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 Station improvements are now separate from the Central Station project.
With Central Station complete and served by 7 routes, 5 routes will continue to serve Downtown Station. More than $1.6 million of state funds have been awarded for Downtown Station, and the bulk of public outreach, site selection, and concept design is anticipated to happen in 2024, with construction likely in 2025.
Status + Timeline + Next Steps
Status
In Progress
Timeline
Project Start: January 2024
Project End: Q4 2025
Milestone 1: Establish Steering Committee (Jan 2024–Feb 2024) – Complete
Milestone 2: Determine Geographic Boundary (Estimated Jun 2024) – In Progress
Milestone 3: Determine Site Selection Criteria (Estimated Aug 2024) – Not Started
Milestone 4: Solicit Site Ideas for Evaluation (Estimated Jun – Sep 2024) – Not Started
Milestone 5: Rank & Recommend 3-5 Sites for Concept Design (Oct 2024) – Not Started
Milestone 6: Develop Concept Designs, City Commission to Select 1 Site to Advance to Final Design (Estimated Q4 2024) – Not Started
Milestone 7: Develop Design + Engineering Documents (Estimated Q1–Q2 2025) – Not Started
Milestone 8: Award Contractor (Estimated Q2 2025) – Not Started
Milestone 9: Begin Construction (Estimated Q2 2025) – Not Started
Milestone 10: Complete Construction (Estimated Q4 2025) – Not Started
Next Steps
The Steering Committee will evaluate the draft geographic boundary at its 3/18/24 meeting, and the public will be invited to comment on the draft boundary in March and April 2024. The Steering Committee will make final adjustments in May 2024 based on public feedback, and recommend a boundary to the City Commission in June 2024.
Completed + Supporting Documentation
Project partners
- Architecture: TBD
- Construction: TBD
Prior Studies + Background Information
- 2014 Bus Transfer Location Analysis
- 2016 TIGER Grant Application
- 2018 Bus Transfer Location Analysis
- 6/9/21 Public Meeting – Downtown Concepts
- City Commission Seeks Further Study on Downtown Site Selection
- 1/2/24 City Commission presentation + discussion
- Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
- Downtown transit peer review
Steering Committee
- Steering Committee website
- 2/26 Steering Committee meeting | Agenda | Video recording
- 3/18 Steering Committee meeting | Agenda | Video recording
- 4/15 Steering Committee meeting | Agenda |
Downtown Station Project Milestones
Milestone 1
- Resolution 7518
- Site Selection/Public Outreach Plan
- January 2, 2024 City Commission presentation
- Steering Committee website
Milestone 2 – Determine Boundary
- 3/18 Steering Committee meeting | Agenda | Video recording
- Estimated Timeline
- Planned outreach
- News release
- Downtown Station boundary survey open 3/21 – 4/22
- Downtown Station boundary virtual outreach 4/9 @ 3pm-5pm
- Paper survey pdf