SPRINGFIELD – Wayfinders will be bringing its 160 Springfield-based employees to the former Peter Pan Bus Terminal by July 2019.

Peter Gagliardi, the president and CEO of the housing and social service agency formerly known as HAP Housing, made the formal announcement at the bus station in tandem with Peter Picknelly, president and CEO of Peter Pan Bus Lines, on Dec. 4.

Gagliardi said converting the bus terminal – Peter Pan has moved all of its operations to Union Station across the street – will cost more than $10 million. The agency paid $2.75 million for the property.

Once the renovations are completed, Gagliardi said the building would be “the housing center of the future.” He explained the staff has grown from 155 to 230 over the past five years and the present building in the South End neighborhood was not large enough. The agency sold its building to Balise Auto Group.

Gagliardi said access to mass transit is very important to the people the agency serves and the location across from Union Station is ideal.

Picknelly said his intent is to move the company’s business offices into Union Station some time in the spring.

Mayor Domenic Sarno said bringing the Wayfinders employees to this end of Main Street brings “ a different kind of vibrancy” to the neighborhood. The addition of Wayfinders in the bus terminal location increases the “walkability” of downtown, he added.

Sarno noted that the two major buildings left to develop in the Main Street corridor are the Paramount theater block and 31 Elm Street or also known as the Court Square building.