AECOM presents two finalist sites for Mitchell County transit facility; board defers final decision

Mitchell County commissioners on Monday heard a detailed feasibility presentation from AECOM on two finalist locations for a new transit facility to replace one lost in recent storms. Sheila, the county transportation contact, introduced Nathan Spencer and architect Lightning Posada of AECOM, who described a fatal‑flaw screening that narrowed an initial list of sites to Site 5 and Site 12.

"For Site 5 we came out to just over $5,000,000," Posada said, "and Site 12 came in right under $5,000,000," figures he said were aligned against the county's $5,000,000 budget and would likely require phased work or grant match to fit. AECOM laid out pros and cons: Site 5 is relatively flat with nearby utilities and rider access but sits near a stream and may need flood mitigation; Site 12 is flat and buildable but has possible liens, unknown subsurface conditions and potential environmental unknowns that would emerge during NEPA and geotechnical work.

Several commissioners pressed on drainage and access. One commissioner raised long‑standing problems with a collapsing culvert near the Site 12 access route, saying, "The culvert was sinking before... it's been sinking for a long, long time," and urged the board not to pick a site that would saddle the county with recurring repair costs.

After discussion about floodplain remapping and the need for additional due diligence, the board voted to delay the final site selection and tabled the vote until after the meeting's closed session. The delay means staff will return with additional floodplain and cost details before a formal vote and potential design phase.