A total of 49 teams from the United States and seven foreign countries have entered the competition to design improvements to the Gateway Arch grounds and its connection to downtown.

The CityArchRiver 2015 Foundation announced Friday that the jury for the competition, known formally as "Framing a Modern Masterpiece: The City + The Arch + The River 2015," will meet next week to review the portfolios that were submitted by Thursday's deadline.

File photo by Rachel Heidenry | Beacon intern

Earlier coverage: New Arch competition

Arch Jurors named 

For more information: www.cityarchrivercompetition.org/

On Feb. 10, the jury expects to announce results of its review, including invitations to between eight and 10 entrants to assemble complete teams for the next part of the three-stage competition.

On Feb. 18, an event for local contractors, minority, disadvantaged and women-owned businesses and others will be held at the Old Courthouse to meet with design teams to discuss their opportunities to take part in the project.

Other public events will include a chance to meet the designers in April and a public exhibition of the designs this summer.

Donald Stastny, manager of the competition, said he was "pleased by the level of interest we've received from very talented individuals and firms." Stastny is CEO of StastnyBrun Architects, Portland, Ore.

Attorney Walter Metcalfe, a member of the group that is governing the competition, added:

"We anticipated great interest in this competition, and we were right. The truly global nature of this competition is testament to Saarinen's masterpiece, the Mississippi River, St. Louis and the opportunity to weave it all together.

"Great design minds throughout the world were challenged to share their vision and imagination with us, and they were willing to do. I'm already looking forward to the ribbon-cutting on Oct. 28, 2015 - the 50th anniversary of the completion of the Arch."