Following the completion of a series of walk audits at three key St. Louis MetroLink stations in the St. Louis area, Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) and AARP in St. Louis will highlight the results of their research during a public event scheduled for Nov. 15 at 5 p.m. in the Gemini Room at the Moonrise Hotel, located at 6177 Delmar Blvd., in the Loop. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.
Led by locally based architecture and design firm Arcturis, the recent walk audits focused on the North Hanley, Forest Park and Delmar MetroLink stations, with the goal of identifying ways to activate the transit spaces and transform them into focal points for activity. Those participating in the audits were part of focus groups which evaluated all areas of each station and engaged in follow-up conversations to discuss how the areas could capitalize on their assets to promote health, opportunity and well-being for transit users and all those who live, work and play near the stations.
During the Nov. 15 presentation, CMT and AARP will share ideas generated from the audits that look beyond the trip from point A to point B, and are focused on placemaking, a concept focused on the transformation of spaces into active, engaging corridors that connect individuals and neighborhoods by offering access to products, services and green spaces.
“The eventual goal for these locations is for them to become ‘destinations’ where individuals can meet for coffee, grab groceries or take time out to unwind,” said Kim Cella, executive director of Citizens for Modern Transit. “But, in the interim, as the region awaits the further expansion of MetroLink, we have noted some important short-term improvements that can be made at these locations to make them safer and more vibrant destinations. We are excited about the input gathered through our walk audits and excited to share what we’ve learned with the public.”
Registration for CMT and AARP’s “Report to the Community on Placemaking & Transit” is underway now at www.cmt-stl.org. The event will begin at 5 p.m. with registration and networking, followed by the program and light refreshments at 5:30 p.m. The event is accessible by both MetroLink and MetroBus.
“The recent walk audits have generated excellent feedback that we hope will help further the concept of placemaking at transit spaces in the St. Louis region,” said Sheila Holm, Community Outreach Director for AARP in St. Louis.
View the November 2016 PLACEMAKING STRATEGIES FOR ST. LOUIS TRANSIT Report here:
Table of Contents and Executive Summary
Section 1: Inventory and Assessment