SURFACE TRANSPORTATION CENTER SITE SELECTION FOR THE CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN

Selecting an appropriate site for the new surface transportation center (STC) in the City of Grand Rapids was deemed essential to both the STC's future success and the continued dynamic growth of the Grand Rapids downtown area. This paper deals with the process and results of the study that is highlighted by a criteria and weighing process that is qualitative by nature but quantitative in the final result. Determining the correct site for an intermodal STC (defined as a transportation center serving more than one mode of transit, such as intercity bus, intracity bus, paratransit, taxis, bicycle, light rail, heavy rail, etc.) is a complex process requiring the approval of the transit systems involved, the public, and the political representatives charged with representing the public interest. The paper describes the process that has the flexibility to deal with community, design, or political issues, reflecting the unique aspects of each situation.