Rosa Parks Transit Center Explained

Rosa Parks Transit Center
Address:360 Michigan Avenue
Detroit, Michigan
Country:United States
Coordinates:42.3325°N -83.0525°W
Owned:City of Detroit
Bus Stands:15
Bus Operators:DDOT, SMART, Transit Windsor, Megabus
Connections:Detroit Air Xpress
Detroit People Mover at Michigan and Times Square
Accessible:Yes
Architect:Parsons Brinckerhoff
Architectural Style:Tensile structure

The Rosa Parks Transit Center is the main local bus station in Detroit, Michigan serving as the central hub for the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) bus system. The station was built on the site of Times Square in the west end of Downtown Detroit.

Description

The three-story, 25,700 square foot structure includes space for restrooms, an indoor waiting area, retail space, transit police offices, and a Detroit Police Department mini-station.[1] The most distinguishing feature of the transit center is its soaring tensile canopy. The transit center building was designed by Parsons Brinckerhoff, and the canopy by FTL Design Engineering Studio of Detroit.

Besides acting as the central hub of DDOT, the station is a stop on many SMART routes which connect the city to its suburbs, the Transit Windsor Tunnel Bus, a commuter and special bus service connecting the downtowns of Detroit and Windsor, and a stop for Megabus. The Detroit People Mover's Times Square station and Michigan Avenue station are across the street from the transit center.

History

Announced in 2005, the project was developed by the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation. It began construction in 2007 and was opened for service in July 2009 at a total cost of $22.5 million.[2] [3]

Notes and References

  1. News: Shea. Bill. Detroit's Rosa Parks Transit Center Opens Tuesday. September 29, 2015. Crain's Detroit Business. Crain Communications Inc.. July 9, 2009.
  2. Web site: Rosa Parks Transit Center. Critical Detroit. September 29, 2015.
  3. Web site: Rosa Parks Transit Center / FTL Design Engineering Studio. ArchDaily. August 4, 2009 . Plataforma Networks Broadcasting Architecture Worldwide. September 29, 2015.