EAST ST. LOUIS: Budzinski Announces Initial Steps to Expand Gateway Arch National Park to Illinois

EAST ST. LOUIS, IL - On March 10, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and Congressman Wesley Bell (MO-01) held a press conference to celebrate legislation to expand the boundaries of the Gateway Arch National Park. They were joined by local leaders and representatives from the Gateway Arch Park Foundation.

Specifically, the bill would amend the boundaries of Gateway Arch National Park to include Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park and neighboring vacant parcels in East St. Louis, Illinois. This marks an important first step to bring renewed energy and opportunity to the area.

You can find photos from the event HERE (credit Tyler Small for Gateway Arch Park Foundation) and a transcript of their remarks below:

U.S. Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski, Illinois' 13th District

Good afternoon, everyone. It is so wonderful to be here today.

I want to start out by just expressing my gratitude for what made the people that made today possible, starting with my friend and colleague, my partner, I echo everything you said. Congressman Wesley Bell, it's an honor to serve with him.

I also want to give a shout out to my friend, Mayor Powell, for all of his leadership in East St Louis, along with Manager Betts. Thank you so much to Dr. Moore and St Clair County, of course, Chairman Slusser and of course, to Ryan, who we all would not be here without you. Your leadership was incredible, and is what really got this done.

I am so proud to represent East St Louis in Congress, and this is an incredibly important project for this community. It's been a group project and the involvement of each and every one of you that I've acknowledged and all of at this event and all of you out there have been critical to making it possible.

I want to start out also by saying, when I was first elected to Congress, my attention turned immediately to addressing many of the long standing challenges that many of the communities across the Metro East have faced - from the chronic flooding and water infrastructure issues in Cahokia Heights, to the need for greater investment in places like Granite City, to the expansion of RECA for communities like Venice and Madison. These are real issues that affect people's lives every single day.

But what's also stood out to me is the resilience of the communities that I represent. They're filled with people who have lived here for decades, people who take pride in their homes, in their work, and the deep history of the places that they call home. They deserve leaders who will fight for them every single day, leaders who won't settle for the status quo, but will find new ways to bring resources back home and breathe new life into these communities. And that's exactly why we're here today.

I think for a lot of our constituents, they don't believe that this is possible anymore. Where Democrats and Republicans, where all levels of government can come together - the Missouri side, the Illinois side - to pull for a project that benefits all of our residents. And I think that's what's so special about today, is that we've come together to do that.

The Gateway Arch Foundation has just been an incredible leader in that vision. I want to, again, shout out Ryan. This idea has been in the making for several years, and they knew congressional action would be necessary. So yesterday, with Congressman Bell, Congressman Bost, and Congresswoman Wagner, we introduced the Gateway Arch Park Expansion Act.

This legislation would amend the boundaries of the Gateway Arch National Park to include the Malcolm Martin Park, honoring his legacy, and neighboring vacant parcels in East St Louis, Illinois. Enactment of this legislation would allow the Park Service to enter into an agreement with the city of East St Louis to acquire the land and then begin expansion.

Let's take just a minute to understand what this means. The Gateway Arch Park attracts more than 2 million tourists per year, bringing that tourism into East St. Louis would provide additional opportunities for small businesses and our community to create jobs and grow right here. We've seen the rehabilitation of the park on the St. Louis side bring in more than $500 million in regional economic impact and support for nearly 5,000 jobs. We have a shot at building that here, right here in Illinois, with what's happening today.

This marks the first important step that Congress can take to enable the expansion of the Gateway Arch National Park and to bring renewed opportunities, energy, and investment to communities all across this region. Should we be successful - and we will - this will add to the many efforts we are pursuing to make sure residents of the Metro East continue to see opportunities to prosper, and I'm so proud to be a partner in that effort today.

U.S. Congressman Wesley Bell, Missouri's 1st District

A theme that we've heard consistently is the idea of partnership. Coming from a place in St. Louis County with 88 municipalities plus the city of St. Louis, you can't do anything without working together in that partnership.

Just in the year that I've been serving in Congress, but also as the county prosecutor, we've been very deliberate and very intentional about working with our family on the other side of the river, and I'm very proud of that. This is an example of those ideas, those thoughts, becoming something tangible, that dream becoming something real.

I want to thank everyone here, but also everyone up here in the organization and the work that you put in, that we've all put in to make this dream real.

I think Chris said it best. It's just an idea unless you put it to work. And so I'm really proud of that, and I'm going to continue to talk about that.

