The City of Modesto recently completed a comprehensive renovation of its historic transit center, originally constructed in 1915 as a Southern Pacific Railroad depot. The $5.23 million project, executed by Simile Construction Services, focused on modernizing the facility while preserving its Mission Revival architectural style. Key enhancements included expanding the lobby by removing interior walls, installing new restrooms, upgrading heating and air conditioning systems, and restoring the tile flooring and exterior stucco. Additionally, the adjacent bus bays, dating back to 1993, received improvements such as new lighting, landscaping, security cameras, and fresh paint.

A significant aspect of the renovation was the modernization of restroom facilities to meet contemporary hygiene standards and accommodate increased usage. Upgrades introduced touchless fixtures, in-wall sensors to deter vandalism, water-saving devices, and solid surface countertops for ease of maintenance. Restroom capacity was expanded to better serve both the public and transit staff, with configurations designed to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.

Looking ahead, the Modesto Transit Center is poised to become a multimodal transportation hub with the anticipated arrival of the Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) rail service by late 2026. The integration of ACE will enhance regional connectivity, linking Modesto to key destinations such as Stockton, San Jose, and Sacramento. This development aligns with the city’s broader vision of fostering transit-oriented development, promoting affordable housing, and creating vibrant, walkable communities around transportation nodes.