Peoria, IL

Modernizing CityLink’s Maintenance and Operations Center

Client: Greater Peoria Mass Transit District
Our Role: Master Planning and Architectural Design

Exterior of the updated maintenance corridor with illuminated service bays and updated second-floor operations spaces.

The Greater Peoria Mass Transit District (CityLink) needed to transform one of the oldest bus maintenance and operations centers in Illinois to support a growing, electric fleet. The existing facilities lacked the space, modern infrastructure, and flexibility to support routine maintenance, electric bus integration, and expanded operations. At the same time, the organization had to maintain full service during construction.

GFT led the master planning and design of a $30 million campus redevelopment for CityLink. The multi-phase strategy ensured seamless day-to-day operations while systematically modernizing every aspect of the site.

Phase one prioritized immediate maintenance needs, with a standalone paint and body shop designed for efficiency and future energy integration. As construction progressed, the project team reimagined each area of the campus around modern workflows and the needs of the operators and mechanics who rely on these spaces every day. The new maintenance building features pull-through bays, advanced lifts, and purpose-built support areas, all integrated into one streamlined environment. Meanwhile, the second-floor operations and training center combines unified boardrooms, training spaces, a bus simulator, and operator amenities into a single, connected workspace. Throughout the process, the team emphasized circulation, staff experience, and long-term sustainability.

Photovoltaic panels covering more than half the roof supply nearly 40 percent of the site’s total energy, including electric vehicle (EV) charging. A newly acquired, elevated parcel separates employee and visitor traffic from bus movements, creating a safer and more organized campus.

Key Features

10-bay maintenance building with lifts, crane bay, and dedicated support areas.
6,500-square-foot paint and body shop with tandem bays, mix and paint booths, and mezzanine storage.
Operations and training center with boardroom, simulator space, and operator amenities.
Storage capacity for 53 standard and all-electric buses.
Elevated employee and visitor parking to improve site safety.
Modernized administrative offices.
Unified annex connecting primary campus functions.
Phased delivery model preserved uninterrupted transit service.

Outcomes

Maintained full operations throughout construction with a seamless phased approach.
Improved workflow and efficiency across maintenance, training, and support areas.
Enhanced on-site safety and circulation for employees, visitors, and bus traffic.
Created a cohesive, modern workplace that supports employee comfort and performance.
Established a bold new civic presence that reflects CityLink’s commitment to modern, resilient public infrastructure.
Delivered a future-ready transit hub designed to serve the region for decades.
American Council of Engineering Companies of North Carolina, 2026, Engineering Excellence Awards, Grand Award for Transportation.