Robert also mentioned something that I took exception to, because I agree with everything he said, and I was going to let it slide, but then Chris said something too. The St. Louis in me will not allow this comment to go unresponded to. But the best view of the arch is where it is located, right in St Louis, in the heart of our downtown. Although that is a beautiful view, I know I'll give you those props.

Fun fact, one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world, you're looking at over 4 million people a year. It can withstand earthquakes, it can withstand high winds. We don't want to test that. Only one president has been to the top, and that's Dwight Eisenhower. Secret Service won't allow presidents up there. But I guess two years after he got out of office, he came here and he insisted on going up and you don't turn a former president down.

And fun fact too about my colleague Representative Budzinski, because I do want to thank her for her leadership on this, and working with me and others and Ryan and Chris and everyone on the east side and St. Clair, Miss Moore - love you - working to bring us all together. So important.

Fun fact again, about Representative Budzinski. Her name is the most mispronounced name in Congress. I think I heard three different pronunciations just in this press conference alone. But what is not mispronounced or misunderstood is the work and the work ethic that she brings and the tremendous partner that you have been since I've been in this place. This has been one of my main partners in the Congress.

So it does not surprise me that we were able to work with our partners to get this done. The Gateway Arch was always meant to be a monument for both sides of the river. I'll get back to that inclusiveness that was the original vision. This bill finally delivers that.

And let me be clear, the arch is ours. Everyone here, this is ours. I've traveled to different places around the world and I remember being in Madrid, and I was telling someone where I was from, and I'm thinking, St Louis is a major city. Nothing. Over and over, people didn't know where I was from. So I'd be like, have you heard of San Luis? Have you heard of the Cardinals? The Cardinals? Nothing. Then when I mentioned the arch, ah, that light switch goes off. People know us by the arch, and I'm proud of that.

Malcolm Martin Park and the East St. Louis parcels aren't afterthoughts. They are part of the story, including this. Stop leaving them on the outside of something they were always supposed to be a part of.

This is Missouri and Illinois, Democrats and Republicans working together on something real - that doesn't happen by accident. It happens when you have champions like Rep. Budzinski, I probably said that wrong, willing to lead and partners on both sides ready to show up.

St. Louis and the Metro East have always been one region separated by a river. This bill reflects that. I'm proud to stand with this coalition, and I'm proud that we're getting this done. Thank you.

Chris Slusser, Madison County Board Chairman

I'm the Madison County Board Chairman. I also serve currently as the chairman of the East West Gateway Council of Governments. And East West Gateway, our purpose is to serve the needs of the entire eight county region, which also includes Madison, St. Clair, and Monroe counties on this side of the river.

So this mighty river behind us has been an incredible vehicle for commerce and tourism, but for generations, it's also served as somewhat of a divide in the region, and I believe the St. Louis region will never meet its full potential until we effectively bridge the gap so that the entire region benefits and thrives.

And I think this national park expansion is long overdue. It'll be a significant step towards bridging that divide and unifying St. Louis with the Metro East.

St. Louis is a beautiful city. I think we can all acknowledge that. But like you said earlier, the greatest view of the city is from right over here in East St. Louis, so you can see it right here in the background. So it only makes sense that we should have a fitting place for people all over the world to come and see this view.

A mentor once told me good ideas only work if you do, and I think it's far past time that we keep talking about this good idea, and it's time to get it done. So I appreciate Congressman Budzinski, Congressman Bill for pushing this effort forward.

Jeff Mazur, Partner at Greater St. Louis Inc.

My name is Jeff Mazer with Greater St. Louis Inc. Our work is focused on driving inclusive economic growth and creating more and better jobs so everyone in our region has the opportunity to thrive.

This is truly a great day for our region, one that exemplifies just how the St. Louis region will move forward. We'll move forward with the bold vision this expansion represents. We'll move forward with intentional collaboration between Missouri and Illinois, between Republicans and Democrats, between the public and private sectors. That is the recipe for success and what makes today so great.

The Gateway Arch and Gateway Arch Park belong to all of us, and the support you see here today is not only for eastward expansion, but also for regional collaboration.

We should all take a moment to recognize that this legislation and the park's expansion are about creating new energy and opportunity, and as the voice of the business community for the 15 county bi-state St. Louis region, we are proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with these leaders in support.

Before I conclude, I'd like to offer our special thanks to Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski, Congressman Wesley Bell, for their leadership on this and for all the leadership for the region they provide in Washington.

