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Yesterday, the Transbay Joint Powers Authority (TJPA) awarded a $105 million contract to Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects (PCPA) to design the new Transbay Transit Center in downtown San Francisco.

Following an eight-month international design and development bid process, TJPA — which comprises representatives from Bay Area government and transportation agencies — entered into exclusive negotiations with PCPA and developer Hines in September. PCPA will proceed with its “City Park” design, which includes a 5.4-acre public park atop the new facility. The design concept also includes “Mission Square,” a public plaza that will be covered by a billowing glass-and-steel canopy and public art space.

To be located at First and Mission streets, the transit center will replace the current Transbay Terminal and be served by nine transit systems, including Caltrain, Bay Area Rapid Transit, San Francisco Municipal Railway and future California high-speed rail trains. The area around the terminal will be redeveloped to include housing units and retail space.

Groundbreaking on a temporary terminal will begin in November; construction on the new transit center is scheduled to begin in 2010 and be complete in 2014. The project’s first phase includes the transit center, as well as bus ramps connecting to the west approach of the Bay Bridge and bus storage facilities. The second phase calls for constructing below-grade train platforms and mezzanine levels.