CLEARWATER, Fla. — Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority leaders say a new transit hub in Clearwater is long overdue. In the works are plans to build a $34 million high-tech facility that will replace the dilapidated 40-year-old Park Street station.
The issue is finding money to pay for it. PSTA applied for the US Department of Transportation’s RAISE grant last year but didn’t win any money. This month, they’re applying for the grant again, working hard to prove to the USDOT why the transit center is needed.
Abhishek Dayal with the transportation agency says he thinks they have a better shot this go around.
“We absolutely need this grant. All our stakeholders are pitching in their funds to help us get to that finish line. It’s FDOT, Forward Pinellas and City of Clearwater. They’re all pitching in to help us get to that finish line,” he said. “Our facility is used by more than 700,00 riders annually, and it’s just not meeting the needs for our riders today.”
The “multimodal,” facility will be equipped with Hybrid and electric cars and buses. It will also have a solar-paneled roof, charging stations, bicycle/scooter storage, ride-sharing connections, capacity for light rail and more.
In addition to providing routes to and from our award-winning beaches, there are plans for the transit center to have a direct connection to Tampa International Airport, creating an easier way for travelers to take advantage of all Pinellas has to offer.
If the grant is awarded, PSTA hopes to get work started next year. “Only one in 10 applications get funded through this, so it’s a very competitive grant application,” Dayal said.
PSTA has also started a change.org petition they’re asking people to sign. They’re hoping many in the community who know of the need will help move in the effort to get the funds needed.