Keiner Plaza

Market and 4th Street
St. Louis , MO

Empty, uninviting, under-utilized... this plaza has all the hallmarks of a failed space.

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Why It Doesn't Work

This place features paths that go nowhere in particular, on a two-block by one-block rectangle of land. It also features an under-utilized amphitheatre without sufficient cover from the hot summer sun, and two fountains whose water has bright aqua dye. It is bounded to the north by fast-food chain restaurants which close after the business day. What would make this plaza better? How about sufficient tree cover to create areas where people might be able to sit; summer cafes or sandwich shops so that they can get food and refreshments while outside; some appropriate signage about the history of the site and its connection to the old court house on the east and the Arch. Also, planned activities would bring people there regularly.

What Puts Keiner Plaza in the Hall of Shame?

There is fast moving traffic on three of the four sides of this plaza, and no human-scale buildings around. Fast food restaurants bound the north side of the park without sufficient trash receptacles, and the connection to historical sites is underemphazed. This place might as well be a big reflecting pond, or a big beach.

There is no comfortable green space that takes into account the hot summers of St. Louis. There is a large Richard Serra sculpture which has been defaced numerous times and is not only uninviting, but dangerous in that vagrants hide behind the sculpture and use it as a urinal.

The only time I have seen evidence of people there is during the brief businesss lunch hour. There are no real gathering nodes, other than the huge amphitheater, which provides little or no protection from the weather.

No one meets here that I have seen, except maybe for big rallies. Few if any people that go there to talk. Never have I seen people walk and make eye-contact, and the only age of people I have seen is middle-aged business people. No one counts this place as a landmark of St. Louis.

User Comments:

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08/26/02 Geopoliticus Monk said:: All the commentary reported in this "Hall of Shame" is accurate though it leaves some important things out. You mention the fast food restaurants but the north side of Kiener is faced by two full blocks of atrocious twin parking structures that house those restaurants. Ugly! You recommend that some mention of the history of the plaza be placed there but the truth of it--the demolition of numerous historic buildings that created a vibrant downtown--would be too shameful. A prime example is how blocks and blocks of buildings were razed in order to create this midway with an unobstructed view east of the historic courthouse and the Arch beyond--only to have that view forever blocked by a non-descript glass office building that somehow was allowed (theories exist) to be built on that midway. The aqua blue dye in the fountains is unfortunately true and couldn't be more embarrassing.
04/30/03 DeBaliviere Place said:: Keiner Plaza truly deserves its spot in the PPS Hall of Shame. It is a public space so passive, it is easy to forget about. I do think that with the help of some creative minds, it could be revamped into a more inviting plaza. Right now, it unsuccessfully combines elements of a public square and a park. Why not eliminate the grassy areas and paths in favor of pavement, but with more trees, gathering spaces, places to sit and interesting artwork and architectural features? Ever try to sit on one of the benches in Keiner Plaza? They are constructed in such a strange shape that it is virtually impossible to get comfortable. And unfortunately, as long as those parking garages on the north side of the plaza are standing, the setting will never be all that great. Why not add a mural or artwork to the blank walls of the garages?
03/03/05 Stephen Streett said:: No argument here from a long time St. Louisan that Kiener is very forgettable. Because of its key location it really needs to be something more. Going with the need for shade theme, why not create a peaceful tree-lined lane down the middle with lots of park seating on either side, a la Poet's Walk in Central Park? Ideally the trees would create a shady canopy over the walk. Throw in a tranquil pool at either end. It would be a great refuge for people and birds. –S. Streett
05/17/05 Kurt Mueller said:: All of what has been posted is true. Shade is almost impossible to find and heaven knows our summers are brutal. Trees, more water, comfortable seating, food/beverage (at least a hotdog stand or a news kiosk.) Those dated structures need to go. Why not go with a more classical style complementing the Old Courthouse or look to Tower Grove or the Gardens for inspiration? When I think of St. Louis, I always think of shade trees, red brick, tiled roofs, plenty of limestone and a well-placed fleur-de-lis or two.
10/28/05 Abby G said:: The aqua blue die is found in many of the fountains in downtown St. Louis because the water is full of chlorine & supposed to mask the urine from the homeless people who use the fountains as a restroom...Keiner Plaza, like many public spaces, needs public restrooms or porta-potties...and showers would help, too...
03/01/06 elijah horton said:: The problem with Keiner Plaza is not with the Plaza alone, it is a function of the overall lack of residential development in downtown St. Louis. The great plazas of America are in cities or areas of cities that have substantial populations residing around them. Throughout Manhattan, and in numerous places in Chicago there are public spaces that work. All the comments seem to ignore the reality that there is a nightly exodus from downtown St. Louis, except when there is some special event.
The space would be used much more if there were substantial numbers of people who only had 3, 4, or six blocks to go home after relaxing there. The clearest indication of this truth is to simply consider what has happened to the St. Louis Center downtown shopping mall. It's sad. But there is tremendous opportunity for developers of vision to create new housing - condominiums, apartments, and townhouses - in downtown, partnering with businesses, or even a college, locating there. The people (the economics) bring restaurants, entertainment, stores, cleaners, cafes, and most importantly they bring a demand for space, for the use of space.