SunLine outlines $4.5 million conceptual transit hub at B Street and Buddy Rogers to Cathedral City council

SunLine Transit Agency representatives presented a conceptual plan to the Cathedral City City Council on Jan. 22 for a transit center at the existing stop on B Street and Buddy Rogers, saying the location could serve as a regional hub and support downtown development.

The presentation, led by Paul Mattern, SunLine chief planning officer, proposed a roughly 90‑by‑300‑foot footprint with six bus bays, a driver comfort building, solar‑covered shade structures and lighting. "We see this stop as a as our hub in the Western Valley," Mattern said, describing the site as a key component of SunLine's long‑range plan.

SunLine CFO Luis Garcia gave a preliminary financial overview and described the estimate as early and scope‑dependent. "Very early estimates for a potential transit hub as you just saw would be probably 4 and a half million dollars," Garcia said, and added that eligibility for some competitive grants would depend on project elements such as whether housing is included.

Why it matters: SunLine officials and council members said a formal transit center could increase ridership by improving safety, comfort and transfer connections, and could support nearby retail and future housing. Council members stressed the need to protect the city’s plans for an adjacent downtown parcel and to study how much land the project would require.

Key facts and project options - Concept footprint: roughly 90 feet from curb and 300 feet along the street, which SunLine estimated at about 27,000 square feet (about 0.6–0.7 acre). - Capacity: about six bus bays (three inside and three outside in the conceptual model) plus a small driver break room building; the driver building would not be open to the public. - Preliminary cost: SunLine offered "very early" construction estimates at about $4.5 million; SunLine and the city said final costs would depend on scope and amenities. - Funding and property options: SunLine described multiple pathways—long‑term ground lease, land purchase, or donation—and noted that some grants (for example, the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities program) favor projects that include affordable housing.

Council questions, staff notes and constraints Council members asked how the project would affect nearby redevelopment. Councilmember comments and staff input indicated the city’s east parcel totals more than five acres; council members suggested setting aside a relatively small portion (SunLine estimated about 27,000 sq. ft.) could still preserve most development potential. A city official said parts of the parcel are owned by the general fund and the housing fund; that ownership structure could allow the land to be used as a match for grant applications if a housing component were included.

Councilmember and staff comments also raised concerns about maintaining public safety and preventing loitering. Mattern said SunLine works with local providers such as the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission and local law enforcement and that the agency has used signage and enforcement in other cities to address loitering and related issues.

Hydrogen fueling and other amenities SunLine staff described an on‑site hydrogen fueling system currently used to fuel buses and said high‑pressure public dispensers for light vehicles remain under state testing. Walter, SunLine’s chief of capital projects, said the agency expected to pass the state's certification tests within about two months. "About 2 more months and we'll be up and running," he said.

Timeline and next steps SunLine said the earliest timeline assumes board approval and identified the following rough sequence: include the item in SunLine's capital budget, hire a design and engineering firm (6–8 months), then construction (approximately a year, based on recent SunLine projects). SunLine estimated a two‑to‑two‑and‑a‑half‑year horizon from full funding to an operational facility.

Council direction and follow up Council members asked the city manager and staff to evaluate how much city land the project would need and how any land use would affect ongoing downtown planning. The city manager and city staff were asked to follow up with SunLine and to explore property, funding and grant match options.

Public comment A resident who spoke during public comment welcomed improvements and urged better connections to the airport and Jean Autry Trail to improve regional access.

What wasn’t decided No council vote or formal agreement was taken at the Jan. 22 study session. SunLine described the meeting as an initial informational presentation and said it would continue discussions with city staff and the council as it refines funding and design options.