Better MetroLink Security Inches Forward in St. Louis County Council
Date Posted: July 25, 2019
Posted In: News,
From St. Louis Post-Dispatch: The St. Louis County Council introduced legislation Tuesday that would allow the county to sign off on a major bond issue refinancing for Bi-State Development that would provide some $20 million for new public safety measures on MetroLink.
Bi-State has said it would use that money to help pay for upgrades in security cameras, reconfiguration of MetroLink stations, fencing and other improvements to make the light-rail system more secure for passengers.
The council also scheduled a meeting Tuesday to hear a presentation from Bi-State on the bond issue and its 2020 budget. The county contributes the largest share to Bi-State from any government, about $150 million.
A final council vote on the refinancing could occur as soon as Aug. 6.
St. Louis County Executive Sam Page has endorsed the refinancing. The city of St. Louis and Bi-State’s board have also approved the measure. The council’s presiding officer, Ernie Trakas, R-6th District, has said he’s willing to consider the refinancing separately from Bi-State’s annual budget request and that the plan should move forward before Oct. 1 so Bi-State can take advantage of low long-term interest rates.