News and Issues

Development along the Cross-County Extension of the MetroLink, which runs from Skinker Station at the limit of St. Louis City through St. Louis County to Shrewsbury Station has exceeded $500 million, according to an ongoing update to CMT's database of economic development around MetroLink stations. The database records the cost, square footage, and primary use of new construction and renovation within a half-mile radius of MetroLink stations - approximately a ten-minute walk.

Currently, the database values development along the Cross County Line at around $543 million. The primary uses of developments range from institutional to commercial to residential. Also in progress are master plans by a few municipalities in the County, including Clayton, whose plans include a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) districts around Forsyth and Clayton Stations. TOD districts are aimed to encourage higher density, pedestrian friendly, human scale development where transit riders are dispersed into the urban fabric.

Development also continues to flourish along the original segment of the Metrolink, which opened between North Hanley and 5th and Missouri Stations in 1993. Since CMT's database was last updated in 2007, an additional $400 million has occurred within a half-mile of Metrolink stations, mainly in St. Louis City. Some of the areas most concentrated with development have been Downtown, in the Loft District, and in the Central West End.

The Cross-County Extension, serviced by the Blue Line, opened in August of 2006 at a total construction cost of approximately $550 million, serving areas including Washington University, University City Clayton, Brentwood, Richmond Heights, and Shrewsbury. Direct service through these areas continues through Downtown St. Louis and into Illinois. Since the transit cuts in March of 2009, Blue Line service has run every fifteen minutes during peak service, but will be expanded to every twelve minutes in late June, and eventually every ten minutes once work on the Eads Bridge is completed. Areas serviced by both the Blue and Red Lines will have trains coming every five minutes during peak service.