Construction to Commence in late Spring with completion set for Summer 2024
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 Fairview Heights Transit Center in Fairview Heights, Ill. The project is being completed in conjunction with the St. Clair County Transit District, Citizens for Modern Transit, AARP in St. Louis and Metro Transit – with the support of the City of Fairview Heights. The goal is to transform the concrete area between the MetroBus bays and MetroLink entrance, along with the nearby grass space, into an interactive, playful and engaging corridor.
The finalized design, developed by Gonzalez Companies in conjunction with Design Lab 443, boasts a “Love Where You Live” theme that came to life as a result of community feedback. It features a large, centralized shade structure, new seating, trees and 5-foot planters, the integration of bright colors and a series of banners communicating the many reasons why area residents are proud to live in Fairview Heights. Construction will commence in late Spring and be completed in Summer 2024.
“The planning process for this project was heavily influenced by the needs and wants of the local community,” 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 all that Fairview Heights has to offer.”
The “Transit Stop Transformation Project” at the Fairview Heights Transit Center is the sixth transformation of its kind in the St. Louis region and the fourth in St. Clair County, Ill. The goal of this and all other projects is to transform places that people typically pass through on their way to their next destination into community amenities that improve safety and security, build ridership and increase engagement around transit. Each project showcases a deep understanding of and commitment to equitable development around transit, the impact and possibility of play, the ability for creative interventions to produce long-term impact in neighborhoods that are accessible for residents of all ages, and the need for collaboration to succeed. To learn more, visit www.cmt-stl.org.
Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) is the region’s transit advocacy organization. It was established in 1985 to help bring light rail to St. Louis and works to develop, support and enhance programming and initiatives to ensure safe, convenient and affordable access to the region’s integrated public transportation system. CMT champions, challenges, encourages and advocates for public transit in an effort to drive economic growth and improve the quality of life in the St. Louis region.
AARP in St. Louis is the local connection for AARP – the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people to choose how they live as they age. Locally this is done through virtual & in-person engagement opportunities, legislative efforts on the local, state and federal level, educational resources, and volunteer opportunities. Advocating for and supporting efforts that contribute to creating a lifelong community is at the core of what we do in the St. Louis region. www.aarp.org/stlouis
Metro Transit operates the St. Louis region’s public transportation system, which includes 24 battery electric buses and nearly 400 clean-burning diesel buses that serve 59 MetroBus routes in eastern Missouri and southwestern Illinois. Metro also operates MetroLink light rail vehicles on 46 miles of track serving 38 stations in the two-state area, and operates Metro Call-A-Ride, a paratransit fleet of 122 vans. Metro Transit is a Bi-State Development enterprise.
Founded in 1981, St. Clair County Transit District contracts with Bi-State Development to provide public transportation services in St. Clair County, Ill., by way of 11 Metro Transit Centers; 12 MetroBus routes; on-demand, shared-ride services and more – connecting individuals to jobs, education, healthcare, entertainment, the MetroBikeLink and other destinations.
###
For more information, contact:
Kelly Harris
(314) 436-9090