The NFTA is inching closer to starting a multi-million dollar make-over of the Metropolitan Transportation Center at N. Division and Ellicott streets. NFTA Commissioners got a look at preliminary design plans on Thursday and will now be looking for funding for the $15 to $22 million renovation project. If financing is secured, the work to bring a modern aesthetic and ‘green’ design to the transportation hub could begin next year.
The much-needed facelift of the 30-year old bus terminal has been in the works for two years. Architectural Resource’s preliminary plans are aimed at increasing “transparency to enhance safety and visibility.” The NFTA hopes to transform the building into a “dynamic Buffalo gateway and public place” and an asset for downtown.
The building’s stone façade along North Division Street will be replaced with a modern glass curtain wall, providing visibility to the food court and waiting areas. The NFTA hopes to attract ECC students and non-bus users to the building by increasing interaction with the street. Local Buffalo-based businesses such as a bookstore and coffee shop will be sought to open satellite locations in the terminal.
Rendering from the Buffalo News
Also planned for the façade is an LED display showing real-time information such as local events, the timing of arriving buses, and possibly advertising. Additional bike racks and landscaping will be added, the NFTA’s office building lobby will be revamped, water features will be installed in the interior along with informal seating. Similar to the regional map embedded into the floor of the airport terminal, the NFTA is looking at possibly installing the layout of the city in a new terrazzo floor at the bus station.
One idea for the blank north façade of the office tower facing the downtown library is to project images on it, both art and advertising. Public movie viewings are a possibility.
With preliminary design work completed, the NFTA has set up a committee to refine the plan before the end of summer. A mix of public and private financing will be sought to carry out the work.
The Metropolitan Transportation Center serves both NFTA and inter-city buses. Metro bus and rail saw an increase in boardings of 1.9 million in 2007 compared to 2006. Representing an 8.3 percent increase, it is one of the most significant single-year increases in the last 25-years and continues a four year growth trend.
Nationally, transit ridership was up 2 percent in 2007, a rate far below Metro’s.
The NFTA has done a stellar job coming up with big plans in recent years. Unfortunately most of those plans have to do with planes. Perhaps it is time to return to its mass transit roots. Light rail expansion anyone?
Photo by Adam Khan