The walls of I-70 block views and the depressed lanes forms a brutal gateway to our riverfront and the Arch. (Note the deteriorating concrete on the underside of the bridge over the depressed lanes. Broken concrete exposes the rebar inside the bridge structure.)
A new boulevard changes the experience for drivers and pedestrians alike. Wide crosswalks and slower traffic make the area more visually interesting and attractive.
The tour traveled north on Memorial Drive to the area adjacent the new downtown Hyatt. Presently, there is no buffer between cars on Memorial Drive and the sidewalk. There is no on street parking. Street parking is good for local business and helps bring foot traffic to the Arch.
A new boulevard would have street parking on both sides of Memorial Drive, buffering the sidewalk from moving traffic and with parking meters adding revenue to local government. Connection to the riverfront is broken as much if not more by the elevevated lanes as the depressed lanes. Visitors staying at the Hyatt now have this view over to the Lumiere Casino and Laclede's Landing. (Notice the lack of street parking buffering the sidewalk from moving traffic):
The corner of Washington Avenue and Memorial Drive is the most historic entry point of St. Louis. The Eads Bridge is where travelers from the east crossed the Mississippi to the west. This is how the area looks today:
Pretty lousy tribute to our historic point of entry, isn't it? Removal of the elevated lanes and creation of a new Memorial Drive opens the area visually and adds value to the Eads Bridge and Arch grounds while creating potential for new development.
Laclede's Landing is a primary connection to the Arch grounds and riverfront. However, with I-70 cutting off Laclede's Landing from downtown, the connection looks like this:
Is 2010 the year stars align for downtown? There is reason for hope. A lot of positive developments are coming to our city at the same time including:
The New Mississippi River Bridge (scheduled for a February 2014 opening)
I-70 depressed lanes and elevated lanes approaching the end of their useful life
The rerouting of Interstate 70 north of Laclede's Landing (coinciding with the new Mississippi River bridge)
The City Arch River Design Competition (underway at this time with a September 2010 decision on the winning design)
The possibility of federal funding to help reconnect downtown to the Arch and riverfront (total cost estimated at $300 million by the National Park Service)
Local and National leaders all focused on reconnecting the city to the riverfront and the Arch grounds
Since the highway has long been known to be the main problem cutting off downtown from the riverfront, will highway removal and replacement with a new boulevard be a possible design solution under the design competition? The National Park Service has stated they strongly prefer highway removal.
The Park Service is also concerned that highway removal may not be feasible during the life of this new General Management Plan (20-25 years). However, the Park Service has stated that it would amend its General Management Plan to provide for highway removal if it could be completed sooner.
Whatever the outcome, the results of the design competition and subsequent investment of many tens of millions for connection improvements will be geared for the long term well beyond the life of the new General Management Plan. Decisions we make today will be around for the rest of our lives and the next few generations of St. Louisans. Now is the opportunity to make lasting, transformative change for our region and downtown - not 25 years from now.
Fifty years ago it was not very difficult to build an interstate highway through the heart of downtown. At the time it was the right thing to do. Are we saying today that it's too difficult to change it? Why wait another 25 years when we may never have a chance like this again? Other cities around the country are converting highways to boulevards to help revitalize and reconnect their downtown areas and waterfronts. Is St. Louis up to the task?
With the coming of the new bridge, the rerouting of I-70 away from the Arch grounds, and the major investments planned to implement the winning design of the design competition, shouldn't highway removal be considered at this time if ever?
(Architectural renderings courtesy City to River)
The first stop was at the intersection of Memorial Drive and Spruce. Presently, the corner is a no-mans land. Even though this is the closest direct route between Busch Stadium and the riverfront, hardly anyone ever ventures in this direction. (Click on all images for a larger view).
.JPG)
The image below is the intersection with a new Memorial Drive at Spruce. Pedestrians would have a direct connection from Busch Stadium to the Arch grounds and riverfront. A possible arts, music and loft district at Chouteau's Landing would be directly connected through this new opening.
From Spruce and Memorial, we headed north towards the Old Cathedral. The walls of I-70 block views and the depressed lanes forms a brutal gateway to our riverfront and the Arch. (Note the deteriorating concrete on the underside of the bridge over the depressed lanes. Broken concrete exposes the rebar inside the bridge structure.)
A new boulevard changes the experience for drivers and pedestrians alike. Wide crosswalks and slower traffic make the area more visually interesting and attractive.
The tour traveled north on Memorial Drive to the area adjacent the new downtown Hyatt. Presently, there is no buffer between cars on Memorial Drive and the sidewalk. There is no on street parking. Street parking is good for local business and helps bring foot traffic to the Arch.
A new boulevard would have street parking on both sides of Memorial Drive, buffering the sidewalk from moving traffic and with parking meters adding revenue to local government. Connection to the riverfront is broken as much if not more by the elevevated lanes as the depressed lanes. Visitors staying at the Hyatt now have this view over to the Lumiere Casino and Laclede's Landing. (Notice the lack of street parking buffering the sidewalk from moving traffic):
The corner of Washington Avenue and Memorial Drive is the most historic entry point of St. Louis. The Eads Bridge is where travelers from the east crossed the Mississippi to the west. This is how the area looks today:
Pretty lousy tribute to our historic point of entry, isn't it? Removal of the elevated lanes and creation of a new Memorial Drive opens the area visually and adds value to the Eads Bridge and Arch grounds while creating potential for new development.
Laclede's Landing is a primary connection to the Arch grounds and riverfront. However, with I-70 cutting off Laclede's Landing from downtown, the connection looks like this:
Is 2010 the year stars align for downtown? There is reason for hope. A lot of positive developments are coming to our city at the same time including:
The New Mississippi River Bridge (scheduled for a February 2014 opening)
I-70 depressed lanes and elevated lanes approaching the end of their useful life
The rerouting of Interstate 70 north of Laclede's Landing (coinciding with the new Mississippi River bridge)
The City Arch River Design Competition (underway at this time with a September 2010 decision on the winning design)
The possibility of federal funding to help reconnect downtown to the Arch and riverfront (total cost estimated at $300 million by the National Park Service)
Local and National leaders all focused on reconnecting the city to the riverfront and the Arch grounds
Since the highway has long been known to be the main problem cutting off downtown from the riverfront, will highway removal and replacement with a new boulevard be a possible design solution under the design competition? The National Park Service has stated they strongly prefer highway removal.
The Park Service is also concerned that highway removal may not be feasible during the life of this new General Management Plan (20-25 years). However, the Park Service has stated that it would amend its General Management Plan to provide for highway removal if it could be completed sooner.
Whatever the outcome, the results of the design competition and subsequent investment of many tens of millions for connection improvements will be geared for the long term well beyond the life of the new General Management Plan. Decisions we make today will be around for the rest of our lives and the next few generations of St. Louisans. Now is the opportunity to make lasting, transformative change for our region and downtown - not 25 years from now.
Fifty years ago it was not very difficult to build an interstate highway through the heart of downtown. At the time it was the right thing to do. Are we saying today that it's too difficult to change it? Why wait another 25 years when we may never have a chance like this again? Other cities around the country are converting highways to boulevards to help revitalize and reconnect their downtown areas and waterfronts. Is St. Louis up to the task?
With the coming of the new bridge, the rerouting of I-70 away from the Arch grounds, and the major investments planned to implement the winning design of the design competition, shouldn't highway removal be considered at this time if ever?
(Architectural renderings courtesy City to River)
Friday, March 19, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
The River Des Peres Sea
Like the green hills of California seen only a few months of the year, views of the River Des Peres filled with water are a rare treat.
Wouldn't it be nice if it always looked this way? Perhaps a dam near the mouth of Mississippi is the way to do it. I wonder what it would smell like in summer...
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Why wait for Sunday?
This weekend we visited Southern California for a family gathering. Over the years I've gained an increasing appreciation for the area. On this trip we stayed in the Glendale area near Pasadena and Burbank. The view above is from Forest Lawn Cemetary overlooking Glendale. It was Sunday morning.
The day before we met up with lots of family and new friends. It was a gathering of mostly Latin Americans and we filled up on serious Carne Asada, chicken, shrimp, and lots of homemade salsas. Here's Arturo working the grill (note the woman in the center-right of the photo, providing testimonial to the quality of the meal):
Since daylight savings time starts in the middle of the weekend, why not set clocks ahead on Friday night, adding an hour of daylight on Saturday night? Then in the fall, when clocks get set back, why not set them back on Sunday night, rather than Saturday, thereby adding an hour of sleep on Monday morning rather than Sunday, and preserving an hour of daylight Sunday evening?
That extra hour of daylight would have meant more time for Arturo's authentic Carne Asada, and that would have been a very good thing. Instead, we'll just have to figure out a way to get back out there sooner rather than later.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Butter and Lemon go great with this:
Dungeness crab is a rare treat. You can get it fresh out on the west coast, or frozen here in St. Louis. If you steam the frozen ones, they still taste very good. Served with melted butter, garlic, lemon, white wine and french bread and you have a great meal. More and more regional delicacies can be found here in St. Louis. It's a nice add-on to our quality of life.
A Dungeness crab has a hard exterior and a soft, delicious interior. Eating crab takes a little skill. You have to work to get to the delicious tender meat inside. The photo above shows the first step in getting to the delectable crab meat: removing the main shell. Once cooked, it's pretty easy to pull off the body. When you do, you expose all the insides of the crab.
The result of removing an outer shell is also what is happening in the image below. Unfortunately, butter and lemon are no help here:
Here we see the remains of an abandoned building. Like the crab in the upper images, the hard exterior is gone, exposing the building's insides. Notice the interior stair, now on the outside of the remnant structure. Frame walls, plaster, all the guts of the building are revealed.
The problem is, when you get to the inside of an abandoned building, you don't get a sweet reward. What you get is a big mess for someone else to clean up. It takes a long time for a building to get to this point, and it can take many more years to clean this up.
If we are to avoid situations like the one in the lower picture, strategies need to be in place that intervene long before the outside walls of an abandoned building start coming down. The city's effort to create a vacant building registry is a step in that direction.
Arch Design Competition "Statements of Intent"
Design philosophies for the nine competing Stage Two design teams have been published on the City + Arch + River Competition website.
Statement of Intent PDFs
Statement of Intent PDFs
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Can-do attitude
In the early part of the last century, St. Louis was growing rapidly. Lots of buildings were going up and streets were being widened. In downtown Dutchtown, property values were increasing and the area was thriving with activity.
One block south of Meremac, off an L-shaped alley on the west side of Virginia, there's a relic from those busy times. A family operated a tin shop up on Meramec.
For some reason, I believe connected to the growth of the area, the shop owners decided to move their business, building and all, a block south and to the rear of a lot, to be then accessed from the alley. Today, you can find the historic building in its relocated setting, most of its original features intact..
The image above is the former rear of the building, converted to an entrance, now facing the alley. The image below is the former front of the building, now in the rear yard of another property.
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
A reasonable facsimile of Baltimore
This snug row of buildings along Broadway, just a little southwest of the Off Broadway night club, has always been one of my favorites. The grade of the street and the turn in the road reminds of the style of architecture you see all around Baltimore.
Some say St. Louis is the "western-most eastern US city", and buildings like this show it. The historic collection is located in the Marine Villa neighborhood (or is it Benton Park?), near one of the city's historic fire houses.
With its historic charm, tavern feel, and roadhouse location, this spot reminds me of the places back east where you find neighborhood seafood restaurants, where the owners spread newspapers over the table, serve cold beer, steamed crabs, crackers, chowder, and good times.
Can you picture an establishment like that filling in the side by side permastone covered store front spaces?
Monday, March 08, 2010
Eiler view
STL Rising isn't the most tech savvy blog around. In fact, it's probably one of the least. So we are just now figuring out how to upload pictures from an old camera phone to the internet.
At the end of last week, a commenter on the River City post requested pics of the cool views we found there. So, the team here at STL Rising did some homework over the weekend and we are now able to provide our readers with visuals. Not great mind you. We will work to do better. These things take time...
