The Valley Transit downtown Transit Center in Appleton is seen Nov. 14, 2022. PC: Fox 11 Online
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A project making improvements and building affordable housing units at the Valley Transit Center has received a big financial boost.
On Monday, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) announced $25 million in federal funds will help replace the Valley Transit Center in Appleton. The funding comes from the bipartisan infrastructure law’s “Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity” (RAISE) program.
Officials say the reconstruction project will improve regional connectivity and safety and accessibility, create jobs, and provide affordable housing options.
The new facility will be “more energy-efficient” and include 14 bus bays, ground-floor indoor and covered outdoor waiting areas, public restrooms, secure bike storage, vending machines, a ticketing office, an Appleton Police Department substation, and other infrastructural upgrades.
Expanded passenger amenities, ADA features and transit facilities are also highlights of the project, as well as improved transit operations. Additionally, in a future phase of the project, affordable housing units will be built above the new transit center.
The project is slated to cost $26.8 million dollars in total. $1.8 million in ARPA dollars has been set aside by the Appleton Common Council to support the remainder of the project.
“Valley Transit is grateful for the opportunity this grant provides,” said Ron McDonald, general manager of Valley Transit, in a news release.
Appleton Mayor Jake Woodford added, in part:
This is incredible news for Appleton and all of the communities served by Valley Transit… The Transit Center will mark yet another step forward for public transportation in the Fox Cities, and toward meeting the affordable housing needs we face.
In a statement, Sen. Baldwin said, in part, “The new Transit Center will help ensure everyone can get where they need to go safely, make public transportation more convenient, and put housing within reach for more Wisconsinites – creating jobs doing it all.”
Officials say RAISE grants assist states, local communities and Tribal governments to complete important freight and passenger transportation infrastructure projects. The grant will be confirmed by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
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