The Redwood Coast Transit Authority board voted unanimously to approve a memorandum of understanding with the City of Crescent City that allows the agency to begin using secured state funds to design and advance a Downtown Transit Center. The action was taken during the board’s regular meeting and clears the way for environmental review and design work. "We're really happy to bring to you. This is the first of 2 documents between City of Crescent City and Redwood Coast Transit that will lead to the design and construction of the Downtown Transit Center," a staff member said at the meeting. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) follows years of public feedback about limited amenities at the current curb-front bus stops on Front Street. The new site, in the library parking lot across the street from the existing location, is intended to allow construction of a building with dispatch, ticketing and restroom facilities and an operator break room. The staff member told the board that the authority has secured TRSIP and SB 1 (State of Good Repair) funding and that $4,400,000 total in those state funds is available for the project. The MOU will permit Redwood Coast Transit to begin spending that money and to move into the environmental phase. The staff member said a ground lease is expected next, and that the city is taking the lead on the lease negotiations; the staff estimate for completing the ground lease was six to 12 months. Board members asked clarifying questions about the proposed lease term and temporary transit center locations during construction. Director Starkey and others confirmed they preferred a long lease to match the capital investment; the staff member said the draft provided for a 30-year term with an option that could extend up to 50 years. The board approved the MOU on a voice vote: Director Altman, Director Starkey and Chairman Wright all voted yes. The staff member said construction is not yet under contract and that further board approvals will follow future design, ground-lease and construction steps. The MOU does not itself commit the authority to construction dollars beyond the stated intent to move into environmental review and design.