Detroit DOT Celebrates Opening of New Transit Center

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan marked the opening of Detroit DOT’s (DDOT) newest transit center, the Jason Hargrove Transit Center (JHTC) at the State Fairgrounds, recently, by highlighting how passengers can now make transfers from one line to another in comfort and out of the elements.

“For years, DDOT riders have complained to me about having to wait for bus transfers in the rain, snow, cold, or the heat of hot summer days,” Mayor Duggan said. “Now, our most popular transit center not only will provide passengers with protection from the elements, the dedicated spaces for DDOT staff to rest and reboot show our continued commitment to our drivers.”

The new, 52,000-square-foot center is named in honor of the late bus driver Jason Hargrove, whose advocacy for driver safety resonated deeply with the community. The facility will serve as the nexus for five key bus routes: 4-Woodward, 12-Conant, 17-Eight Mile, 30-Livernois, and 54-Wyoming. The closure and decommissioning of the current temporary transfer center on Woodward Ave., just south of Eight Mile Road, will coincide with the opening of the JHTC.

“This is a great day for DDOT, its riders, and the city as a whole,” said G. Michael Staley, DDOT interim director. “The Jason Hargrove Transit Center represents our commitment to providing safe, efficient, and accessible public transportation for all Detroiters.”

The interior of the JHTC features retail and restaurant options, an indoor lobby, a ticket office, and public restrooms. Additionally, a dedicated lounge and restroom area will provide transit drivers with a space between shifts.

JHTC serves as the centerpiece of a $31 million redevelopment project, encompassing the adaptive reuse of a former dairy cattle barn into the new transit hub. A vibrant outdoor space, anchored by a restored portico of the historic State Fair Coliseum, will serve as a focal point for community gatherings and events. The adaptive reuse of the former State Fairgrounds buildings was something Detroiters asked for during community outreach portion of planning.