NextStop Blog

Pagedale Mayor Mary Carter prepares to cut the ribbon on the new art installation.

St. Louis county residents and members of several local organizations came together yesterday to call for community input into potential future transit-oriented developments at the Rock Road MetroLink Station, the Healthy Corridor along Ferguson Avenue and the Page Avenue Great Streets projects.

Beyond Housing in partnership with Rebuild Foundation, the Des Lee Collaborative Vision, the City of Pagedale, and the Bi-State Development Agency (Metro) held a ribbon cutting ceremony as part of the art installation of four wooden boards created by Cyndi Redmond-Jenkins, a longtime Pagedale resident, wood burning artist and community activist.

Residents of Pagedale and Wellston, as well as others served by the Rock Road MetroLink Station now have the opportunity to share their ideas about what kinds of housing, businesses, retail and services they would like to see in the future to improve livability in the area.

Every two weeks or so over the next two months, Redmond-Jenkins, will burn those public comments into the wooden panels so residents will know their ideas are being seen. Redmond-Jenkins’ wood burning designs are well-known and respected throughout the St. Louis area. She is also known for her commitment to teaching area children the art of wood burning and to their well being in general.

Artist Cyndi Redmond-Jenkins

The artwork, titled “We Are Listening,” is located near the entrance of the Metro Park-Ride lot at the Rock Road MetroLink Station at 7019 St. Charles Rock Road in Pagedale. Next time you are in the area, be sure to stop by and share your ideas by writing them on a piece of paper and placing it in the mailbox onsite — or you can write your idea directly onto the art pieces and the artist will burn them into the wood.

This interactive art installation is one of only a few throughout the country and speaks to the creative methods that Beyond Housing is utilizing to engage the public in community development efforts.

“Beyond Housing is helping to make entire communities become better places to live, and stakeholder input is vital for sustainable transformation. Our process of Ask•Align•Act ensures that we are always listening to the people we serve and working collaboratively to make great things happen.” said Chris Krehmeyer, President/CEO of Beyond Housing. “This is an exciting and challenging time in the Vision 24:1 communities.”

“The Bi-State Development Agency is committed to improving the quality of life for area residents by providing excellent transportation and promoting economic development,” said John Nations, Bi-State Development Agency President and CEO. “This region is beginning to realize the value of locating businesses and homes near MetroLink stations and other transit centers. Transit oriented development stabilizes and revitalizes neighborhoods, creates new jobs and new tax revenue, increases property values, and lowers commuting costs for families and individuals.”