Gateway Arch Bill Allows Exclusive Private Events in Park Buildings, Requires Full Cost Reimbursement to NPS

The Gateway Partnership Act of 2025 sets up a new business model for the Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis, allowing the Secretary of the Interior to enter into an agreement with the Gateway Arch Park Foundation (a nonprofit) to host private, exclusive events inside Park buildings like the Arch Visitor Center and the Old Courthouse (Sec. 2, Sec. 3).

The Arch Goes Private: What’s the Deal?

This bill essentially formalizes a way for the Foundation to rent out parts of the national park for events—think corporate dinners, weddings, or big fundraisers. The catch is that the agreement has to specify dates and times when the Foundation is the only group allowed to hold an event in those spots (Sec. 3). This is a big change for public land, allowing temporary exclusive use for a private function. However, the bill is clear that these events cannot happen at times or in places that “block or interrupt” the public from using the Park or its buildings, meaning your weekend visit shouldn't be canceled because of a private party (Sec. 3).

Protecting the Public Purse (and the Government’s Neck)

If you’re worried about taxpayer money subsidizing private parties, the bill tries to shut that down. It mandates that the National Park Service (NPS) must recover all costs related to these private events, including administrative work, personnel time, and even a fee for wear and tear on the facilities (Sec. 3). This means the Foundation has to cover the salaries of any NPS staff needed for the event, down to the last dime of overhead. Furthermore, the Foundation must carry massive liability insurance that names the U.S. government as “additionally insured,” and the agreement must include a clause that the Federal Government cannot be held responsible if someone gets hurt or dies during one of these private events (Sec. 3).

The Real-World Trade-Off

For the average person visiting the Arch, the immediate impact is a mixed bag. On one hand, the money generated by these events goes back to the Foundation, which uses those funds to support the Park—potentially leading to better maintenance and programs. On the other hand, while the bill promises no interruption to public access, allowing exclusive use of a public space—even during off-hours—can feel like a reduction in availability. If you planned to use the Visitor Center space late on a Friday, you might find it booked solid for a private function, even if the rest of the park remains open.

The Fine Print on Flexibility

The bill gives the Secretary of the Interior quite a bit of power to decide what kind of events are allowed, stating they must “fit the Park’s purpose” and not “clash with regular NPS programs” (Sec. 3). That language is pretty vague and leaves a lot of room for interpretation. It’s a necessary buffer to prevent, say, a monster truck rally in the Old Courthouse, but it also means the Secretary has significant discretion over which private groups get to use this valuable public real estate. Importantly, the NPS keeps the right to host its own events or issue permits to other groups, so the Foundation doesn't get a monopoly on event space, just a structured partnership.