Well, now that we know a rat brought our world-class MetroRail to a screeching halt the other day, Metro’s board has moved on to much more important things:
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.
That’s just stunning.
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.
[snip]
Ehrenkrantz Eckstut & Kuhn designed Main Street Square, which includes three blocks of pools and fountains from Walker to Dallas along the light rail tracks.
Main Street Square — where parking garages and the aroma of urine create an atmosphere of…something.
It should go nicely with Houston’s grand Central Park Mayor White has been working on. Providing more places for the homeless (and rats) to hang out!
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