The Fox Cities Transit Commission met 03/25/2025. During the meeting they received a brief update on the funding for Valley Transit’s three big capital projects.
I’ve prepared a transcript of the discussion for download:
WHITMAN AVENUE FACILITY PHASE 1 – Valley Transit’s Whitman Avenue facility has been undergoing remodeling and upgrades. The entire project had initially been expected to cost $7-$8 million, but inflation caused the cost to shoot up to $18 million. They ended up having to split the project into two phases with the first phase costing around $7 million. Phase one included:
- An expanded parking lot
- The building addition to expand the administration area
- A new area to house future paratransit vehicles
Valley Transit used a combination of federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, American Rescue Plan Act, Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Act, and Section 5310 grant dollars to cover the cost of Phase One improvements.
Phase One improvements were now substantially completed and they were just going through the punch list and finishing things up.
WHITMAN AVENUE FACILITY PHASE 2 – Phase Two of the project included:
- A complete gutting and remodeling of the existing administrative/office space including new electrical and HVAC
- Upgrading of the repair bay including additional mezzanines and additional electrical
- The installation of a geothermal system
The bulk of the $15 million project is to be paid for with $12 million awarded to Valley Transit by the Federal Transportation Administration.
General Manager Ron McDonald told the commission that there had been a glitch in the process to receive the money. It sounded like the issue was with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and not Valley Transit itself. At any rate, the $12 million grant was now sitting in the FTA’s office in Chicago and it should be released within the next 30 days.
NEW TRANSIT CENTER — Valley Transit is planning to construct a new transit center in downtown Appleton. The new building will feature the transit center on the first floor and apartment units on the upper floors.
The bulk of the project will be paid for with a $25 million RAISE grant from the federal government. The grant was awarded and accepted by the city last year. General Manager McDonald told the commission that it was now sitting in Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s office for review because the new Trump Administration wanted all grants to be reviewed prior to being executed. Mr. McDonald did not expect any big problems because it had been a highly competitive grant and Valley Transit had scored well on it. At this point, they were just waiting to hear back from the administration.
In the meantime, Valley Transit had been working feverishly with the private developers who were partnering on the project. “Quite frankly, they’re spending money on their end in good faith, anticipating that this grant is going to be available and we’ll continue the project.”
View full meeting details and video here: https://cityofappleton.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1252075&GUID=F366AEA2-018E-4C7C-B7DA-86E03C0087FD
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