Lawrence Transit staff members are inviting the public to celebrate the opening of the new Central Station at Bob Billings Parkway and Crestline Drive.
Speakers at the event will include Mayor Bart Littlejohn; Adam Weigel, transit and parking manager for the City of Lawrence; representatives from the Chamber and KU; chair of the Public Transit Advisory Committee; and Tyler Kimball, of Monarch Glass Studio, who created the several works of blown glass art that are incorporated into the site.
The celebration is set to begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 23. Those who plan to attend are asked to RSVP by calling 785-864-4644 or emailing info@lawrencetransit.org.
The tentative schedule is for folks to arrive from 10 to 10:15 a.m. There will be coffee from Uplift Coffee and pastries from Angeles Panadería. Speakers will start around 10:15. There will be a ribbon cutting and photo opportunity around 10:45, and tours of the site and building from 11 to 11:30 a.m., Weigel said via email Monday.
Parking is very limited at the site, so folks are asked to catch the bus to come to the celebration. Transit staff members will be downtown at Seventh and Vermont streets to help riders catch the bus at 9:30 a.m., and a shuttle will leave the Lied Center parking lot B every 10 minutes from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., according to a city news release about the event.
The station includes eight covered bus bays, plus bays for the K-10 Connector and Greyhound services; public restrooms; an indoor waiting area; and a free naloxone vending machine, free library books and more.
“Central Station sets a new standard for the convenience and comfort of transit in Lawrence,” Weigel said in the release. “A unique part of this facility is just how many partnerships add to its quality. We’re excited to welcome the public to see how Central Station helps people make connections to other services and amenities beyond the bus.”
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Mackenzie Clark (she/her), reporter/founder of The Lawrence Times, can be reached at mclark@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
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