The CityArchRiver project has significantly contributed to the economic revival of downtown St. Louis by transforming key areas such as the Arch grounds, riverfront, and Kiener Plaza. This transformation has attracted tourists, including Angela and Kordelia Selken from South Dakota, who praised the museum beneath the Arch as a great place to visit on a hot day. Ryan McClure, the executive director of the Gateway Arch Park Foundation, explained that the foundation coordinated and fundraised for the project. The CityArchRiver project is considered one of the region’s most successful public-private investments. An economic impact study conducted by Tripp Umbach revealed that the project generated hundreds of millions of dollars and drew over 2.5 million visitors to Gateway Arch National Park last year. According to McClure, the area created about $570 million in economic impact for the St. Louis region, which is 34% more than before the project. The changes have greatly enhanced the visitor experience of the 630-foot-tall structure. “This project was made possible through a partnership, but ultimately, it was St. Louis that made it happen,” McClure stated.
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CityArchRiver project enhances STL economic growth
ST. LOUIS – The CityArchRiver project has transformed the Arch grounds, riverfront and Kiener Plaza, contributing to the revival of downtown St. Louis.
This transformation has caught the attention of the tourists who came to visit the city.
“It was great,” said mother-daughter duo Angela and Kordelia Selken, South Dakota visitors. “It was really fun. I loved the museum underneath. The museum was a great, cool place to spend a hot day. It was cool and then we did the ride to the top.”
Ryan McClure, executive director for the Gateway Arch Park Foundation, said that his organization came together to coordinate and fundraise for the CityArch Project.
The CityArchRiver project proved to be one of the region’s most successful public-private investments. Gateway Arch Park Foundation commissioned independent consulting firm Tripp Umbach to conduct an economic impact study on the improvements.
The study found that the improvements generated hundreds of millions of dollars and more than 2.5 million people visited Gateway Arch National Park last year.
“Last year, the CityArchRiver area created about 570 million dollars in economic impact for the St. Louis region,” McClure said. “That’s about 34% more than what the arch was experiencing before the project.”
The monumental project, centered around the tallest monument in the western hemisphere, made major changes to the ways visitors experience the 630-foot-tall structure.
“That’s something we’re proud of as a partnership but really St. Louis made this project happen,” McClure said.