“Today marks the beginning of the final phase of construction. In the coming weeks, the undulating skin created by the curved panels will be fixed to the Transit Center’s steel frame. The next celebration at the Transit Center will be the ribbon cutting on opening day,” said TJPA Executive Director Maria Ayerdi-Kaplan. “Beyond serving as a state-of-the-art transportation station for the Bay Area, the Center will also be a place of learning through features such as our gardens, art, and our Penrose awning design that will symbolize the importance of math and science to our community.”
Sir Roger Penrose, a mathematical physicist, mathematician and philosopher of science at Oxford University, discovered this rhombus tiling pattern, which can be extended infinitely without repeating itself. This finding led to several breakthroughs in material science and biology. Penrose’s rhombus-shaped perforations in the Transit Center’s pearlescent white metal skin will create a lace-like screen. The design will leave 37 percent of the panel surface open, allowing diffused light to fill the interior. Roughly 3,000 feet in length and 44 feet tall, the awning will wrap around the entire exterior of the four-block long project.
“It is an honor to be a part of this milestone and celebrate the future of transportation in the Bay Area and beyond,” said House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. “In addition to serving as a model for transit oriented development, the Transbay Transit Center includes impressive innovations in design and sustainability. Together, we are keeping San Francisco at the forefront of good jobs, a growing economy, bigger paychecks, and better infrastructure.”
Featuring a 5.4-acre rooftop park with an open air amphitheater, gardens, trails, children’s play space, a restaurant and café, this new landmark will be the center of a rapidly developing pedestrian- and bike-friendly neighborhood.
“Today we see the result of almost 20 years of hard work to create the new Transit Center. I am proud to have played my part. I commend Leader Pelosi and Senator Barbara Boxer for their enduring support for this project. Without the federal contributions they secured, we wouldn’t be standing here today. I also applaud TJPA Executive Director Maria Ayerdi-Kaplan for taking this project from a dream to reality through her sheer will, tenacity, and perseverance. I can tell you that without Maria, the Transbay project would not have happened,” said Chairman John Burton.
Chairman Burton has played a major role in shaping the legacy of the Transbay neighborhood. He is responsible for the transfer of nearly 20 acres of land from the state to the TJPA. Then-State Senator Burton sponsored legislation requiring that any residential development on the former state-owned lands include a minimum of 35 percent affordable housing. As a result, more than 1,000 new affordable housing units will be built in the new Transbay neighborhood.
“This is a big day for a project years in the making,” said Supervisor Jane Kim. “The awning installation is a major milestone bringing us closer to the public opening of this Center. I want to thank Chairman Burton and Leader Pelosi for helping to turn the Transit Center from an idea into reality and in particular, for their vision of mandating the highest level of affordable housing for this neighborhood. Their visionary thinking is supporting formerly homeless, working class and middle class San Franciscans live and stay in the city we love.”
Installation of the awning will begin in the coming weeks, and the final panel bearing the Penrose design is expected to be installed in early 2017. The Transbay Transit Center is on track to open and begin bus operations in late 2017.
Zennie Abraham | Zennie Abraham or “Zennie62” is the founder of Zennie62Media which consists of zennie62blog.com and a multimedia blog news aggregator and video network, and 78-blog network, with social media and content development services and consulting. Zennie is a pioneer video blogger, YouTube Partner, social media practitioner, game developer, and pundit. Note: news aggregator content does not reflect the personal views of Mr. Abraham.