A look back at the original Civic Center MetroBus Center. The block North of Spruce had many trees.
In October 2011 many brown areas could be spotted on the evergreen treesTo prep for a new Civic Center bus transfer facility, all the trees were cut down. The Feds will require Metro to plant new treesThe official route from 14th to the MetroLink platform involves steps or two switchback ramps
The new design is substantially different, it has 3 times as many bus bays. First we have to get to it. For both the ribbon cutting (8/10) and open house (8/11) I arrived from the North on the West side of 14th Street (next to Peabody Opera/Scottrade Center). Both times I had to take a detour, hopefully this morning this is open.
AS I arrived for the open house I saw Fredbird walking on 14th because the sidewalk at the corner was closed.Moments later Fredbird made it around the cornerLater I made it around to the other side, it appears done so hopefully the fencing is pulled back today. The North plaza area, left, is still being finished.To accèss Civic Center I usd ri go West along Clark, almost to 16th. I couldn’t get to 14th & Spruce because the sidewalks don’t connect on the East side of 14th, which surprised some Metro officials.On Thursday holes were being dug for a new fence along Clark.Since opening in 1993 this sidewalk has been too narrow. now the added fence is close leaving no room for people to step side on the SouthHeading up the West ramp to the buildingLooking back to where I’d been.Once the corner st 14th & Clark is open pedestrians will use a 14th Street sidewalk not filled with bus stops. Trees will be planted, providing separation from the traffic lane.Those pedestrians who approach from the South will likely take a shortcut, those of us in mobility devices don’t have that option because bio ramp is provided on the South endThere are several very long crosswalks, the able-bodied will take less risky short-cutsSome will enter any 14th & Spruce, facing the new building. The MetroLink platform ids beyond, with Amshack 3 beyond that.Inside the building are restrooms, concessions, security, etcEach bank of seating has an outlet, carry your phone chargerLike North County TC, the bathrooms don’t have doors . Great for those of us who use a mobility deviceFrom the building you can look down at the MetroLink platformView of the building from the platformView north from the steps next to the buildingTrees, plants, and art will be installed at the North this full .
At the ribbon cutting on Thursday Metro Transit Exec Dir Ray Friem was adamant Civic Center would open allowing smoking, like their other bus centers. I argued this was the perfect time to make Civic Center smoke-free. Metro staff told me their inconsistent policy of no-smoking on train platforms but smoking at bus shelters on their private property had been the subject of many internal debates over the years. Friem said Metro would go smoke0-free, he just didn’t know how or when. I rallied others to talk to Friem. It worked.
Metro has announced Civic Center is opening smoke-free, other bus transit centers will go smoke0-free next month. Finally I can change buses at a transit center without having my eyes water or throat close because of smokers around me.
Four bus routes are being split up:
The #30 is being split into the #19 St. Louis Ave and #30 Arsenal
The #32 M.L. King-Chouteau is being split into the #31 Chouteau and #32 M.L. King.
The #40 Broadway route becomes the #20 S. Broadway and #40 N. Broadway — yes, both are being routes through Civic Center.
The #99 Downtown Trolley is having a West portion split off into the #96 Market Street Shuttle.
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