Gateway Partnership Act Opens Arch National Park Buildings for Exclusive Private Events

The new Gateway Partnership Act is essentially a green light for the Gateway Arch Park Foundation, the official nonprofit supporting the Arch National Park, to host private events inside the Park's historic buildings. This includes the Arch Visitor Center and the Old Courthouse. The bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior—the boss of the National Park Service (NPS)—to sign an agreement that gives the Foundation exclusive rights to use these public spaces for private functions at certain times.

The Fine Print on Public Land Use

Think of this as formalizing a business arrangement between the government and a private foundation on public land. The agreement has strict rules: it must cap the number of events per week and specify the dates and times when the Foundation can be the only group holding an event in those buildings. Crucially, the Foundation has to carry enough liability insurance to cover the U.S. government, shifting the risk away from taxpayers if someone slips and falls at a private event. The bill explicitly states that the federal government won't be held responsible for any claims or injuries arising from the Foundation's use of the facilities.

Who Pays for the Party?

One of the biggest practical takeaways for the general public is the cost recovery mechanism. The bill mandates that the Foundation must pay a fee that covers all costs associated with these private gatherings. This isn't just a flat rental fee; it must cover the “wear and tear” on the Park and its buildings, plus all administrative and personnel costs incurred by the NPS—meaning the Foundation pays for any NPS staff time required to manage or supervise the event. This is a good guardrail, ensuring that the Foundation's revenue-generating activities don't become a hidden cost for the Park Service.

The Trade-Off: Access vs. Revenue

For the average person planning a trip to the Arch, the biggest question is access. The bill clearly states that these private events cannot “stop or mess up public access to the Park or its buildings.” That sounds great, but here’s the rub: granting a private entity exclusive access to a public space—even if temporary—inherently limits public access during those specific times. If you were hoping to tour the Old Courthouse on a Tuesday evening and the Foundation has it booked for a corporate dinner, you’re out of luck. While the events must align with the Park’s purpose, the priority shifts from general public enjoyment to the Foundation's fundraising goals during those exclusive hours.

The Big Picture: Discretionary Power

While the bill sets several specific rules, it also gives the Secretary of the Interior wide latitude to add “any other conditions the Secretary thinks are necessary.” This broad discretionary power means the specifics of how this rolls out—how many events are too many, how “wear and tear” is calculated, or what exactly constitutes “messing up public access”—will be determined by the Secretary and the NPS, not by the explicit letter of the law. This vagueness leaves room for interpretation that could either protect public access rigorously or allow the Foundation more leeway, depending on who is making the call.