BELLEVILLE – After getting input from transit riders, area residents, elected officials and stakeholders through a series of in-person and virtual opportunities, the St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD), has approved a finalized design concept for the “Transit Stop Transformation” project at the Belleville Transit Center, located at 800 Scheel Street. The project – being completed in conjunction with Citizens for Modern Transit, AARP in St. Louis and Metro Transit and through a partnership with the City of Belleville – will transform the concrete area between the bus bays and MetroLink entrance into an interactive, playful and engaging space.
The finalized design – developed by St. Louis-based transportation engineering and planning firm CBB –
boasts a vibrant-colored “Art Grows in Belleville” theme. It features musical, custom bike racks, shade structures, a Belleville city logo sign, benches, planters and elevated window artwork created by award-winning painter and mixed media artist Genevieve Esson, whose work is also featured as part of the “Transit Stop Transformation” project at the Maplewood MetroBus Stop in Maplewood, Mo. Construction will commence in the coming weeks and be completed in June 2022.
“The planning process for this project was fueled by the input of the local community and the final design fits the feel of Belleville, as it will serve as an extension of the fabric of the community,” commented Ken Sharkey, Managing Director of the St. Clair County Transit District. “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.”
The “Transit Stop Transformation” project at the Belleville Transit Center is the third transformation of its kind in the St. Louis region. Transformations were also completed at 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.
To learn more visit www.scctd.org or www.cmt-stl.org.
About Citizens for Modern Transit
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.
About AARP in St. Louis
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
About Metro Transit
Metro Transit operates the St. Louis region’s public transportation system, which includes 18 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.
About St. Clair County Transit District
Founded in 1981, St. Clair County Transit District oversees 11 MetroLink stations and 18 bus routes in St. Clair County, Ill. If commuters have questions about service, they can call (618) 628-8090 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, visit www.scctd.org.
