City cuts ribbon for first-ever mobility hub

The City of San Marcos held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday for its first-ever mobility hub — located at 214 E. Hutchison St.

The mobility hub was designed to beautify downtown and provide San Marcans and visitors with a space for all modes of transportation. The project cost an estimated $361,000, according to the city. 

Mayor Pro-Tem Lisa Prewitt, whose last day on the city council was Monday, called the ceremony bittersweet. 

“I've spent the last six years trying to advance our community in many different initiatives we had,” Prewitt said. “But one of the biggest things is multimodal transportation … This is a great example of a collaboration with many different entities. So about three and a half years ago, I was walking down the street and looked at this space and went, ‘Wow, this would be a really cool space to create a mobility hub.’ And I started talking to folks about it and I shortly found out that Main Street Economic Vitality had already designed it out. Then I had a conversation with Joe Ptak,  who is the chair of the CARTS Citizen Advisory Committee, they had already designed it out. So I thought, well, all the stars are aligning so this must be the right thing to do in this space.” 

Mayor Pro-Tem Lisa Prewitt speaks during Tuesday's ceremony.

The city bought the lot in 2010 and demolished a dry cleaning building that was on the space. A parking lot was originally planned for the lot but the green light was given to build a “transportation hub” to beautify the lot in 2018.

With the new mobility hub, the Capital Area Rural Transportation System plans to move a section of its bus routes to Hutchinson Street and add bus shelters, which is expected to be safer for riders. Prewitt said the hub isn’t fully complete as they plan to add car-charging stations as well as rideshare parking spots. 

The mobility hub features bike-changing station, murals, benches to sit, water fountains for people and dogs, rain gardens and a stage where music can be played. 

“This project is an example of a pioneering idea brought to life by the passionate and creative forces we have in our council, staff and residents,” Mayor Jane Hughson said. “This is a place for anyone who ventures into our downtown to take a seat, and enjoy this beautiful space.”