Too Much Open Space Just as Bad as Too Litttle
In the early 20th Century St. Louis, like many cities, was a crowded place. Nearly every foot of land had a structure. The public street (sidewalk + road) was packed with pedestrians, streetcars, horses, buses, trucks, bikes, and cars. Around the edges you could find relief in parks such as O’Fallon & Forest. Downtown had only the Lucas Gardens (now Lucas Park).
Demolition began in the blocks West of Tucker and North of Market for the Soldier’s Memorial and Aloe Plaza across Market from Union Station. As the city’s population thinned, smoke ordinances cut air pollution, and jobs went to the suburbs the destruction continued as if it was still 1917.
The image above is looking South from AT&T.  The Western block of Citygarden is at the bottom. Market street runs left to right with 10th Street top to bottom.
We’ve got open space for a city of a million people but we have 350,000. An excess of open space just feels lifeless. Put 20 people on 20 acres and it will be boring. Put the same 20 people on 20 square yards and now you’ve got urban open space where you might have some interaction.
The Arch grounds are not going away and the city is committed to the Gateway Mall (5th to 20th) so we need to reduce the amount of other open space to bring the total in line with our population. The block next to Bank of America was planned for a future building — lets get that built. Beyond that is a seldom used space across from the federal courthouse. Build that out as well.
Even on the blocks of the Gateway Mall adding structures for food service (restaurants/kiosks) and restrooms is a good idea. We need to have less green space but better green space. That is what makes the two block Citygarden work so well — it is quality space for all ages. People are drawn to it and as more people fill the space the more you are drawn in. People attract people. Empty spaces repel. Recently I saw two wedding parties having pictures taken in Citygarden. Much of our open space has never seen a single wedding party in decades.
Of course it is not just open green space we need to reduce. We have lots of open gray space — surface parking lots. We’ve got to fill in the numerous gaps in our downtown and neighborhoods. The economy today isn’t going to permit the breaking of ground on lots of new construction but now is the perfect time to articulate the vision for when the economy does improve.
– Steve Patterson
Steve,
I like what you have to say here. It speaks directly to sustainable design and making our cities livable again. Green space is great when people use it. If “We need to have…better green space,” what do you suggest? How exactly do we formulate that vision with the interests of drawing people into the city without pushing people out.
You also say that “empty spaces repel.” I would much rather see an empty park than a vacant lot, but that’s my opinion. I agree that we should approach both issues simultaneously, but is anyone doing this? Has anyone mapped out all green space and all gray space and begun to formulate a sustainable development revision for our beloved city? As far as I know, nobody has.
Moreover, must we rely on the economy to pull the city’s “open gray space” out of its dull darkness or might we want the local community – commercial, residential, governmental – to invest a little sweat equity in local projects? A unified design concept may be a good starting point, but if we do not seek the advice and input of the local community, then these spaces will become empty eyesores again, be they green or gray.
The green space by the federal courthouse has got to go. It’s a total dead zone.
At the very least, retain the “tribal arm band tattoo” section and build on the grassy area behind the valley building. New construction on that site would help connect Cupples Station with the rest of downtown.
The “Twain” sculpture on 10th Street needs to go. http://stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/parks/parks_div/serra.html
That lot would be better utilized if businesses could build on it. I know people like the sculpture, but it’s rusted and unattractive. I can’t really appreciate it for what it once was, and I’m sure I’m not alone on that point. In my opinion, that area would be better served if it had restaurants on it. That corridor is lacking a bit on the food front. Especially for those of us working just a couple blocks south of it.
This photo speaks to a big question. How and heck do we get major employers downtown? Residential and retail has been making a come back, but not employment numbers in any meaningful way. Which is disappointing. Because I think St. Louis has figured out that you need all three for a downtown to succeed in a meaningful, sustainable way for a mid size city such as ours.
I believe Steve and many others have posted in the various blogs that the BofA tower was originally design to have two towers along market. This would be a great photo of an urban area/space if that came to fruition. Give up some gateway mall space between 10th and 11th for a low rise structure (maybe dedicated space for a dedicated Art Institute downtown satellite and a sophisticated rooftop garden over looking City Garden).