St. Louis Metro System’s New Paint Facility Opens Six Months Early and 10% Under Budget

Metro, the regional public transit operator serving metropolitan St. Louis, now repaints its 87 light-rail vehicles in a new eco-friendly facility that opened six months ahead of schedule and about 10% under the $4.8-million estimated budget. One side of the 9,600-sq-ft precast panel building contains a totally enclosed paint booth. The other side is a prep shop with six separate areas and an extensive dust-collection system. Besides dust collection, the facility’s “green” features include a filtered air-exhaust system, use of low VOC paint, and energy-efficient lighting. Plochner Construction Co., Highland, Ill., was the project’s general contractor.