The students of Future Leaders United are actively working alongside Lynx and the project manager of this project to ensure that their community has any input on this Transit Center that will soon be coming to the community. The students have engaged in conversation that has ultimately fueled the design for the Center, both the United Foundation of Central Florida, Inc. and Future Leaders United have been listed as Partners to this Project.

LYNX FORWARD: Pine Hills Transit Center

The Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority (LYNX) is undertaking the design and construction of a new transit center in the Pine Hills area located near the intersection of Belco Drive and Silver Star Road in Orange County. The Pine Hills Transit Center is a new prototype that is distinctly different from current LYNX open-air style facilities and offers numerous benefits to the commuters and surrounding community. Fulfilling the LYNX FORWARD goals, the Pine Hills Transit Center will promote economic competitiveness, sustainability, and quality of life in the area while simultaneously advancing a dynamic transit system and delivering a seamless network of services by enhancing customer experiences.

Now the final design agreements are within reach and are planned for completion in November with review by Orange County and FDOT for permitting by the end of the year. Bids for Phase 1 site and construction are expected to begin in January of 2021 with awards in April. Construction will take 14 months with completion in 2022.

Initial funding allocations for 2021, including site work, canopy, and Pine Hills Trail, with one-half of the Belco/Silver Star improvements, are budgeted for $4,942,000. The remaining site work, owner-furnished items, and roadway improvements total $1,821,000, with the building scheduled in Phase 2 for approximately $1.3 million. The whole project is projected to tap out well over $8,000,000.

PROJECT SPECIAL FEATURES

Pine Hills Transit Center is anticipated to be a new prototype that is distinctly different from current LYNX open-air style facilities. In addition to protecting customers from inclement weather conditions, the facility will be a highly visible architectural element with the ability to enhance the unique identity of Pine Hills. Extensive coordination with Orange County and the local community is anticipated.

The Pine Hills Trail is expanded northward through the site. It will start at Silver Star Road and go through the western side of the site. It then bears eastward at the northern end of the site going along the north side of Belco Road to Pine Hills Road.

The Center will also have CCTV with live feed, arts, and cultural elements. When totally completed and operational, the Transfer Hub will add tremendously to the evolving Pine Hills Town Center vision!

At a minimum, the transit center will require:

Space for 8-10 buses, including articulated 60-foot buses, and circulation drive
Integration with the Pine Hills Trail
Amenities to include, but not be limited to:
- Potential for 50,000 square foot building to serve passengers and the community
- Bus pass purchase
- Real-time arrival and departure information
- Safety and Security improvements
- Off-board fare payment such as mobile ticketing
- Pick up/Drop Off area with parking
- Bicycle parking/bike share

BENEFITS

The LYNX Pine Hills Transit Center is a new prototype that is distinctly different from current LYNX open-air style facilities offering numerous benefits to the commuters and surrounding community. Fulfilling the LYNX FORWARD goals, the Pine Hills Transit Center will impact and benefit the commuters and surrounding Pine Hills Community in the following ways:

Promote economic competitiveness, sustainability, and quality of life
Advance an equitable, dynamic, and performance-driven transit system
Deliver a seamless network of transportation services for the region
Enhance customer experience and communication

Changes were made to the initial conceptual plan providing more maintained green space within the power corridor. The proposed building footprint is approved for 50,000 square feet but is considered a Phase 2 project. A driver restroom, breakroom, and customer service counter are also planned for Phase 2.

Our approach to the design of the Pine Hills Transit Center is based on what we call the five D’s of Design – Desires, Discovery, Discussion, Design, and Documentation. The step by step approach is shown in the flow chart below.

Phase 1 of the design effort is intended to include public outreach and input for the design elements of the transit center resulting in conceptual plans, cost estimates, and design specifications. Phase 2 will include Final Design which will include engineering drawings, permitting, and continued public input for final design. Phase 3 will be construction.