Citizens for Modern Transit is teaming up with AARP in St. Louis and Metro Transit to activate the space around a city bus stop at 13th and Gravois near Soulard. This joint initiative, known as the “Transit Stop Transformation Project,” will transform the area around the MetroBus stop into a welcoming, engaging space that cultivates community and increases transit use.
The stop was selected by a committee from a city-wide nomination process and is located within public right-of-way. Transit riders, area residents and stakeholders have provided initial feedback on what they would like to see at stop via a variety of community engagement activities. In-person and virtual community engagement event will be listed below as they are scheduled. The project is expected to be completed by January 2025.
“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 Soulard neighborhood as well as a new community gathering space,” 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 MetroBus stop that residents and riders of all ages can enjoy while celebrating one of the historic communities in the City of St. Louis.”
The “Transit Stop Transformation Project” at the 13th and Gravois Bus Stop is the seventh transformation of its kind in the St. Louis region. Transformations were also completed at the Fifth and Missouri Transit Center in the summer 2023; 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. The sixth stop is under construction at the Fairview Heights Transit Center in Fairview Heights, IL.
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.
View the design and weigh in today by completing this online survey.
For more information about the Transit Stop Transformation Program, please visit: cmt-stl.org/transit-stop-transformation-projects/