Project officials and citizens alike braved a pre-afternoon downpour Monday to attend Sound Transits dedication of its newest – and southern-most – transit center and park-and-ride facility in DuPont.
The deluge, however, couldnt dampen the enthusiasm of those present to celebrate the opening of the new facility, which will provide covered waiting areas, six bays, public art and 125 parking stalls in the initial phase.
Sound Transit Boardmember and Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg praised the transit center, saying it exemplifies Sound Transits broader mission of extending bus service throughout the Puget Sound region.
Sound Transits regional mission goes beyond the urban areas of Seattle, Tacoma, Everett and Bellevue, he said. When Sound Transits ST Express regional bus system begins serving this facility next week, it will help connect residents of south Pierce County and north Thurston County with jobs and destinations throughout the region.
Ladenburg also had kind words for the public-private partnership between Sound Transit and Quadrant Corp., project developer.
As a result, we were able to complete the project three years ahead of schedule and $2 million under budget, Ladenburg pointed out.
Sound Transit purchased the property from the Quadrant Corp., which developed the property. Pierce Transit will operate the facility.
Steve Dennis, president and CEO of Quadrant Corp., agreed, noting that its not uncommon for public-private ventures to be talked about, but it is rare for such partnerships to become reality.
We were just part of a much bigger team, he said.
DuPont Councilmember Bonnie Potts said the transit center harkened back to the citys early history as a transportation hub.
The City of DuPont – a mixed, urban village featuring office, retail and residential buildings located south of Tacoma – began as Ft. Nisqually, a Hudsons Bay Co. trading post built in 1833. In 1869, the U.S. government bought the site and opened it up for settlement.
DuPont is once again becoming a transportation hub for businesses, community and families, Potts said.
Pierce County is a great place and Im proud to live in Pierce County,
said Dave Enslow, Sound Transit Boardmember and a City of Sumner Councilmember.
On Monday, Feb. 3, ST Express Route 592 DuPont/Lakewood-Seattle Express will begin peak weekday service to the DuPont Station.
In 1996, voters approved funding for Sound Transit to provide a regional system of transit improvements.
DUPONT STATION AT A GLANCE
Location: Interstate 5 at Wilmington Drive and Palisade Boulevard
Facility Type: Transit Center and Park-and-Ride
Sound Transit Budget: $6.7 million
Partners: Sound Transit, City of DuPont, Pierce Transit and Quadrant Corp.
Developer: Quadrant Corp.
Project Architect: Merritt + Pardini
Contractor: GLY Construction
