By Sarah Rohrs/Times-Herald staff writer
Posted: 08/11/2009
Crystal Odum Ford, city of Vallejo Transportation Superintendent, addresses officials and members of the public who attended Monday morning's groundbreaking for the new transit center at York and Sacramento streets in Vallejo. (Mike Jory/Times-Herald)
The area is now just another parking lot in downtown Vallejo, but it should sport a new bus transfer station in about 15 months -- the first phase of a waterfront development project.
Nearly 75 politicians and transportation officials gathered Monday morning for a ground-breaking ceremony on the Vallejo Transit new bus transfer station. It will be built in the public lot behind the Georgia Vista Center at Sacramento and York streets.
"It's a start," said developer Joe Callahan of Callahan DeSilva Vallejo, which has been pursuing a downtown waterfront development project for more than a decade.
The facility will replace the Vallejo Transit transfer station at York and Marin streets, and will connect to Vallejo Station, a three-story parking and retail center. The structure will connect the downtown to the ferry terminal and eventually become part of the overall waterfront development plan.
Mayor Osby Davis called the bus center groundbreaking an "exciting day in Vallejo."
"This marks the beginning of our downtown renaissance," Davis said. It is especially noteworthy since it will be built in the midst of an economic downturn, he added.
The new transfer center represents investment in infrastructure, the community and transit options for seniors and youth, city transportation department superintendent Crystal Odum Ford said.
As part of Vallejo's aim to create a vibrant transit hub, the project has earned Metropolitan Transportation Commission support, said MTC commissioner Federal Glover, a Contra Costa County supervisor from Pittsburg.
Suisun City Mayor Pete Sanchez said the bus transfer center and Vallejo Station will improve regional commutes and transit options for Napa and Solano counties.
"After this is built, all roads will lead to Vallejo," Sanchez said.
Once complete, the transfer center will move the buses closer to the ferry building and consolidate them into a smaller area with better lighting and security. Buses will circulate around a central passenger loading island.
Eight construction firms submitted bids for the project estimated to cost $8.29 million, Ford said. The city staff has not yet picked a successful bidder to present to City Council for approval, she said.
The project will be funded through federal and regional bridge toll dollars. It originally had a $6.9 million price tag which was increased to reflect an updated cost estimate and the addition of a construction management firm to oversee the work, Ford said.
A second phase includes construction of a transportation administration building to house ticket agents, public rest rooms, security officers and an operator break room.
Contact staff writer Sarah Rohrs at srohrs@thnewsnet.com or (707) 553-6832.
