Public Meetings Scheduled to Learn About Transit-Oriented Development
A regional planning effort is currently underway to look at economic development potential around the 37 MetroLink stations. The East-West Gateway Council of Governments is leading the project and Bi-State Development Agency/Metro is one of 11 agencies partnering with East-West Gateway in the effort. The purpose of the federally funded study is to explore opportunities to create additional retail, residential housing, office, entertainment and related real estate developments oriented around the MetroLink stations in Missouri and Illinois. The overall effort will create a vision and roadmap for how to stimulate transit-oriented development (TOD) in the St. Louis region.
Four open house meetings are scheduled this week (July 16, 17, 18, and 19) for residents who will learn about transit-oriented development and the initial findings regarding the viability of transit-oriented development in the region. Each meeting will feature a one-hour presentation at 4:30 p.m. and again at 6:30 p.m., that highlights the study goals and project process. After each presentation, residents can express their thoughts on development opportunities and amenities they would like to see occur around the MetroLink station during interactive keypad polling sessions. The format and information presented will be the same at all four locations below:
Monday, July 16 4-8 p.m.
Southwestern Illinois College-Belleville Campus
The Garden Room near the Cafeteria
2500 Carlyle Avenue
Belleville, IL 62221
Tuesday, July 17 4-8 p.m.
Crossroads College Preparatory School
Cafeteria
500 DeBaliviere Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63112
Wednesday, July 18 4-8 p.m.
Maplewood Richmond Heights High School
Cafeteria
7539 Manchester Road
Maplewood, MO 63143
Thursday, July 19 4-8 p.m.
East St. Louis City Hall
Rotunda
301 River Park Drive
East St. Louis, IL 62201
As part of Metro’s contribution to the project, Metro staff members performed an extensive analysis of all 37 MetroLink stations and compiled a detailed Station Area Profile for each. The profiles can be viewed at www.metrostlouis.org. After evaluating all 37 station profiles and gathering public input, East-West Gateway and partners will create a TOD Framework Master Plan for use by local governments and the private sector. These final plans will also recommend five MetroLink stations for new transit-oriented developments over the short and long term.