Ryan McClure, Executive Director of the Gateway Arch Park Foundation

My name is Ryan McClure. I'm the Executive Director of Gateway Arch Park Foundation. I'm proud to represent the staff, many of whom we have here today, and our board of directors, represented by Joe Mark here today. This is truly a milestone moment for this park for this region, and we could not be more proud to be part of this.

So I really, above all, want to thank Congresswoman Budzinski and Congressman Bell and your colleagues, Congressman Bost, Congresswoman Wagner. Look at the example that these legislators are setting: bipartisan bi-state support, and soon to be, I'm sure, bicameral. We're grateful for the support of Senator Schmidt, Senator Durbin and Senator Duckworth. You're truly setting an example. So thank you, and we could not do this without your support.

While there are many steps ahead, we are now one step closer to Eero Saarinen's original vision of extending Gateway Arch National Park to Illinois.

The park we're standing in today is named after a man you've heard a lot about today, Malcolm W. Martin. We are proud to be part of carrying on his legacy. His dream is as Tom so eloquently said, Malcolm was involved in the 1947 design competition that gave us our the defining monument for our region, and had the foresight to save this land, donate the money to make it a beautiful park for the specific purpose that it becomes part of Gateway Arch National Park, and it's our duty to see that vision through.

So through his foundation, the Gateway Metropolitan Center of St. Louis, represented by Dr. Moore and Tom Schlafly and Mike Buehlhorn, and through the stewardship of Metro East Parkland Recreation District represented by our friend and partner, Bryan Werner, we are carrying this dream forward through that partnership.

Thank you to the city of East St. Louis for acquiring the adjacent vacant land from ACF right next to us. Without that foresight by Mayor Powell, by City Manager Betts, and the city council of East St. Louis, we wouldn't be standing here today, because we need that. We need that critical mass of land, not just here in Malcolm Martin Park, but this property that you see just south of here that's been vacant for years. That will now be part of the national park. So thank you to the city of East St Louis for that foresight and vision.

I want to give a big thanks to St. Clair County and Madison County. Again, this is bi-state, regional, and public-private partnership that makes this happen, and that's what moves these monumental projects forward.

Never have we made such progress on achieving this dream of many civic leaders who have come before us. This is a shining example of collaboration at its best.

Make no mistake, this is the kind of partnership that moves the St. Louis region forward. Think of the example that it sets when Gateway Arch National Park sits on both sides of the Mississippi River. Think of what that example can do for the future of our region and the generations to come, and we've seen this, the power of these partnerships before.

Through […] the $380 million renovation of the Gateway Arch grounds, still the largest public-private partnership in the history of the National Park Service, we've seen monumental things happen. The Millennium hotel behind us is being demolished as we speak, to make way for a bold vision for this region, again, that is public-private partnership at its best.

And if you're interested in being part of this movement, this vision, the Gateway Arch Park Foundation is helping to steward the philanthropic funds. We invite you to join us. Please reach out to us. We would love for you to be part of this.

We are so grateful again to Representatives Budzinski, Bell, Wagner, and Bost - this bi-state, bipartisan congressional delegation for taking this important step. Without it, we can't see this vision through.

Bryan Werner, Executive Director of the Metro East Park and Recreation District

Good afternoon everyone. It's a privilege to welcome you all to Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park.

Looking across the river at the arch behind me, we're all reminded that we're standing here today at the center of a vision with deep roots in our region's district. The Metro East Park Recreation District, has been a steward of this land for two decades. We know our role is just one chapter in a much longer story. This has been a long-standing aspiration for our bi-state community, tracking back to architect Eero Saarinen and the decades of tireless work by the Gateway Center of Metropolitan St. Louis and many others who believe that the Illinois side was vital to the integrity and the story of the Gateway Arch National Park.

I want to specifically thank the MEPRD board members, both past and present. In 2005, our board made a pivotal decision to accept the donation of this land and the necessary funds from the Gateway Center to develop this park. At that time, the Gateway Geyser was the only feature on this site. Well, along with Colonel Atkins, our board committed to developing this space and advocating for this expansion. That commitment led to opening the park in 2009 and more recently, preparing this land for its next great chapter as part of the national park.

I also want to acknowledge my predecessor. Mike led the district through the initial development of this site, and I had the privilege of working alongside him to bring this park to life. It has been an honor to be a part of this team for 20 years and continue building on the momentum Mike and others established. Mike, thank you for your foundational work, your continued service as a board member of the Gateway Center of Metropolitan St. Louis, and for everything you continue to do for this region.

