The Lextran board of directors on Nov. 19 voted unanimously to move forward with construction of a new facility. A groundbreaking is scheduled for Dec. 9 at 10:30 a.m.
The new facility will sit on a 13.69-acre site at 200 West Loudon Ave., which is the vacant property that used to be the site of the GE Lighting Kentucky Glass Plant. It will improve operational efficiencies by consolidating all operations and maintenance functions at one location, said Rocky Burke, general manager of Lextran.
“Having administrative, operations and maintenance staff at the same locations will enhance communication, collaboration and coordination between all departments and staff,” Burke said. “The ultimate result is better, more efficient and cost-effective service.”
Lextran’s 187 employees and 72 buses will be located at the site, which has been vacant for four years.
There will be 54,000 square feet of buildings, including an administrative building with space for community meetings, a maintenance facility, fueling stations and a facility to wash the fleet.
The state-of-the-art maintenance facility will improve maintenance and achieve improved reliability of the bus fleet operations by having seven maintenance bays instead of just two. In addition, the facility will be equipped with a compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station to accommodate the transition to CNG-powered buses.
“This facility will be a welcome addition to the community,” said Jeff Fugate, chairman of the Lextran Board of Directors. “It achieves much-needed infill redevelopment, which is a top priority for Lexington.
“The new facility will add to the positive development in the area – from the BCTC campus to the YMCA to the exciting corridors along Jefferson and Limestone. It could become an additional catalyst for continued improvement in the area — similar to the courthouse complex along the Short Street corridor.”
Employees also will benefit from the new facility, which will accommodate split shifts by giving employees a place to stay between shifts as well as improve health and wellness by providing workout facilities, showers and proximity to the Legacy Trail.
In addition to reducing operating costs through LEED certification, the new facilities will save Lextran more than $38,000 per year in rent expenses.
Lextran has been successful in securing and leveraging federal grants and tax credits, which reduces the total local portion of the project to about 25 percent.
Lextran will soon begin its standard procurement process to sell its existing property, including advertising the property through the media and on its website.
“Our focus is to ensure the property will be used in a way that will enhance the community,” Burke said.
