Innovative Design Solutions for Urban Intermodal Centers - Don Gray, AIA, LEED AP

Presented by Donald E. Gray, AIA, LEED, AP; Stephanie Goris, LEED AP; Susan K. Sherwood, CP

Innovative Design Solutions for Urban Intermodal Centers

Multi-level facilities and other BIG ideas!

Intro Who is Wendel?

How can our experience help YOU as an OWNER?

How is a GREAT team approach developed?

What are the lessons learned to take away from the BIG ideas?

How do we get people to take Amtrak to visit Niagara Falls?

CHALLENGE

BIG IDEAMove the train station!

If you have the patience of Job you

can move “mountains!”

Build a project that started with a study in 1986.

CHALLENGE

BIG IDEAIncorporate the historic Greyhound building façade and bring back the Diner!

It’s not just a transit project, it is an urban revitalization- treat it

like one!

Historic fabric can galvanize community

support!

How do we build an iconic County Transportation Center for a VERY MODEST budget?

CHALLENGE

BIG IDEADesign a building with no corridors, turn it into a “diamond,” and give it state of the art communications amenities like an airport.

Never say the budget isn’t big enough to do

something significant and

meaningful!

How do we make sure we are not simply “rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic?”

CHALLENGE

BIG IDEATurn an existing one story intermodal into a two level intermodal.

Use two day design charrettes held at

the owner’s location so “BIG

IDEAS” can incubate!

Design a single, seamless intermodal center for two neighboring cities separated by an existing, elevated railroad.

CHALLENGE

BIG IDEACarve away surface landscape to activate and connect two cities.

It’s not a barrier- It’s a design

feature!

What do you do when public and political consensus picks a site that is too small and has a 28 foot grade change?

CHALLENGE

BIG IDEAClose a city street for one block and design a multi-level intermodal that allows mixed use development above!

Always reserve the right to change

your mind. And then CHANGE IT when it is the right thing to do!

Build a project that serves the community as well as the transit operation in a rural environment.

CHALLENGE

BIG IDEACombine “transit maintenance” needs with “community” needs.

Who said a maintenance

facility can’t also be a community

center?

Where do we locate a regional hub intermodal center?

CHALLENGE

BIG IDEAIn a currently dilapidated and unused historic train shed!

Even the best ideas need to be

passionately sold to the “naysayers.”

Design a new intermodal center on a constrained triangular site abutting residential and commercial communities.

CHALLENGE

BIG IDEADesign a two story facility with three faces!

Make every square INCH count!

Utilize a long, narrow, tapering site with a one story grade change for a new intermodal center adjacent to an old historic train station.

CHALLENGE

BIG IDEAUse the one story grade change to integrate a parking structure that supports the intermodal center.

Integration of parking can create

a seamless and dynamic solution!