The Arch grounds have been called ?EUR??,,????'??a golf course without any golfers?EUR??,,????'?? by one local writer. Two lakes, a jogging path and viewing platforms flank the Arch and the site attracts over 2.5 million visitors a year, but the surrounding expanses of grass are often empty. Two common complaints voiced is the riverfront is hard to get to and when you do get there, there?EUR??,,????'???s not much going on. One designer suggests the grass is a barrier to the river from the downtown.

As part of the New Deal, FDR agreed to turn the riverfront real estate into a national park. Now some St. Louisians want some of that land back. Former U.S. Sen. John Danforth, whose family foundation spent $2 million studying how to revive the riverfront, believes the city is stymied for future development without taking local control of the 91 acres surrounding the Gateway Arch. Taking back the grounds, however, would require an act of Congress.

Mayor Francis Slay thinks the Arch grounds can be more than a passive expanses of grass and thinks it?EUR??,,????'???s time to revitalize this part of the downtown area. St. Louis, in his estimation, needs more excitement, something more engaging.

Mayor Slay helped usher in the new Busch Stadium and redevelopment on Washington Avenue. Other plans call for redevelopment of Ballpark Village, six blocks of condos, office space and stores next to Busch Stadium; an entertainment district next to the Edward Jones Dome; and a 19-story hotel tower and casino.

Riverfront commercial development has faltered. A ?EUR??,,????'??floating?EUR??,,????'?? McDonald’s on the riverfront closed and plans for an aquarium fell through. The Downtown St. Louis Partnership and other civic leaders envision a plaza or square along the lines of Chicago’s Millennium Park.