The 5th & Missouri Transit Center in East St. Louis Opens to the Public

AARP in St. Louis, Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT), St. Clair County Transit District and Metro Transit – in partnership with Bywater Development Group and Employment Connection – unveiled the “Transit Stop Transformation Project” at the 5th & Missouri Transit Center, located in East St. Louis, Illinois.

This stop is the fifth and most extensive transformation to date. The goal was to take a place that residents simply pass through and turn it into an active, engaging corridor that connects individuals and neighborhoods. And…we did it!

This project converted the large grey, concrete areas between the bus bays and MetroLink entrance into an interactive and engaging urban oasis, featuring hundreds of plants and bushes and a “City of Champions” theme. A large central shade structure, seating, a gathering space and art – with a nod to influential East St. Louisans throughout history – were also incorporated into the revitalized space.

This project along with the other four transformations all provide comfort, beauty, accessibility, and a sense of community pride for all who use the transit system. All the projects were a direct result of the feedback from the ridership, community, local leadership, and business owners. Elements such as plants, shade, seating, artistic elements, color, and more were incorporated through the input provided by the groups listed previously.

Transformations complete to date include:

· June 2020 – MetroBus stop in Maplewood, MO
· August 2021 – Emerson Park Transit Center in East St. Louis, IL
· June 2022 – Belleville Transit Center in Belleville, IL
· October 2022 – North Hanley Transit Center in St. Louis County
· July 2023 – 5^th and Missouri Transit Center in East St. Louis, IL

Look for our next transformations in 2024 Fairview Heights, IL and the city of St. Louis.