Gold Coast Transit District opens new operations and maintenance facility

Gold Coast Transit District (GCTD) celebrated the opening of its new operations and maintenance facility, which includes an eight-bay maintenance and repair building, a compressed natural gas fuel station, bus wash and an operations and administrations building.

The opening celebration included a ribbon cutting ceremony and tours and began with assembly member Monique Limón addressing the role the facility will play in meeting public transit needs throughout Ojai, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Ventura and western Ventura County.

“This expansion will allow greater access to jobs, to schools, to individuals receiving medical services, and so much more,” Limón said.

Design management on the new 15-acre facility was provided by architects HDR, Inc.; architectural design by STANTEC; and the general contractor was ICON WEST, Inc; with active support from furniture supplier The Sheridan Group and bus wash system manufacturer NS Corporation.

It replaces an outdated and deteriorating bus garage and office space located on a three-acre site originally built in the 1970’s for a much smaller fleet. The new site is positioned well to handle GCTD’s growing fleet expected to climb from 56 buses to approximately 125 over the next thirty to forty years.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley concluded the ceremony stating, “There is no question this facility represents the very best of a forward-thinking county. Green state of the art facilities like this one are absolutely vital to the economic vitality of our communities.” She added that investing in transit is an investment in the local economy and nationally public transit directly employs 400,000 people with high quality, well-paying jobs. In fact, GCTD employs nearly 200 employees in the local community.

Unique elements of the project include environmentally sensitive construction such as low-flow water fixtures, day-lighting for office areas, and the minimization of life-cycle costs and energy usage throughout the site for the greatest potential of long-term operating cost savings. Interestingly, the administration building is positioned on the property in a way that takes maximum advantage of the sun and wind helping to decrease lighting, heating and air conditioning costs. Noteworthy, is the emphasis on employee education, health and wellness, from the dedicated Wellness and Training Centers, to a Sleep/Relaxation Room, three fully equipped break rooms, and an outdoor courtyard that includes an employee garden, bocce ball, and BBQ.

Reed Caldwell, GCTD’s assistant manager and project manager for this multi-year project recognized General Manager Steve Brown for his long-term vision. “With his vision for this project 10 years ago as the Director of Planning, Steve thought that he could create a new facility for Gold Coast Transit to deliver even better service for our customers. He persevered and has demonstrated his ability to bring a project of this magnitude to completion.”

The ribbon cutting marked over a decade of work by staff, local, state and federal officials who worked to see this project come to fruition. General Manager Steve Brown noted, “This facility will enable Gold Coast Transit District to provide lasting green job opportunities in the delivery of transit service for our community, stimulating our workforce and economy.”

Brown took a moment to recognize Congresswoman Lois Capps for helping to secure a $15 million earmark grant back in 2011 that turned GCTD’s vision into a reality. GCTD employees will undergo facility safety training this week with operations at the new facility anticipated to be open and fully functional by July 28.