With our new found, low-tech, photo capability, STL Rising has a long backlog of city landscapes to bring to readers. Stay tuned for a wide range of scenes from across St. Louis to appear at this site in the days and weeks ahead.
We begin at one of the many historic blocks in South St. Louis, featuring one of the city's finest examples of "bakery brick" masonry construction. It's a block where, before the age of texting, no doubt countless numbers of school-aged children communicated through open windows via tin cans and string across the street and over parked cars: the 600 block of Eiler. The twin steeples of St. Cecelia's Church can be seen through the bare trees at the end of the block.
Apologies in advance for the grainy image. And the reverse view. The staff is all-volunteer and still in training. Poor as the image quality may be, we have also updated the River City post below to show one of the old relics from the shipping industry days along the Mississippi River at Lemay, Missouri.
At the end of last week, a commenter on the River City post requested pics of the cool views we found there. So, the team here at STL Rising did some homework over the weekend and we are now able to provide our readers with visuals. Not great mind you. We will work to do better. These things take time...
With our new found, low-tech, photo capability, STL Rising has a long backlog of city landscapes to bring to readers. Stay tuned for a wide range of scenes from across St. Louis to appear at this site in the days and weeks ahead.
We begin at one of the many historic blocks in South St. Louis, featuring one of the city's finest examples of "bakery brick" masonry construction. It's a block where, before the age of texting, no doubt countless numbers of school-aged children communicated through open windows via tin cans and string across the street and over parked cars: the 600 block of Eiler. The twin steeples of St. Cecelia's Church can be seen through the bare trees at the end of the block.
Apologies in advance for the grainy image. And the reverse view. The staff is all-volunteer and still in training. Poor as the image quality may be, we have also updated the River City post below to show one of the old relics from the shipping industry days along the Mississippi River at Lemay, Missouri.
Friday, March 05, 2010
Views from River City impressive
With over $400 million invested, the new River City Casino in South County raises a lot of curiosity. To find out more about it, I ventured over there this morning for a look.
The location is rare in St. Louis: a true riverfront setting. Just south of the confluence...that is the confluence of the Mississippi River and River Des Peres, you find it: an entertainment oasis equal to or superior to anything of its kind anywhere in the midwest. In fact, as I was walking up to the shiny gold metal and sparkling glass entrance, the man walking next me had driven all the way from Michigan to check out the place.
It was early, so the place was pretty empty. Workers were busy on ladders makinig little fixes. The gaming floor had not yet opened. I only got a little glimpse of one area of the casino. But it was all very nice. If you're into the gaming lifestyle, this place will keep your interest.
For me, it was the outside areas that were the most interesting. The overall site is huge. It's got to be a couple hundred acres. And it sits right next to the Mississippi River. The water is less than 100 feet away. There are relics of historic shipping operations right across the street from the main casino entrances. One of them is an old round house structure that appears to have served as an old freight office. Hopefully these authentic riverfront effects will be preserved for the long term interest of the community.
From outside the casino you have panoramic views of the river on one side and the bluffs on the other. The historic convent adjacent Notre Dame High School is prominent on top of the bluff. Given its size and unique setting, it's amazing that this site was available for this project. I confess to not knowing the history. Perhaps it was once an industrial site with lots of contamination, thus abandoned for years?
Whatever it was before, there's little sign of any of that history today. Now it's a first class casino, situated right alongside the South St. Louis riverfront, offering locals and visitors alike a rare opportunity to get up close and personal to the Mississippi River.
Thursday, March 04, 2010
The Art and Science of Demolition
With gentrification the topic of tonight's City Affair, here are some random things to consider...
St. Louis city population has dropped from 800,000 + persons to 350,000.
Our region has a stable population, with a 50 year history of people moving to the suburbs. The result is a lessening demand for our older housing stock, creating an inventory of vacant and abandoned buildings in the urban core.
In Clayton we see tear downs to build luxury homes in place of smaller historic housing. This translates to $500,000 historic tear downs for $1,000,000+ luxury townhomes. It's the free market at work.
In St. Ann Missouri, Northwest Plaza is a candidate for National Register listing - and a possible demolition candidate. What do the people of St. Ann want in its place?
Public safety concerns - most neighbors don't like having abandoned homes on their block.
Lack of investment - a man was killed last year while sitting on the front porch of the derelict building where he lived when the front wall of the building collapsed on top of him. Now the site is a vacant lot.
LRA inventory high cost maintenance - little to no demand, often leading to more demolition.
Gentrification requires reinvestment. St. Louis requires reinvestment.
Without more gentrification do we have more demolition? Maybe we're not gentrifying fast enough.
See you tonight at City Affair.
St. Louis city population has dropped from 800,000 + persons to 350,000.
Our region has a stable population, with a 50 year history of people moving to the suburbs. The result is a lessening demand for our older housing stock, creating an inventory of vacant and abandoned buildings in the urban core.
In Clayton we see tear downs to build luxury homes in place of smaller historic housing. This translates to $500,000 historic tear downs for $1,000,000+ luxury townhomes. It's the free market at work.
In St. Ann Missouri, Northwest Plaza is a candidate for National Register listing - and a possible demolition candidate. What do the people of St. Ann want in its place?
Public safety concerns - most neighbors don't like having abandoned homes on their block.
Lack of investment - a man was killed last year while sitting on the front porch of the derelict building where he lived when the front wall of the building collapsed on top of him. Now the site is a vacant lot.
LRA inventory high cost maintenance - little to no demand, often leading to more demolition.
Gentrification requires reinvestment. St. Louis requires reinvestment.
Without more gentrification do we have more demolition? Maybe we're not gentrifying fast enough.
See you tonight at City Affair.
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Anonymous commenters say the darnedest things...
Over at STL Today, there is continuing discussion on the editorial about planning for removal of the I-70 lanes through downtown. An anonymous commenter (posting under the pseudonym name "Renew STL") hits the nail on the head with this comment:
"Big Ups to the Post for supporting this idea. There is a great amount of positive energy working in STL right now, and it will lead to great things. If you support this idea, quietly go about the work of making it happen. Talk to people. Discuss reconnecting the city. Do what you can in your sphere of influence. Don’t wait for Gov.– it will never solve our problems, but enough engaged people can alter the landscape. This was once a great place; a confluence of ideas and cultures. Fear and ignorance split it apart, and those same forces will work to keep it that way. So… work humbly, dutifully and diligently to reconnect downtown to the river — it is symbolic of a greater reconnection. And don’t engage the fear and negativity, it only exists to slow the process down."
People often ask what they can do to help City to River's efforts to reconnect downtown to the Arch grounds and riverfront. Following this advice is a great place to start...
"Big Ups to the Post for supporting this idea. There is a great amount of positive energy working in STL right now, and it will lead to great things. If you support this idea, quietly go about the work of making it happen. Talk to people. Discuss reconnecting the city. Do what you can in your sphere of influence. Don’t wait for Gov.– it will never solve our problems, but enough engaged people can alter the landscape. This was once a great place; a confluence of ideas and cultures. Fear and ignorance split it apart, and those same forces will work to keep it that way. So… work humbly, dutifully and diligently to reconnect downtown to the river — it is symbolic of a greater reconnection. And don’t engage the fear and negativity, it only exists to slow the process down."
People often ask what they can do to help City to River's efforts to reconnect downtown to the Arch grounds and riverfront. Following this advice is a great place to start...
Monday, March 01, 2010
"...most heedless example of highway planning in the age of urban renewal."
St. Louis Post Dispatch on removal of I-70 lanes adjacent Arch, riverfront.
Monday, February 22, 2010
East Riverfront Improvements
While this blog has focused a lot of attention on the Missouri side of the river, the National Park Service has made plans to improve the east riverfront a focus of its new General Management Plan for the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial.
Just as St. Louis has spent years trying to figure out how to reconnect the city to the riverfront and Arch grounds, there has been a lot of attention spent on how to revitalize the East St. Louis riverfront. With views of the downtown St. Louis skyline and Arch, the east riverfront has a unique setting.
Those looking to improve the area must address many planning and development challenges including a long distressed local economy, a maze of interstates cutting through the area, railroad rights of way, an aging levee, a flood plain, a massive grain elevator, and a large casino operation.
With $300 million being the estimated cost for implementing the National Park Service's plans for improving the Arch grounds and east riverfront, there might be up to $150 million available for the east side. With such a budget, what would you like to see happen across the river from the Arch?
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Riverfront Boulevard Plan Reconnects City to River
"City to River", a citizens group formed to advocate for improved connections between downtown St. Louis, the Arch grounds and the riverfront, has developed a plan to reconnect the city to its historic riverfront through the creation of a new Memorial Drive.
Check out the group's proposal at the new City to River website.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Two kinds of cities...
...those with symbols and those without. St. Louis has a symbol: the Fleur de Lis.
Can you think of any other cities with a symbol? Big cities? Does Denver have a symbol? What about Austin, Nashville, Portland, Seattle, LA or San Francisco? I don't think any of those places have a unique symbol. They all have flags, but are they recognized by a symbol?
What does it say about St. Louis that we have a recognized symbol and the other places that don't?
Just for grins, check out the flip side of the Oregon state flag on the link. Are they the only state with a different image on the front and back side of their state flag?
Can you think of any other cities with a symbol? Big cities? Does Denver have a symbol? What about Austin, Nashville, Portland, Seattle, LA or San Francisco? I don't think any of those places have a unique symbol. They all have flags, but are they recognized by a symbol?
What does it say about St. Louis that we have a recognized symbol and the other places that don't?
Just for grins, check out the flip side of the Oregon state flag on the link. Are they the only state with a different image on the front and back side of their state flag?
Friday, February 12, 2010
Which is harder: Fix the Public Schools or Build a New Memorial Drive?
The debate over the city's public schools has gone on for a long time. Everyone wants to see them improve. Many people are working to make them better.
A new Memorial Drive is a dream for some of us. Like fixing the public schools, it's a complex challenge too.
So, which do you think is more doable? Fixing the schools or building a new Memorial Drive? Which do you think is more complicated?
One thing's for certain about St. Louis: there is more than enough to keep everyone busy!
A new Memorial Drive is a dream for some of us. Like fixing the public schools, it's a complex challenge too.
So, which do you think is more doable? Fixing the schools or building a new Memorial Drive? Which do you think is more complicated?
One thing's for certain about St. Louis: there is more than enough to keep everyone busy!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Carondelet Impressions Rising
Twice now in the past 24 hours, I have heard the name, "Carondelet" on the radio. This is more than I can remember hearing it in the past 6 months. And this is only the beginning.
The new River City Casino is about to open, and advertisements on major radio stations are telling people to exit I-55 at the Carondelet or Germania exits.
Everytime you hear the name Carondelet or Germania, you are reminded of those south city landmarks. This is a good thing.
Casino activity will increase traffic into the area, and that will be good for local businesses.
The new River City Casino is about to open, and advertisements on major radio stations are telling people to exit I-55 at the Carondelet or Germania exits.
Everytime you hear the name Carondelet or Germania, you are reminded of those south city landmarks. This is a good thing.
Casino activity will increase traffic into the area, and that will be good for local businesses.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
City + Arch + River Design Competition Update
For Immediate Release:
ST. LOUIS -- Contest organizers today announced the names of nine design teams selected to advance to the next round of the competition to invigorate the park and city areas surrounding the Gateway Arch in St. Louis.
