Convention Center station (MetroLink)
| Company type | Light rail station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Headquarters | St. Louis , United States |
Area served | St. Louis MetroLink network |
| Products | Light rail transit services |
Convention Center station serves as an underground light rail stop on the Red and Blue routes within the St. Louis MetroLink network. Positioned beneath 6th Street and Washington Avenue, it lies in the heart of St. Louis' Central Business District.
History
The station occupies a section of the historic Downtown Tunnel, which dates back to 1874 and was originally designed to facilitate train travel between the Eads Bridge and the rail yards in Mill Creek Valley. The tunnel ceased operations after an Amtrak train passed through in 1974. Beginning in 1991, restoration efforts commenced to prepare for the 1993 inauguration of MetroLink, establishing a transit connection between Illinois and Missouri via downtown St. Louis. In July 1992, a 175-foot portion of the tunnel near this station collapsed; fortunately, no injuries occurred.
Metro Transit revealed plans on January 20, 2023, to undertake cleaning and refurbishment at Convention Center station. These improvements include removing outdated escalators, installing new stairways, enhancing lighting systems, and upgrading signage for better navigation. Following completion of renovations at the nearby 8th & Pine, work will begin here with a scheduled closure starting January 6, 2025, and reopening projected for June 2, 2025.
Station layout
Entry to the westbound platform is available through an access point located within the former Stix, Baer, and Fuller flagship building—currently known as The Laurel—as well as via a subway staircase at the intersection of 6th Street and Washington Avenue. Access to the eastbound platform is provided by subway stairs, an escalator, and an elevator situated in the public plaza of 600 Washington, along with an additional staircase positioned across 6th Street.
Public artwork
In 1997, Metro's Arts in Transit initiative commissioned Birds in Flight, created by Peter Tao, Helen Lee, and Stuart and Stacey Morse. This artwork is installed between Convention Center and Laclede's Landing stations and features painted panels that evoke the sensation of a bird in motion.
Notable places nearby
- America's Center
- The Dome at America's Center
- Downtown St. Louis
- Marriott St. Louis Grand Hotel
- Missouri Athletic Club
- National Blues Museum
- Washington Avenue Historic District