Bridging the Divide

Urban Design Competition

Developed for the 2010 Steedman Competition, the multi-faceted design concept would reconnect downtown St. Louis with a revitalized riverfront while also helping heal the division between St. Louis and its impoverished crime-ridden neighbor, East St. Louis, which lies just across the river in Illinois. The design concept utilizes numerous elements including physical connections between the two areas, while also addressing the distinct functional needs facing each community.

The standard-bearer for the rebirth and revitalization of the St. Louis Riverfronts and downtown areas will be the Gateway City Footbridge. Crossing the Mississippi River in a single span, the suspension bridge will link a proposed development in the old Laclede Power building and newly constructed park to its north with the newly conceptualized East St. Louis TOD (Transit Oriented Development).

from the west river bank