Today represents a major step towards fully integrating the Illinois riverfront into the Gateway Arch National Park. We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the legislators who took the lead in Washington, to Representatives Budzinski, Bell, Wagner and Bost. Thank you for introducing this legislation. By revising a boundary that has been on the books since the 1980s, you are helping us take a critical step towards realizing expansion.

I want to also recognize Ryan McClure and the Gateway Arch Park Foundation for recently taking the lead on this effort and for their work navigating the legislative process. It is because of your leadership, alongside our partners, St. Clair County, Chairman Kern, the city of East St Louis, the Gateway Center, the state of Illinois, of course, the National Park Service, as well as many others that were standing here today. So again, thank you so much.

Together, we are transforming this riverfront while honoring the legacy of the late Malcolm W. Martin. Malcolm was a visionary who worked tirelessly for this expansion. Today we take a giant leap towards fulfilling that dream. This expansion is about economic opportunity, regional pride and ensuring the Gateway Arch National Park more fully reflects its mission and the original vision of Eero Saarinen.

That story begins right here in Illinois. Lewis and Clark assembled and trained their expedition just a few miles north on the Illinois side of the river. It is only fitting that the Metro East is finally integrated into the national park that memorializes that historic journey. Today, we are one step closer.

Dr. Debra Moore, Board Vice President of the Gateway Center of Metropolitan St. Louis

Many years ago, more than I can remember, I started my engagement with Malcolm Martin himself. It was a joy to work directly with him, looking over the river from his office to this location, and hearing the passion he had to see something happen here that would put this park on the national scale. I will add that I also worked for St. Clair County as Bryan mentioned. He wanted to be a part of this process and many years ago took the leadership working with the city of East St. Louis to rehab Front Street to move us toward the direction of being included.

But it's interesting, I will say now, that all of the years we've wanted to be a part of this process to fulfill Malcolm's dream, it was not until we got a woman at the national level, recognizing the time we're celebrating women, to move forward with her dear colleague, who I feel is mine too, Congressman Bell. What an honor it is to see the work they have done, the work they are doing, the work we have desired and aspired to achieve in recognition and in honor of Malcolm Martin.

So today, if Marshall Hier was here, he would say, 'Malcolm is probably looking down applauding.' But I will say how grateful I am and appreciative I am for our congressional leaders and the leadership of the region to make this day happen and fulfill the dream of Malcolm W. Martin. Thank you all.

Tom Schlafly, Board President of the Gateway Center of Metropolitan St. Louis

Given that we're in the Land of Lincoln, I can't help but be inspired by the Gettysburg Address, which is perhaps the most memorable speech in the history of our Republic, and also one of the shortest. I'll do my best to stay within the time parameter set by our 16th president.

Four score and seven years ago, a lawyer named Luther Ely Smith was serving as the chairman of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Association. Malcolm W. Martin was in law school at St. Louis City College of Law. After graduating from law school, Malcolm went into the Army and helped plan the Normandy invasion on June 6, 1944, commonly known as D-Day.

After the war, he went to work in the office of Luther Ely Smith, who had sponsored a design competition for a memorial in St. Louis to commemorate national expansion. As we all know, this competition was won by the Finnish architect Eero Saarinen in 1948, the year I was born.

What many do not know is that Saarinen's original vision for the memorial included both sides of the river, Missouri and Illinois. When Congress finally approved the national park in St. Louis to commemorate westward expansion, it only appropriated money for a park on the Missouri side of the river.

At that point, Malcolm Martin personally purchased the land in Illinois with his own money, with the hope of fulfilling Saarinen's vision by donating it to the National Park Service. He formed the Gateway Center of Metropolitan St. Louis to hold the property until it could be gifted to the Park Service.

The Gateway Arch was completed on October 28, my 17th birthday. 20 years later, I was a young lawyer practicing in Malcolm Martin's law firm. Pieper Martin, as he was nearing retirement, asked me to serve on the board of the Gateway Center to help fulfill his dream of transferring this property to the National Park Service.

Which brings us to where we are today. I'm now the president of the Gateway Center, and I'm older than Luther Ely Smith was when Malcolm went to work for him right after World War II. The dream that Eero Saarinen had had the year I was born finally seems possible. This dream is finally within reach, because people have chosen to work together.

We are witnessing cooperation among federal, state, and local governments, cooperation between Missouri and Illinois, between Democrats and Republicans, and finally between governments and the private sector.

Like the United States that was described by Abraham Lincoln in 1863, this vision has required multiple generations to achieve: four score and seven years. We're not there yet, but we're getting closer.

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