Manitowoc Intermodal Transfer Station

The City of Manitowoc’s Maritime Metro Transit (MMT) was operating out of a former drive-thru bank building. The building was small, did not have proper restroom facilities, and was inaccessible and unattractive. The City and Somerville programmed, conceptualized and designed the new facility that was funded by a grant from the Federal Transit Administration. This resulted in a 4,200 square foot station that accommodates public riders to wait indoors and utilize restroom facilities. It also houses MMT’s administration and includes a multi-purpose conference room that can be used by other City departments. Several sustainable aspects were incorporated into the design including the use of recycled materials, water efficient fixtures, low or no emitting products and use of natural lighting. The site was designed for safe and efficient traffic flows of buses and outdoor protected areas for waiting passengers. Also, in spite of the small site, there was still an opportunity to create an outdoor green space with benches for passenger use. The building style is reminiscent of transit stations of the past. Details such as pitched roofs with long overhangs, arched topped openings, red brick and stone are a nod to classic architectural building typology. There is also a tower (also serving as an area for HVAC exhaust and intake) that reminds one of the clock towers on these old stations. The tower is visible from the historic downtown and will be a new landmark for the City.