Transit Oriented Development: A Case Study of MetroLink in the St. Louis Region Dr. Barbara Grothe, Executive Director, RegionWise, St. Louis Dr. Kristi Walker, Detroit, Michigan Laura Zacher, Senior Project Manager,Economic Development Resources, STL

Definition of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) mixed uses, walkable, location-efficient balance the need for sufficient density to support convenient transit service meet the scale of the adjacent community attention to civic uses “Successful development around transit demands a new form of community building that transforms the area into a place so special and irresistible that people will invest there, live there and visit again and again”.

Recent Literature on Transit Oriented Development Transit Oriented Development: Moving from Rhetoric to Reality Brookings Institution, Center on Urban and Metropolitan Policy, June 2002, Dena Belzer & Gerald Autler Ten Principles for Successful Development Around Transit The Urban Land Institute, 2003, Robert Dunphy, Deboarh Myerson, Michael Pawlukiewicz

TOD Performance Indicators 1.Location Efficiency – place makes driving optional 2.Value Recapture – savings from reducing transportation costs 3.Livability – improvements in quality of life 4.Financial Return – returns on public & private investments 5.Choice – providing housing, shopping, and traveling options for residents 6.Efficient Land-use Patterns – balance between population growth and urbanized land area

TOD Performance Indicators – Matched to Census Data

Wellston Station

Housing Stock ¼ mile-Small, single family, separate lots. Infill and new housing. Some new suburban style with garage in front of house (in Wellston). Mixed frame & brick in University City is better maintained. Area needs dense housing closer to transit stop. Housing improves as one moves from ¼ mile of transit stop to ½ mile. Both single and multi-family family, modest and high end. Habitat for Humanity Housing Development under construction within 0.2 miles of station

Parks and Green Spaces One established park on hill adjacent to Metro station - large, with play equipment and a performance platform High school fields Day time tot lot Pagedale City Park

Community Assets Some churches serve as community centers Eskridge Memorial High School 2 Day Care Centers

Services and Retail Grocery Store Liquor store Sandwich shop Convenience store Couldn’t tell if laundromat was open (Hodiamont & Etzel) Car detailing shop, motel, auto body

Employment Full parking lots Wagner Electric, General Electric, a University City Industrial Park (Cunningham). Industrial work center to south of station not connected well for the pedestrian, no sidewalks St. Louis Enterprise Center of Wellston under construction within 0.1 mile of station Shift change at work centers confirmed a number of walkers, transit consumers

Population, Housing, and Income Change Wellston MetroLink Station (Census Tracts in 3 Communities) City of Wellston Percent Change Percent Change Population3,6163, ,6122, Housing Units1,4731, , Median Household Income 22,32623, ,96421, % Unemployed * *-12.0 * Change in percentage points Livability and Location Efficiency

Transportation Mode to Work 1990 – 2000 Wellston MetroLink Station (Census Tracts in 3 Communities) City of Wellston Change in Percentage Points Change in Percentage Points Drive Alone Carpool Public Transit Walk Other Work at Home Total # of Workers 1,2451, Location Efficiency, Value Recapture, Financial Return

Travel Time to Work 1990 – 2000 Wellston MetroLink StationCity of Wellston (Minutes) Change in Percentage Points Change in Percentage Points < – – – – – – – – ≥ Total # of Workers 1,2451, Location Efficiency, Livable Communities, Efficient Land Use Patterns

Housing Type 1990 – 2000 Wellston MetroLink StationCity of Wellston Change in Percentage Points Change in Percentage Points 1 unit detached unit attached units – 4 units – 9 units – 19 units ≥ 20 units Mobile home, boat, RV van, etc Total Housing Units 1,4731,3681, Choice

Number of Vehicles 1990 – 2000 Wellston MetroLink StationCity of Wellston Change in Percentage Points Change in Percentage Points None ≥ Total Occupied Housing Units 1, , Location Efficiency

Delmar Station

Housing Stock ¼ mile: Established, well cared for, dense - includes multi-family apartment buildings, large brick housing stock east of station (Enright, Clemons). ½ mile: Historic district in need of repair (Cabanne Place); NW neighborhood fully developed (Parkview Gardens); new development of high end housing to NE (West End neighborhood); south neighborhood primarily single family housing, new housing with brick facades to blend into historic fabric; SW neighborhood high-end mansions. Parking is on street, off rear alley, several garages

Parks and Green Spaces Landscaping on slope down to station affords shade in a heat island of concrete (industrial area surrounds station). additional landscaping being installed during observation period. Tot lot in NW neighborhood Walking trail through SW neighborhood into retail area

