IndyGo Putting Out Bids For Downtown Transit Center

IndyGo is planning to open a new downtown transit center at the southeast corner of Washington and Delaware streets by late 2015.

Now, the transit company is opening bids for the project.

The roughly $20 million project will sit on almost two acres of land downtown and include a two story building with retail space, a waiting area and 19 bus bays.

Bryan Luellan with IndyGo says the center will serve as key landmark in the city.

"This is a big investment.  This is a big deal for our passengers, too," he said.  "This is the first off street, dedicated passenger facility that Indianapolis has had for transit since the old traction terminal closed in the early '60s."

"It's a great opportunity to have the transit center serve as a gateway for the east side of downtown and become one of the big anchors of this new Market East District," Luellen added.

Federal grants are paying for about two thirds of the project and IndyGo is committing the other $6 million.

Because of the federal money, companies bidding must meet certain specific procurement qualifications.

Luellan says putting the project out to bid is an important step in a long process.

"We got this transit center partially funded years and years ago and had some difficulty finding an appropriate location," he said.  "Since last year, we've really made significant progress and the next big check box is getting these documents out to bid."

And Luellan adds that interest has grown since preliminary designs and a location were released.

"We've had lots of interest from local and national construction companies who are interested in details about the project," he said.  "This will be a really good bidding opportunity.  We expect a lot of activity."

IndyGo will announce the contract winner August 29 and plans to break ground for the project this fall.

The transit center is expected to be fully operating by the end of 2015.