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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW House GOP votes to make Paul Ryan next speaker ... Fill up on Growler Guys ... Sheriff Falls pulls plug on Shady Cove video security system ... House GOP votes to make Paul Ryan next speaker ... Fill up on Growler Guys ... Sheriff Falls pulls plug on Shady Cove video security system ... RVTD eyes upgrades to Front Street station Comment By Damian Mann for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann for the Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 27, 2015 at 4:04 PM Updated Oct 28, 2015 at 10:26 AM By Damian Mann for the Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 27, 2015 at 4:04 PM Updated Oct 28, 2015 at 10:26 AM » Social News Rogue Valley Transportation District plans to upgrade its Front Street station in downtown Medford and make it more accessible to customers. “We want to replace the windows and improve the customer service window,” said Paige Townsend <b>Last name corrected 10/28</b>. “The audio box is broken at the window, so people have to duck down and talk.” The 1,000-square-foot dispatch center was built in 1996, but cost limitations prevented it from looking as grand as the adjacent Greyhound bus station, built in 2004. Townsend said RVTD has $60,000 for the upgrade, made available through a federal grant from the Rogue Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization and some matching dollars. If there’s enough money leftover, RVTD would like to paint the building to match the Greyhound station color, replace the roof and install a drinking fountain. Also, more outdoor benches and heaters for waiting passengers are on the wish list. In addition to replacing the windows, a priority is tearing down a wall that separates dispatchers and the former lounge area for bus drivers, who now use the Greyhound station. The new windows will be commercial grade rather than the more residential grade installed in 1996. With the upgrades, the building should last another 15 years or until RVTD gets a better grant. “Ultimately we want to replace the entire building,” Townsend said. “We think of these improvements as a Band-Aid solution.” RVTD eventually would like to build something similar to the Greyhound station, with a coffee shop or an eatery along with an indoor sitting area. RVTD also has another building project on the horizon. Last year, RVTD purchased the Translink center at 239 E. Barnett Road for $1.2 million. Townsend said another $60,000 would be invested in the building to improve access into the reception area, which is currently very narrow. In addition, privacy screens will be installed for clients who fill out eligibility paperwork for Medicaid transportation services. RVTD expects to award the contracts sometime in January, with construction beginning in early spring. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter @reporterdm . By Damian Mann for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann for the Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 27, 2015 at 4:04 PM Updated Oct 28, 2015 at 10:26 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501