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Transit Center Ready to Welcome Light Rail Travelers to Arcadia

By Terry Miller for the Arcadia Weekly

Arcadia Transit Center. - Photo by Terry Miller. – Beacon Media News.

Arcadia Transit Center. – Photo by Terry Miller. – Beacon Media News.

The recently completion of the Gold Line tracks to Azusa was heralded a few weeks ago. Now another milestone, the dedication of the Arcadia Transit Center was celebrated last Thursday.

Mayor John Wuo said “Going back to the early stages of the Gold Line Project, when this triangle piece of land was deemed unusable for parking and would likely end up being a pavement access-way to the station, the City decided that this would be a great opportunity to make the area not just a usable space, but also an attractive space for future Gold Line patrons and the Arcadia community. “

Wuo continued: “Toward that end, we applied for and were fortunate to receive an MTA grant for transit plaza improvements. About the same time, the Gold Line Authority was awarded Federal Transit Act funds for bus and pedestrian interface improvements to the corridor stations’ immediate areas, and Arcadia received a portion of this money. Combined with a financial contribution from the City, we were able to move forward with the Arcadia Transit Plaza and turn it into what you see today.

Arcadia Transit Center. Photo by Terry Miller. – Beacon Media News.

Arcadia Transit Center. Photo by Terry Miller. – Beacon Media News.

The transit station and Plaza was designed not only for visitors and those getting off the train, but also to be a focal point for Downtown Arcadia. We want it to be a pleasant and unique space that on its own says “Arcadia” to both residents and guests.

We want users of the Gold Line to know that they have arrived in Arcadia, and we want them to be encouraged to explore our downtown, just a few steps away.

Our vision for the Plaza has always been for it to be more than a train station. Our hope is that it becomes an active, vibrant community gathering space serving many purposes. The stage, benches, bike racks, signage, landscaping, and public art were placed here to make the site versatile for different uses and activities.

In addition to these items, the decorative crosswalks, sidewalk improvements, lighting, canopies attached to the parking structure, and rock garden with drought tolerant landscaping were all “betterments” to the original design in order to make the Plaza even more special. The clock tower was generously donated by the Gold Line Construction Authority, and I have a feeling it will become a primary focal point of the Plaza and Downtown.”

Source Beacon Media News