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Centro Working Towards New Transfer Location |
 The CNYRTA is beginning the development of a new facility to replace its main transfer hub in downtown Syracuse. This important project began with an assessment of fourteen potential sites in the central business district (CBD). The assessment, over a several-year period, included, but was not limited to, the following criteria:
• Customer needs
• Ability to maintain CBD access by all routes
• Impact on Centro service from a time / cost perspective
• Financial impact - capital and operating costs
• Impact on traffic patterns
• Safety
• Retail impact
• Environmental impact
The site selected for the new transfer hub which will best meet the needs of riders and the community-at-large is bounded by Adams, Warren and Salina Streets, a few blocks south of the current location.
“We are looking to build a transfer center that will provide our customers with protection from the elements and at the same time be an easier and safer transfer point,” said CNYRTA Executive Director Frank Kobliski.
The CNYRTA held two public information sessions in December, allowing residents opportunities to discuss the project with CNYRTA officials. The sessions were well attended and the overwhelming response from the public was in favor of moving the transfer location. Additional information sessions were conducted with community groups over the next few months with the same positive responses.
“I have a daughter who is visually impaired, as well as having a mobility problem and it concerns me when she is crossing the street down there,” said Darlene Retchless who identified herself as a frequent Centro rider. “So this is one great, big, positive move.”
The next step in the process is to perform an environmental evaluation of the site and then begin the design and engineering process. The cost is expected to be between $12 million and $13 million.
“We’re early in the process, but we hope to have the center ready by the end of 2009,” said Kobliski. “It’s time to move. We need to reduce the congestion on Salina Street and eliminate the need for our customers to cross a city street to transfer between buses.”
Initial plans for the new center include amenities such as an ATM and a newsstand.
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