IF WE PAINT IT UP THE DAMAGE WILL JUST DISAPPEAR

"Almost 45 years into its reign atop the St. Louis skyline, the 630-foot monument is suffering from growing rust and decay. And nobody knows how extensive.

Corrosion, some of it feared aggressive, and severe discoloration of the stainless steel skin have long been present, according to engineering reports reviewed by the Post-Dispatch.

The documents and interviews with metallurgists indicate that the remedy could be as minor as an "expensive" surface cleaning or as elaborate as a full-blown restoration. One report, completed in 2006, called for a deeper study, for which the National Park Service says it only recently obtained funding."
STL Today

You just gotta love the government. If you've ever been to St. Louis you've probably seen the Arch, an architectural wonder. Well, it's showing its age now and may need some repairs, possibly a major renovation.

The government's out of money and really needs to think in terms of how best to spend it. So, instead of repairing the Arch, they want to spend a minimum of $350 billion creating a new park around it.

I'm sure the park will look great with a giant, twisted silver wreck laying in the middle of it.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar dropped by the Gateway Arch today to view the ideas for reshaping its surroundings, and declared, "We will get this done somehow, some way."

Salazar viewed the five finalists' general plans that are on display in the museum area under the Arch.

Among those accompanying him was U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., who also promised to do all she can to find money from the government and other sources -- maybe even bake sales,
"We are going to have to demonstrate to Congress that this has consequences beyond St. Louis and we will have to show that this is a high priority," McCaskill said.

"We will not just ask for federal money. we're looking at local and charitable giving, and kids having bake sales."
STL Today