Gateway Arch Foundation Seeks Authority to Manage Events; Lawmakers Hear Economic Case for HR 5254
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Summary
The Gateway Arch Park Foundation told the subcommittee HR 5254 would let the nonprofit manage private events at Gateway Arch National Park, potentially generating revenue for park operations and regional economic activity.
Ryan McClure, executive director of the Gateway Arch Park Foundation, asked the subcommittee to support HR 5254, the Gateway Partnership Act of 2025, which would allow the foundation to manage and market private events on behalf of Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis.
McClure described the CityArchRiver project, a roughly $380 million public‑private renovation, as the largest private investment in a national park project and said the foundation’s experience could expand private‑event activity that the park currently cannot support because of staffing limits. He cited prior event production that generated millions for the region and suggested formalizing the foundation’s role would unlock up to $780,000 in annual revenue projections to support park operations.
Members asked about current staffing constraints and whether the proposed arrangement would protect public access, preserve stewardship responsibilities and follow procurement rules. McClure said the foundation is prepared to operate under park oversight and that the partnership would be structured to support rather than supplant the park’s public‑interest mission.
Next steps: Committee staff will review the foundation’s written materials and DOI responses to members’ procurement and oversight questions.