The lead designers and design teams are:
Behnisch Architekten, Gehl Architects, Stephen Stimson Associates, Buro Happold, Transsolar, Applied Ecological Services, Limno-Tech, Herbert Dreiseitl, Arne Quinze, Peter MacKeith, Eric Mumford
FIT (Fully Integrated Thinking) Team – Arup, Doug Aitken Studio, HOK Planning Group, HOK
Michael Maltzan Architecture, Stoss Landscape Urbanism, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Richard Sommer, Buro Happold
Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Steven Holl Architects, Greenberg Consultants, Uhlir Consulting, HR&A Advisors, Guy Nordenson and Associates, Arup, LimnoTech, Ann Hamilton Studio, James Carpenter Design Associates, Elizabeth K. Meyer, Project Projects
PWP Landscape Architecture, Foster + Partners, Civitas, Ned Kahn, Buro Happold
Quennell Rothschild and Partners and Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Vishkan Chakrabarti, Buro Happold, Atelier Ten, and Nicholas Baume
Rogers Marvel Architects and Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects, Urban Strategies, Local Projects, Arup
SOM, BIG, Hargreaves Associates, Jaume Plensa, URS
Weiss/Manfredi, Magnusson Klemencic Associates, Mark Dion
"The Jury had the challenge of evaluating portfolios that represented designers of international and national recognition, emerging designers and design teams comprised of individuals that provide great promise as collaborators,” said competition manager Don Stastny, of StastnyBrun Architects. “The lead designers and design teams invited to participate in Stage II represent individuals and firms that have local, national and international ties – and have the potential to come up with extraordinary solutions to the design challenges presented by the City, the Arch and the River."
The nine design leaders and teams now have five weeks to complete their teams and present full qualifications to the competition jury, Stastny said.
In addition, local contractors, minority, disadvantaged, or women-owned businesses and others are invited to meet Feb. 18 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Old Court House with representatives of the short-listed design groups for potential teaming opportunities.
“This will be an excellent opportunity for these businesses to learn about the project and to begin considering participating,” Stastny said. “We look forward to a strong turnout.”
The competition, launched Dec. 8, 2009, has three stages. Portfolio submissions in Stage I included a description of the design team, a statement of design intent and philosophy of the lead designer, a profile of the design team and examples of their work. Each team was required to include representatives of architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, engineering and an artist.
Stage II involves the formation of the complete teams capable of executing the project, submission of required paperwork and a jury interview. This phase will culminate April 7, 2010, with the narrowing of the field to four or five teams.
The final stage, Stage III, to take place over the summer, will include a 90-day design concept competition to explore the finalists’ design approach and test their working methodology.
The competition’s goal is to create an iconic setting for the international icon, the Gateway Arch, honoring its immediate surroundings and weaving connections and transitions from the city and the Arch grounds to the Mississippi River, including the east bank in Illinois.
The public will be invited to two events this spring and summer. A “meet the designers night” will be held in late April. This summer, there will be a public exhibition of the designs. Details will be available soon.
The final jury pick will be announced on Sept. 24, 2010. The project is set to be constructed by Oct. 28, 2015.
The new design is called for in the National Park Service’s General Management Plan, which was developed with extensive public input over an 18-month period and approved Nov. 23, 2009.
The competition is sponsored by the CityArchRiver 2015 Foundation, which includes National Park Superintendent Tom Bradley, St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay, community leaders from Missouri and Illinois, academics, architects and national park advocates.
Financial contributions to the CityArchRiver 2015 Foundation are being handled by the Greater St. Louis Community Foundation, a public charity with more than $140 million in charitable assets and representing more than 350 individual funds.
Donors to the competition include: Emerson, Gateway Center of Metropolitan St. Louis (Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park), Peter Fischer, Emily Rauh Pulitzer, Civic Progress, Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation, Danforth Foundation, John F. McDonnell, Bryan Cave LLP, Greater St. Louis Community Foundation, National Park Foundation, Monsanto, Alison and John Ferring, Bank of America, David C. Farrell and others who choose to remain anonymous.
A full list of registrants for the competition, “Framing a Modern Masterpiece: The City + The Arch + The River 2015,” has also been released. It can be found with other competition information at www.cityarchrivercompetition.org.
PUBLIC NOTICE
WHAT: A Networking Session for local contractors and minority, disadvantaged, or women-owned businesses, and others, to meet competing Design Teams for possible teaming opportunities
WHERE: Old Courthouse
Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, 11 North 4th Street, St. Louis, Mo.
WHEN: Thurs., Feb. 18, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
WHY: Lead Designers/Design Teams chosen for Stage II of “The City + The Arch + The River 2015” competition have until March 18, 2010, to form and present complete teams who are capable of executing project design and related construction administration services. Teams are vying for opportunity to develop designs that create an iconic setting for the international icon, the Gateway Arch, honoring its immediate surroundings and weaving connections and transitions from the city and the Arch grounds to the Mississippi River, including the east bank in Illinois. The competition is called for in the National Park Service’s General Management Plan.
FOR INFORMATION:
Janis Cooper, 314-259-2015, Janis.Cooper@CityArchRiverCompetition.org
# # #
ST. LOUIS -- Contest organizers today announced the names of nine design teams selected to advance to the next round of the competition to invigorate the park and city areas surrounding the Gateway Arch in St. Louis.
The lead designers and design teams are:
Behnisch Architekten, Gehl Architects, Stephen Stimson Associates, Buro Happold, Transsolar, Applied Ecological Services, Limno-Tech, Herbert Dreiseitl, Arne Quinze, Peter MacKeith, Eric Mumford
FIT (Fully Integrated Thinking) Team – Arup, Doug Aitken Studio, HOK Planning Group, HOK
Michael Maltzan Architecture, Stoss Landscape Urbanism, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Richard Sommer, Buro Happold
Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Steven Holl Architects, Greenberg Consultants, Uhlir Consulting, HR&A Advisors, Guy Nordenson and Associates, Arup, LimnoTech, Ann Hamilton Studio, James Carpenter Design Associates, Elizabeth K. Meyer, Project Projects
PWP Landscape Architecture, Foster + Partners, Civitas, Ned Kahn, Buro Happold
Quennell Rothschild and Partners and Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Vishkan Chakrabarti, Buro Happold, Atelier Ten, and Nicholas Baume
Rogers Marvel Architects and Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects, Urban Strategies, Local Projects, Arup
SOM, BIG, Hargreaves Associates, Jaume Plensa, URS
Weiss/Manfredi, Magnusson Klemencic Associates, Mark Dion
"The Jury had the challenge of evaluating portfolios that represented designers of international and national recognition, emerging designers and design teams comprised of individuals that provide great promise as collaborators,” said competition manager Don Stastny, of StastnyBrun Architects. “The lead designers and design teams invited to participate in Stage II represent individuals and firms that have local, national and international ties – and have the potential to come up with extraordinary solutions to the design challenges presented by the City, the Arch and the River."
The nine design leaders and teams now have five weeks to complete their teams and present full qualifications to the competition jury, Stastny said.
In addition, local contractors, minority, disadvantaged, or women-owned businesses and others are invited to meet Feb. 18 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Old Court House with representatives of the short-listed design groups for potential teaming opportunities.
“This will be an excellent opportunity for these businesses to learn about the project and to begin considering participating,” Stastny said. “We look forward to a strong turnout.”
The competition, launched Dec. 8, 2009, has three stages. Portfolio submissions in Stage I included a description of the design team, a statement of design intent and philosophy of the lead designer, a profile of the design team and examples of their work. Each team was required to include representatives of architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, engineering and an artist.
Stage II involves the formation of the complete teams capable of executing the project, submission of required paperwork and a jury interview. This phase will culminate April 7, 2010, with the narrowing of the field to four or five teams.
The final stage, Stage III, to take place over the summer, will include a 90-day design concept competition to explore the finalists’ design approach and test their working methodology.
The competition’s goal is to create an iconic setting for the international icon, the Gateway Arch, honoring its immediate surroundings and weaving connections and transitions from the city and the Arch grounds to the Mississippi River, including the east bank in Illinois.
The public will be invited to two events this spring and summer. A “meet the designers night” will be held in late April. This summer, there will be a public exhibition of the designs. Details will be available soon.
The final jury pick will be announced on Sept. 24, 2010. The project is set to be constructed by Oct. 28, 2015.
The new design is called for in the National Park Service’s General Management Plan, which was developed with extensive public input over an 18-month period and approved Nov. 23, 2009.
The competition is sponsored by the CityArchRiver 2015 Foundation, which includes National Park Superintendent Tom Bradley, St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay, community leaders from Missouri and Illinois, academics, architects and national park advocates.
Financial contributions to the CityArchRiver 2015 Foundation are being handled by the Greater St. Louis Community Foundation, a public charity with more than $140 million in charitable assets and representing more than 350 individual funds.
Donors to the competition include: Emerson, Gateway Center of Metropolitan St. Louis (Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park), Peter Fischer, Emily Rauh Pulitzer, Civic Progress, Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation, Danforth Foundation, John F. McDonnell, Bryan Cave LLP, Greater St. Louis Community Foundation, National Park Foundation, Monsanto, Alison and John Ferring, Bank of America, David C. Farrell and others who choose to remain anonymous.
A full list of registrants for the competition, “Framing a Modern Masterpiece: The City + The Arch + The River 2015,” has also been released. It can be found with other competition information at www.cityarchrivercompetition.org.
PUBLIC NOTICE
WHAT: A Networking Session for local contractors and minority, disadvantaged, or women-owned businesses, and others, to meet competing Design Teams for possible teaming opportunities
WHERE: Old Courthouse
Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, 11 North 4th Street, St. Louis, Mo.
WHEN: Thurs., Feb. 18, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
WHY: Lead Designers/Design Teams chosen for Stage II of “The City + The Arch + The River 2015” competition have until March 18, 2010, to form and present complete teams who are capable of executing project design and related construction administration services. Teams are vying for opportunity to develop designs that create an iconic setting for the international icon, the Gateway Arch, honoring its immediate surroundings and weaving connections and transitions from the city and the Arch grounds to the Mississippi River, including the east bank in Illinois. The competition is called for in the National Park Service’s General Management Plan.
FOR INFORMATION:
Janis Cooper, 314-259-2015, Janis.Cooper@CityArchRiverCompetition.org
# # #
"Speed Camera Enforced"
Could signs like these soon be rising in neighborhoods across St. Louis? STL Rising hopes so.
Reducing speeding traffic on residential streets has been a long time effort here at STL Rising. The host of this blog has served as a St. Louis regional contact for the Keep Kids Alive - Drive 25 program for almost ten years.
Just this week we received a telephone call from a nice lady in University City interested in bringing the KKA - Drive 25 program to her neighborhood. Like many other concerned citizens, she and her neighbors have grown weary of distracted drivers racing down their neighborhood streets.
When the issue of dealing with speeders gets down to the block level and the nitty gritty of what works and what doesn't to slow traffic, that's where talk of controlling speeding traffic goes from someone else's idealogical conversation to the din of noisy engines, squeeling tires, and frequent distress over cars racing past your front yard.
People think controlling speeding is easy. It's not. These are real problems that have plagued neighborhoods for decades. If I've heard it once, I've heard it a thousand times: "All you have to do is put a police officer on the block for a month and the speeding will stop."
Besides the fact that once the officer leaves, the speeding goes back to the way it was before the cop sat on the block, I have this question for those who think cops should set up speed traps to catch speeders: Do we really want the limited resources of our police departments devoted to sitting in the cars ticketing speeders?
There is technology today that does this automatically. It works and it is not prohibited in the state of Missouri. The use of speed cameras can enforce speed limits in targeted areas 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There is no constitutional protection to violate the law. If our aim is to enforce speed limits, especially on neighborhood streets, why not use the most recent technology available?
Reducing speeding traffic on residential streets has been a long time effort here at STL Rising. The host of this blog has served as a St. Louis regional contact for the Keep Kids Alive - Drive 25 program for almost ten years.
Just this week we received a telephone call from a nice lady in University City interested in bringing the KKA - Drive 25 program to her neighborhood. Like many other concerned citizens, she and her neighbors have grown weary of distracted drivers racing down their neighborhood streets.
When the issue of dealing with speeders gets down to the block level and the nitty gritty of what works and what doesn't to slow traffic, that's where talk of controlling speeding traffic goes from someone else's idealogical conversation to the din of noisy engines, squeeling tires, and frequent distress over cars racing past your front yard.
People think controlling speeding is easy. It's not. These are real problems that have plagued neighborhoods for decades. If I've heard it once, I've heard it a thousand times: "All you have to do is put a police officer on the block for a month and the speeding will stop."
Besides the fact that once the officer leaves, the speeding goes back to the way it was before the cop sat on the block, I have this question for those who think cops should set up speed traps to catch speeders: Do we really want the limited resources of our police departments devoted to sitting in the cars ticketing speeders?
