VIA Metropolitan Transit trustees this week approved new names for parts of the agency’s Westside Multimodal Transit Center near West Houston and Medina streets just west of downtown. The former International & Great Northern Railroad Depot, which now houses VIA offices, will be known as “the Grand.” “This name captures the nature of this historic building, now restored to its original grandeur,” a memo says. “The Grand is a preserved and functional treasure for our city, county, state and citizenry.” The transit plaza will be Centro Plaza, while the surrounding area will be known as VIA Villa. The plaza is slated to open later this year. The center will become a transfer hub for VIA bus lines.

Drew Joseph