BATA begins processing sale of their current operations center in Traverse City, Mich

The Bay Area Transportation Authority's (BATA) current operations center located in Traverse City, Mich., in Garfield Township is in the process of being sold. The agency's board of directors have initiated the sale in preparation for BATA's move into a new headquarters facility in 2024, which is currently being built on Hammond Road.

The Cass Road property was listed for $1.9 million on July 12, 2023, and BATA’s board received two offers. One offer was for $2.1 million from LCR Properties of Michigan, LLC ,and the other was for $1.9 million from Versa Development, LLC.

At a special meeting on Aug. 24, the BATA Board authorized BATA Executive Director Kelly Dunham to execute a purchase agreement for the highest offer received by the deadline. The new owners, Bob and Leslie Roe of Precision Plumbing and Heating Systems, plan to use the property for the future operations center of their local heating, plumbing and electrical business. They have shown generous support to BATA’s financial goals by offering the next year as rent free.

“The sale of BATA’s current headquarters is the next positive step as we continue our transition into a new state of the art transit facility next summer,” Dunham said.

BATA’s listing agents communicated a deadline for best and final offers to be submitted by Aug. 1, 2023, to be considered, and a specific process for soliciting and reviewing the offers was followed.

“This is an exciting time for our region, and the sale of this property sets the stage to continue to grow and meet the expanding needs of public transit in our community,” said Richard Cochrun, BATA’s Board chairperson.

BATA will continue to occupy the Cass Road facility until Sept. 2024. Proceeds from the sale of this property will contribute to the cost of BATA’s new headquarters facility.