Community Assets Grade School Closed Middle School (Des Peres)

Services and Retail Fully developed and well-managed retail in Loop area west of station – attractive, promising, pulls pedestrian, adequate connectivity. Retail shops under construction around MetroLink station

Employment Numerous opportunities in retail and service shops in “Loop” west of station, walking distance > ½ mile

Population, Housing, and Income Change 1990 – 2000 Delmar MetroLink Station (Census tracts in 2 communities) City of St. Louis Percent Change Percent Change Population7,4396, ,685348, Housing Units3,3213, ,919176, Median Household Income 27,66623, ,25427, % Unemployed * Livability and Location Efficiency * Change in percentage points

Transportation Mode to Work 1990 – 2000 Delmar Loop MetroLink Station (Census tracts in 2 communities) City of St. Louis Change in Percentage Points Change in Percentage Points Drive Alone Carpool Public Transit Walk Other Work at Home Total # of Workers 3,2622,953158,499140,747 Location Efficiency, Value Recapture, Financial Return

Travel Time to Work 1990 – 2000 Delmar Loop MetroLink Station (Census tracts in 2 communities) City of St. Louis (Minutes) Change in Percentage Points Change in Percentage Points < – – – – – – – – ≥ Total # of Workers 3,2122,878155,785138,292 Location Efficiency, Livable Communities, Efficient Land Use Patterns

Housing Type 1990 – 2000 Delmar Loop MetroLink Station (Census tracts in 2 communities) City of St. Louis Change in Percentage Points Change in Percentage Points 1 unit detached unit attached units – 4 units – 9 units – 19 units ≥ 20 units Mobile home, boat, RV van, etc Total Housing Units 3,3213,555194,919176,354 Choice

Number of Vehicles 1990 – 2000 Delmar Loop MetroLink Station (Census tracts in 2 communities) City of St. Louis Change in Percentage Points Change in Percentage Points None ≥ Total Occupied Housing Units 2,7942,181164,931147,076 Location Efficiency

Civic Center Station (Savvis)

Housing Stock ¼ mile: high-end condominiums adjacent to station (Breckenridge); little else due to large government complexes; new apartments being developed at border to the east (Cupples Station redevelopment initiative) ½ mile-new mixed-income, mixed type housing being developed to the south (Near South Side neighborhood revitalization initiative, Mississippi lofts & upcoming Eden lofts), public housing and new senior housing; housing for the homeless available to the north; senior housing apartments also to the north; loft condominiums starting to develop throughout area due to historic tax credit laws Parking-Numerous public garages, private parking lots, and generous quantity of on-street metered parking; garages and lots provide monthly and daily rates

Parks and Green Spaces Numerous large government buildings are well landscaped and maintained to the north Nestle Purina campus on south border on other side of huge valley full of railroad tracks (brownfields) Gateway Mall runs across the entire north area providing ample landscaping, strolling opportunities, park benches, large historic water fountain, smaller water features; numerous small parks among buildings

Community Assets YMCA on north border; Volunteers of America Community Center in new senior housing complex on Chouteau and 14 th Church-related community centers to the south, e.g. St. Raymond’s; city recreation center just outside boundary to south, youth teams and sport programming; Union Station has covered-walking option for all seasons exercise Peabody Clinton Elementary School Child care center north of station and Child care center at R. A. Young federal building

Services and Retail Dry cleaners, hardware, and numerous street level restaurants and shops throughout area to the north, some neighborhood retail starting to develop along Chouteau Avenue to the south Shopping mall at Union Station in ¼ mi. border, restaurants and gift shop in Sheraton; small, general merchandise discount store (Globe);

Employment Fortune 500 company division headquarters (Nestle Purina, animal foods) due south Service employers: several hotels (Majestic, Drury Inn & Omni, Sheraton & Hyatt, Westin at Cupples Station), new convention headquarters hotel (Renaissance) at ½ mi. border guarantees 35% of employees must be hired from Empowerment Zone census tracts (poorest blocks to the north of downtown district, that are within walkable/bus-ride distance) Regional utility company due south (AmerenUE); Shopping mall at Union Station Year-round sports & entertainment arena (Savvis Center) City and federal government buildings (VA & Robert A Young Federal Bldg., large US Post Office, local fire sta. & police dept.)

