US$ 20M federal funding has been received for the development of a Clearwater transit center in Florida. The funding was received by Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA). A large portion of the funding comes from the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity program.
Speaking on the funding, Pat Gerard was pleased the project could move forward after years of trying to secure federal funding. Moreover, the PSTA’s board of directors chairman described the Clearwater transit center in Florida as a huge win for the community. He said that it would make commuting to Clearwater and the surrounding beaches easier for people.
Clearwater transit center in Florida to replace the 4-decade old station on Park Street
The Clearwater transit center in Florida is intended to replace an existing 4-decade old station on Park Street that is considered functionally obsolete.
Despite supposedly serving 14 routes and 2,300 riders each weekday, the old station is unable to accommodate all existing routes. Thereby forcing some of the bus operators to pick up and drop off passengers on side roads.
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Upon completion, Clearwater transit center in Florida will be a significant improvement to the Park Street station. It will connect downtown Clearwater and Clearwater Beach, along with other parts of Pinellas County.
Furthermore, according to Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg, it would provide electric bus charging stations. As a result, the new facility will be more energy efficient than the old one, which is quite run down at present.
Land swap needed for the project
The selected site for the new Clearwater transit center in Florida is at the corner of Court Street and Myrtle Avenue. However, some land disputes arose over this city-owned vacant lot. Manager Jon Jennings decided to plan for new housing, after PSTA lost the grant for the third time last year.
As a result, a land swap would be required to resolve the issue. This entails PSTA acquiring the city-owned property and giving up their current bus terminal on Park Street. City council members are in support for the land swap for the Clearwater transit center project. But they decided to hold off on the deal until PSTA can secure the rest of the project’s funding.
Initially, the project was estimated at $34 million, but due to inflation the new price is around $44.5 million.
