A. Term "intermodal" refers to the transfer from one mode of
transportation to another (buses, cars, bicycles, railway, etc.).
B. Planning for a new Intermodal Transit Center is underway
(conceptual plans were reviewed by those in attendance).
C. Federal authorization for 11.8 million dollars has been granted for
the center over the next 5 years. Appropriations will be requested as the project moves
forward.
D. The State of Ohio is another potential funding source
(approximately 10 million dollars will be requested).
A. Maintaining and improving downtown bus service is very important.
1. Currently, 1,400 people ride the bus downtown each day to work.
2. As the cost of gasoline rises, consumer demand for bus service
should increase. (It might also make revitalization of the downtown passenger rail system
an attractive option).
B. Review of the current situation at the Cascade/Main St. bus stop.
1. Traffic congestion is caused by the line-up of buses.
2. Safety issues, both real and perceived, are caused by the
clustering of pedestrians around the bus stop.
3. Between 3-5 p.m. there are many students from nearby schools,
especially Central Hower, Lifeskills, and Phoenix School, who congregate around the bus
stop.
a. Akron Public Schools has worked with Akron Metro to address
students' behavioral issues at the bus stop.
b. Akron Police Department assigns additional officers to monitor and
address problem behaviors. This is a costly diversion of resources from other areas
needing police coverage and may contribute to a sense of unease among pedestrians walking
near the bus stop.
C. New Intermodal Transit Center
1. Will be located on East Market Street at the former site of Taylor
Pontiac and will located either in the Mayer Building or in a new building.
2. The transit center will handle eighteen to twenty buses at a time
without causing the type of traffic congestion which currently occurs on Main Street.
3. The conceptual drawings for the new transit center are completed.
a. Restrooms, increased seating, and other amenities will be included.
b. The center will be safer than the current transfer area because
there will be less traffic around riders getting on and off the buses.
c. One of the goals is to attract a more diverse demographic mix of
riders by providing a wider range of services, as well as a safer and more pleasant
environment.
4. Careful planning must be done in order to avoid replicating the
problems associated with the Cascade/Main Street transfer area.
5. There will still be a bus stop at Cascade/Main Street; it just
won't be the central transfer station after completion of the Intermodal Transit Center.
D. Stakeholder input is important in the design of the new transit
center
1. Metro wants to be a good neighbor to East Market businesses
a. There have been more than a dozen stakeholder meetings regarding
design elements and other aspects of the project.
b. The Mayer Building is historic and must be protected. Parts of the
building will be leased to other tenants and their needs must be considered. Historic tax
credits are possible for renovations.
2. Parking issues
a. There will be a need for parking for those traveling to the transit
center by car and then transferring to bus or other mode of transportation.
b. There will be new parking challenges for other businesses caused by
the transit center.
E. Developing a more diverse customer base for the downtown bus
transit center is key. This will improve the environment around the center and will
improve customer service.
1. The attractiveness of the transit center to potential tenants and
bus riders will depend on marketing and responding to their needs.
2. Challenges and opportunities
a. Behavioral issues (including loitering) by Haven of Rest clients
and high school students will need to be closely monitored to enhance both the real and
perceived safety of the site.
b. Opportunities for development might include the following: an
exploration of a reduction in size of the Mayer Building (e.g. the transformation of the
former O'Neil's Building, which created more space for parking) or the development of a
fitness center to serve downtown clients.
c. Other transportation-related uses should be explored, including:
Greyhound, airport limousine services to both Akron-Canton and Cleveland airports, cab
services, and services to bicyclists who may use the center after using the Canal Corridor
bike path.
d. Other suggestions for changing the demographic mix of bus users
included the development of an incubator for young professionals (e.g. attorneys or
doctors), and the provision of health outreach services by either the local hospitals or
the College of Nursing at The University of Akron.
A. Meet with potential tenants of the new transit center to determine
their needs and their level of potential interest. The most desirable tenants might
include, for example:
1. Hospitals (Summa, Akron General, and Children's)
2. Healthy Connections (quasi-public group of hospitals that provides
services to uninsured patients.
3. The University of Akron
4. Shuttle services to airports
5. Schools (pre-K-12, public and private)
6. County and City governments
7. Ohio and Erie Canal Coalition
B. Continue to work with Akron Public Schools to address behavioral
issues at the current transfer area (Cascade and Main Street) and to strategize about ways
to alleviate these problems at the new transit center (e.g. re-examine the feasibility of
specific bus routes directly to Central Hower and maintain the current radio contact
between Metro and APS personnel).
C. Continue to seek input from neighbors of the new transit center to
address issues (e.g. parking).
D. Support lobbying efforts to secure state and federal funding for
the new Transit Center (total cost will exceed 20 million dollars).
