*St Louis Magazine*
A bold proposal for a St. Louis highway removal is gaining momentum, spearheaded by the Gateway Arch Park Foundation as its next visionary goal following the recent purchase of the Millennium Hotel. This new initiative seeks to build on the success of the $380 million CityArchRiver project by removing a much larger section of I-44 through downtown.
The core idea, championed by the foundation’s executive director Ryan McClure, is to fully reconnect the city with its waterfront and “heal past urban planning ‘wounds’.” This vision follows a national trend of cities like San Francisco and Milwaukee removing urban highways to foster more connected, pedestrian-friendly spaces.
Addressing questions of feasibility, McClure noted the project may not be as “wildly expensive” as some might think, pointing out that the original highway cap from the CityArchRiver project cost between $15–$20 million. The Gateway Arch Park Foundation has a proven ability to fundraise and work effectively with key partners like the Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT).
The timing for this ambitious St. Louis highway removal project appears strategic. Conversations are already underway involving a range of stakeholders, including MODOT, Greater St. Louis Inc., and the city. The proposal is bolstered by a wave of nearby development—including projects at Gateway South and the Mansion House apartments—that creates significant momentum for rethinking the downtown landscape.
This article is a rewritten summary based St Louis Magazine
