Appleton lands $25 million federal grant for new downtown transit center
APPLETON — Valley Transit secured a $25 million federal grant to build a new $26.8 million downtown Appleton Transit Center.
U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., announced the news Monday afternoon. The development will house a new drive-through transit center on the ground floor and apartments on the upper floors.
"I fought hard to bring home this funding to rebuild our outdated infrastructure, spur economic growth and expand affordable housing options for working families," Baldwin said in a news release. "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."
The funding comes from the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program, which help states, local communities and tribal governments complete transportation infrastructure projects.
"This is incredible news for Appleton and all of the communities served by Valley Transit," Appleton Mayor Jake Woodford said. "I sincerely believe this funding was secured because of the steadfast advocacy efforts of Sen. Baldwin and her team, and I thank them for their work on behalf of our communities. 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 addition to the $25 million grant, Appleton has set aside $1.8 million from the American Rescue Plan Act to support the affordable housing component of the project, which would be done in partnership with a private developer.
The new transit center will be a more energy-efficient facility that includes 14 bus bays, ground-floor indoor and covered outdoor waiting areas, public restrooms, secure bike storage, vending machines, a ticketing office and an Appleton Police Department substation.
Related: Valley Transit's move to van service for off-peak hours will take effect July 15
Valley Transit was unsuccessful last year in its first attempt to secure the $25 million grant.
"Most people don't get it on their first attempt," Ron McDonald, general manager of Valley Transit, said at the time.
The replacement of the Appleton Transit Center at 100 E. Washington St. was dependent on grant funding. According to the project schedule, construction could begin as soon as July 2026 and be completed in July 2028.
The existing transit center was built in 1989. McDonald said it is undersized and outdated for accessibility, safety and security. It was the scene of a fatal shooting in May 2019.
Construction of a new transit center will be part of an ongoing transformation of Appleton's College North Neighborhood. Other projects include the $40.4 million renovation and expansion of the Appleton Public Library and construction of the Urbane 115 mixed-use complex.
Contact Duke Behnke at 920-993-7176 or dbehnke@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DukeBehnke.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Appleton lands $25 million federal grant for downtown transit center
