By Keri Luiz
Assistant Editor
The Economic Development Board on Wednesday gave city staff feedback on a proposed $1.2 million Benicia Industrial Park transit hub.
The project involves the purchase of 1 acre at the corner of Park Road and Industrial Way and the construction of a bus hub for Fairfield and Suisun Transit (FAST), joint Benicia-Vallejo transit provider SolTrans and potential vanpool businesses within the Industrial Park.
The “conceptual” project, as Economic Development Manager Mario Giuliani called it, would be paid for with a grant of Regional Measure 2 bridge toll funds — “one dollar of the five they take when you cross the bridge.”
Giuliani said the hub project was proposed through meetings between city staff and the Solano Transportation Authority as a way to improve transit in the Industrial Park. He added that the proposal would go before the City Council within the next two months to get approval to develop agreements with STA, secure funding and develop a site plan.
“As you know, staff is always looking at ways to leverage resources and dollars into the Industrial Park to improve existing conditions,” he said.
“It’s also our hope that these improvements could leverage additional dollars to improve circulation and road improvements in and around the area.”
In response to a question about the grant, Mike Roberts, Benicia senior civil engineer, said if the cost of the project went beyond the $1.2 million and additional funding was necessary, the STA was committed to working with them to find additional grants.
As or the grant itself, “The money is secured, but if we don’t proceed with the project the grant funding will go away,” Roberts said.
He said the city had until March 2014 to be “substantially under way.”
EDB member Ann Lindsay wanted to know if there was a plan for bus service.
“There is existing stop there by Fairfield-Suisun Transit route 40, which goes from Fairfield over to the Industrial Park, over the bridge, and into the (Pleasant Hill) BART station,” Roberts said.
“But in conversations we have had with the SolTrans … they indicated they would be interested in potentially running routes there as well, including potentially shuttles from that center down to First Street or something like that, maybe at lunch time or something to that effect.”
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We need a more practical transit option to the Solano College campus in FF, right now it’s easier to get across the bridge to DVC rather than stay in our own county; I was surprised also, to find no practical public commute to the FF courthouse when I was called up for jury duty.
I go to use terminal by libary once week. This is just in keeping touch with family with email. Also, I read this to know things of what happens in Benica. I not drive on car . Use bus to go out. I will like to go to the school a night. But will have trouble to get there. I look for ride if you like to share. Please to see me while working on restaurant dishes. Restaurant is on top of hill second street.
I suggest you talk to the mayor and the CSC. Better yet talk to Gunter. I believe he not only can help you but more than likely help you with transportation. He is your savior.