(rshsdepot) Metro Wants Grand Central Station for Houston

[I95BERNIEW_@_aol.com]

From today's Houston Chronicle.
 
Bernie Wagenblast
 
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Metro Wants Grand Central Station for  Houston


By Bill  Murphy, Houston Chronicle  
Jan. 20--Metropolitan Transit Authority officials announced plans Thursday  
for a $150 million transit station near downtown that board members said could  
become Houston's version of Grand Central Station.  
The board agreed to a $1.6 million contract with New York-based Ehrenkrantz  
Eckstut & Kuhn Architects to provide a preliminary design for a massive  
transit station north of the University of Houston-Downtown and Interstate 10.  
"The issue is if we are going to do this, we want to enhance the community  
and make a real landmark," Metro board chairman David Wolff said.  
Metro officials envision the station becoming the hub for many of Metro's  
services, serving as the starting and ending point for bus routes, rail lines,  
bus rapid-transit lines and commuter rail. Riders could transfer and catch a 
bus  or train to their ultimate destination.  
The project's estimated cost is about $150 million, and the building would  
not be completed until 2011 or 2012, Wolff said. Metro officials said federal  
money would be sought.  
It is still in the conceptual stage and may not become a reality, and the  
location could change, Wolff said.  
Officials, nonetheless, expressed excitement about the proposal.  
The center could become Houston's version of "Grand Central Station," said  
board member Gerald Smith. "This will be a real focal point for the city."  
Metro already owns more than 15 acres at the site and might be interested in  
acquiring as many as 35 more, some of which could be used for a Park and Ride 
 lot, Wolff said.  
Ehrenkrantz Eckstut & Kuhn designed Main Street Square, which includes  three 
blocks of pools and fountains from Walker to Dallas along the light rail  
tracks. 

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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org

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End of RSHSDepot Digest V1 #1288
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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org