There is technology today that does this automatically. It works and it is not prohibited in the state of Missouri. The use of speed cameras can enforce speed limits in targeted areas 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There is no constitutional protection to violate the law. If our aim is to enforce speed limits, especially on neighborhood streets, why not use the most recent technology available?
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Trucks on a new Memorial Drive
One of the biggest concerns about merging I-70 and Memorial Drive through downtown into one at grade boulevard is what would happen with the trucks? The answer is simple. Trucks would either be allowed on the new boulevard, which is the way it is now, or the road would prohibit through truck traffic.
Today, as I was driving on Memorial Drive, I was next to a full size, semi tractor-trailer rig. It really was no big deal. The truck did not slow traffic. It wasn't particularly loud, and it moved right through the area without any problem. I'm no trucking expert, but from years living about a half mile from a highway, I remember that you could hear the trucks going by at 60-70 miles per hour, but not the ones driving at 25-30 miles per hour through town.
Standing above the depressed lanes, or along the elevated lanes of I-70 next to Laclede's Landing, what you hear are those trucks zooming by at high speed. Moving truck traffic to a new Memorial Drive would possibly make the area quieter than it is now.
In terms of driving times and convenience, trucks should have no problem getting through the 1.5 mile stretch of a new boulevard the same way cars would. Maybe a 3 or 4 minute longer trip would be about it.
Trucks on a new Memorial Drive? Why not?
Today, as I was driving on Memorial Drive, I was next to a full size, semi tractor-trailer rig. It really was no big deal. The truck did not slow traffic. It wasn't particularly loud, and it moved right through the area without any problem. I'm no trucking expert, but from years living about a half mile from a highway, I remember that you could hear the trucks going by at 60-70 miles per hour, but not the ones driving at 25-30 miles per hour through town.
Standing above the depressed lanes, or along the elevated lanes of I-70 next to Laclede's Landing, what you hear are those trucks zooming by at high speed. Moving truck traffic to a new Memorial Drive would possibly make the area quieter than it is now.
In terms of driving times and convenience, trucks should have no problem getting through the 1.5 mile stretch of a new boulevard the same way cars would. Maybe a 3 or 4 minute longer trip would be about it.
Trucks on a new Memorial Drive? Why not?
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Urban Mining
There was a time when mining was common practice in St. Louis. Mostly, mining was done for clay to make bricks. And back then, people probably didn't think of it as "urban mining". In those days, there wasn't much if any focus on the difference between "urban" and "suburban". Pretty much everybody lived in the City. Or on a farm.
If anything, the difference was between "urban" or "rural". The suburbs really hadn't been born yet. That would come later, with the introduction of the interstate highway system, the GI bill, and baby boomers looking to move to new housing. The suburbs were appealing. Mid-century neighborhoods, places like "Dellwood" and "Crestwood", were popping up.
In the new suburbs, home buyers were finding modern conveniences like attached garages or carports, driveways, built-in appliances, non-maintenance aluminum windows, and energy efficient, eight-foot ceiling heights. People were moving out of the old neighborhoods.
They were getting away from older houses, faux drop ceilings, detached garages, ongoing window maintenance and tuckpointing, and sometimes things they didn't want for neighbors anymore, such as nearby factories. And when they left, they left behind empty houses. Or perhaps, they'd rent them out.
Over time, some of the old houses began to deteriorate. Maintenance budgets weren't keeping up with the needs of an aging home. And so deterioration might lead to vacancy, abandonment, and foreclosure (often for unpaid property taxes). The very end of the line for an old, unwanted house, would be demolition. St. Louis has seen lots of demolitions of vacant, abandoned houses. Thousands of them in fact. Thousands and thousands. Those demolition have left a legacy, buried under 12-18inches of non-engineered fill: the remains of beuatiful, historic homes.
Without much time or effort at all, some heavy equipment, and a collection of historic maps, there's a cottage industry waiting to be capitalized in St. Louis: mining the remnants of these demolished houses. When they tore the old places down, they pretty much just pushed everything into the basement. Buried in the walls of those basements are treasure troves of architectural artifacts of decades worth of solid St. Louis construction.
While young families were happily moving to those mid-century, modern neighborhoods, a couple of guys and bulldozer were uncermoniously imploding the historic architecture of St. Louis into the basements of once proud homes. They were probably talking about the St. Louis Cardinals or the hapless Browns, maybe the disappearance of the street car lines, and as they were doing so, with a cigarette hanging from their lips, they'd push the accellerator on the bulldozer, and knock down another wall or staircase. When they were through, you'd never know a house was there. They'd buried the whole thing in the ground; the remains left undisturbed for decades to come under a vacant lot.
Today, those remains await to be brought back to the surface. They might be salvaged as part of a redevelopment effort, but why not expedite the process by mining the valuable artifacts at these sites? Old bottles, marble, brick, slabs of solid granite, old brass fixtures, slate, tile, terra cotta, the sorts of things vandals and scappers might tear off of someone's property and try to sell in antique stores or salvage yards, are just waiting for some enterprising entreprenuer to bring back to the surface and salvage in a respectable enterprise.
While many see the vacant lots and years of demolitions as a scar on the St. Louis landscape, today, those remains also present an opportunity. After mining the sites for the valuable artifacts underground, the land could then be put to a productive use such as urban farming, solar installations, parks or open space, or new home or business development.
If anything, the difference was between "urban" or "rural". The suburbs really hadn't been born yet. That would come later, with the introduction of the interstate highway system, the GI bill, and baby boomers looking to move to new housing. The suburbs were appealing. Mid-century neighborhoods, places like "Dellwood" and "Crestwood", were popping up.
In the new suburbs, home buyers were finding modern conveniences like attached garages or carports, driveways, built-in appliances, non-maintenance aluminum windows, and energy efficient, eight-foot ceiling heights. People were moving out of the old neighborhoods.
They were getting away from older houses, faux drop ceilings, detached garages, ongoing window maintenance and tuckpointing, and sometimes things they didn't want for neighbors anymore, such as nearby factories. And when they left, they left behind empty houses. Or perhaps, they'd rent them out.
Over time, some of the old houses began to deteriorate. Maintenance budgets weren't keeping up with the needs of an aging home. And so deterioration might lead to vacancy, abandonment, and foreclosure (often for unpaid property taxes). The very end of the line for an old, unwanted house, would be demolition. St. Louis has seen lots of demolitions of vacant, abandoned houses. Thousands of them in fact. Thousands and thousands. Those demolition have left a legacy, buried under 12-18inches of non-engineered fill: the remains of beuatiful, historic homes.
Without much time or effort at all, some heavy equipment, and a collection of historic maps, there's a cottage industry waiting to be capitalized in St. Louis: mining the remnants of these demolished houses. When they tore the old places down, they pretty much just pushed everything into the basement. Buried in the walls of those basements are treasure troves of architectural artifacts of decades worth of solid St. Louis construction.
While young families were happily moving to those mid-century, modern neighborhoods, a couple of guys and bulldozer were uncermoniously imploding the historic architecture of St. Louis into the basements of once proud homes. They were probably talking about the St. Louis Cardinals or the hapless Browns, maybe the disappearance of the street car lines, and as they were doing so, with a cigarette hanging from their lips, they'd push the accellerator on the bulldozer, and knock down another wall or staircase. When they were through, you'd never know a house was there. They'd buried the whole thing in the ground; the remains left undisturbed for decades to come under a vacant lot.
Today, those remains await to be brought back to the surface. They might be salvaged as part of a redevelopment effort, but why not expedite the process by mining the valuable artifacts at these sites? Old bottles, marble, brick, slabs of solid granite, old brass fixtures, slate, tile, terra cotta, the sorts of things vandals and scappers might tear off of someone's property and try to sell in antique stores or salvage yards, are just waiting for some enterprising entreprenuer to bring back to the surface and salvage in a respectable enterprise.
While many see the vacant lots and years of demolitions as a scar on the St. Louis landscape, today, those remains also present an opportunity. After mining the sites for the valuable artifacts underground, the land could then be put to a productive use such as urban farming, solar installations, parks or open space, or new home or business development.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Urban St. Louis Forum Goes High Speed
One of St. Louis' best issues forum is now also one of her fastest. Urban St. Louis has always been filled with interesting discussions and information, but the site was so painfully slow that it was almost impossible to access.
Those problems have now been solved, with all the interesting discussions continuing at the site. STL Rising will permalink Urban St. Louis on our links section. In the meantime, we recommend you start your reading here...
Those problems have now been solved, with all the interesting discussions continuing at the site. STL Rising will permalink Urban St. Louis on our links section. In the meantime, we recommend you start your reading here...
Neighborhood Association Promotes Architectural Guidelines
With the help of an architectural student, the City of St. Louis, and a local urban planner, the Southwest Garden Neighborhood Association has established a set of recommended architectural guidelines to foster new development and existing building renovations, "The Southwest Garden Neighborhood Association's Suggested Architectural Guidelines for Exterior Facades".
Washington University architecture graudate Christopher Rehwoldt, St. Louis urban planner and SLU graduate Steve Patterson, and the City of St. Louis Planning and Urban Design Agency collaborated on the design project. Use of the guidelines is not mandatory but is intended to aid in the development of residential properties that are both aethestically pleasing and economically viable.
Strong and clear community design standards are an important resource for maintaining and improving the quality of our neighborhoods. Congratulations to all involved in taking this step toward guiding future community improvement efforts in the Southwest Garden neighborhood. It will be interesting to see if other neighborhoods follow similar efforts.
For additional information about the Southwest Garden neighborhood, visit the neighborhood's website or contact its executive director, Dana Gray, telephone (314) 772-6082.
Washington University architecture graudate Christopher Rehwoldt, St. Louis urban planner and SLU graduate Steve Patterson, and the City of St. Louis Planning and Urban Design Agency collaborated on the design project. Use of the guidelines is not mandatory but is intended to aid in the development of residential properties that are both aethestically pleasing and economically viable.
Strong and clear community design standards are an important resource for maintaining and improving the quality of our neighborhoods. Congratulations to all involved in taking this step toward guiding future community improvement efforts in the Southwest Garden neighborhood. It will be interesting to see if other neighborhoods follow similar efforts.
For additional information about the Southwest Garden neighborhood, visit the neighborhood's website or contact its executive director, Dana Gray, telephone (314) 772-6082.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Reality Programming - Arch Design Competiton Q and A
Organizers of the Arch design competition have recevied lots of questions from Stage One participants in the process. Here are highlights from the questions and answers received to date:
Q67: What role will the Casino play in the project?
January 19, 2010 – 2:28 pm
A67: Design and operational parameters of this specificity will be discussed with the Stage III participants at the Stage III Briefing.
Q66: Will river front access be provided within the project boundary along the eastern shore from the Eads Bridge to the Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park? (It looks like this portion might be privately owned by the Casino.)
January 19, 2010 – 2:28 pm
A66: Design and operational parameters of this specificity will be discussed with the Stage III participants at the Stage III Briefing.
Q65: Are ridership volume statistics available for the Arch Lacledes Metrolink Station (just north of the site under the Eads Bridge)?
January 19, 2010 – 2:28 pm
A65: Necessary data will be provided to the Stage III participants at the Stage III Briefing.
Q64: Are the existing Rail Yards and Barge Docks along the eastern shore north of the Poplar Street Bridge to remain in operation within the park boundary?
January 19, 2010 – 2:27 pm
A64: Design and operational parameters of this specificity will be discussed with the Stage III participants at the Stage III Briefing.
Q63: Are there statistics available on existing vehicular traffic flows for the Eads Bridge?
January 19, 2010 – 2:27 pm
A63: Necessary data will be provided to the Stage III participants at the Stage III Briefing.
Q62: Is the Poplar Street Bridge Structure included within the limit of the project? (as opposed to simply representing the project boundary with no opportunities to annex or co-opt the structures programmatically).
January 19, 2010 – 2:27 pm
A62: Design parameters of this specificity will be discussed with the Stage III participants at the Stage III Briefing. Also refer to Q/A #57.
