Gateway Arch Park Foundation
Transforming Public Space to Reconnect a City and Revitalize Regional Growth
The Challenge
For decades after its completion, the Gateway Arch stood as a national icon but remained physically isolated from the City of St. Louis—separated by highways and disconnected from the Mississippi Riverfront. To restore the site’s connection to the city and improve the visitor experience, civic leaders launched the CityArchRiver Project, a large-scale public-private initiative aimed at transforming the Arch grounds, St. Louis Riverfront, and Kiener Plaza into a unified, accessible destination.
How We Helped
Gateway Arch Park Foundation engaged Tripp Umbach to conduct an independent economic impact study to measure the regional benefits of this landmark revitalization effort. The analysis evaluated the project’s effects on tourism, local business growth, employment, and tax generation across both the City and County of St. Louis, as well as the broader metropolitan region. The resulting report quantified how investment in public spaces drives economic activity and enhances quality of life.
The Impact
The study found that the renovated Gateway Arch National Park, St. Louis Riverfront, and Kiener Plaza generated $486.4 million in economic impact for St. Louis City and County and $572.1 million across the region in 2024. With more than 2.5 million annual visitors, the revitalized area has become a powerful example of how intentional design, collaboration, and investment can boost tourism, strengthen communities, and create lasting regional value.