Enhancing Connectivity Throughout Flagstaff's Historic Core 

To meet Flagstaff, Arizona's growing transit service demands, Mountain Line sought HDR’s expertise for its new Downtown Connection Center. Phase one completes the construction of the new building alongside the continuation of the existing 11-bus bay connector to increase connectivity throughout the city and provide purpose-driven spaces for riders and staff alike. 

Design for a Sustainable Transit Hub

The center’s aesthetics reflect the historic core of downtown Flagstaff, with a façade comprised of stone veneer, curtainwall and metal paneling. Back-lit art glass designed by Haddad-Drugan layers together three images used in Mountain Line’s logo — a mountain lion, the San Francisco Mountain peaks and ponderosa pine trees — to create an engaging arrival experience. 

Commuters can pass the time in the light-filled, two-story atrium equipped with amenities, including public restrooms and health and fitness rooms. Mountain Line staff benefit from dedicated space for administration, information technology services, dispatch operations, a driver’s breakroom and a large training and community board room, which they plan to use for future community meetings.  

Sustainable Design Features

• Mass timber construction helps to reduce embodied energy by over 30% compared to a traditional steel structure. 
• The ground floor is carefully sited above the 100-year flood plane to maintain operational continuity and provide the resiliency to restore service immediately after a flood recedes. 
• The Center is on track to receive Gold Certification by the Coconino County Sustainable Building Program standards. 

A Design Solution Planned for Growth

Phase two will redevelop the bus connector plaza with 13 bays, photovoltaics, and electric charging to support Mountain Line’s commitment toward net-zero operational energy and adaptation of emerging technologies to meet the needs of its 30-year growth projections.