The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) hosted Clintonville, Ohio residents, businesses and project partners to celebrate the new Westview Avenue turnaround located at 5271 N. High St. in Columbus, Ohio.
During the event Curtis Stitt, COTA president/CEO reflected on how a project like this is an example of how COTA and the community can work together.
“We listened to the community’s concerns and what the community wanted,” Stitt said.
Stitt also commended the area residents for stepping forward to get involved in the process.
Other speakers included Ohio State Representative John Patrick Carney (OH-22), Sharon Township Trustee John Oberle and Clintonville Area Commissioner D. Searcy (District 9).
“During the meetings we said that we wanted a world-class bus turnaround, and we got it,” Searcy said.
Searcy also remarked how impressive the facility looks and how it complements the community. “Some people, when they drive by, ask ‘is that a new park?’ and say how nice it looks,” Searcy said.
In January 2013, COTA began operating at the new Westview turnaround. Located at 5271 N. High Street, the facility serves as a layover and turnaround for Lines #2 (North High Street), #4 (Indianola Avenue), and #95 (Morse Henderson Road).
Previously, COTA operated at leased space at Graceland Shopping Center.
The new facility is COTA owned and operated.
Working with stakeholders in the Sharon Heights community and the Clintonville Area Commission, COTA successfully identified and negotiated the acquisition of vacant property from The Hadler Companies.
In 2012, COTA hosted several community planning meetings to solicit design ideas from the community. The design of the Westview turnaround incorporates many of the proposals and ideas offered by the community.
The Westview turnaround serves as an end-of-line station, turn back, layover area, and relief station for drivers. The cost of the project was cost was $2.6 million including the land purchase, design and construction which was locally funded.
Project designers include TranSystems Corporation, Resource International, Advance Engineering Consultants and OHM Advisors. The general contractor was 2K General.
The turnaround is designed for up to six buses at once while still allowing for through movements of buses and other COTA vehicles. The building and surrounding area were constructed to meet certain LEED standards although LEED certification is not currently being applied for. Its features include:
• Four bus parking locations and two overflow spots
• Driver relief station
• External lighting and cameras for security
• Rain gardens for water runoff management
• Streetscape design elements including brick walkways, iron-wrought fencing, and greenery
• A “Signature Corner” for aesthetic development