Q61: Is the Eads Bridge Structure included within the limit of the project?
January 19, 2010 – 2:27 pm
A61: See Q/A #57.
Q60: Will there be “Air Rights” opportunities over the I-70 Expressway between the Market and Chestnut overpasses? Between Walnut and Pine?
January 19, 2010 – 2:27 pm
A60: Design parameters of this specificity will be discussed with the Stage III participants at the Stage III Briefing.
Q59: Is the option of highway removal, especially the vacation of the depressed lanes, combined with some restoration the city’s original street grid to connect with the Arch grounds, a possibility for consideration in the design competition?
January 19, 2010 – 2:27 pm
A59: Design parameters of this specificity will be discussed with the Stage III participants at the Stage III Briefing.
Q57: On page 9 the Manual outlines a broad set of design goals that serve as the Competition Program for a “complex urban situation.” Those 10 goals clearly will require reaching beyond the geographic area outlined on the companion map on page 8. Can we therefore assume that the competition and the work that follows with a winning scheme can venture beyond those site boundaries? Who owns the land in the area outlined on the map on page 8? Can an entry, in its design effort in stage three, suggest urban design or other improvements outside of the area designated as the Competition Site?
January 19, 2010 – 2:26 pm
A57: The land is currently held by a number of public and private owners. The boundaries of the project are shown in the Competition Manual and impact areas will be identified for Stage III of the Competition.
Q55: There is reference in item 4.4 on page 22 that “competition results will be used to solicit and allocate capital improvement funds, and construction may be phased as funds become available.” Has there been any determination of what level of funding might be required for the project, or what level of funding might be available from different sources? If so, what are these sources?
January 18, 2010 – 5:55 pm
A55: Funding is ongoing and is from a number of different federal, state, and local sources. Competitors will be apprised of the status of fundraising at the Stage III Briefing. See also Q/A #12.
Q48: Is this competition is open to other countries, and what is the procedure to attend the meeting, and individual professionals like designer, architect…etc are eligible?
January 18, 2010 – 5:50 pm
A48: Yes, refer to the Competition Regulations on page 17 of the Competition Manual for eligibility requirements. See also Q/A #6.
Q43: Will you be sharing the sign-in list [from the Pre-submittal Meeting] with attendees or on the website?
January 18, 2010 – 5:44 pm
A43: Yes, it will be posted to the Competition website.
Q42: Is identifying one or more artists to be on our team required for meeting the criteria of Phase 1, or can we postpone this decision until Phase 2.
January 18, 2010 – 5:44 pm
A42: The team must be composed as described in the Competition Manual. See also Q/A #18.
Q12: Have a budget and funding sources been identified for the project?
January 18, 2010 – 5:05 pm
A12: The complexity of the project is such that the competition seeks design solutions based on goals rather than a pre-defined program and so it is not possible to determine a budget at this time. A large consideration for budget purposes should be the goal to complete the project by October 2015. Fundraising has already begun.
Q4: How might I link up with a designer for this competition?
December 22, 2009 – 11:00 am
A4: A networking session will be held in St. Louis in the beginning of Stage II for the short-listed design firms to meet and explore potential teaming opportunities with other individuals and firms. The Competition Manager cannot provide recommendations or assistance in teaming.
A2: The Teams that are invited to participate in Stage III of this competition will receive an honorarium of $100,000. There is no compensation for Stage I and Stage II participants. Refer to page 17 of the Competition Manual.
Q1: What is the registration cost?
December 21, 2009 – 12:58 pm
A1: There is no fee for registration.
For the full list of questions and answers, visit the Arch Competition website link here: Design Competition Q and A
Q67: What role will the Casino play in the project?
January 19, 2010 – 2:28 pm
A67: Design and operational parameters of this specificity will be discussed with the Stage III participants at the Stage III Briefing.
Q66: Will river front access be provided within the project boundary along the eastern shore from the Eads Bridge to the Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park? (It looks like this portion might be privately owned by the Casino.)
January 19, 2010 – 2:28 pm
A66: Design and operational parameters of this specificity will be discussed with the Stage III participants at the Stage III Briefing.
Q65: Are ridership volume statistics available for the Arch Lacledes Metrolink Station (just north of the site under the Eads Bridge)?
January 19, 2010 – 2:28 pm
A65: Necessary data will be provided to the Stage III participants at the Stage III Briefing.
Q64: Are the existing Rail Yards and Barge Docks along the eastern shore north of the Poplar Street Bridge to remain in operation within the park boundary?
January 19, 2010 – 2:27 pm
A64: Design and operational parameters of this specificity will be discussed with the Stage III participants at the Stage III Briefing.
Q63: Are there statistics available on existing vehicular traffic flows for the Eads Bridge?
January 19, 2010 – 2:27 pm
A63: Necessary data will be provided to the Stage III participants at the Stage III Briefing.
Q62: Is the Poplar Street Bridge Structure included within the limit of the project? (as opposed to simply representing the project boundary with no opportunities to annex or co-opt the structures programmatically).
January 19, 2010 – 2:27 pm
A62: Design parameters of this specificity will be discussed with the Stage III participants at the Stage III Briefing. Also refer to Q/A #57.
Q61: Is the Eads Bridge Structure included within the limit of the project?
January 19, 2010 – 2:27 pm
A61: See Q/A #57.
Q60: Will there be “Air Rights” opportunities over the I-70 Expressway between the Market and Chestnut overpasses? Between Walnut and Pine?
January 19, 2010 – 2:27 pm
A60: Design parameters of this specificity will be discussed with the Stage III participants at the Stage III Briefing.
Q59: Is the option of highway removal, especially the vacation of the depressed lanes, combined with some restoration the city’s original street grid to connect with the Arch grounds, a possibility for consideration in the design competition?
January 19, 2010 – 2:27 pm
A59: Design parameters of this specificity will be discussed with the Stage III participants at the Stage III Briefing.
Q57: On page 9 the Manual outlines a broad set of design goals that serve as the Competition Program for a “complex urban situation.” Those 10 goals clearly will require reaching beyond the geographic area outlined on the companion map on page 8. Can we therefore assume that the competition and the work that follows with a winning scheme can venture beyond those site boundaries? Who owns the land in the area outlined on the map on page 8? Can an entry, in its design effort in stage three, suggest urban design or other improvements outside of the area designated as the Competition Site?
January 19, 2010 – 2:26 pm
A57: The land is currently held by a number of public and private owners. The boundaries of the project are shown in the Competition Manual and impact areas will be identified for Stage III of the Competition.
Q55: There is reference in item 4.4 on page 22 that “competition results will be used to solicit and allocate capital improvement funds, and construction may be phased as funds become available.” Has there been any determination of what level of funding might be required for the project, or what level of funding might be available from different sources? If so, what are these sources?
January 18, 2010 – 5:55 pm
A55: Funding is ongoing and is from a number of different federal, state, and local sources. Competitors will be apprised of the status of fundraising at the Stage III Briefing. See also Q/A #12.
Q48: Is this competition is open to other countries, and what is the procedure to attend the meeting, and individual professionals like designer, architect…etc are eligible?
January 18, 2010 – 5:50 pm
A48: Yes, refer to the Competition Regulations on page 17 of the Competition Manual for eligibility requirements. See also Q/A #6.
Q43: Will you be sharing the sign-in list [from the Pre-submittal Meeting] with attendees or on the website?
January 18, 2010 – 5:44 pm
A43: Yes, it will be posted to the Competition website.
Q42: Is identifying one or more artists to be on our team required for meeting the criteria of Phase 1, or can we postpone this decision until Phase 2.
January 18, 2010 – 5:44 pm
A42: The team must be composed as described in the Competition Manual. See also Q/A #18.
Q12: Have a budget and funding sources been identified for the project?
January 18, 2010 – 5:05 pm
A12: The complexity of the project is such that the competition seeks design solutions based on goals rather than a pre-defined program and so it is not possible to determine a budget at this time. A large consideration for budget purposes should be the goal to complete the project by October 2015. Fundraising has already begun.
Q4: How might I link up with a designer for this competition?
December 22, 2009 – 11:00 am
A4: A networking session will be held in St. Louis in the beginning of Stage II for the short-listed design firms to meet and explore potential teaming opportunities with other individuals and firms. The Competition Manager cannot provide recommendations or assistance in teaming.
A2: The Teams that are invited to participate in Stage III of this competition will receive an honorarium of $100,000. There is no compensation for Stage I and Stage II participants. Refer to page 17 of the Competition Manual.
Q1: What is the registration cost?
December 21, 2009 – 12:58 pm
A1: There is no fee for registration.
For the full list of questions and answers, visit the Arch Competition website link here: Design Competition Q and A
Monday, January 18, 2010
"Extreme Makeover - Riverfront Edition"
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
St. Louis, Missouri
"Extreme Makeover - Riverfront Edition", a new reality show based in St. Louis, Missouri, begins production this month for airing in the spring of 2010. "Extreme Makeover - Riverfront Edition" will showcase the efforts of the National Park Service and the City of St. Louis to revitalize the historic Mississippi Riverfront, the Gateway Arch, and downtown St. Louis. "Extreme Makeover - Riverfront Edition" creates a rare opportunity for the public from across the country to participate in this exciting project.
In 1965, the final section of Eero Saarinen's masterpiece, the Gateway Arch, was installed, creating a landmark commemorating the westward expansion of the United States. Saarinen, a relative unknown at the time, made his mark on St. Louis and the international scene with his modernist Arch design masterprice. Saarinen was the unlikely winner of an international design competition held to create a landmark monument for the St. Louis riverfront.
Nearly fifty years later, "Extreme Makeover - Riverfront Edition" aims to renew that world-wide excitement by bringing forward the best possible ideas for reconnecting the historic St. Louis riverfront, the Arch, and downtown St. Louis. In an era where sustainable communities, valuing diversity, and a return to cities is becoming an increasingly popular lifestyle of choice, "Extreme Makeover - Riverfront Edition" will give viewers the opportunity to experience the process of community renewal first hand, while also maximizing public participation in the process.
A variety of interested governmental, non-profit, commercial and neighborhood groups are working together to remake the historic riverfront and Arch grounds. These efforts are being led by a collaboration of St. Louis and national leaders focused on a dramatic, transformative effort for the Arch, riverfront, and downtown St. Louis. "Extreme Makeover - Riverfront Edition" will add major public relations and community participation dimensions to the process. Each week, show producers will highlight participants in the project and viewers will be able to text their votes for the teams and design ideas they like the best.
While focusing on the Arch design competition, "Extreme Makeover - Riverfront Edition" will also profile the St.Louis community, a city famous for its historic riverfront, jazz and blues music, great restaurant scene, and strong neighborhood traditions.
DISCLAIMER - So as to avoid similar confusion attributed to the RFT's parody story about project design at Ballpark Village, "Extreme Makeover - Riverfront Edition" is not really going into production for airing this spring or anytime soon. We wish it was! Our aim is get more people talking about the exciting potential of the Arch Design Competition for transforming downtown St. Louis!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Arch Design Competition Begins Today
Efforts to reconnect the Arch, the Riverfront and Downtown St. Louis begin today. The chosen method begins with an international design competition. The design competition program will lead to a plan for repositioning the way the Arch connects to the region. That plan comes with the possibility of substantial federal funding to make the project reality.
Among the world's most famous landmarks, the Arch is on par with the best. Unfortunately, it is located in a horrible setting, walled off from the community it represents. The setting is not appropriate for such a world class monument. As the design competition begins, consider how these other iconic landmarks relate to their surroundings:
The Sydney Opera House:
The US Capitol and Washington Monument:
The Eiffel Tower:
What do these landmarks have in common with the Gateway Arch? Do they suggest possibilities we might pursue?
Some say creativity is not really about originality but rather the combining and reworking of good ideas already learned.
Will our efforts result in experiences on par with visits to the world's other top landmarks? What would such an outcome mean for St. Louis?
