AATA board to move ahead with replacing Blake Transit Center in downtown Ann Arbor
The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority unveiled conceptual plans tonight for a brand-new, two-story Blake Transit Center downtown.
A bubble diagram provided by architectural and engineering firm DLZ shows a first floor with a ticket office and a sizable lobby area. Upstairs includes a board room with accommodations for 100 guests and a comfortable lounge area for bus drivers.
Click here to view the proposed site layout in PDF format.
Those plans aren't yet set in stone, but they form a conceptual vision upon which the agency will build in the coming months. AATA's Board of Directors tonight approved a resolution to move forward with the process of selecting a firm to design and build a more modern facility to replace the 1987-era bus station.
“The BTC is essential to public transportation in Ann Arbor and its location in the downtown area is the most efficient as the center of our pulsing radial route system," CEO Michael Ford said in a written statement. "AATA wants to maintain a strong presence downtown to provide our passengers with the most modern, comfortable, safe and convenient facilities possible."
Chris White, AATA's manager of service development, gave a report to the board on funding for the project. He said the agency received approval for grants to renovate or rebuild the downtown transit center four years ago. That included $1.6 million in federal funds and $402,000 in state funds, which now are being put toward the project, estimated at $2.7 million to $3.7 million.
White said another $735,000 in federal earmarks may be coming for which the state has reserved a $183,750 match for a total of $918,750. He also said the agency must move quickly on the project design because after it's done, an environmental review still needs to be completed to qualify for those funds.
White also noted the $402,000 state grant money received in 2005 expires Sept. 30 if it isn't spent.
Board members agreed after some discussion tonight it was best to move forward on the design, even if they have some hang-ups about the current drawings.
Board member Jesse Bernstein said he didn't think it seemed prudent to build a board room when there are other places the agency's board can meet downtown, including city hall and the library.
Board chairman Paul Ajegba said he preferred the agency have its own board room equipped to meet its needs.
"If we can design something within this footprint, and expend all of the money available to build this, I frankly don't see why not," Ajegba said.
More than 5,000 passengers a day use the Blake Transit Center to either get to downtown destinations or transfer between buses. AATA officials say ridership has almost doubled in the 22 years since the original construction of the facility.
The Blake Transit Center serves as an Ann Arbor Police Department mini-station for the southwest quadrant of downtown and also allows about 75 bus drivers to take their breaks and eat their lunches each day.
DLZ was hired to evaluate the facility and make recommendations for either rehabilitation or reconstruction. In analyzing the structure, DLZ found that many critical repairs would be needed and AATA officials determined the current building does not allow for expansion to meet the agency's growing needs.
Ford said while AATA moves forward to update its downtown facility, it also will continue to develop other transfer facilities around its service area. For instance, he said, AATA is working cooperatively with the University of Michigan on a new Central Campus facility scheduled for completion next year that will provide space for waiting passengers and will help coordinate transfers between the two systems.
Planning work also continues on a future intermodal transit facility on Fuller Road where transfers would be made for north Ann Arbor and potentially between AATA and Amtrak trains. Plans also under way to develop an off-street transfer facility on Washtenaw Avenue near US-23, AATA officials said tonight.
Ryan J. Stanton covers government for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529.
Comments
Dulcinea
Thu, Jan 7, 2010 : 11:31 a.m.
How about including space for a small retail outlet offering coffee,tea, etc. I can't imagine that they wouldn't be profitable and a warm drink while waiting for a transfer would be highly welcome.
Concerned Citizen
Thu, Dec 17, 2009 : 9:51 p.m.
The seemingly "free" ride system involving UofM affilated riders has been funded by the UofM. Other Ann Arbor businesses can also participate in funding for their affiliates thus providing them with "rides".
Tom Bower
Thu, Dec 17, 2009 : 2:49 p.m.
County-wide transit tax proposal is on the way. The more money there is to spend, the more money will be spent.
gamebuster
Thu, Dec 17, 2009 : 12:35 p.m.
Please use money in a wise/practical way. Shelters for some bus stops are needed but no need to rebuild the transit center. Besides, Free Ride/Discount Ride should have been given to unemployed/needy/homeless people but NOT UM students and faculty. I guess UM people is willing to yield their benefits to the needy. Let's share our community resource in a balanced way.
Marvin Face
Thu, Dec 17, 2009 : 11:19 a.m.
Check out this cool transit station they just built in Detroit: http://www.metropolismag.com/cda/popup_image.php?image_id=18604&slideshow_speed=0
Jesse Bernstein
Thu, Dec 17, 2009 : 6:13 a.m.
Ryan - I specifically asked about the number of buses shown in the drawing and was assured by our staff and DLZ staff that the layout of bus parking both on the site and on the street WILL NOT change with the new facility. Thanks for covering this story and what are you doing up so early?
Concerned Citizen
Thu, Dec 17, 2009 : 1:07 a.m.
The area NORTH of the transit center along Fourth Avenue currently is the loading/unloading area for the 12A,12B,9,13,14,17 (or approx. thereof., :-)!) busses. This area is not shown in the PDF file image and appears to be obscured from view in the "new" plan. (ALL of the bus "spaces" shown in the PDF are used by other designated routes.... and that "#5" spot should be for BOTH routes 2 & 4,... two spaces. )
Ryan J. Stanton
Wed, Dec 16, 2009 : 11:19 p.m.
I just posted a PDF link in the story for the proposed site layout. Notice the canopy area and bike loops with 26 spots. Also, there is enough onsite parking for four 45-foot buses, and a fifth one is shown waiting on Fourth Avenue.
Concerned Citizen
Wed, Dec 16, 2009 : 11:12 p.m.
If this plan follows the current layout of Blake Transit Center, then it appears that passengers will no longer be able too see the busses located along Fourth Ave., north of the transit center, without going outside of the building. Particularly in cold or otherwise inclement weather, this design flaw should be unacceptable to AATA. Visability of arrivals and departures is essential to safe travel.
Rod Johnson
Wed, Dec 16, 2009 : 11:09 p.m.
Ajegba, you are amazing! Yes, when given a choice, why not spend as much money as you can? Free facilities are so declasse, and it's... distasteful to have to worry about money. Plus the library is all the way across Fifth Ave!