Transit Hub & Innovation Centre

DESCRIPTION

This 7,700 sq. ft. building will include:

• Transit hub
• Municipal office space
• Public washrooms
• Access to Town services

When complete, this project will:

• Deliver upon the Tri-Site Advisory recommendations. 
• Provide a key connection between historic downtown and the Quarry.
• Allow for the future development of a platform for regional train service.
• Provide Town services within the core of our community.
• Provide a new plaza and green space.

LOCATION

The new transit hub and innovation centre will be located on the former Esso Bulk Station site, directly across from the Cochrane Public Library.

UPDATES

• Feb 22 Update to Council
• Mayor Genung provides an update on the project watch here!

SCHEDULE

• Construction to begin in Spring 2021
• Estimated Completion: Summer 2022

BACKGROUND

On October 26, 2020 Council directed Administration to proceed with design of a single story facility on the east side of the Transit Hub Site (formerly known as the "Old Esso Bulk Station"). The Project team has been working diligently on developing building and site plans in conjunction with the plans being developed by the CP Crossing team (Downtown Pedestrian Crossing). The $2 million downtown pedestrian crossing project was approved as part of the 2020 budget – funded entirely from CRL reserves. It includes the rail crossing and connections to the provincial building on Main Street, and the transit hub and innovation centre on Railway Street. Design and construction of the crossing and the transit hub and innovation centre are being completed at the same time to improve efficiency and ensure consistency of design.

BUDGET

Total project budget: $4.85M

• GreenTRIP funding: $2,900,000
• Grants (Municipal Sustainability Initiative): $1,300,000
• Grants (GreenTRIP bus shelter / bus stop fund): $400,000
• Contribution from approved crossing project: $250,000

HOW WILL THIS PROJECT BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY?

The site will be developed to seamlessly integrate with the grade CP rail crossing and will offer a central park-like gathering space for the community while also supporting the COLT system (Cochrane On-demand Local Transit), ON-IT (Southland Regional Transit service), local taxi network, bicyclists and pedestrian traffic. The building will provide a transit waiting amenity as Transit & Innovation Hub Project Update February 22, 2021 well as be home to the Cochrane Information Center, Business Development and its community partners, Town Administrative services and a co-working space/business start up program. Parking to support the Facility and transit system was constructed as part of the Railway Street improvement project in 2020 and is located on the south side of Railway street beside the library.

STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT

The Transit Hub development delivers on Council's Strategic Priority to "Focus on services and spaces that achieve a safe and improved sense of community" as well as Strategic Plan objective 1.2 - Future infrastructure, facilities and plans be developed and implemented to accommodate growth. This is an important project that supports local tourism, promotes economic development and ensures efficient delivery of transit and Town Administrative services - all of which will ensure Cochrane remains a community of choice. This building and pedestrian crossing are important components of Council’s vision for the future of Cochrane: it demonstrates the Town’s commitment to community connectivity and business development, it builds on the public engagement of the Tri-Site project, provides a hub for COLT activity, and adds a new public space to Cochrane’s downtown core.

^{Updated on Feb 23, 2021}