Skywalk vs. Souvenir Umbrellas?

(May 1, 1998) - In its heyday, St. Louis was known as the small industrial capital of the world. Second only to New York's famous garment district, Washington Avenue was once a prosperous canyon of architecturally beautiful brick buildings housing shoe, clothes and fashion manufacturers. The sidewalks were alive with people window shopping and buying. The corridor also boasted a burgeoning printing industry.

Recently, a new convention hotel was approved for construction directly across from the America's center. The development would encompass the renovation of the shuttered Gateway Hotel on the south side of Washington Avenue at the corner of Ninth Street. Now, convention center officials have requested that the hotel developers build a skywalk connecting the two buildings.

Once again, the beautiful canyon of historical warehouses along Washington Avenue will be blocked from view. The tattered green and white wall that now connects the nearly defunct St. Louis Center to Dillards should stand as a reminder to developers bent on destroying the visual of what was once a great Avenue.

In light of a conflict in dates (typo) which cost the city a hardware convention, yielding an estimated $10 million, perhaps planners could establish the Avenue as an umbrella district. The convention center could either give away or better yet, sell souvenir umbrellas. It could be an economical boon to the city breathing life back into the once bustling industry. Rather than building a skywalk so that a few would not be inconvenienced by a shower or two, how about a tunnel? ?

If this city is so concerned about visitors crossing Washington Avenue, maybe they should consider eliminating heavy traffic from Tucker to Broadway. This would present an opportunity to turn the Avenue into a Walking District and open up the street for sidewalk cafes and unique retail shops. Thousands of tourists would be able to enjoy the streets of St. Louis without having to dodge the rush hour traffic coming from and going back to Illinois.

- Editor, SLFP

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