U. of N. Iowa dedicates transit center
Features 587 parking spaces, an elevator, vending machines, a waiting area and restrooms in the pavilion as well as 10 lockers for bicycles. Additional improvements were made during construction to areas adjacent to the facility for added pedestrian safety.
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — The University of Northern Iowa (UNI) recognized the completion of the new Multimodal Transportation Center (MMTC) at a public dedication ceremony on Aug. 27. A reception and a historical transportation display was available for viewing after the ceremony. The display features vintage cars and photographs depicting historical methods of transportation.
The ceremony opened with a welcome address and introductions by Tom Schellhardt, vice president for administration and financial services. Speakers included UNI President Ben Allen; Mokhtee Ahmad, director of region VII's Federal Transit Administration; David Miles, president of the Board of Regents, State of Iowa; Jon Crews, mayor of Cedar Falls; Buck Clark, mayor of Waterloo; Mark Little, executive director of Metropolitan Transit Authority; and Jenny Nulte, UNI Northern Iowa Student Government director of governmental relations.
The MMTC is a collaboration among UNI, the cities of Cedar Falls and Waterloo and the Metropolitan Transit Authority, designed to provide students, faculty, staff and visitors easier access to and within the campus and the surrounding communities.
The center features 587 parking spaces, an elevator, vending machines, a waiting area and restrooms in the pavilion as well as 10 lockers for bicycles. Additional improvements were made during construction to areas adjacent to the facility for added pedestrian safety.
The construction of the MMTC supports UNI's ongoing commitment to sustainable practices by reducing vehicular traffic around campus. The solar panels installed above the facility's top deck ensure that maximum amounts of electricity can be generated through all four seasons. The energy produced, working in conjunction with the building's geothermal heating system, supplies approximately all of the energy needs for the building, making it a net-zero building and one of Iowa's first.
One of the final construction projects was the installation of "City Mouse," a 2,500-pound stainless steel sculpture designed and constructed by Chicago native Andrew Arvanetes. The sculpture was created at UNI in 2002 while Arvanetes was an artist in residence. Since that time, "City Mouse" has been included in numerous exhibitions, including venues in Chicago, Florida, Texas, Iowa and Colorado.
The installation of the sculpture is part of the Iowa Art in State Buildings Program, which ensures that fine arts projects are included in state building construction projects.
More Bus
Frontrunner Bus Group Expands with New Massachusetts Headquarters
The significantly larger facility will provide the infrastructure needed to support the company’s growing workforce, advanced technologies, and expanding product line.
Read More →
Joshua Schank on Transportation Innovation, Risk, and the Future of Mobility
In this edition of METROspectives, Joshua Schank discusses lessons from launching LA Metro’s Office of Extraordinary Innovation, the challenges of advancing new mobility technologies, and much more.
Read More →
Reinventing Fleet Maintenance with Real-time Visibility and AI
Transit leaders need to know what needs fixing, where to look, who is responsible, when work is completed, and what it costs without having to chase information across disconnected systems.
Read More →
SamTrans Sets Priorities for Potential Connect Bay Area Revenue
The board-approved framework allocates future funding to maintaining service, rider improvements, equity initiatives, and infrastructure repairs.
Read More →
When Routine Fails: How Public Transit Must Adapt for the World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will test transit agencies’ ability to manage unpredictable travel patterns, making real-time data and operational flexibility critical to moving millions of visitors efficiently.
Read More →
Photo Highlights from APTA's 2026 Mobility Conference
The photo gallery captures scenes from the conference, including the International Bus Roadeo, exhibit hall activities, the Bus Showcase, and much more.
Read More →
Chicago's NITA Act Moves Into Next Phase as Service Improvements Begin
Rider-focused improvements will begin rolling out across the system immediately as CTA, Metra, and Pace increase service this summer in the six-county region.
Read More →
Philadelphia's SEPTA Approves Annual Transit Service Plan
Between 2021 and 2024, SEPTA held more than 200 public meetings — including 144 in-person sessions — throughout the SEPTA service region.
Read More →
A True Low-Floor Minibus Design Delivers Better Accessibility and Efficiency for Everyone
As transit demands evolve, so should your fleet. Download the whitepaper to see how the Low-Floor Frontrunner Minibus compares to traditional options.
Read More →
WMATA Debuts 'Fares Pay for Service' Awareness Campaign
The campaign was highlighted during a media event at the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit Center in Silver Spring, where WMATA’s GM/CEO Randy Clarke joined Metro Transit Police officers, WMATA management team, board members, and staff to expand fare enforcement and customer education efforts on Metro Bus routes throughout the region.
Read More →