2008 Woodie Awards
Rehabbing Arch grounds would be a good idea
By: Jennifer Ginger
Issue date: 10/4/07 Section: Opinion/Editorial
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The current activities near the Arch include bike rides, riverboat cruises and helicopter tours - not too enticing after taking a tram more than 600 feet into the sky. Looking out of the windows, one is presented with the murky Mississippi and an empty park. It's beautiful, but it has potential to be much more.
The trend to "think green" and preserve nature could cause controversy with the proposed plans. However, St. Louis residents should be willing to think green in terms of the money that could be generated as a result of rehabbing the area.
Considering the current activities, simply a restaurant and a playground would be an improvement to the area, but there seems to be an understanding that the public needs options for entertainment and deserves more than what is available. There is no need to preserve acres of land that are abandoned by the majority of the public and disappoint travelers when they realize the Arch grounds are more than a bit dull.
If the plan is accepted, the public can give input and can demand environmentally friendly buildings to ensure the area is "green." Locals must realize that "thinking green" means respecting the earth, but it also suggests opportunities be given so the public is using land to public's advantage. Trees would have to be cut down and some green space would cease to be, but the Arch would still exist.
The trend to "think green" and preserve nature could cause controversy with the proposed plans. However, St. Louis residents should be willing to think green in terms of the money that could be generated as a result of rehabbing the area.
Considering the current activities, simply a restaurant and a playground would be an improvement to the area, but there seems to be an understanding that the public needs options for entertainment and deserves more than what is available. There is no need to preserve acres of land that are abandoned by the majority of the public and disappoint travelers when they realize the Arch grounds are more than a bit dull.
If the plan is accepted, the public can give input and can demand environmentally friendly buildings to ensure the area is "green." Locals must realize that "thinking green" means respecting the earth, but it also suggests opportunities be given so the public is using land to public's advantage. Trees would have to be cut down and some green space would cease to be, but the Arch would still exist.
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