At one time, transit centers (railroad stations) were grand places

Rendering of the planned Silver Spring Transit Center. Construction on the complex is scheduled to begin this fall and is expected to be complete in 2009. (Image: Parsons, Brinckerhoff, Quade & Douglas Inc.-Zimmer, Gunsul, Frasca Partnership)

On Monday, there was a groundbreaking for the new transit center in Silver Spring. Currently the bus yard part of the Silver Spring Metro Station is pretty gross. I don't remember the number, but they have many many buses coming through during peak hours. See "Silver Spring's Plans For Transit Center Move to Final Stages," subtitled "Hub Seen as Next Step in Revitalization," from the Post, although it was also covered in the Gazette, "Senator's legacy celebrated through areas new transit center."

The image sure confirms the point that I make continually, that Silver Spring isn't being "revitalized" but "redeveloped." The former word reflects a more ground-up, asset-based approach. The etymology of the word redevelopment derives more from the urban renewal movement.

Anyway, I couldn't help but think of this 21st Century transit center in comparison to the great railroad passenger stations of the last century. Even a small town railroad station has more charm than the rendering of the Silver Spring Transit Center.

-- See the webpage Railroad Structures by William McFadden for some great images of big city and small town railroad depots from around the country.
-- Railroad Station Historical Society
-- Railroad Stations website

I know politicians like glory, but if I were Paul Sarbanes, I'd decline the honor of having the station named Sarbanes. (Similarly, in DC I think that L'Enfant deserves a better memorial, and the place called L'Enfant Plaza should be renamed "Urban Brutalism Plaza.") I think that Senator Moynihan gets a far better monument.
The James Farley Post Office in Manhattan is supposed to be redeveloped into the new Penn Station, and named after Sen. Moynihan. Photo by Rachelle B.

I can't imagine anything fun happening in Silver Spring with neon signage either. I exclaimed at the meeting the other day that marketing is fun and exciting and has verve. Great (or lousy) signage is part of marketing and creating your brand and identity.
Sign on a building in the Pearl District, Portland, Oregon. This sign pays homage to the sign on the Portland railroad station.


Portland Oregon's Union Station. Photo by Brendan Loy.

Index Keywords: transit