The Washington Ave streetscape was completed more than a dozen years ago.
Today’s poll question is about one aspect of the streetscape: the zipper motif.
The poll is open until 8pm, the answers are random — feel free to include your own.
— Steve Patterson
The morning of the Arch’s 50th celebration I posted a photo of the Arch and new flagpole along 4th Street to social media, I was surprised by a couple of negative reactions to the flagpole. What they might not have known was this new permanent flagpole will replace the Stars & Bars that has been flown from the top of the Old Courthouse’s dome.
Not sure if the flagpole atop the Old Courthouse will be removed, or if it’ll remain.
— Steve Patterson
Fifty years ago today the final section of the Arch was lowered into place. Today’s date was a big deal to organizers of the CityArchRiver design competition and for a long time they said all the work to actually connect the Arch grounds to the city would be done. Many of us were highly skeptical of these claims, but I didn’t want to burst their civic bubble.
Here are the results from the Sunday Poll:
Q: Please rate the amount of CityArchRiver work completed to date
Depending upon my mood I’m either neutral or somewhat satisfied.
Of course, I had low expectations.
There are numerous events today:
Recognition Ceremony and Birthday Party – Wednesday, October 28, 11 am
At 11 am—the moment when the final piece of the Gateway Arch was put into place 50 years ago—National Park Service leadership, along with local officials and partner dignitaries, will lead a special recognition ceremony commemorating the completion of the Arch on the Fourth Street side of the Old Courthouse.
Free Cupcakes!
From 11:30am – 1:30pm, Sarah’s Cake Stop & Destination Desserts cupcake trucks will distribute free 50th anniversary-themed cupcakes to the first 1,000 visitors. The trucks will be located on 4th street on the east side of the Old Courthouse (11 North 4th Street).
$1 Journey to the Top Tram Rides – October 28, all day
For one day only, Journey to the Top tram ride tickets will be sold at the original price of $1. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Old Courthouse, online at http://ticketsforthearch.com or by calling 877-982-1410.
Visitors to the top will receive:
- A “Top of the Arch” lapel button modeled after one that was originally distributed when the trams opened in 1967.
- An “I Went to the Top” certificate, similar to the certificate handed out to riders in the 1960s.
Limited-edition 50th Anniversary Merchandise
Custom-designed 50th anniversary items—including hats, shirts, jackets, mugs, coasters, and more—are available for purchase in the Museum Store located under the Gateway Arch, the Old Courthouse Gift Shop, and online at www.shop.jnpa.com.
Partners and sponsors of these events include the National Park Service, Bi-State Development , Jefferson National Parks Association, City of St. Louis, and the Missouri History Museum.
— Steve Patterson
An event tomorrow, Saturday October 24th, will kick-off celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the final piece of the Arch being lowered into place.
Here’s the summary:
ARCH 50 FEST | SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 10:30 AM – 8:30 PM
To celebrate the golden birthday of the Gateway Arch, an all-day community celebration will take place on Saturday, October 24, in nearby Kiener Plaza.The St. Louis community and all visitors are invited to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Arch during a day-long celebration at Kiener Plaza in downtown St. Louis. The event will include food and drink vendors, children’s activities, and live music throughout the day. The celebration will culminate with a world-class fireworks display showcasing the Arch. This event is sponsored and funded by the CityArchRiver Foundation and Great Rivers Greenway and entry is free.
We hope you’ll join us in celebrating the golden anniversary of our city’s iconic landmark!
Click the image above or here to see more information.
— Steve Patterson
Earlier this month I posted an image of the micro-park, located at Washington Ave & Tucker Blvd, to Twitter & Facebook. My caption was “Construction fencing up around pocket park Tucker & Washington Ave, plants & retaining walls removed.”
To fresh your memory, let’s go back a few months. My subject was the Arch from the 2009 All-Star game looking very shabby, thankfully it’s now gone.
Some thought the building owner wanted to extend their private parking lot toward Washington Ave. A building resident said the owner wants to build a patio for a future restaurant tenant.
You’ll recall five years ago the ground floor was occupied by a nightclub:
No restaurant has been named, but this could be very good for the area. This land is privately owned, though some may say an easement was created over the years.
— Steve Patterson