Citizens for Modern Transit to Host Virtual "Talking Transit" Event

Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) – the St. Louis region’s transit advocacy organization – is hosting a virtual “Talking Transit” event on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. via Zoom. The event will discuss how linear neighborhoods are being built around several Metro Transit Centers located along the Red Line in North St. Louis County. These neighborhoods feature mixed-use development along key transportation corridors designed to increased accessibility to amenities and open spaces. The event is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is required and can be completed at www.cmt-stl.org.

“One of the most significant benefits of an integrated transit system is its ability to connect riders and residents to housing, employment opportunities and other needed resources,” commented Kimberly Cella, executive director of Citizens for Modern Transit. “This can be established by working to build linear neighborhoods, which we are starting to see come to life around the North Hanley, UMSL South and Rock Road Transit Centers.”

Those in attendance at the “Talking Transit” event will hear from area leaders involved in helping to create these communities. The discussion panel includes:

• Sal Martinez, CEO of Employment Connection, and Aaron Burnett, President of Bywater Development, who will both discuss the University Cross development underway at the North Hanley Transit Center. This Transit-Oriented Development includes 60 mixed-income apartments intended for working families. It will also include a new North St. Louis County office of Employment Connection to serve the residents of this development and the larger community with employment and career advancement training and support.

• Janet Wilding, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Economic and Community Development at the University of Missouri – St Louis (UMSL), who will speak about the North St. Louis County Business and Workforce District. This mixed-use development is transforming UMSL’s South Campus into a hub of academic and business activity around the UMSL South Transit Center.

• Daffney Moore, Senior Director of Economic Development of Beyond Housing, who will discuss the latest information tied to the Transit-Oriented Development Study at the Rock Road Transit Center.

CMT hosts quarterly “Talking Transit” events to keep members, elected officials, stakeholders, transit riders and others in the loop on issues and efforts influencing the local transit system. These educational gatherings feature guest speakers and panel discussions that address a wide range of topics, including transit-oriented development, safety and security, best practices, service changes and more. To learn more about these events and how CMT is working to further transit access in the St. Louis region, visit www.cmt-stl.org.

Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) 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.