GUEST BLOG: David Newburger

This is a guest blog by David Newburger:

A competition is underway by the CityRiverArch Foundation to select a design team for major rehabilitation and renovation of the Arch, Arch Grounds, the Old Courthouse, and the park across the river from the Arch.

Five design teams are competing. The public is invited to comment on the design proposals.

The proposals will be displayed to the public in the area under the Arch beginning on August 17 and continuing for some days after that.

The public is invited to comment on the proposals so long as they turn in their comments by August 23, 2010. The deadline is necessary so that the comments can get to the jury selecting the design team before the jury makes its decision.

If you are interested in commenting on the design proposals, you must visit the design proposals displayed at the Arch and make your comments by August 23. I hope when you make those comments you will include considerations about accessibility for people with all kinds of disabilities, older adults, mothers with strollers, etc.

In my capacity as Commissioner on the Disabled for the City, I have made my comments known and will continue to do so. But, it is very important that those in the disability community and older adult community who are interested add their comments to mine.

My comments have stressed that the selected design should to get people with disabilities, older adults, and everybody else - From the Gateway Mall - Through the Old Court House - To the top of the Arch - To the River - And to the East Bank - And to empower them to understand what they are experiencing along the way.

I hope your comments will add to those comments. I also hope you will share this with others whom you think might be interested.

Thanks,

David J. Newburger, CommissionerOffice of the DisabledCity of St. Louis(314) 622-3686newburgerd@stlouiscity.com