Headline: A TALE ABOUT HOW ST. LOUIS BECAME THE HOT PLACE TO BE
Reporter: By Greg Freeman

Publication: ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Last Printed: Thur., Dec. 24, 1998
Section: METRO, Page: B1, Edition: FIVE STAR LIFT

The magic of Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas
and all through the city
the trees were all up.
The lights were so pretty.

Mayor Harmon was nestled
all snug in his bed
while a sparkling new downtown
danced in his head.

Buzz Westfall was sleeping
free from tension
as he dreamed about the
Page Avenue extension.

And on the East Side
Mayor Gordon Bush slumbered
knowing his days
as mayor were numbered.

Roger Wilson wasn't able
to sleep through the night
because to make ends meet
he had to moonlight.

But members of St. Louis
2004
dreamed of ways to make
this region soar.

Elsewhere, William Danforth
dreamed of a neat
resolution to deseg. '
Twas no easy feat.

When suddenly downtown
there arose such a clatter
this columnist awoke
to see what was the matter.

I hopped in my car
and drove toward the sound
speeding and weaving
toward downtown.

As I sped through the city
my car was stopped
by Chief Ron Henderson,
the city's top cop.

I told him of this matter
of great import
and he let me go
with a police escort.

We arrived at the Arch grounds
and were startled to see
a fat man with a beard --
and that man wasn't me!

His beard was white
and his suit was bright red.
"Not exactly fashionable, "
to Henderson I said.

Still, his eyes were bright
and his stomach like Jell-O.
He certainly seemed
like a good-natured fellow.

This stranger had arrived
on a large riverboat.
It wasn't the Admiral,
This boat could float

And move down the river.
It had come quite quickly.
He'd come by boat
for his reindeer were sickly.

But that didn't stop him
from going straight to his work.
He observed his surroundings,
then turned with a jerk.

He reached in the bag
filled with dusty old plans
that once had been written
by rich consultants.

He called out their names
and as I stood gazing
The plans came alive.
It was quite amazing.

"On, Kiel Opera House! Live once again!
On, Chase Hotel! It's time to open!

On, East Side Music Center! Become a star!
On, Arena site, whatever you are!"

"On, connection between downtown and Laclede's Landing!
On, Federal Courthouse! Give St. Louis standing!

On, Grand Center! Be one of the city's bright lights!
On, St. Louis region! No more urban sprawl fights!"

He kept shouting out projects
And calling their names.
They came to life at a speed
to put planners to shame.

"On, convention hotel! Arise from your slumber!
On, Six Flags water park! Folks will want you in summer!

On, loft district! Grow up and live long!
On, St. Charles! May your future be strong!"

And suddenly St. Louis came really alive
from the greatest location to the lowest dive.

The region became bright, we became a star,
The envy of cities both near and far.

The city and counties stopped fighting and
joined as a region. It was something quite grand.

Despite a past of much tension and strife,
we became a hot city. We had a nightlife!

In the day there was plenty for families to do.
Street performers abounded; hot-dog venders too.

People migrated here from across the nation.
St. Louis was, frankly, a national sensation.

Santa finished his job and looked around.
It was just what he wanted. A thriving downtown

and a prosperous region that thought outside the box.
To heck with Cleveland! St. Louis Rocks!

And as he packed up his bag to go,
Santa called out a jolly "Ho ho ho!"

He got back on his boat and he cruised out of sight
Saying, "Merry Christmas, St. Louis, and to you a good night!"


COPYRIGHT © 1998, ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

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