“Bus stop, wet day. She’s there, I say. Please share my umbrella.” – The Hollies
The Hollies weren’t thinking about bus stops like this.
The winners of the Small Stops: Designing the Fort Worth Bus Shelters competition have been named. Small Stops is a competition to create sustainable, functional and creative bus shelters for two Fort Worth locations. The competition put on by Near Southside, Inc., and Leadership Fort Worth, in partnership with the Fort Worth Transportation Authority (FWTA) and American Institute of Architects-Fort Worth (AIA).
Those designs selected as the overall best in each category were:
Professional Functional: Dustin Chappell, Amber Estrada, Jim Fullmer, Adolfo Gonzalez, William Hoelscher, Shalece Thompson (Huitt-Zollars, Inc.)
Professional Artistic: Joe Self, Matt Sacks (FIRM817)
Student Functional: Xavier Khan, Paschal High School
Student Artistic: Xavier Zhan, Paschal High School
“There were 26 creative and highly engaging submittals to review, so the task was a challenge, to say the least,” said Mike Brennan, planning director for Near Southside Inc. “The jury ultimately selected the functional winners because they met all objectives prescribed with an easily replicated, elegant design. The artistic winners submitted a design with captivating aesthetic and artistic elements which were instantly memorable. The jury could see bus riders and passersby finding reasons to visit that stop, even if their daily business didn’t require it, simply to enjoy the space.”
A community panel including Ann Zadeh (Fort Worth City Council District 9), Curvie Hawkins (Fort Worth Transportation Authority), Mike Brennan (Near Southside, Inc.), Dr. Marcy Paul (UNT Health Science Center) and local architect Eric Brooks (GSBS Architects) judged the design competition which was open to students and professionals. Students from Tarrant County College, University of Texas-Arlington and FWISD’s Diamond Hill-Jarvis and O.D. Wyatt indicated interest in submitting designs.
“I am absolutely thrilled with the number of people who are interested in and passionate about improving public transportation in our city as evidenced by the incredible response we got to our small bus stop design competition,” said District 9 City Council Representative Ann Zadeh. “It was difficult to choose but I have high hopes that this is just the beginning and that the many amazing designs can be developed and incorporated in the future. “
Two local bus stops were included in the design completion: the functional stop located in the southeast corner of Magnolia and Eighth Avenue; and the artistic stop located in the northwest corner of Pennsylvania and Henderson. The competition challenged entrants to create a design that integrates innovative and compelling bus shelters which maximize the given space available while improving the transit riders’ experience.
“The attention the competition received underscores the public’s interest in improving Fort Worth’s transit system while increasing ridership and improving mobility, air quality and economic development,” said Craig Schkade, Leadership Fort Worth Bus Stops Project Team Manager. “The jury selected innovative, sustainable and functional designs which will enhance the Near Southside landscape while creating a comforting and inviting environment for passengers. Leadership Fort Worth is excited to work with the Fort Worth Transportation Authority to make these bus stops a reality.”