It’s true: A transit project got completed on time and under budget — and financed entirely by public transit funds too! Yesterday, Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus celebrated the grand opening of its new maintenance facility with speeches from Metro Board Chair Pam O’Connor and Santa Monica Councilmember Kevin McKeown, a ribbon cutting ceremony, public tours, and of course, blue cake and cupcakes.
The 66,000 square foot, $60 million maintenance facility’s full of all sorts of eco-features: The roof’s solar panels help power the building, the urban runoff system filters storm water, and reclaimed water’s used to water the drought-tolerant landscape. The building also makes use of recycled materials, has a recycled-water bus wash, keeps the building cool with reflective paving and roofing, and takes advantage of natural ventilation.
That said, the facility lacks the one green feature I could have really used yesterday: A bike rack! Electric vehicles get their own charging stations, but cyclists have to find ad hoc parking spaces. Yes, I already complained about it to the BBB people, who kindly offered to watch my pink townie for me while I toured the facility.
The new facility has more space for bus parking, longer bays for larger buses that’ll be joining the fleet in 2011, and other features that allow for speedier bus maintenance work.
Top and bottom photos courtesy of Big Blue Bus; middle photo by Siel
I was under the impression that all new buildings in Santa Monica, especially ones of this size were required to have bike parking facilities.
I don’t understand why this one doesn’t.
Oh, when you have a chance, I’d love to know why you love livin’ in LA: http://www.travelinlocal.com/why-do-you-love-livin-in-la/
Comment by LisaNewton — September 25, 2009 @ 7:30 am
Any word on when BBB might be implementing Tap Cards or give data to Google Transit? As a user, this would be infinitely more helpful.
Comment by Mattapoisett in LA — September 25, 2009 @ 8:37 am
The bike racks are locate on the west side of the new parking lot, adjacent to 6th Street. It is funny how mis-information spreads. Now Curbed LA is echoing your blog.
I am not sure who you spoke to at the bus but there have been new racks installed.
Comment by Sanpedrorogue — September 25, 2009 @ 10:35 pm
I asked the 2 guys working at the gate / entrance, AND Linda Gamberg, Big Blue Bus’ marketing and public information coordinator, who was at the event, about bike racks.
All three told me there were no bike racks. So if there are indeed racks as you say, Sanpedrorogue, this is news not just to me but to BBB employees — including those who work at the maintenance facility.
Comment by Siel — September 25, 2009 @ 11:00 pm
I took a picture of the racks and can email them to you if you like.
It is understandable that some people were not aware of the racks since they are new. Mistakes happen.
Thanks.
Comment by Sanpedrorogue — September 28, 2009 @ 8:53 am
Sure — Send it! I’m curious to see where exactly it is.
I disagree somewhat that it’s “understandable” that people couldn’t see the bike racks anywhere — or that even employees didn’t know where they were. If the racks are so hidden away that people can’t find them, how will they be used? I’m glad to hear the facility has bike racks, but it certainly seems like they could’ve been made more accessible.
Comment by Siel — October 19, 2009 @ 6:30 pm
For Lisa Newton and Siel there is two bicycle racks at the BBB facility with a capacity for 10 bicycles more or less. They are located at the man-door entrance on 6th street close to the flag pole. Now, please notice that BBB was designed to incorporate many elements of green building principles. One of them is the bicycle racks but it is not by any means the most impressive or interesting green element of the project. .
Comment by sibolivar — December 28, 2009 @ 3:48 pm
Good to know they’re nicely hidden away :P I understand you may not find bike racks may not be the most exciting eco-feature — but they are v. practical and useful, especially when people can find them –
Comment by Siel — January 6, 2010 @ 11:07 am