 |
| Mary Beth Mello, Region 1 Administrator, Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Vicki Shotland, Executive Director, Greater Hartford Transit District; and Congressman Joe Courtney look on as Adam Zimmer cuts the ribbon for the new Nash-Zimmer Transportation Center. They are joined at right by Karen Zimmer (wife of the late Gary Zimmer, one of the Mansfield residents and transportation advocates for whom the center is named); Mansfield Mayor Betsy Paterson; and Mansfield Town Manager Matthew Hart. Photo: Paterson/Mansfield Downtown Partnership |
The Town of Mansfield and the Mansfield Downtown Partnership celebrated the Grand Opening of the Nash-Zimmer Transportation Center on Monday, April 14, 2014.
The Nash-Zimmer Transportation Center is an innovative project funded by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The Town of Mansfield received $4,940,000 as part of the FTA’s Bus and Livability Grant Program to construct an intermodal transportation hub and transit pathway.
“We’re proud to help Mansfield build a more walkable, sustainable community,” said Deputy Federal Transit Administrator Therese McMillan. “Transit ridership across the country is at its highest level since 1957, thanks in part to the growing demand for real transportation choices in communities like this one.”
The Nash-Zimmer Transportation Center is conveniently located in the heart of Storrs Center, Mansfield’s new mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented downtown. The Nash-Zimmer Transportation Center provides easy access to Windham Region Transit District (WRTD) buses and UConn shuttles, allowing residents to take advantage of public transportation within town and the region. Peter Pan bus line has added the Nash-Zimmer as a stop, providing access to Hartford, Providence, and Boston via public transit. An innovative information technology system helps riders track the location and arrival and departure times of their desired bus both inside and outside of the center.
 |
| Peter Pan Bus Lines has added the Nash-Zimmer Transportation Center as a stop, providing Mansfield residents with convenient access to Hartford, Providence, and Boston. Photo: Paterson/Mansfield Downtown Partnership |
In addition to bus service, the Nash-Zimmer Transportation Center serves as an information center for the new downtown, Storrs Center. An interactive kiosk provides helpful information about local amenities along with bus schedules and routes.
 |
| The Nash-Zimmer Transportation Center features information kiosks as well as a system that tracks the buses as they arrive and depart. Photo: Paterson/Mansfield Downtown Partnership |
The Nash-Zimmer Transportation Center also features amenities for cyclists. For cyclists who commute by bike, there is an opportunity to join a commuters’ club for access to showers, indoor bicycle storage, and lockers. For the casual rider, there are bicycle racks just outside of the Nash-Zimmer for easy access when visiting the shops, restaurants, and offices in Storrs Center.
 |
| The Nash-Zimmer Transportation Center has bicycle racks available for public use. commuters' club for cyclists will start soon and will provide interior bicycle storage, changing rooms, and showers for members. Photo: Paterson/Mansfield Downtown Partnership |
Adjacent to the Nash-Zimmer Transportation Center, the Storrs Center parking garage features charging stations for electric vehicles and serves as a pick-up/drop-off location for the Hertz on Demand shared vehicle program.
Throughout Storrs Center, wide sidewalks with ample lighting, street trees, and benches create a pleasant environment for pedestrians. The close proximity of many different types of restaurants, retail shops, offices, and apartments encourage residents and visitors to walk to varying destinations. E. O. Smith High School, Mansfield Community Center, Mansfield’s Town Hall, the Post Office, and the UConn campus are all within easy walking distance of the Nash-Zimmer Transportation Center, further reducing the need for vehicles for Mansfield residents and visitors.
 |
| Getting ready for the ribbon-cutting are (from left to right CT State Representative Gregory Haddad (D-54); CT State Senator Donald E. Williams, Jr.; CT Secretary of the State Denise Merrill; CT State Representative Linda Orange (D-48); Congressman Joe Courtney; Mary Beth Mello, Region 1 Administrator, Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Vicki Shotland, Executive Director, Greater Hartford Transit District; and Adam Zimmer and Karen Zimmer, son and wife of the late Gary Zimmer, one of the Mansfield residents and transportation advocates for whom the center is named. Photo: Paterson/Mansfield Downtown Partnership |
United States Congressman Joe Courtney; Secretary of the State Denise Merrill; State Senator Donald E. Williams, Jr.; State Representative Gregory Haddad; State Representative Linda Orange; Elizabeth Paterson, Mayor, Town of Mansfield; Mary Beth Mello, Region 1 Administrator, Federal Transit Administration; Vicki Shotland, Executive Director, Greater Hartford Transit District; William Wendt, Director of Logistics Administration, UConn; Janet Freniere, Manager, Transportation Services, UConn; Karen Zimmer; and Lon Hultgren, Retired Public Works Director/Town Engineer, Town of Mansfield participated in the ceremony.
 |
| The Nash-Zimmer Transportation Center is located at 23 Royce Circle. Photo: Paterson/Mansfield Downtown Partnership |
Links to information regarding bus schedules can be found at the Nash-Zimmer website, www.MansfieldCT.gov/TransportationCenter. Announcements can be found on the website and through the Nash-Zimmer Twitter feed, @NashZimmer.
For more information about Storrs Center, please visit www.mansfieldct.gov/DowntownPartnership or www.storrscenter.com.
