Gateway Partnership Act of 2025
The Gateway Partnership Act of 2025 would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to enter into an agreement with the Gateway Arch Park Foundation to host private events in Gateway Arch National Park buildings. Under such an agreement, the Foundation could hold events in Park buildings (such as the Arch Visitor Center and the Old Courthouse) and potentially other Park facilities, but only under terms designed to protect the Park’s resources and values. These terms would specify how often events can occur, staffing levels, insurance requirements naming the United States as an additional insured, and liability waivers for federal government staff and facilities. Events would be restricted to activities that align with the Park’s purposes and do not degrade the Park or interfere with public access. The Secretary would also be authorized to charge fees to cover maintenance and other costs and could recover all related expenses. The bill clarifies that this arrangement does not prevent the National Park Service from hosting other private events or permits for others.
Key Points
- 1Authorization for a private-event agreement: The Secretary may enter into an agreement with the Gateway Arch Park Foundation to host private events in Park buildings.
- 2Protective terms for the Park: The agreement would include limits on event dates/times, a cap on the number of events per week, required NPS staffing, and liability insurance with the United States as additionally insured.
- 3Liability protections and cost recovery: The Federal Government would have a liability protection clause, and the Foundation would face fees to cover maintenance and wear-and-tear, with the possibility of recovering all related costs (administrative and personnel).
- 4Use restrictions: Private events must be consistent with the Park’s purposes, not degrade Park integrity, and must not disrupt public use or access.
- 5NPS flexibility on other events: Nothing in the Act prevents the NPS from hosting events or issuing permits to others for special events in the Park.