The $22.5-million [Rosa Parks Transit Center] packs a lot into a tight space at the corner of Michigan and Cass: 15 bus bays for 21 Detroit Department of Transportation bus routes, as well as space for connections with the suburban SMART system, Transit Windsor buses and a taxi stand.

The facility, which sits between the People Mover's Michigan and Times Square stations, is to open at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

Inside, two levels open to the public offer restrooms, a cashier station for bus fares, and information and security booths.

The facility's exterior is mostly aluminum-framed windows. Stairway handrails are stainless steel and ceiling tiles aluminum.

Users will find seating inside as well as four commercial spaces the city said will house retail outlets, possibly restaurants, cafés, coffee shops or newsstands.

Outside, under the whimsical, glass-coated fiber canopies, riders may sit on benches and check electronic signs announcing arrival times for buses based on real-time GPS coordinates.

It's a thoroughly modern facility that has the feel of a Detroit Metro airport terminal.