So, What's to Become of President Casino Entrance on St. Louis Riverfront?

Photos: Chad Garrison

​Daily RFT was on the St. Louis riverfront the other day when we came across the sight above. It's the porte-cochere (that's fancy for "car port") for the President Casino.

The only problem with this picture?

The President Casino is no longer there. The Missouri Gaming Commission stripped the casino of its license last year, and the historic Admiral riverboat on which the casino sat was sold for scrap this summer.

So, what's to become of the porte-cochere that now serves as an entryway to an empty stretch of riverbank?

The structure is now under control of the St. Louis Development Corporation, which tells Daily RFT that it's temporarily being used for festival/event parking per an agreement with St. Louis Parking.

​We suggested that the city turn it into a pavilion with picnic tables and other amenities that residents and visitors could use to take in the river and rent for special events. The SLDC was somewhat receptive to our suggestion, saying that a pavilion is definitely an option. The agency would like to find a long-term tenant to manage the structure and come up with ideas on how best to use it.

The porte-cochere is in good shape, with the President painting the structure and making other repairs before transferring ownership over to the city. Yet even the SLDC agrees that it may look a bit out of place these days, seeing as it "doesn't lead to anything." At least, not for the time being.

Do you have any ideas on how to use the structure? Leave 'em in the comment section.