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Downtown St. Louis Is Moving Forward

James Lesch

Dec 16, 2025 9:56 AM

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ST. LOUIS — The Gateway Arch Park Foundation is marking a period of progress and setting its sights on future projects aimed at advancing downtown St. Louis. The foundation, the official philanthropic partner of Gateway Arch National Park and surrounding areas, is focusing on key initiatives including the predevelopment of the former Millennium Hotel site and the expansion of Gateway Arch National Park to the East St. Louis riverfront.

The foundation’s efforts are part of a broader momentum revitalizing downtown St. Louis. Among recent milestones, the Old Courthouse at Gateway Arch National Park is scheduled to reopen in May 2025 following a $27.5 million renovation in partnership with the National Park Service. This renovation completes the CityArchRiver Project, a transformation of the Arch grounds, and represents only the second major update in the courthouse’s 160-year history.

In July 2025, the Gateway Arch Park Foundation acquired the former Millennium Hotel site, with demolition beginning in November 2025 and expected to take up to two years. The foundation is also continuing investment in Kiener Plaza amenities, with construction slated to start in early 2026 and conclude by fall.

Looking ahead, the foundation plans to explore expanding Gateway Arch National Park to the East St. Louis riverfront, a vision originally conceived by architect Eero Saarinen and supported by legislation passed in the early 1990s. Starting in 2026, the foundation and the National Park Service will conduct land acquisition efforts, environmental testing, remediation, and a visioning study to assess the potential benefits of expansion for the community and region.

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Additional future projects include enhancing the St. Louis Central Riverfront through infrastructure and visitor amenities in collaboration with stakeholders such as Laclede’s Landing and Gateway South. The foundation is also pursuing predevelopment studies of the I-44 corridor in partnership with the Missouri Department of Transportation, East West Gateway Council of Governments, and the City of St. Louis. These studies will explore options to address the highway’s role as a barrier between downtown and the riverfront.

The Gateway Arch Park Foundation emphasizes that the success of these projects depends on community support and regional collaboration. The foundation encourages residents and partners to invest in the collective vision for St. Louis’s future.

Since its establishment, the foundation’s Journey Fund has brought more than 11,000 students and educators from Title 1 schools to the Arch. The foundation also marked 10 years of hosting downtown traditions such as Blues at the Arch and Winterfest, and has attracted hundreds weekly to Kiener Plaza through its Sunrise Yoga program.

Through its stewardship, the Gateway Arch Park Foundation aims to ensure the Arch remains a downtown anchor, a unifying community symbol, and an economic driver for generations to come.

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