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METRO Transit Center renamed for executive, Green resident

5/17/2012 - South Side Leader
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By Maria Lindsay

The METRO Transit Center was renamed the Robert K. Pfaff Transit Center May 16 in honor of its retiring executive director, Robert Pfaff.
Pfaff is pictured in the front row at right, surrounded by his family at the ceremony.
A number of officials attended the ceremony, including: shown from left, Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic at the podium; Pfaff; Summit County Executive Russ Pry; Samantha Herd, district director for U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton (D-District 13); and METRO Board of Trustees President Saundra Foster.
Shown is one of the signs displaying the center’s new name.
Photos: Maria Lindsay
DOWNTOWN AKRON — A small part of Downtown Akron will forever be remembered for a man who has made getting around town a little easier for the public.

A number of local officials gathered May 16 to rename the METRO Regional Transit Authority (RTA) Transit Center, located in Downtown Akron, after its Executive Director Bob Pfaff, who is a resident of Green.

The transit center, located on 4 acres at 631 S. Broadway St., was renamed the Robert K. Pfaff Transit Center during the ceremony attended by hundreds of Pfaff’s supporters and well-wishers, including Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic; Summit County Executive Russ Pry; Samantha Herd, district director for U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton (D-District 13); and METRO Board of Trustees President Saundra Foster.

The $17 million complex, which provides a transfer hub and protection from the weather for its patrons, became operational January 2009, and Pfaff was instrumental in its development, according to METRO officials.

In an interview before the ceremony, Pfaff said his most memorable moment in his 38 years of service for METRO was the opening of the transit center. The 14,000-square-foot building, which is certified as a “Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” (LEED) building, offers a community meeting room, waiting area, restrooms, a café, vending machines and ATM machine.

“The board gave me the privilege to lead the agency, and it has been a fantastic ride and an honor to work for the public,” said Pfaff.

During the ceremony, Pfaff said he appreciated the gesture to rename the building in his honor.

“I am in awe,” he said. “This is the icing on the cake.”

According to METRO officials, Pfaff started working for the organization in 1974 as a bus operator, was named road supervisor in 1976, became assistant director of operations in 1978 and director of operations in 1981. He has served as its executive director since 1995. Earlier this year, he announced he would retire Dec. 31.

A new leader for METRO RTA is expected to be named sometime this summer, according to Pfaff.

During his time with the agency, Pfaff said he is proud to have implemented countywide bus service in 1991, added Sunday service in 1995 and started an express commuter bus service to Cleveland.

Plusquellic said Pfaff was “one of the best people I have worked with and one of the only ones I have never been mad at.” He commended Pfaff for doing a “terrific job.”

“He has a ‘can do it’ attitude and works to get things done,” he added.

Pry called Pfaff a “visionary leader in Akron and Summit County.”

Herd presented Pfaff with a plaque of commendation, adding the transit center was “the most beautiful in the state.”

Foster announced a plaque recognizing Pfaff’s contributions hangs in the transit center.

After the ceremony, hundreds of supporters gave Pfaff a standing ovation and congratulated him on his accomplishments.

According to METRO officials, Pfaff serves on numerous boards, including Rebuilding Together Greater Cuyahoga Valley, Downtown Akron Partnership, Summit County Social Services Advisory Board, Visiting Nurse Services and Portage Path Behavioral Health Board, as well as the Ohio Transit Risk Pool and the Ohio Public Transit Association. He also volunteers for the Akron Host Lions Club, Leadership Akron Alumni and the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.

Pfaff said he plans to stick to his roots upon retirement.

“They don’t know I am coming yet, but I plan to drive a bus in Disney World in Florida during the winter,” he said.

For more information about METRO bus service, visit www.akronmetro.org or call 330-762-0341.

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