Among the world's most famous landmarks, the Arch is on par with the best. Unfortunately, it is located in a horrible setting, walled off from the community it represents. The setting is not appropriate for such a world class monument. As the design competition begins, consider how these other iconic landmarks relate to their surroundings:
The Sydney Opera House:
The US Capitol and Washington Monument:
The Eiffel Tower:
What do these landmarks have in common with the Gateway Arch? Do they suggest possibilities we might pursue?
Some say creativity is not really about originality but rather the combining and reworking of good ideas already learned.
Will our efforts result in experiences on par with visits to the world's other top landmarks? What would such an outcome mean for St. Louis?
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Open Letter to Participants in Arch Design Competition
Dear Design Community:
Welcome to St. Louis! The magnificent Arch you will soon be studying is the cherished icon of St. Louis. It is our landmark and logo to the world. Unfortunately, it is like a precious gem placed in an inferior setting. For the past couple of years, the National Park Service has led an effort to fix that problem and reconnect the Arch, the riverfront, and downtown into one vibrant area. The designs you create will set in motion a process to transform downtown St. Louis.
Early on in this effort, Senator John Danforth encouraged big thinking for the future of downtown and the riverfront. The design competition will be where those ideas emerge. As you shape your plans, look around and see the challenges we are addressing. What big ideas are possible? How can infrastructure leverage transformative change? If we succeed in this effort, the answers to those questions will be revealed for St. Louis.
Comments on this website are unmoderated. What would others add to this open letter to the individuals and firms embarking on this potentially transformative project for downtown St. Louis and the region?
Welcome to St. Louis! The magnificent Arch you will soon be studying is the cherished icon of St. Louis. It is our landmark and logo to the world. Unfortunately, it is like a precious gem placed in an inferior setting. For the past couple of years, the National Park Service has led an effort to fix that problem and reconnect the Arch, the riverfront, and downtown into one vibrant area. The designs you create will set in motion a process to transform downtown St. Louis.
Early on in this effort, Senator John Danforth encouraged big thinking for the future of downtown and the riverfront. The design competition will be where those ideas emerge. As you shape your plans, look around and see the challenges we are addressing. What big ideas are possible? How can infrastructure leverage transformative change? If we succeed in this effort, the answers to those questions will be revealed for St. Louis.
Comments on this website are unmoderated. What would others add to this open letter to the individuals and firms embarking on this potentially transformative project for downtown St. Louis and the region?
Monday, January 11, 2010
Jury Selected for Arch Design Competition
From the press release:
FOR RELEASE: January 11, 2010
Contact: Janis Cooper
(314) 259-2015
Janis.Cooper@CityArchRiverCompetition.org
Jury Selected for International Gateway Arch Design Competition
Pre-submittal meeting set for January 13 in St. Louis
Eight-Member Panel Will Determine Winning Design to Connect the Gateway Arch with
the Mississippi River and the St. Louis Region by 2015
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The CityArchRiver 2015 Foundation today announced the formation of a nationally prominent jury to choose the winner of the international design competition to invigorate the park and city areas surrounding one of the world’s most iconic monuments, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis.
The announcement of the jury’s formation comes two days before the competition’s pre-submittal meeting on January 13. Potential competitors are invited to St. Louis for a briefing and a tour of the site. This meeting is open to the public and the media. Additional information can be found at: www.cityarchrivercompetition.org/competition/meeting-information.
Among those selected for the jury are a Pulitzer Prize-winning architecture critic, a professor in the humanities, a former Deputy Director of the National Park Service, an urban designer, a museum curator, and a renowned landscape architect. Specifically, jury members are:
· Robert Campbell, architecture critic at The Boston Globe and contributing editor for Architectural Record
· Gerald Early, Merle Kling Professor of Modern Letters and Director of the African and Afro-American Studies at Washington University in St. Louis
· Denis P. Galvin, former Deputy Director of the National Park Service
· Alex Krieger, founding principal of Chan Krieger Sieniewicz, architecture and urban design firm and professor at the Harvard School of Design, Cambridge, Mass.
· David C. Leland, an urban strategist and managing director of the Leland Consulting Group, Portland, Ore.
· Cara McCarty, curator of the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, New York City
· Laurie D. Olin, partner and landscape architect of the OLIN Studio, Philadelphia
· Carol Ross Barney, founder and Principal of Ross Barney Architects, Chicago
The jury will work together to select the winning firm in the design competition – “Framing a Modern Masterpiece: The City + The Arch + The River 2015” – launched December 8, 2009. The competition will invite selected teams to create a new design for the Arch grounds and surrounding areas to create an iconic place for the international icon, the Gateway Arch, and weave connections and transitions from the city and the Arch grounds to the Mississippi River, including the east bank in Illinois.
The new design is called for in the National Park Service’s General Management Plan, which was developed with extensive public input over an 18-month period, and approved on November 23, 2009.
“We are honored that this diverse group of experts has agreed to devote its time to finding the perfect design for the region and the park,” said Tom Bradley, Superintendent of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, which includes the Gateway Arch.
“The distinguished jury represents a diverse but experienced and knowledgeable set of perspectives,” said Bruce Lindsey, Dean of the College and Graduate School of Architecture and Urban Design at Washington University in St. Louis. “They were chosen carefully from local and national nominations and have committed their considerable collective expertise to helping identify an inspired and dynamic future for the Arch, its immediate surroundings, and connections to the city and the river.”
A governance group, which includes Bradley and Lindsey, as well as St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay and business and community leaders from Missouri and Illinois, academics, architects, and national park advocates, was established by the non-profit the CityArchRiver 2015 Foundation to manage the competition and select the jury.
The winning design will be announced in October 2010, with the resulting work completed by October 28, 2015 – the 50th anniversary of the completion of the Arch.
Firms have until Jan. 26, 2010 to register for the competition and submit for Stage I of the competition. The jury will then select those firms with the most outstanding portfolios to continue in the competition.
“We want to create a comprehensive, transparent process to establish a high level of design expectations for all of the competitors, including known and emerging designers.” said Donald Stastny, chief executive officer of StastnyBrun Architects in Portland, Ore, who is managing the competition.
Stastny will help guide and prepare the jury, whose members will participate throughout all phases of the competition process. The jurors will be offered an honorarium for their time and be reimbursed for travel, lodging and meal expenses.
Financial contributions to the CityArchRiver 2015 Foundation are being handled by the Greater St. Louis Community Foundation, a public charity with more than $140 million in charitable assets and representing more than 350 individual funds.
Donors to the competition include: Emerson , Gateway Center of Metropolitan St. Louis (Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park), Peter Fischer, Emily Rauh Pulitzer, Civic Progress, Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation, Danforth Foundation, John F. McDonnell, Bryan Cave LLP, Greater St. Louis Community Foundation, National Park Foundation, Monsanto, Alison and John Ferring, Bank of America, David C. Farrell and donors who choose to remain anonymous.
Additional information can be found at www.cityarchrivercompetition.org.
Jury Members
Robert Campbell FAIA
architecture critic/boston globe contributing editor/architectural record
Robert Campbell received the Pulitzer Prize in 1996 for his work as an architecture critic for the Boston Globe. He has published more than 100 feature articles in national periodicals, and is a contributing editor and columnist for the magazine Architectural Record. His book, Cityscapes of Boston: “An American City Through Time,” a collaboration with photographer Peter Vanderwarker, has achieved critical acclaim. Mr. Campbell also reviews books on architecture, urbanism, popular culture and poetry for the New York Times.
Mr. Campbell has been in private practice as an architect since 1975, chiefly as a consultant for the improvement or expansion of cultural institutions. A Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, he has received the AIA’s Medal for Criticism, the Commonwealth Award of the Boston Society of Architects, a Design Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts and grants from the Graham Foundation and the J. M. Kaplan Fund. Mr. Campbell was the 2004 recipient of the annual Award of Honor of the Boston Society of Architects.
Mr. Campbell has taught at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, the Boston Architectural Center and the University of North Carolina. He is a former Visiting Scholar at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. From 1993-2002, he was visiting Sam Gibbons Eminent Scholar in Architecture and Urban Planning at the University of South Florida, and in 2002 he was Max Fisher Visiting Professor at the University of Michigan. In 2003, he was a Senior Fellow in the National Arts Journalism Program at Columbia University.
Mr. Campbell is a graduate of Harvard College, the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism and the Harvard Graduate School of Design. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. His poems have appeared in the Atlantic Monthly, Harvard Review and elsewhere. In 1997, he was an artist-in-residence at the American Academy in Rome.
Gerald Early PhD
professor washington university in st. louis
Gerald Early is an essayist, cultural critic, educator and poet. He is the Merle Kling Professor of Modern Letters and the Director of the Center for the Humanities at Washington University in St. Louis. He was formerly Director of African and African American Studies.
Gerald’s publications include One Nation Under A Groove: Motown and American Culture, Daughters: On Family and Fatherhood, Tuxedo Junctions: Essays on American Culture, and The Culture of Bruising: Essays on Prizefighting, Literature and Modern American Culture. He most recently served as series editor for Best African American Essays 2010 (with guest editor Randall Kennedy) and Best African American Fiction 2010 (with guest editor Nikki Giovanni). He has served as a consultant on Ken Burns’ documentary films Baseball, Jazz, Unforgiveable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson and The War and he is a regular commentator on National Public Radio’s Fresh Air. His essays have appeared in numerous editions of Best American Essays Series.
Gerald Early earned an A.B. from the University of Pennsylvania and was awarded a Masters Degree and PhD from Cornell University. He has received numerous awards including the Whiting Writer’s Award and a National Book Critics Circle Award for criticism.
Denis P. Galvin
former deputy director national park service
Denis P. Galvin joined the National Park Service in 1963 as a civil engineer (B.S. Northwestern University) at Sequoia National Park, Calif., after completing a two-year Peace Corps assignment in Tanzania, East Africa. Subsequent assignments saw Mr. Galvin serve as an engineer at Mount Rainier National Park, Wash.; in the Park Services’ Southwest Regional Office, based in Santa Fe, NM; as a training specialist at the agency’s Horace M. Albright Training Center in Grand Canyon, Ariz.; and, as a management assistant at the New York District Office, overseeing park operations for units in New York and New Jersey.
In 1974 when a new NPS Regional Office was opened in Boston, Mr. Galvin became Associate Regional Director for Operations; two years later, he became Deputy Director for that region. From that post, he transferred to Denver, Col., in 1978 where he was manager of the Denver Service Center. That office oversees most of the agency’s planning, design and construction program. In 1985, he was selected as Deputy Director of the National Park Service.
Mr. Galvin returned to planning, design and construction in 1989 when he was named Associate Director for Planning and Development. That position also included policy, information management and land acquisition programs. In September 1997, he accepted a re-assignment to Deputy Director. Mr. Galvin retired from the National Park Service in January, 2002. He is currently a Trustee of the National Parks Conservation Association and a Commissioner of the Second Century Commission, a group of nearly 30 diverse and distinguished Americans charged with developing a 21st century vision for our National Parks.
He received numerous awards throughout his career. In 1991 he was honored with the Pugsley Medal for outstanding service to parks and conservation. In 2001 he was given a Presidential Rank Award for exceptional achievement in the career Senior Executive Service.
Alex Krieger FAIA
founding principal chan krieger sieniewicz
Alex Krieger has combined a career of teaching and practice, dedicating himself in both to understanding how to improve the quality of place and life in our major urban areas.
Mr. Krieger is founding principal of Chan Krieger Sieniewicz, an architecture and urban design firm based in Cambridge, Mass., since 1984. Offering services in architecture, urban design and planning, the firm has received more than two-dozen regional, national and international awards for its work. The firm has served a broad array of clients in over 30 cities, focusing primarily on educational, institutional, health-care and public projects in complex urban settings.
Mr. Krieger is a professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, where he has taught since 1977. He is Chairman of the Department of Urban Planning and Design, presently and from 1998-2004, as Director of the Urban Design Program, 1990-2001, and as Associate Chairman of the Department of Architecture, 1984-1989. He has also served in several university-wide roles including as senior planning advisor for Harvard’s campus expansion into Allston, Mass., and on the newly established design review committees for both the Allston and Cambridge campuses. In addition to design studios and seminar courses at the GSD, he teaches a core curriculum class at the College whose enrollment is regularly among the largest classes at Harvard.
