TRAVERSE CITY — Seven years in the making, the new Bay Area Transportation Authority headquarters officially opened Thursday afternoon.
More than 60 people attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony, including federal, state and county officials. After brief presentations from local leaders, attendees took a guided tour of the new building, often commenting on its attractive architecture.
“This is a key showcase project that will serve this community for generations to come,” said Ajay Garg of the Federal Transit Administration.
“Public transportation is the great equalizer, whether we’re going to work, visiting family, going to a medical appointment,” he added. “When that door to the bus is opened and we step on board, we’re all equal.”
On Saturday, BATA will host a public open house and block party at the $30.4 million headquarters. Local residents are invited to tour the facility, learn about BATA services and enjoy free food from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Located at the corner of Hammond and LaFranier roads, the new 87,000-square-foot facility is one of the largest public buildings in Grand Traverse County.
In addition to offices and dispatch operations, the center has dedicated areas for vehicle repairs, overnight storage, staff training and vehicle cleaning.
Funding for the new headquarters came from a combination of federal and state transportation grants, plus $5.4 million in BATA capital funds and $2 million from the sale of the BATA facility on Cass Road, which permanently closed to the public on Aug. 26.
Just in time for the opening ceremonies, BATA Executive Director Kelly Dunham announced the agency has received an $800,000 grant from the Michigan Public Service Commission to install “a full solar array” on the roof of the new headquarters.
LINKING TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING
BATA is collaborating with the Traverse City Housing Commission to develop more than 200 workforce housing units at the “Flats at Carriage Commons” site near the new BATA headquarters. The project includes 15 single-family homes constructed in partnership with Habitat for Humanity.
The recently completed LaFranier Park-n-Ride transfer area will provide a new connection for many BATA routes, including those serving the adjacent housing developments along LaFranier as well as Village Loop connections to outlying areas such as Kingsley.
“This has been a long time (coming) and it truly was a collaboration,” said Jean Ruestman of the Michigan Department of Transportation at the grand opening event. “Housing and transportation are two things we need to be successful in life. This project brings them together.”
OVERCOMING CHALLENGES
Several speakers and guests praised Dunham for her persistence in guiding the new facility to completion.
“We’ve had many challenges along the way, including COVID,” said BATA Board Chair Richard Cochrun. “Kelly, her staff and our board members stayed the course and now we’re all here in this beautiful building.”
For her part, Dunham thanked all of the many people involved in the project, from construction workers and architects to civil engineers and staff members.
“You’ve heard it said: ‘It takes a village,’” she said. “Well it really does take a village to complete something like this.”
The event was held in the new employee break room, a sun-drenched gathering place with seven circular lights suspended from a high ceiling.
“I’m so delighted to see the social interaction that takes place here,” Dunham said. “It’s like ever before in our organization and it’s incredible to watch.”
To learn more about BATA services, programs and schedules, visit www.bata.net or call 231-941-2324.