Construction to Commence this Spring and be Completed in Summer 2023
After getting input from transit riders, area residents, elected officials and stakeholders through a series of in-person and virtual opportunities, a finalized design concept has been approved for the “Transit Stop Transformation Project” at the 5th & Missouri Transit Center in East St. Louis, IL. The project – being completed in conjunction with the St. Clair County Transit District, Citizens for Modern Transit, AARP in St. Louis and Metro Transit– will transform the concrete area between the bus bays and MetroLink entrance into an interactive, playful and engaging space.
The finalized design – developed by Trivers – boasts a nod to East St. Louis and the “City of Champions” theme. It features one large central shade structure, seating, windscreens with historic East St. Louis ‘champions,’ and significant investment in landscaping to green the space. Construction will commence this Spring and be completed in the Summer 2023.
“The planning process for this project was fueled by the input of the local
community, and the final design will serve as an extension of the fabric of the community as well as a new community gathering space for programming,” commented Kimberly Cella, executive director of Citizens for Modern Transit. “We are excited to see this concept come to life and transform this space into an engaging corridor that residents of all ages can enjoy while celebrating the champions of East St. Louis.”
The “Transit Stop Transformation Project” at the 5th & Missouri Transit Center is the fifth transformation of its kind in the St. Louis region. Transformations were also completed at the North Hanley Transit Center in St. Louis County in October 2022; Belleville Transit Center in Belleville in June 2022; the Emerson Park Transit Center in East St. Louis in August 2021 and at a MetroBus stop in Maplewood in June 2020. Each project showcases a deep understanding of and commitment to equitable development around transit, the possibility of play, the ability for creative interventions to produce long-term impact for residents of all ages and the need for collaboration to succeed. The partners work with stakeholders to build consensus and policies to move permanent development forward – and ultimately establish lasting developments at transit stops that are helping to improve safety and security, build ridership and increase activity around transit. Each project also reinforces the element of fun that comes with activating space and will be maintained via partner commitments to ensure sustainability for years to come.