FTA 14-02
Tuesday, May 14, 2002
Contact: Bruce Frame
Tel.: (202) 366-4319
Transportation
Secretary Mineta Opens Transit Center in Columbus, Ohio
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta and Ohio Governor Bob Taft, today opened Columbus’ newest transit center at the Easton Town Center.
Secretary Mineta, who made Columbus the second stop on his bus tour honoring National Transportation Week, commended the public-private partnership that made the Easton Transit Center possible. Joining Secretary Mineta and Gov. Taft at the opening ceremony were Ohio Department of Transportation Director Gordon Proctor, and officials from the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) and The Limited.
“President Bush has proposed $7.2 billion for the Federal Transit Program as part of the FY 2003 budget, further reinforcing this Administration’s commitment to public transportation as a strategic investment,” said Secretary Mineta. “In communities across the nation, federal dollars are being leveraged to stimulate local, state and private sector funding for critical public transportation projects. For hardworking Americans, the payoff is vibrant and thriving communities with safe and convenient access to employment, medical care and the many activities of daily life.”
The Easton Transit Center, located at Stelzer Road and Transit Drive, will provide internal connections within Easton using low-floor 30-foot circulator buses, as well as connections to adjacent neighborhoods using local, cross-town and express buses. There is a large customer-service and waiting area, real time passenger information displays and a park and ride facility. An adjacent 9,000-square foot day care facility is also being developed.
The Central Ohio Transit Authority developed a partnership with The Limited and The Georgetown Companies to provide transit services to the mixed-use development of Easton. Once completed, Easton will include: 1000 multi-family dwelling units; 3.3 million square feet of retail space; 5 million square feet of office space and 43,000 workers. COTA operates a similar transit center in the Linden community at Cleveland and 11th Avenues.
From May 12th – 18th, National
Transportation Week provides an opportunity to recognize the people that
keep America moving and the
contributions that our transportation systems make to our economic well-being
and quality of life. This year, the
week is dedicated to recognizing the valiant efforts of individuals in the
transportation community following the terrorist acts of Sept. 11.
To underscore the commitment to honoring those
in transportation, U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta is traveling
on a bus across the eastern half of the United States, stopping in Pennsylvania,
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri to participate in
transportation-related events.
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