Third-party study confirms the CAR Project sites delivered $572.1 million in regional economic impact in 2024. 

Investment in Gateway Arch National Park and surrounding areas, like Kiener Plaza and the riverfront, create lasting impact—and this economic impact study proves it. Gateway Arch Park Foundation commissioned independent consulting firm Tripp Umbach to conduct this economic impact study, which analyzed the economic impact of the CityArchRiver Project during the construction period, from 2014 to 2018, and of fiscal year 2024.

Results:

In 2024, Gateway Arch National Park had 2.5 MILLION VISITORS 

During the five-year construction period of the CityArchRiver Project from 2013 to 2018, the Project:

• GENERATED $599.4 million in total economic impact on the St. Louis region
• SUPPORTED 4,458 jobs
• GENERATED $14.1 million in tax revenue

In 2024, operations* and visitors to CityArchRiver Project sites:

• GENERATED $572.1 million in total economic impact on the St. Louis region
• SUPPORTED 4,854 jobs
• GENERATED $30.7 million in tax revenue

*Operations includes jobs created in areas such as tourism, hospitality, and park management to support the activities and amenities offered to visitors. 

The study also found that, in 2024, Gateway Arch Park Foundation attracted 75,707 visitors to the CAR Project area for special events, totaling $9.7 million in total economic impact for the St. Louis region.

Blues at the Arch Festival 2024 

• 15,500 attendees 
• $2 million in economic impact on the St. Louis region 

Winterfest 2024 

• 53,135 attendees 
• $6.8 million in economic impact on the St. Louis region 

Health and Wellness Series 

• 1,887 people to CAR Project sites 
• $241,536 in economic impact on the St. Louis region 

Journey Fund 

• 2,956 students and educators to CAR Project sites 
• $378,368 in economic impact on the St. Louis region 

Other Programming (Arch Bark, Paddle Your Park, and fundraising and volunteer events) 

• 2,229 visitors 
• $260,096 in economic impact on the St. Louis region 

"When public spaces thrive, so do its surrounding areas. The CAR Project area is vital to the future of Downtown St. Louis, not only in driving further investment and economic prosperity, but also in bringing communities together, promoting civic pride, and serving as an educational and cultural hub."

- Ryan McClure, Executive Director of Gateway Arch Park Foundation