Sandusky staff to pursue FTA/ODOT grants and study new transit hub; commissioners ask about Amtrak building reuse

City staff told the commission they will submit a package of grant applications to the Federal Transit Administration and the Ohio Department of Transportation that would fund transit operations and planning work.

During discussion of the STS grant application list a commissioner flagged a $60,000 planning study "for a new transit operational hub." Staff (mister Stacy) said the planning study would explore acquisition or securing of a new operational hub for STS services and explicitly noted the city owns the Amtrak building that is currently leased to Amtrak. Commissioners asked whether the planning study would include options to vacate the Amtrak location and how the existing building might be reused if STS moved to a new hub. Staff said the study would explore location options, potential funding sources and needs for maintenance garage, parking and vehicle inventory storage.

One commissioner noted transit typically operates at a deficit and urged staff to consider fiscal impacts of relocating or expanding hub operations. Another asked whether searches for alternative locations would be limited to sites within the city; staff replied the search would start in the city and prioritize suitable locations for offices, maintenance and parking.

The commission adopted the consent agenda that included the grant application authorization; staff said additional details and applications will be provided and that any awarded funds will come back to the commission for formal acceptance.