Project Overview
Since 2010, Lawrence Transit has operated the majority of bus transfers from temporary locations in Downtown. Site selection studies in 2014 and 2018, in addition to a TIGER grant application in 2016, informed potential viable sites for a permanent facility. In July 2020 the City and University of Kansas agreed to develop Central Station on university property located at Bob Billings & Crestline Drive.
Because the project site is not located near a current transfer area, a Route Redesign Study was conducted in 2021-2022 to take advantage of this new facility. In the course of the Route Redesign Study, it became clear that permanent improvements for Downtown transfers are required to facilitate routes that will still operate in that area. Downtown improvements remain on Lawrence Transit’s priority list, but are now separate from the Central Station project.
Upon completion of Central Station, it will be served by 7 local routes and 2 regional routes, with 5 routes continuing to serve Downtown Lawrence.
Status + Timeline + Next Steps
Status
In Progress
Timeline
Project Start: July 2020
Project End: Q3 2023
Milestone 1: City of Lawrence and University of Kansas sign MOU for Bob Billings & Crestline site (July 2020) – Completed
Milestone 2: Conduct Public Outreach and Concept Design (April 2021–August 2021) – Completed
Milestone 3: Develop Design + Engineering Documents (August 2021–November 2022) – Completed
Milestone 4: Award Contractor (Estimated December 2022) – Completed
Milestone 5: Begin Construction (Estimated Q1 2023) – In Progress
Milestone 6: Complete Construction (Estimated Q3 2023) – Not Started
Next Steps
The MCP Group has begun construction activity on the Central Station site. The site has been cleared of scrub and trees that cannot be saved, and work will be underway in February on more significant earthwork. The internal project team will begin biweekly meetings to track progress and project timelines, and new information will be shared publicly as it is available. The estimated timeline for project completion is Fall 2023.
Downtown transit improvements, a related project, is expected to restart public engagement in 2023. More than $1.6 million of state funds have been awarded for Downtown, and the bulk of public outreach, site selection, and concept design is anticipated to happen in 2023, with construction likely in 2024. For more information about Downtown improvements, please visit the Downtown Station project page.
Completed + Supporting Documentation
Project partners
- Architecture: Wendel
- Engineering: Hg Consult, Inc.
- Property + Coordinated Operations: KU, KU Endowment
- Construction Contractor: MCP Group
Prior Studies + Background Information
- 2014 Bus Transfer Location Analysis
- 2016 TIGER Grant Application
- 2018 Bus Transfer Location Analysis
- Approximate Study Area
Central Station Project Milestones
Milestone 1
Milestone 2
- Public Engagement Overview and Timeline
- Stakeholder Meetings Summary
- Stakeholder #1 Video – Lawrence Transit, KU, First Transit Staff
- Stakeholder #2 Video – City and University Advisory Committees
- Stakeholder #3 Video – City of Lawrence Staff
- Stakeholder #4 Video – University and Nearby Neighborhoods
- Stakeholder #5 Video – Social Service Providers + Community Resources
- Stakeholder #6 Video – Neighborhoods
- Stakeholder #7 Video – Transportation + Government Partners
- Stakeholder #8 Video – Downtown Businesses + Tourism
- General Public Session #1
- General Public Session #2
- Sustainability Presentation Video
- Concept: Site Design
- Concept: Building Design
- Concept: 3D Renderings
- City Commission Advances Concept Design
Milestone 3
- Site drawing sample (not full bid package)
- Building drawing sample (not full bid package)
- Public art proposal (proposed glass towers planned for ground level, rather than platform canopy)