BELLEVILLE, Ill. (Oct. 21, 2026) … For patients traveling to medical appointments, visitors supporting loved ones and hospital employees commuting to work, the experience of getting to and from Memorial Hospital extends beyond its doors. Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT), the St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD), Memorial Foundation, Inc. and AARP in St. Louis are working together to make that experience brighter and welcoming through a planned transformation of the MetroBus stop at 4500 Memorial Drive, across from the hospital’s main entrance. The stop is served by the 14 Memorial Hospital-Westview Plaza MetroBus route, which provides a connection to MetroLink.
The organizations have released the initial design for the joint initiative, which features an enhanced shelter, seating, lighting, wayfinding, green space and more. The design also incorporates a decades-old tree to provide natural shade. Lochmueller Group was selected as the project’s design firm.
“This is an exciting collaboration in St. Clair County with the St. Clair County Transit District, Memorial Foundation and AARP working together to deliver transit amenities for riders, employees and visitors to Memorial Hospital,” said Kimberly Cella, CEO of Citizens for Modern Transit. “Like all our Transit Stop Transformation Projects, this project continues to underscore the importance of making sure transit fits into the fabric of our communities to benefit the most people. This stop will seamlessly serve Memorial Hospital’s visitors, patients, employees and other riders. We are grateful to all the organizations for stepping up for transit and seeing the value it can deliver.”
Construction is expected to begin in early 2027 and be completed in Spring 2027. Memorial Hospital will be responsible for maintaining the transformed site following completion.
“Transit stops are often the first and last point of contact riders have with the transit system, so the experience at those locations matters,” said Ken Sharkey, managing director of the St. Clair County Transit District.
“At Memorial Hospital, we are dedicated to ensuring our patients, visitors and hospital employees can access our campus conveniently,” said Liz Jennings, Memorial Foundation manager. “This new bus shelter provides a comfortable, inviting amenity for transit riders traveling to and from our hospital, representing our commitment to building healthy, vibrant communities in Memorial Hospital’s service area now and for generations to come.”
The Memorial Hospital project will be the sixth Transit Stop Transformation Project in St. Clair County. Previous projects have transformed locations at Emerson Park, Belleville, North Hanley, 5th & Missouri and Fairview Heights transit centers, as well as MetroBus stops in Maplewood, Soulard and East St. Louis.
The Transit Stop Transformation program began in 2020 and demonstrates how a transit stop can serve as a transformational tool to reconnect a community, promote social equality, increase accessibility, position an area for growth, activate and beautify public space, and enhance neighborhood safety. Partners work with stakeholders to establish lasting improvements designed to enhance safety, encourage ridership and increase activity around transit.
These projects have also inspired civic pride and further investment in public transit infrastructure. The program sparked the launch of the “Story of a Bench,” a smaller-scale initiative created by CMT in partnership with AARP in St. Louis to provide seating at MetroBus stops lacking this basic amenity. Rider feedback indicates the benches help ease physical and mental stress after a long day at work or school, when carrying groceries, or while managing mobility challenges or health conditions.
Overall, the programs provide a strategic, scalable model for upgrading public transit infrastructure and illustrate how targeted investments can generate broader benefits in community advancement, passenger satisfaction and regional equity.
Learn more at https://cmt-stl.org/transit-
Citizens for Modern Transit
Citizens for Modern Transit is the St. Louis region’s transit advocacy organization. Established in 1985 to help bring light rail to St. Louis, CMT’s mission is focused on championing, challenging, encouraging and advocating for public transit in an effort to drive economic growth and improve quality of life. To help support this mission, the organization works to develop ridership programming, transform spaces around transit stops, help secure local and federal transit funding, serve as a strong and effective voice on transit-related issues and opportunities, and ensure safe, convenient, user-friendly and affordable access to the area’s integrated public transportation system. To learn more, visit www.CMT-STL.org or follow the organization on Facebook, X, Instagram or LinkedIn.
About St. Clair County Transit District
The St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD) was founded in 1981 and contracts with Bi-State Development to provide public transportation services in St. Clair County, Ill., by way of 11 MetroLink stations and 14 MetroBus routes and with Southwestern Illinois College to offer paratransit services as well as on-demand, micro transit via the SCCTD Flyer in seven communities. SCCTD has also established and maintains the ever-evolving MetroBikeLink System of interconnecting trails and bike paths that seamlessly connect to six Metro Transit Centers – linking individuals to jobs, education, healthcare, entertainment, trails and other destinations throughout the bi-state region. To learn more, visit www.SCCTD.org or follow the District on Facebook, X, Instagram or LinkedIn.
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. Learn more at www.aarp.org/stlouis.
