St. Louis on the cheap: From the Gateway Arch to the free zoo

[ShadowCaver]

Originally Posted by STL4eva

The Zoo is not free. It comes from the 1 percent extortion payroll tax on those who are unfortunate and brave enough to work in the City of St. Louis.

True,,, to an extent. Nothing in life is free. Nothing. However, for those that desire to visit the Zoo, the St. Louis Science Center, the Saint Louis Art Museum, the Missouri Historical Society, and the Missouri Botanical Garden - their admission is "free-er". Also that 1% tax that you refer to - you are close but incorrect there also, as the tax is on property, not on income. Nevertheless, the StL Zoo is world class, and in addition part of its selling aspect is that it is 'free' to those that enter its gates at no extra charge.

For more on this important subject, both specifically to the Zoo [and other members of the "ZMD"] and generally for the city-county metro area, interesting article here: There's No Such Thing As a Free Zoo - St Louis Magazine - April 2009 - St. Louis, Missouri

IMHO, the discussion of having at least a token $1 to $2 per persons that actually visit the sites might be of merit. Those that use, maybe they should help in the actual costs via something of that route... instead of relying solely upon taxes and donations and the such.

BTW, overall quite nice article in the OP.

[ShadowCaver]

An update on the funding mix... 04/15/2009 - Legislator to delete Zoo-Museum District expansion and tax from bill but will continue to push admission fees - STLtoday.com