Mr. Krieger’s major publications include: co-editing Urban Design (University of Minnesota Press, 2008), two volumes of Harvard Design Magazine (focusing on the evolution of urban design as a discipline), 2005-06; Remaking the Urban Waterfront, 2004; Mapping Boston, 1999; Towns and Town Planning Principles, 1994; A Design Primer for Towns and Cities, 1990; and Past Futures: Two Centuries of Imagining Boston, 1988. He has also authored more than two-dozen essays on American urbanization for various publications. He lectures frequently at national conferences and universities and is a frequent advisor to mayors and their planning staffs.
Mr. Krieger received a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Cornell University and a Master of City Planning in Urban Design degree from Harvard.
David C. Leland
chief executive officer leland consulting group
Dave Leland is among the more knowledgeable urban strategists in the United States, with more than 45 years of experience in the real estate industry as a consultant, advisor, developer and owner. As the former CEO of a national real estate acquisitions and development company, and educated in architecture, city planning and urban economics, he brings a unique and thorough perspective to any project.
Mr. Leland’s particular interest lies in downtown revitalization, smart growth and sustainable communities, transit oriented development, and innovative mixed-use centers. He has worked with development organizations from privately held firms to Fortune 500s, and more than 300 communities with a portfolio that includes 80 downtown revitalization and implementation strategies, 70 light rail transit stations, 45 urban corridors, and a host of smaller centers, corridors, main streets and greenfield communities. Mr. Leland’s philosophy is to balance his firm’s workload between public and private developer clients and thereby maintain continuous awareness of the issues that always arise in building successful public-private partnerships. He has served as both panelist and chair on numerous Urban Land Institute Advisory Panels, guest lectured at universities, professional associations and conferences, and served on boards ranging from the National Charrette Institute to Portland State University’s School of Urban and Public Affairs (Ore.).
Cara McCarty
curatorial director smithsonian institution’s cooper-hewitt
Cara McCarty is Curatorial Director at the Smithsonian Institution’s Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum in New York City, where she supervises all exhibitions and related activities in the broad field of design, including architecture, environmental, landscape, and urban design. For 14 years prior to joining the Cooper-Hewitt in 2007, Ms. McCarty was at the Saint Louis Art Museum as the Grace L. Brumbaugh and Richard E. Brumbaugh Curator of Decorative Arts and Design.
In St. Louis, Ms. McCarty served on the Executive Committee of the Saint Louis Art Museum's expansion, participating in the selection of the architect and landscape architect and working with David Chipperfield, the architect of the master plan and design. In New York, she is playing a lead role in the programming, scheduling and redesign of Cooper-Hewitt's premises. She initiated the thesis for the Museum’s 2010 Triennial Exhibition, Why Design Now?, which will focus on the latest worldwide innovations in the fields of urban mobility and energy use and she is supervising curator of the Museum's other forthcoming major exhibitions.
Ms. McCarty is a graduate of Stanford University. In 2004, she was selected to the mid-career Loeb Fellowship at Harvard's Graduate School of Design, attending courses at the Kennedy School of Government and doing advance work in urban design and architecture both at Harvard and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 2008 and 2009, she was the American juror for the annual Dutch Design Awards to select the major design awards in the country, including architecture and landscape design.
Laurie D. Olin RLA FASLA
partner/landscape architect olin
Laurie Olin is a distinguished teacher and author and one of the most renowned landscape architects practicing today. His involvement often marks the signature of OLIN’s distinguished portfolio of projects, which span the history of the studio from Bryant Park in New York City to the Brancusi Ensemble in Romania. Recent projects include Simon and Helen Director Park in Portland, Ore., and Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.
Mr. Laurie and his fellow partners at OLIN recently received the 2008 Landscape Design Award from the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum for excellence and innovation in landscape design and dedication to sustainability.
Mr. Laurie is currently a practice professor of Landscape Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania, where he has taught for 30 years. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects, and recipient of the 1998 Award in Architecture from the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
Carol Ross Barney FAIA
design principal ross barney architects
Carol Ross Barney FAIA is founder and Principal of Ross Barney Architects. She is responsible for the design excellence of all projects undertaken by the firm. Dedicated to improving the built environment, her work has an international reputation in design of institutional and public buildings. The work of her firm has been published in national and international journals, books and newspapers and has received numerous honors including four Institute Honor Awards from the American Institute of Architects and over 25 AIA Chicago Design Awards. Her drawings have been widely exhibited and collected by the Art Institute of Chicago, the Chicago Historical Society, The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago and the National Building Museum. Ms. Ross Barney is the recipient of the American Institute of Architects 2005 Thomas Jefferson Award for Public Architecture. This award recognizes excellence for a career of architectural achievement. Recently, Ms. Ross Barney’s firm received an AIA COTE Top Ten Project award for the LEED Platinum, Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation in Evanston, Illinois.
Recently completed projects include the new Commodore John Barry Elementary School in Philadelphia, Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, U.S. Border Station in Sault Ste. Marie Michigan, Swenson Science Building for the University of Minnesota at Duluth, Arts Science and Technology Pavilion for Oakton Community College, the Champaign Public Library and the Chicago River Walk. The Bloomingdale Trail, a new linear park in Chicago, a Civil Engineering Building at the University of Minnesota Duluth, and a Central Chiller Plant for Ohio State University are among the studio’s current commissions.
Ms. Ross Barney is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. Following graduation, she served as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in Costa Rica planning national parks. Ms. Ross Barney is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, one of the highest honors the Institute bestows upon its members. She has taught at the University of Illinois at Chicago, the University of Oklahoma (Goff Chair for Creative Architecture) and the Illinois Institute of Technology, where she is teaching an advanced Design Studio and serves on the College Board of Overseers.
###
FOR RELEASE: January 11, 2010
Contact: Janis Cooper
(314) 259-2015
Janis.Cooper@CityArchRiverCompetition.org
Jury Selected for International Gateway Arch Design Competition
Pre-submittal meeting set for January 13 in St. Louis
Eight-Member Panel Will Determine Winning Design to Connect the Gateway Arch with
the Mississippi River and the St. Louis Region by 2015
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The CityArchRiver 2015 Foundation today announced the formation of a nationally prominent jury to choose the winner of the international design competition to invigorate the park and city areas surrounding one of the world’s most iconic monuments, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis.
The announcement of the jury’s formation comes two days before the competition’s pre-submittal meeting on January 13. Potential competitors are invited to St. Louis for a briefing and a tour of the site. This meeting is open to the public and the media. Additional information can be found at: www.cityarchrivercompetition.org/competition/meeting-information.
Among those selected for the jury are a Pulitzer Prize-winning architecture critic, a professor in the humanities, a former Deputy Director of the National Park Service, an urban designer, a museum curator, and a renowned landscape architect. Specifically, jury members are:
· Robert Campbell, architecture critic at The Boston Globe and contributing editor for Architectural Record
· Gerald Early, Merle Kling Professor of Modern Letters and Director of the African and Afro-American Studies at Washington University in St. Louis
· Denis P. Galvin, former Deputy Director of the National Park Service
· Alex Krieger, founding principal of Chan Krieger Sieniewicz, architecture and urban design firm and professor at the Harvard School of Design, Cambridge, Mass.
· David C. Leland, an urban strategist and managing director of the Leland Consulting Group, Portland, Ore.
· Cara McCarty, curator of the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, New York City
· Laurie D. Olin, partner and landscape architect of the OLIN Studio, Philadelphia
· Carol Ross Barney, founder and Principal of Ross Barney Architects, Chicago
The jury will work together to select the winning firm in the design competition – “Framing a Modern Masterpiece: The City + The Arch + The River 2015” – launched December 8, 2009. The competition will invite selected teams to create a new design for the Arch grounds and surrounding areas to create an iconic place for the international icon, the Gateway Arch, and weave connections and transitions from the city and the Arch grounds to the Mississippi River, including the east bank in Illinois.
The new design is called for in the National Park Service’s General Management Plan, which was developed with extensive public input over an 18-month period, and approved on November 23, 2009.
“We are honored that this diverse group of experts has agreed to devote its time to finding the perfect design for the region and the park,” said Tom Bradley, Superintendent of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, which includes the Gateway Arch.
“The distinguished jury represents a diverse but experienced and knowledgeable set of perspectives,” said Bruce Lindsey, Dean of the College and Graduate School of Architecture and Urban Design at Washington University in St. Louis. “They were chosen carefully from local and national nominations and have committed their considerable collective expertise to helping identify an inspired and dynamic future for the Arch, its immediate surroundings, and connections to the city and the river.”
A governance group, which includes Bradley and Lindsey, as well as St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay and business and community leaders from Missouri and Illinois, academics, architects, and national park advocates, was established by the non-profit the CityArchRiver 2015 Foundation to manage the competition and select the jury.
The winning design will be announced in October 2010, with the resulting work completed by October 28, 2015 – the 50th anniversary of the completion of the Arch.
Firms have until Jan. 26, 2010 to register for the competition and submit for Stage I of the competition. The jury will then select those firms with the most outstanding portfolios to continue in the competition.
“We want to create a comprehensive, transparent process to establish a high level of design expectations for all of the competitors, including known and emerging designers.” said Donald Stastny, chief executive officer of StastnyBrun Architects in Portland, Ore, who is managing the competition.
Stastny will help guide and prepare the jury, whose members will participate throughout all phases of the competition process. The jurors will be offered an honorarium for their time and be reimbursed for travel, lodging and meal expenses.
Financial contributions to the CityArchRiver 2015 Foundation are being handled by the Greater St. Louis Community Foundation, a public charity with more than $140 million in charitable assets and representing more than 350 individual funds.
Donors to the competition include: Emerson , Gateway Center of Metropolitan St. Louis (Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park), Peter Fischer, Emily Rauh Pulitzer, Civic Progress, Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation, Danforth Foundation, John F. McDonnell, Bryan Cave LLP, Greater St. Louis Community Foundation, National Park Foundation, Monsanto, Alison and John Ferring, Bank of America, David C. Farrell and donors who choose to remain anonymous.
Additional information can be found at www.cityarchrivercompetition.org.
Jury Members
Robert Campbell FAIA
architecture critic/boston globe contributing editor/architectural record
Robert Campbell received the Pulitzer Prize in 1996 for his work as an architecture critic for the Boston Globe. He has published more than 100 feature articles in national periodicals, and is a contributing editor and columnist for the magazine Architectural Record. His book, Cityscapes of Boston: “An American City Through Time,” a collaboration with photographer Peter Vanderwarker, has achieved critical acclaim. Mr. Campbell also reviews books on architecture, urbanism, popular culture and poetry for the New York Times.
Mr. Campbell has been in private practice as an architect since 1975, chiefly as a consultant for the improvement or expansion of cultural institutions. A Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, he has received the AIA’s Medal for Criticism, the Commonwealth Award of the Boston Society of Architects, a Design Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts and grants from the Graham Foundation and the J. M. Kaplan Fund. Mr. Campbell was the 2004 recipient of the annual Award of Honor of the Boston Society of Architects.
Mr. Campbell has taught at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, the Boston Architectural Center and the University of North Carolina. He is a former Visiting Scholar at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. From 1993-2002, he was visiting Sam Gibbons Eminent Scholar in Architecture and Urban Planning at the University of South Florida, and in 2002 he was Max Fisher Visiting Professor at the University of Michigan. In 2003, he was a Senior Fellow in the National Arts Journalism Program at Columbia University.
Mr. Campbell is a graduate of Harvard College, the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism and the Harvard Graduate School of Design. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. His poems have appeared in the Atlantic Monthly, Harvard Review and elsewhere. In 1997, he was an artist-in-residence at the American Academy in Rome.
Gerald Early PhD
professor washington university in st. louis
Gerald Early is an essayist, cultural critic, educator and poet. He is the Merle Kling Professor of Modern Letters and the Director of the Center for the Humanities at Washington University in St. Louis. He was formerly Director of African and African American Studies.
