Kruzan Backs Transit Facility Relocation, Pledges City Support

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 27, 2008

For more information, please contact:
Danny Lopez, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349-CITY, lopezd@bloomington.in.gov

Bloomington, IN - Mayor Mark Kruzan today strongly endorsed Bloomington Transit's (BT) acquisition of a new downtown transit facility.

"City Council Members and I have worked for years to keep transit services in our city center," Kruzan said. "Keeping the bus station downtown is as important to community commerce and character as were keeping the Courthouse and Monroe County Public Library."

Kruzan expressed appreciation to Bloomington Public Transportation Corporation (BPTC) General Manager Lew May and his staff for working with city government throughout the process. "The Office of the Mayor, our Office of Economic Development and the City Planning Department have been actively supporting Transit's efforts to remain downtown," he said. Specifically, Kruzan said the City worked to identify potential locations for the bus station and began preliminary site design with BT in anticipation of the vote.

City staff is meeting with business owners in the area BT will purchase to identify relocation options and grant opportunities through the Federal Transportation Authority.

"Our economic vitality team is working closely with both BT and the businesses currently located at the site to ensure their continued success in downtown Bloomington," Kruzan said.

"We are committed to facilitating a truly collaborative effort between BT and the community to design a facility that makes sense within the existing landscape of downtown," he said. "This vote by the Board is the critical first step."

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