SANFORD — Right now, it’d be tough to make the connections if someone wanted to bicycle downtown and be able to catch the Ocean Shuttle to the Wells Transportation Center, where they’d take the train to Dover, N.H. or Boston or any of the stops in between.
York County Community Action Corporation provides a variety of public transportation services within Sanford and to other communities.
But because of where the stops are made, it isn’t easy for a rider from one service to transfer to another part of the service. And there’s no place to do it comfortably.
“One of the concerns was that we haven’t been able to offer a means for people to get from one to another,” said YCCAC Transportation Director Connie Garber.
Soon, thanks to a $1.2 million federal grant, riders will be able to make those connections in a new transportation hub, a new building with a waiting room out of the weather, small offices, restroom facilities ”“ and a safe place to leave bicycles.
“The Sanford Transportation Center will serve as an intermodal hub for public transportation and intercity bus riders, and will link to proposed park-and-ride facilities,” said U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, who, in announcing the grant award Monday, called the hub a centerpiece to Sanford’s plan for redeveloping the millyard area.
Garber and the town are eyeing four town-owned land parcels: The former Aerofab property in the millyard, two lots on High Street and the Mid-Town Mall parking lot (the mall itself is privately owned). They plan to use town-owned land as the required local funding match.
The hub would be available to other transportation providers as well, like a bus service to airports in Boston or Manchester or the like, Garber said.
“I am very happy,” said Garber. “It’s an investment that can have a ripple effect.”
The funds come from the federal Department of Transportation to the state transportation department, which had sought proposals. The state was looking for projects that enhance economic development and address environmental issues, she said.
The project dovetails with a federal Environmental Protection Agency planning grant Sanford received a year ago, which, among other factors, looks at how people get around in the community, said Garber.
“It’s exciting. It’s a great thing for Sanford,” said Jim Nimon, the director of Sanford Regional Economic Growth Council. “It helps get people to and from places,” said Nimon, who pointed out Sanford is in the center of York County. “We need to have all the good connections we can get.”
Sanford Downtown Legacy supports the project, said President Maura Herlihy, who hopes the chosen location will be downtown and near the town’s walking trails.
“The project has true community-building potential,” she said.
Garber said the final design and engineering for the transportation hub is expected to be complete by July 1, the project would be put out to bid in November 2012 and completed one year later.
“I can’t see a downside to this. It ”¦ creates an energy around the potential for economic development,” Garber said.
— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 or twells@journaltribune.com.
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