Gerald’s publications include One Nation Under A Groove: Motown and American Culture, Daughters: On Family and Fatherhood, Tuxedo Junctions: Essays on American Culture, and The Culture of Bruising: Essays on Prizefighting, Literature and Modern American Culture. He most recently served as series editor for Best African American Essays 2010 (with guest editor Randall Kennedy) and Best African American Fiction 2010 (with guest editor Nikki Giovanni). He has served as a consultant on Ken Burns’ documentary films Baseball, Jazz, Unforgiveable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson and The War and he is a regular commentator on National Public Radio’s Fresh Air. His essays have appeared in numerous editions of Best American Essays Series.
Gerald Early earned an A.B. from the University of Pennsylvania and was awarded a Masters Degree and PhD from Cornell University. He has received numerous awards including the Whiting Writer’s Award and a National Book Critics Circle Award for criticism.
Denis P. Galvin
former deputy director national park service
Denis P. Galvin joined the National Park Service in 1963 as a civil engineer (B.S. Northwestern University) at Sequoia National Park, Calif., after completing a two-year Peace Corps assignment in Tanzania, East Africa. Subsequent assignments saw Mr. Galvin serve as an engineer at Mount Rainier National Park, Wash.; in the Park Services’ Southwest Regional Office, based in Santa Fe, NM; as a training specialist at the agency’s Horace M. Albright Training Center in Grand Canyon, Ariz.; and, as a management assistant at the New York District Office, overseeing park operations for units in New York and New Jersey.
In 1974 when a new NPS Regional Office was opened in Boston, Mr. Galvin became Associate Regional Director for Operations; two years later, he became Deputy Director for that region. From that post, he transferred to Denver, Col., in 1978 where he was manager of the Denver Service Center. That office oversees most of the agency’s planning, design and construction program. In 1985, he was selected as Deputy Director of the National Park Service.
Mr. Galvin returned to planning, design and construction in 1989 when he was named Associate Director for Planning and Development. That position also included policy, information management and land acquisition programs. In September 1997, he accepted a re-assignment to Deputy Director. Mr. Galvin retired from the National Park Service in January, 2002. He is currently a Trustee of the National Parks Conservation Association and a Commissioner of the Second Century Commission, a group of nearly 30 diverse and distinguished Americans charged with developing a 21st century vision for our National Parks.
He received numerous awards throughout his career. In 1991 he was honored with the Pugsley Medal for outstanding service to parks and conservation. In 2001 he was given a Presidential Rank Award for exceptional achievement in the career Senior Executive Service.
Alex Krieger FAIA
founding principal chan krieger sieniewicz
Alex Krieger has combined a career of teaching and practice, dedicating himself in both to understanding how to improve the quality of place and life in our major urban areas.
Mr. Krieger is founding principal of Chan Krieger Sieniewicz, an architecture and urban design firm based in Cambridge, Mass., since 1984. Offering services in architecture, urban design and planning, the firm has received more than two-dozen regional, national and international awards for its work. The firm has served a broad array of clients in over 30 cities, focusing primarily on educational, institutional, health-care and public projects in complex urban settings.
Mr. Krieger is a professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, where he has taught since 1977. He is Chairman of the Department of Urban Planning and Design, presently and from 1998-2004, as Director of the Urban Design Program, 1990-2001, and as Associate Chairman of the Department of Architecture, 1984-1989. He has also served in several university-wide roles including as senior planning advisor for Harvard’s campus expansion into Allston, Mass., and on the newly established design review committees for both the Allston and Cambridge campuses. In addition to design studios and seminar courses at the GSD, he teaches a core curriculum class at the College whose enrollment is regularly among the largest classes at Harvard.
Mr. Krieger’s major publications include: co-editing Urban Design (University of Minnesota Press, 2008), two volumes of Harvard Design Magazine (focusing on the evolution of urban design as a discipline), 2005-06; Remaking the Urban Waterfront, 2004; Mapping Boston, 1999; Towns and Town Planning Principles, 1994; A Design Primer for Towns and Cities, 1990; and Past Futures: Two Centuries of Imagining Boston, 1988. He has also authored more than two-dozen essays on American urbanization for various publications. He lectures frequently at national conferences and universities and is a frequent advisor to mayors and their planning staffs.
Mr. Krieger received a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Cornell University and a Master of City Planning in Urban Design degree from Harvard.
David C. Leland
chief executive officer leland consulting group
Dave Leland is among the more knowledgeable urban strategists in the United States, with more than 45 years of experience in the real estate industry as a consultant, advisor, developer and owner. As the former CEO of a national real estate acquisitions and development company, and educated in architecture, city planning and urban economics, he brings a unique and thorough perspective to any project.
Mr. Leland’s particular interest lies in downtown revitalization, smart growth and sustainable communities, transit oriented development, and innovative mixed-use centers. He has worked with development organizations from privately held firms to Fortune 500s, and more than 300 communities with a portfolio that includes 80 downtown revitalization and implementation strategies, 70 light rail transit stations, 45 urban corridors, and a host of smaller centers, corridors, main streets and greenfield communities. Mr. Leland’s philosophy is to balance his firm’s workload between public and private developer clients and thereby maintain continuous awareness of the issues that always arise in building successful public-private partnerships. He has served as both panelist and chair on numerous Urban Land Institute Advisory Panels, guest lectured at universities, professional associations and conferences, and served on boards ranging from the National Charrette Institute to Portland State University’s School of Urban and Public Affairs (Ore.).
Cara McCarty
curatorial director smithsonian institution’s cooper-hewitt
Cara McCarty is Curatorial Director at the Smithsonian Institution’s Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum in New York City, where she supervises all exhibitions and related activities in the broad field of design, including architecture, environmental, landscape, and urban design. For 14 years prior to joining the Cooper-Hewitt in 2007, Ms. McCarty was at the Saint Louis Art Museum as the Grace L. Brumbaugh and Richard E. Brumbaugh Curator of Decorative Arts and Design.
In St. Louis, Ms. McCarty served on the Executive Committee of the Saint Louis Art Museum's expansion, participating in the selection of the architect and landscape architect and working with David Chipperfield, the architect of the master plan and design. In New York, she is playing a lead role in the programming, scheduling and redesign of Cooper-Hewitt's premises. She initiated the thesis for the Museum’s 2010 Triennial Exhibition, Why Design Now?, which will focus on the latest worldwide innovations in the fields of urban mobility and energy use and she is supervising curator of the Museum's other forthcoming major exhibitions.
Ms. McCarty is a graduate of Stanford University. In 2004, she was selected to the mid-career Loeb Fellowship at Harvard's Graduate School of Design, attending courses at the Kennedy School of Government and doing advance work in urban design and architecture both at Harvard and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 2008 and 2009, she was the American juror for the annual Dutch Design Awards to select the major design awards in the country, including architecture and landscape design.
Laurie D. Olin RLA FASLA
partner/landscape architect olin
Laurie Olin is a distinguished teacher and author and one of the most renowned landscape architects practicing today. His involvement often marks the signature of OLIN’s distinguished portfolio of projects, which span the history of the studio from Bryant Park in New York City to the Brancusi Ensemble in Romania. Recent projects include Simon and Helen Director Park in Portland, Ore., and Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.
Mr. Laurie and his fellow partners at OLIN recently received the 2008 Landscape Design Award from the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum for excellence and innovation in landscape design and dedication to sustainability.
Mr. Laurie is currently a practice professor of Landscape Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania, where he has taught for 30 years. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects, and recipient of the 1998 Award in Architecture from the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
Carol Ross Barney FAIA
design principal ross barney architects
Carol Ross Barney FAIA is founder and Principal of Ross Barney Architects. She is responsible for the design excellence of all projects undertaken by the firm. Dedicated to improving the built environment, her work has an international reputation in design of institutional and public buildings. The work of her firm has been published in national and international journals, books and newspapers and has received numerous honors including four Institute Honor Awards from the American Institute of Architects and over 25 AIA Chicago Design Awards. Her drawings have been widely exhibited and collected by the Art Institute of Chicago, the Chicago Historical Society, The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago and the National Building Museum. Ms. Ross Barney is the recipient of the American Institute of Architects 2005 Thomas Jefferson Award for Public Architecture. This award recognizes excellence for a career of architectural achievement. Recently, Ms. Ross Barney’s firm received an AIA COTE Top Ten Project award for the LEED Platinum, Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation in Evanston, Illinois.
Recently completed projects include the new Commodore John Barry Elementary School in Philadelphia, Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, U.S. Border Station in Sault Ste. Marie Michigan, Swenson Science Building for the University of Minnesota at Duluth, Arts Science and Technology Pavilion for Oakton Community College, the Champaign Public Library and the Chicago River Walk. The Bloomingdale Trail, a new linear park in Chicago, a Civil Engineering Building at the University of Minnesota Duluth, and a Central Chiller Plant for Ohio State University are among the studio’s current commissions.
Ms. Ross Barney is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. Following graduation, she served as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in Costa Rica planning national parks. Ms. Ross Barney is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, one of the highest honors the Institute bestows upon its members. She has taught at the University of Illinois at Chicago, the University of Oklahoma (Goff Chair for Creative Architecture) and the Illinois Institute of Technology, where she is teaching an advanced Design Studio and serves on the College Board of Overseers.
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Thursday, January 07, 2010
Rhode Island effort to reconnect city, river
"Removing a Barrier" (a New York Times feature story)
St. Louis has the same opportunity with plans to reconnect the City, Arch, and River. Highway removal is key to making it happen.
Lots of other cities are considering their own highway removal options. Will Arch design competition entrants be so inspired?
Removal of the I-70 depressed and elevated lanes separating downtown from the riverfront and Arch grounds might seem like an impossible dream. However, here's what the National Park Service says about it in its recently adopted General Management Plan for the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (from Section 5.4 "Comments, and Responses to Comments, On the Draft Plan"):
COMMENT: The portion of I-70 adjacent to the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial should be removed in order to eliminate the physical and psychological barrier it creates.
RESPONSE: The National Park Service would prefer and strongly supports the removal of the Interstate highway between the Poplar Street Bridge and Eads Bridge at some point in the future. We recognize an undertaking of this magnitude may not be possible during the timeframe this GMP addresses (15-20 years), but we would amend the GMP should such an opportunity become feasible prior to the expiration of this plan.
At Ecology of Absence, Michael Allen makes a compelling case for analyzing the potential of highway removal in connection with the rerouting of I-70 over the new Mississippi River Bridge.
While the life of the GMP is 15-20 years, improvements built through the results of the design competition will surely be planned to have a useful life of much longer than that. We are likely to live with the decisions made today for the next 50 to 100 years. Unless of course the New Madrid decides to make a major move. In that case, all bets are off.
St. Louis has the same opportunity with plans to reconnect the City, Arch, and River. Highway removal is key to making it happen.
Lots of other cities are considering their own highway removal options. Will Arch design competition entrants be so inspired?
Removal of the I-70 depressed and elevated lanes separating downtown from the riverfront and Arch grounds might seem like an impossible dream. However, here's what the National Park Service says about it in its recently adopted General Management Plan for the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (from Section 5.4 "Comments, and Responses to Comments, On the Draft Plan"):
COMMENT: The portion of I-70 adjacent to the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial should be removed in order to eliminate the physical and psychological barrier it creates.
RESPONSE: The National Park Service would prefer and strongly supports the removal of the Interstate highway between the Poplar Street Bridge and Eads Bridge at some point in the future. We recognize an undertaking of this magnitude may not be possible during the timeframe this GMP addresses (15-20 years), but we would amend the GMP should such an opportunity become feasible prior to the expiration of this plan.
At Ecology of Absence, Michael Allen makes a compelling case for analyzing the potential of highway removal in connection with the rerouting of I-70 over the new Mississippi River Bridge.
While the life of the GMP is 15-20 years, improvements built through the results of the design competition will surely be planned to have a useful life of much longer than that. We are likely to live with the decisions made today for the next 50 to 100 years. Unless of course the New Madrid decides to make a major move. In that case, all bets are off.
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