Downtown (Union Station, Civic Center, Busch Stadium, 8 th & Pine, Convention Center, Laclede’s Landing)

Civic Center Station

Downtown (Union Station, Civic Center, Busch Stadium, 8 th & Pine, Convention Center, Laclede’s Landing)

Downtown Stations

Population, Housing, and Income Change City Center MetroLink Stations City of St. Louis Percent Change Percent Change Population4,7124, ,685348, Housing Units 4,0954, ,919176, Median Household Income 23,80322, ,25427, % Unemployed * Livability and Location Efficiency * Change in percentage points

Transportation Mode to Work 1990 – 2000 City Center MetroLink Stations City of St. Louis Change in Percentage Points Change in Percentage Points Drive Alone Carpool Public Transit Walk Other Work at Home Total # of Workers 1,7271,596158,499140,747 Location Efficiency, Value Recapture, Financial Return

Travel Time to Work 1990 – 2000 City Center MetroLink Stations City of St. Louis (Minutes) Change in Percentage Points Change in Percentage Points < – – – – – – – – ≥ Total # of Workers 1,6891,536155,785138,292 Location Efficiency, Livable Communities, Efficient Land Use Patterns

Housing Type 1990 – 2000 City Center MetroLink Stations City of St. Louis Change in Percentage Points Change in Percentage Points 1 unit detached unit attached units – 4 units – 9 units – 19 units ≥ 20 units Mobile home, boat, RV van, etc Total Housing Units 4,0954,012194,919176,354 Choice

Number of Vehicles 1990 – 2000 City Center MetroLink Stations City of St. Louis Change in Percentage Points Change in Percentage Points None ≥ Total Occupied Housing Units 2,9542,824164,931147,076 Location Efficiency

Metro East – Emerson Park and College Station

Ten Principles for Successful Development Around Transit - Urban Land Institute (ULI) 1.Make It Better with a Vision 2.Apply the Power of Partnerships 3.Think Development When Thinking about Transit 4.Get the Parking Right 5.Build a Place, Not a Project 6.Make Retail Development Market Driven, Not Transit Driven 7.Mix Uses, but Not Necessarily in the Same Place 8.Make Buses a Great Idea 9.Encourage Every Price Point to Live around Transit 10.Engage Corporate Attention

Emerson Park – Housing Stock ¼ mi: new apartments northwest; new single and duplex family housing east (Parson Place); small, single-family, older housing stock appears to need repair or replacement; many parcels vacant and contributing to isolation of some houses ½ mi: Housing Stock: small single-family, occupied housing to north and across interstate to south, larger, brick mixed- income housing, possible historic district, south of station and interstate, old housing stock needs repair or replacement; apartments to the south and east Residential Parking: on-street, curb-side parking

Parks and Green Space Block-long open field to north (former residential area, houses removed, possibly Phase II of new housing development) Large playground to the south - across interstate (15 th street) Under-highway connection between neighborhoods has sidewalk (needs widening, landscaping)

Community Assets Large old churches appear to be only community-oriented buildings; building labeled “community center” appeared to be abandoned Salvation Army Community Center to the south, across interstate Miles Davis Elementary School (adjacent to I-40 ramp), crossing guards escort children across Math & Science Academy Katherine Dunham museum

Services and Retail Liquor store Hair salon Space for shops at the station, with dedicated parking Phase II housing development plans may encourage additional retail and service (roof counts – market driven development)

Employment Large paint manufacturer Possibly jobs related to IDOT storage area – probably remote, by vehicle

College Station ( SWIC ) - Housing Stock ¼ mi: No housing available ½ mi: : apartments, single-family, detached housing Private property parking lots associated with apartments Note: Determined that adjacent green field and farm house located atop coal mine prevent further development due to risk of subsidence – case for public assistance to alleviate pre-development risk?

Parks and Green Space Minimal landscaping at station; planted fields across two roads Vast farm fields

Community Assets YMCA across highway from campus Schmidt Art Gallery on campus Remote, under-developed station full of security cameras, fire emergency, telephones (near military base, Scott AFB)

Retail and Services College book store No shops within ½ mile walking distance Commercial strip some distance to the west

Employment College-related, educational and services

Transit Oriented Development: A Case Study of MetroLink in the St. Louis Region Concluding Thoughts: St. Louis just beginning to include train transit as part of economic development strategies St. Louis still in early stages of true transit-oriented development, currently transit-adjacent at best Commuters still depend on cars - upcoming I-64/Hwy 40 construction schedule may drive commuters to try trains New potential: new train transit extensions and Fannie Mae’s Smart Commute mortgages for buyers near transit

Transit Oriented Development: A Case Study of MetroLink in the St. Louis Region

Dr. Barbara Grothe, Executive Director, RegionWise, St. Louis Dr. Kristi Walker, Detroit, Michigan Laura Zacher, Senior Project Manager,Economic Development Resources, STL