Citilink broke ground Aug. 29 for its new transit center in downtown Fort Wayne, IN. The $4.4 million facility, of which 80 percent is funded through federal sources, will stand on property owned by the public transportation agency adjacent to the Baker Street Train Station, on the former site of Citilink’s south transit terminal.

The design of the new facility incorporates such environmentally friendly features as geothermal heating/cooling with radiant heating in the floor; numerous windows and skylights for ambient lighting; state-of-the-art efficient lighting; energy controls; and low-maintenance structures and landscaping.

The project plans call for a 2,700-square-foot building equipped with indoor restrooms, an information center, and a drivers’ lounge. Passengers will be able to purchase bus passes, speak with customer service staff, and pick up maps and schedules at the facility, which will offer electronic signs regarding the on-time status of buses and other notifications. Large canopies will cover the bus bays and protect waiting passengers from rain and snow.

Citilink estimates that more than 5,000 passengers will use the station each day after it opens next year.

An artist’s view of Citilink’s new transit center in downtown Fort Wayne, IN.	Participants in Citilink’s ground-breaking ceremonies are, from left: General Manager Ken Housden; board members Sherese Fortriede and Marvin Gottlieb; Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry; Indiana state Sen. Dennis Kruse; and board members Councilman Glynn Hines and Nelson Coats