by Rachelle L'Ecuyer
In the span of one week I found myself in Orlando and then in Washington, D.C. One cannot imagine the brain damage I suffered from being in two places figuring so prominently in our American culture, and yet are so diametrically opposite in design and function. I returned to St. Louis wondering, "What puts us on the map?"
Washington and Orlando are devoted to function--government and tourism, respectively. The buildings gracing Washington were designed to remind us of something greater than the individual: democracy. Its spirit lives in the reverie I experience visiting our national monuments, from respect to pride; and there, I feel a sense of connectedness. Orlando, on the other hand, is a destination devoted to the almighty dollar--driven by rampant tourism, providing luxurious adventure at a premium. A valid credit card is the only ticket you need for winning instant acceptance. Huge monuments have been built in Orlando, too, where next year they will boast enough convention space for 200,000. As the sole pedestrian on a walk along International Drive, I found the buildings intimidating and isolating.
Back home, I wandered through the canyons of Downtown. I walked west along Washington Avenue to our Convention Center, and thought: "200,000 people here?" Across the street, gleaming before me, the newly restored Renaissance, the Grand Hotel, and the Merchandise Mart, none of which I could ignore; even at street level, the amount of care and attention to detail in the restorations cannot be overlooked. This is what makes St. Louis a destination: our abundance of historic buildings. They are our past, our present, and our place all at once. Using, restoring, and reusing these buildings reinforces our city's identity and shows our guests we are proud of our town. Caring for them creates a welcoming environment for newcomers and outsiders. Not even Walt Disney could recreate the solid character of our buildings.
St. Louis may not be hosting 200,000 conventioneers soon, but as Downtown reopens with restored hotels and loft buildings, and the trend continues around the city with such developments as the Continental and many others, the lucky ones who do come will return to their homes with a positive, lasting impression of what makes our city so fine. Viva historic restoration!
