Transit and Equipment Facilites Project

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Project summary

Screenshot 2024-02-08 114902

The Iowa City Transit Operations and Maintenance Facility Project replaces a Transit facility that is failing in condition and unable to support future growth, while also continuing efforts to consolidate Public Works operations on a single site to increase efficiencies by limiting downtime to move equipment and keeping operation support in close proximity to city services.

This phase of the project will construct new facilities for Transit and Equipment services that best meet the current and future needs of those services. In addition to the operation efficiencies, the project strives to aid in the Iowa City Climate Action and Adaptation Plan by not only striving for a building with sustainability certifications but a building that facilitates a sustainable transit fleet of zero-emission buses.

The current Transit and Equipment facilities are aging and some of the current fleet cannot efficiently be maintained in the facilities given the limited space. The current Transit Facility is limited on ability to expand the zero-emission fleet because of the aging facility and site constraints.

The City has received over $19 million in Federal grants to support the construction of these new facilities and is further supported by a $750,000 award in Congressionally Designated Community Project Funding.

Project background

The Iowa City Transit and Equipment Facilities are currently located at 1200 South Riverside Drive. The current buildings are on a former unregulated landfill, resulting in large settlements and irregular pavement surface. Additionally, the facilities are adjacent to the Iowa River and have been impacted by previous flood events.

Estimated overall project schedule

Design Phase: Spring 2024 – Winter 2025
Construction Phase: Winter 2025 – Summer 2027

About Iowa City Transit

Iowa City Transit (ICT) is located in Iowa City, Iowa, the 5th largest city in the state and is the "Home of the Hawkeyes" and the University of Iowa. Major local industries are education, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing, including bio-medical and consumer goods. It is anticipated that by 2045, the City’s population will have grown by 90% since the existing transit facility was built. In Fiscal Year 2019, Iowa City Transit provided 1.5 million rides had the 17th highest ridership per capita in the nation. Iowa City has an explicit goal of doubling ridership in the next ten years based on a clear understanding that supporting and expanding transit service is critical to a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

Project status and cost

A preferred site has been selected.
A request for qualifications for building design services will be posted Feb. 9, 2024. Check IonWave for the posting.
A 2018 condition assessment by the Iowa DOT rated the existing facility as ‘poor to marginal condition’ and no longer in a State of Good Repair.
An environmental study has been completed.
Preliminary estimates from the 2015 Public Works Master Plan, estimate a new Transit and Equipment Facility will cost $20 million including $2 million in design and $18 million for construction.
The City has committed to providing a 25% match ($5 million)
The City has been awarded over $15 million in federal funding for the project costs.

Transit goals

Double ridership by 2030: In 2019, the City invested $200,000 in a comprehensive Transit Study to identify how route, stop, frequency, fare, and fleet improvements can better meet community needs and foster ridership growth.
Replace 55% of vehicle trips to sustainable transportation options, such as public transit, by 2050: In June 2020, the City received a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to replace four diesel buses with battery-electric buses. The City contributed $1.6 million in local matching funds. This small-scale transition is the first step; however, continued conversion is not possible with the existing facility.

Stats

The City Transit Division currently consists of two (2) Administrative personnel, one (1) Management Analyst, one (1) Dispatch staff, four (4) Supervisors, four (4) Maintenance staff, and (47) forty-seven Mass Transit Operators that will occupy the facility. The current fleet consists of (23) twenty-three 40’ heavy duty diesel buses, (4) four 40’ heavy duty electric buses, (2) two shop trucks, (1) one minivan, (1) one SUV, (13) paratransit light-duty buses that are owned by the City of Iowa City but stored and operated by another agency. The Transit Division is planning for a full conversion to electric vehicles at the new transit facility.

The Equipment Division currently consists of two (2) superintendents, two (2) administrative personnel and seven (7) mechanics and maintains a fleet of approximately 550 vehicles and equipment ranging from light duty vehicles to heavy duty and construction equipment.

Iowa City, IA

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