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$17 million Akron facility to open Jan. 18 with heated waiting area, other amenities
By Katie Byard
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Friday, Jan 02, 2009
Holly Hoffman huddled in the chill, waiting for a bus on South Main Street in downtown Akron.
She's counting the days until Jan. 18, when the Metro Regional Transit Authority will open its new $17 million transit center.
The glass and steel building — on South Broadway and East Bartges Street — features a heated waiting area and indoor restrooms.
''It's been a long time coming,'' Hoffman said.
The center will replace an outdoor area along Main Street downtown as the primary location where Metro passengers change buses.
Not only will the facility be warm, but it also will eliminate a dangerous situation, Metro officials said.
''We're not going to have people dodging cars, trying to get to the buses,'' said Metro Executive Director Robert Pfaff.
''Safety, security have been foremost in our design of this facility,'' said Kirt Conrad, director of planning and development for Metro.
Dozens of security cameras will keep watch, and Metro will pay for police patrols. Initial plans call for two officers to be on duty during open hours.
Hoffman, 40, who lives in Twinsburg, and other riders said they are pleased to hear about the security measures.
''Hopefully there won't be as many incidents,'' said Hoffman, who regularly makes transfers downtown to get to stores and visit friends.
She was referring to fights around the bus shelters on Main Street.
About 4,000 of Metro's 22,000 daily riders will use the transfer facility, which boasts free wireless Internet service.
Other transfer spots are Summit, Rolling Acres and Chapel Hill malls, as well as Second Street and Tuscarawas Avenue in Barberton.
At the new center, passengers can wait inside — where monitors will show departure times — or outside underneath long canopies that line two sides of the building.
Buses will pull into partially covered bays; about 30 are designated for Metro bus routes.
Akron's Greyhound station is moving from its small building on Grant Street and will open at the terminal Jan. 27. The company, which offers 18 daily trips through Akron, will use four bays.
Bus routes operated by the transit systems in Portage and Stark counties also will be assigned bays.
Metro officials envision a coffee shop or cafe opening in vacant space next to the Greyhound counter.
The weak economy has made it difficult to find someone to operate such a business, said Metro spokeswoman Molly Becker.
For now, passengers will have to settle for vending machines.
Food for the soul will be offered in the form of art exhibits organized by the Artists of Rubber City.
Metro officials plan to raise money to pay for a ''signature art piece'' that would be installed outside the terminal, Conrad said. Representatives from Metro and Artists of Rubber City will solicit proposals.
''We want to make a statement that you've arrived in Akron,'' Conrad said, ''and about the importance of public transportation.''
The facility includes many environmentally friendly elements.
A total of 432 solar panels cover the roof, providing about a third of the building's energy needs.
A geothermal heating and cooling system features 45 wells drilled into the earth that circulate water, functioning like a ''big radiator,'' Conrad said.
A cistern will be used to collect rain water for plantings and for nondrinking water in the restrooms.
Akron's GPD Group, assisted by Parsons Brinckerhoff, designed the facility.
About $14.3 million of the center's cost is being paid with federal and state funds. The balance is coming from local sources.
Akron provided the land, appraised at about $2.3 million.
It's no accident the facility is near railroad tracks.
The center would be the ideal departure/arrival point for rail passengers should Amtrak resume stops in Akron, Metro officials said.
Also, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad could be a future tenant.
Nearly all Metro routes and timetables will change Jan. 18 with the opening of the center.
Metro ridership is up 6 percent through the first 11 months of the year.
Katie Byard can be reached at 330-996-3781 or kbyard@thebeaconjournal.com.
Holly Hoffman huddled in the chill, waiting for a bus on South Main Street in downtown Akron.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Akron, OH
Posted 03:37 AM, 01/02/2009
This is a wonderful improvement to our city, and I am thrilled by the green elements in the design and function of the transit center. Let's push our representatives to bring back train service to Akron.
Posted 06:56 AM, 01/02/2009
<--------------------The epitome of this.
Akron, OH
Posted 07:09 AM, 01/02/2009
{{Metro officials plan to raise money to pay for a ''signature art piece'' that would be installed outside the terminal}}
They could buy that rusted frog that sits in Highland Square.
Nice facility. Too bad the taxpayers had to foot any of the bill for it. Ridership is down doesn't pay for what they have now.
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Posted 10:00 AM, 01/02/2009
I say, good for Metro, especially for having security there. I've had to wait for buses in the Cascade Plaza area and felt more than a little nervous at some of the unsavory-looking characters waiting in the bus shelters. Hope the security officers keep people from smoking where they shouldn't, too...
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Posted 10:02 AM, 01/02/2009
glad there's security at the new transit center. I've taken the bus downtown and felt more than a little nervous with some of the less-than-savory characters who tend to hang around there. BTW, I hope the security officers enforce the no smoking rules at Metro stops - people always seem to ignore them...
Akron, OH
Posted 11:46 AM, 01/02/2009
@Betamax, did you even read the article?
Guess not since the article says "Metro ridership is up 6 percent through the first 11 months of the year."
San Diego, CA
Posted 12:20 PM, 01/02/2009
This is a step in the right direction. All cities need to step up mass transportation construction. Gasoline isn't going to stay at the price levels we're seeing right now for too long. They'll be back up to obnoxious levels soon enough. We need to have to have a transportation system that's reliable and serves the needs of people.
Green, OH
Posted 02:37 PM, 01/02/2009
Gotta love the energy efficiency and the future-thinking placement near the RR tracks in case AMTRACK comes back.
As a seasoned user of multiple forms of European public transportation, I am delighted to see a multifunctional facility opening in my hometown.
da hood (west akron), oh
Posted 03:17 PM, 01/02/2009
Way to go Akron !!!!! New Football Stadium at AU, revitilaztion of the Downtown Area, I can't believe it !! How about train service next !!
Akron, OH
Posted 03:18 PM, 01/02/2009
@ gain some reality- Even better. I read numerous articles on metro throughout the year. Iff'n y'all had paid attention, y'all would have know that metro went to the taxpayers for more money because of fallin' ridership.
The key here, is y'all payin' attention.
Posted 04:22 PM, 01/02/2009
Great,, now the thugs can rob you and stay warm
Wadsworth, OH
Posted 04:41 PM, 01/02/2009
@vanillacokehead: Don't get too relaxed, because I am sure the "unsavory-looking characters" that you saw downtown will move right along with the bus stop.
Akron, OH
Posted 04:48 PM, 01/02/2009
@Betamax, I guess you do not even pay attention to what you write. You said "Ridership is down" which clearly it is not. Every time someone proves you wrong, you tried to distract everyone with a new approach.
Wadsworth, OH
Posted 05:12 PM, 01/02/2009
@Gain Some Reality: That is what is referred to as the old "Beta N' Switch" technique.
San Diego, CA
Posted 06:07 PM, 01/02/2009
I'll bet Betamax plays the Grinch....year round.
Akron, OH
Posted 11:53 PM, 01/02/2009
This is excellent. There should also be a commuter train running from Cleveland to Akron, and to Canton. And Amtrak. We are far, far behind in public transit.
Posted 07:21 AM, 01/03/2009
the whole point was to get those thugs out of downtown. nice building........ i give it 6 months before someone paints the place or gets killed there. security or not.
