The 100-year-old, 60-foot domed building of the VIA Metropolitan Transit’s new executive offices was once a passenger station of the Great Northern Railroad. These offices were part of Phase I of renovations. Phase II, currently in progress, will cover the transit plaza, serving VIA Primo and twelve VIA lines at 60 departures an hour.
VIA CEO Jeffery Ardnt said the multi-modal aspect would supply connections to other transit means. “Those range from B-cycle, cabs, we have space for inner-city buses potentially, we are right adjacent to a future station for the Lone Star Rail [District]. So it’s all designed for intermodalism that way.”
Within walking distance are UTSA's downtown campus and the Robert B. Green Campus of the University Health System. VIA Board Chairman Alex Briseño said the areas near Westside stand to gain a vital revitalization boost, from increased commuter traffic demand for services. “That, along with the work of the Westside Development Corporation, which is involved in providing incentives for stimulating activity here, we see that [San Antonio City] Councilwoman Shirley Gonzales has announced her West Commerce St. Corridor Plan for investment there.”
The transit plaza is expected to be completed in the fall of 2015.
