Reddit reviews The Gateway Arch: A Biography (Icons of America)

I am reading a book called "The Gateway Arch: A Biography" right now. According to the author, the motivation was complicated. Claiming to want to address urban blight, increasing property values in adjacent areas by having a public space, wanting to draw tourists to the area, etc. It's a good book and I recommend checking your library for it if you can. (If you live in STL County, you can have it when I return it! :) )

Declaring an area "blighted" isn't some sort of scientific designation; it's political to its very core. The history you describe is contentious, at best:

> Campbell dispels long-held myths and casts a provocative new light on the true origins and meaning of the Gateway Arch. He shows that the monument was the scheme of shrewd city leaders who sought to renew downtown St. Louis and were willing to steal an election, destroy historic buildings, and drive out local people and businesses to achieve their goal.