FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 17, 2010                                          

MEDIA CONTACT: STEVEN ENGELHARDT (314) 504-4029

STATEMENT BY

CONGRESSMAN WM. LACY CLAY (D) MISSOURI

REGARDING FIVE FINAL PROPOSALS PRODUCED BY THE INTERNATIONAL DESIGN COMPETITION TO REDEVELOP AND ENHANCE THE GROUNDS OF THE JEFFERSON NATIONAL EXPANSION MEMORIAL (GATEWAY ARCH)

NOTE:  The following is a first-person statement from

Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri.

"I want to congratulate the final design teams for their creativity and talent. I'm very pleased that all five proposals envision a new entrance to the Arch along Memorial Drive that will naturally connect it to downtown and a walkway over traffic that will provide easier and safer access to the Arch grounds. 

Each proposal also respects and preserves the original green spaces that generations of St. Louisans have cherished. 

Finally, I'm very gratified that this international design competition has recognized and fully embraced the Illinois side of the Mississippi River as a precious natural asset which will play a key role in the future success of this memorial.  I look forward to the jury's final decision. 

 And as the Congressman who has the honor of representing the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in Washington, I will do everything in my power to provide the resources needed to complete the project in time for the 50th anniversary in 2015."

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