Current Muskegon downtown site would be best for new bus terminal

A consulting firm hired by Muskegon County is recommending that a proposed new downtown Muskegon bus terminal be constructed at the terminal's current site

The Corradino Group of Michigan's Ted Stone told Muskegon County commissioners this week that the firm “couldn't find a different site that would work any better” than the current location at 351 Morris.

County officials contracted with the consulting firm to help select the best downtown site for a new, larger transit center to replace the current Herman Ivory Transfer Terminal, the busiest bus stop in the Muskegon Area Transit System. County officials contend that a larger terminal and more space for loading and unloading passengers are needed.

Nearly $2.5 million in federal and state transportation funding is available for the proposed project. The grant money runs through 2012.

Additional work on the proposal remains before county commissioners vote on the issue. However, some voiced their preferences on site selection after listening to Stone's presentation, which focused on two sites: the current location and an alternate site along W. Webster Avenue between Terrace and Jefferson streets.

County Commissioner Rillastine Wilkins said she prefers rebuilding at the current site based on her conversations with users of the county's bus system. She said a majority of those she talked with like the current site because they use the nearby bank and U.S. Post Office.

County Commissioner Lew Collins disagreed, saying the W. Webster Avenue site would allow riders more convenience in using county services because it is closer to the county campus.

As proposed, the existing site would be expanded by adding small parcels at its northeast and southwest ends. Stone said he believes those owners would be willing to sell.

As proposed, the alternate site, near McDonald's, currently has an active business on it — a small Fifth Third Bank branch. Stone said it is unknown if the bank would be willing to sell or swap sites, making it less convenient for the county's plans.

Both sites would require little or no changes to bus system routes.

“Generally, we feel you have a couple of good sites, but we felt if it ain't broke, don't fix it,” Stone said. “You have a good site. It's just not functioning very well.”

As part of the siting and conceptual design study, the consulting firm worked with Hooker DeJong Architects and Engineers on design concepts for the site layout and building.

The proposed layout design features a central island, with the new building, that allows riders to more easily transfer from one bus serving a specific route to another. The proposal also calls for a large canopy extending beyond the building footprint so riders could get on and off buses while avoiding bad weather.

ased on preliminary drawings, the interior of the building would feature a spot for Greyhound bus service, conference space, an office room, drivers' lounge, restrooms and a waiting area with about 50 seats.

Local officials have been pursuing a new downtown bus station project for several years. In addition to a new terminal, earlier plans called for the project to include a downtown parking ramp, but that has since been dropped.

In 2005, federal transportation money was secured for a proposed project, including a parking ramp at the time, with the help of former U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra. The federal grant only stipulates that the structure serve as the downtown public transit station, so that federal money is still available for the project despite the removal of the parking ramp.

The cost of $36,841 for the consulting services is expected to be covered by the federal and state grant funds associated with the project.

Muskegon Chronicle
Friday, July 29, 2011
Original Article