Photograph courtesy of Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates
The CityArchRiver 2015 Foundation, the initiative behind the plans to revamp the Arch grounds, announced that they will hold a "Report to the Community" on January 25 to update the public on the progress of the improvements and to unveil detailed plans for the new park over I-70, Museum of Westward Expansion entrance, and access for the I-70 corridor.
In September 2010, Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates beat out four other architecture firms with its plan to renovate the Arch grounds and surrounding areas by 2015. The $578 million plan was finalized in January 2011 to include to an elevated gondola, a raised levee, and a “lid” of land covering Interstate 70.
Although there were a few public updates in 2011, this meeting and forum at the 1,400-seat Ferrara Theatre in America’s Center will be the largest since January 2011.
"We want to make sure we take this opportunity in a large venue to allow for anyone in the public to get more information about the progress of the project and the next steps," says Ryan McClure, communications director of the CityArchRiver 2015 Foundation.
Speakers will include Deborah Patterson, president of the Monsanto Fund and member of CityArchRiver 2015 Design Competition Board of Governors; Tom Bradley, superintendent of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial; Walter Metcalfe, Jr., lead director of the CityArchRiver 2015 Foundation; Susan Trautman, executive director of Great Rivers Greenway; and Michael Van Valkenburgh, president and CEO of Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates.
The CityArchRiver 2015 Foundation's Report to the Community will take place Wednesday, January 25 from 6 to 7:15 p.m. at Ferrara Theatre in America's Center, 701 Convention, 314-342-5036. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. For more information, visit cityarchriver.org.
