4/6/12 – Citizens For Modern Transit To Host Luncheon Featuring National Transit Oriented Development Expert

ST. LOUIS, MO., April 6, 2012 … Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) today announced plans to host a luncheon titled “Let’s Build Around Light Rail,” featuring national Transit Oriented Development Expert Katherine Perez. Set for Tuesday, May 8 at noon at the Forest Park Visitors Center, the event will provide a great opportunity for local leaders, businesses, non-profits and citizens to hear why it is imperative for the public, private and non-profit sectors to work together to encourage development around light rail. Reservations are being accepted through April 26. The cost is $25 for CMT members and $40 for non-members.

Perez is the founder of ELP Advisors LLC, who previously served as the executive director of the Urban Land Institute (ULI), Los Angeles District Council and the vice president of development for Forest City Development where she focused on transit oriented development. Her diverse background in private real estate development, transportation policy and urban planning, has enabled her to emerge as one of the most articulate and credible advocates promoting the responsible use of land and transportation.

“We are thrilled to have Katherine Perez joining us for an insightful discussion on a topic critical to moving transit oriented development forward in our region,” commented Kim Cella, executive director of Citizens for Modern Transit. “This luncheon will kick off a series of events set for May designed to highlight the ways St. Louisans can make their move on Metro.”

Those interested in attending the “Let’s Build Around Light Rail” luncheon can register online atwww.cmt-stl.org or mail their payment to CMT at 911 Washington Ave., Ste. 200, St. Louis, MO 63101. Seating is limited and reservations will be accepted on a first come first serve basis. CMT is hosting this event in partnership with the City of St. Louis and the Mayor’s Sustainability Summit II. Sponsors include HDR Engineering; Fred Weber, Inc.; Metro, and Musick Construction Company. All of CMT’s “Make Your Move on Metro in May” events are supported by the St. Louis Regional Clean Air Partnership.

To learn more about the upcoming luncheon and the other events scheduled for May, visit www.cmt-stl.org, find Citizens for Modern Transit on Facebook or follow them on Twitter @cmt_stl

Citizens for Modern Transit is a not-for-profit organization in St. Louis whose mission is to expand the light rail system in order to build more sustainable, accessible communities in the region. 

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For more information, contact:

Shelene Treptow, The Hauser Group, 314.436.9090

Kim Cella, Citizens for Modern Transit, 314.231.7272