The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center (JRTC). The ceremony was held at the Convention Center Skyway Station on Bay Street in LaVilla.
The transportation hub will connect local, regional and intercity modes of transportation, including the First Coast Flyer bus rapid transit system, fixed bus routes, the Skyway/U²C, Greyhound and other intercity carriers, ride share, bike share and future Amtrak and Commuter Rail Stations.
“The JRTC represents the fulfillment of a visionary plan to enhance mobility while building communities and preserving our city’s rich heritage,” said JTA Board Chairman Isaiah Rumlin. “It will be a place that residents and visitors can experience the heritage and historic treasures in the surrounding LaVilla community.”
Located in the historic LaVilla community, the JRTC will represent the intersection of the City’s past, present and future by being a bridge between the way we were, the way we are today, and what we can become in the future.
“The JRTC will become an economic catalyst for the region and for the many people who worked to build the regional transportation networks we use today and rely on for our livelihood,” said JTA CEO Nathaniel P. Ford Sr. “We are building this regional transportation center for the community and our customers and it is an exciting time to be in Jacksonville and at the JTA.”
The JRTC construction project will be built in two phases. Phase I includes the approximately 10,000 square foot Intercity Bus Terminal (IBT) that is currently under construction. It will feature ticketing offices, a cafeteria, restrooms, nine bus bays and parking areas for use by Greyhound and other intercity carriers. The IBT is scheduled to be completed in January 2018.
Phase II includes an approximately 40,000 square foot Administration Building and will feature a bus transfer facility with an enclosed passenger waiting area, ticket vending machines, operator lounge, public restrooms, lost & found area and customer service. The bus transfer facility will feature a pedestrian friendly and ADA accessible single continuous platform along the bus bays with a covered canopy, benches and other passenger amenities. The Administration Building will house JTA’s administrative offices, board room and conference rooms. The estimated completion date for Phase II is November 2019. Both phases of the JRTC are being designed to meet Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certification requirements. LEED is a globally recognized symbol of excellence in green building. LEED certification ensures electricity cost savings, lower carbon emissions and healthier environments for the places we live, work, learn, play and worship.
Funding has been identified which covers the proposed maximum total project cost of $57.3 million for Phases I and II of the JRTC. Funding for the project will be provided from a combination of federal, state and local funding sources.
In attendance at the ceremony were Congressman John Rutherford, State Senator Audrey Gibson, State Representatives Tracie Davis, Kimberly Daniels and Jason Fischer, Federal Transit Administration Region 4 Administrator Dr. Yvette Taylor, JTA Board Chairman Isaiah Rumlin, JTA CEO Nathaniel P. Ford Sr., Downtown Investment Authority CEO Aundra Wallace, Greyhound Regional Manager Emma Gray, Jacksonville City Council Members John R. Crescimbeni and Reginald Gaffney, City of Jacksonville Director of Community Affairs Dr. Charles Moreland, Congressman Al Lawson’s Chief of Staff Tola Thompson and Senator Marco Rubio’s Regional Director Ashley Cook.
