By Matt Sepic, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – Plans for a plant and sculpture garden in downtown St. Louis have taken another step forward.
An aldermanic committee on Thursday approved the $20 million project. The cost is being footed by the private Gateway Foundation.
City planning director Rollin Stanley says the garden will give people more to do downtown. "This is more than just sculpture," Stanley said Thursday. "It's water, it's shade, it's wonderful gardens through the participation of the Missouri Botanical Garden that will create an inviting space whether you want to see sculpture or not."
The garden will sit just west of the Arch on part of the Gateway Mall. Stanley says construction will begin early next year, and the project should be done by mid-2009.
The plan still needs approval from the full board of aldermen.
DOGS AT CAFES
Also on Thursday, another committee of St. Louis aldermen approved legislation that would allow dogs on the premises of the outdoors areas of restaurants and cafes in the City.
The new version approved by the committee excludes six wards. It also includes provisions protecting against messes and rowdy dogs.
A vote from the full board of aldermen is expected later this month.
If approved, restaurants that wish to allow dogs would have to post signs that announce their allowance; the pooches would also have to be kept outside and on a leash.