Mayor to use funds for parking lot expansion

Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon announced that $250,000 has been included in the House-passed Transportation-HUD Appropriations bill for the Palmdale Transportation Center’s parking facilities.  The Center opened in April 2005 and has been providing citizens a regional transportation hub offering connections between Antelope Valley Transit Authority local and commuter bus service, Metrolink commuter rail service, Santa Clarita Transit bus service, Greyhound bus service and Amtrak Throughway bus service.

[view:node_ad=5] “The funding I secured for the Palmdale Transportation Center will provide city officials the resources needed to construct an adequate amount of parking for patrons,” said McKeon.  “Currently, the Center needs about 120 more parking stalls, because they are expected to reach capacity by the end of this year.”  McKeon continued, “The Center provides a great service to residents, travelers and commuters, and I, personally, would like to see remain at its pinnacle.”

City officials requested funding for the City of Palmdale Transportation Center.

    * Palmdale Transportation Center – $250,000 for the construction of additional parking lots at the Palmdale Transportation Center .  Since opening, the parking facilities at the Center have consistently been at 85% – 90% of capacity, and are expected to reach 95% – 100% by the end of 2007.  There is a need for an additional 123 parking stalls at the Center, which would primarily serve transit commuters.  

Following today’s announcement that the City’s requested funds passed the U.S. House, City of Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford , made the following statement:

 "We're excited that the Congressman was able to support us in our desire to expand our parking garage,” said Ledford.  “This project will bring much needed capacity to the area."

 The City of Palmdale ’s Transportation Center was included in the Transportation-HUD Appropriations bill that passed the House late Tuesday.  From here, the bill moves to the U.S. Senate for a vote and later to conference between both Houses.  In order for the bill to become law, it must then be signed by the President.