JNEM Final GMP Preferred Alternate Selected

Date: November 23, 2009
Contact: Tom Bradley, 314-655-1600

Final General Management Plan / Environmental Impact Statement is Complete

Preferred Alternate Selected

St. Louis, MO - The National Park Service (NPS) today announced the signing of the Record of Decision for the Final General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (GMP/EIS) for Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (commonly referred to as the Gateway Arch). The Final GMP/EIS was released to the public October 23, 2009 for one last public review prior to signing the decision document that signifies the completion of the planning process.

Superintendent Tom Bradley and NPS Regional Director Ernest Quintana signed the document today. “We’ve had tremendous public interest throughout the planning process,” Bradley stated, “and this Record of Decision reflects that.” The document supports the preferred alternative as described in the final document published one month ago, with some modification to the proposed East St. Louis boundary that incorporates a portion of Malcolm Martin Memorial Park.  Bradley added, “We look forward to working with Metro East Parks and Recreation as we move forward with implementation of the plan.”

Alternative 3; “Program Expansion”, the selected alternative, will revitalize the Memorial by expanding programming, facilities, and partnerships to enhance the visitor experience throughout the Memorial. The National Park Service will continue the educational and interpretive programs currently offered at the Memorial and expand opportunities for visitors to participate in more interactive experiences across the Memorial grounds. The grounds surrounding the Gateway Arch will be managed in such a way as to accommodate and promote more visitor activities and special events than are currently provided. The National Park Service will actively coordinate with the City and State to enhance the pedestrian environment around the Memorial by developing a unifying streetscape along the Gateway Mall and the other streets adjacent to the Memorial, including Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard and the riverfront levee. The full implementation of the general management plan will happen in stages over the next number of years. The selected alternative includes a design competition initiated by the National Park Service in close coordination with others. Funding for the competition will likely be a combination of non-federal and federal sources.  

Sandra Washington, Chief of Planning for the National Park Service Midwest Region, stated “the NPS will use the design competition to seek opportunities to enhance existing entrances to the Memorial on the north and south, as well as to capitalize on the primary axis between the Old Courthouse and the Gateway Arch with new entrances on the west and east and by establishing a new east portal linking East St. Louis to the Gateway Arch grounds by water taxi. This is the culmination of a job well done, thanks to the Memorial staff and the engaged citizens of the St. Louis Region.”

For more information please visit our website at www.nps.gov/jeff or call [phone].