Troy to vote again on proposed transit center

Troy vetoed proposed transit center in December; new proposal aims for cost-cutting

An illustration of the proposed Troy transit center as it was brought forward to City Council in December.

TROY, Mich. – A proposed transit center in the city of Troy was derailed when Birmingham backed out of the plan in April and Troy leaders voted it down in December. But on Tuesday night, the plan may be back on track.

On Tuesday, the Troy City Council will vote on a new proposal. The Council vetoed the original $8.4 million plan with a 4-3 vote. Businesses began to backlash when the city forfeited the federal funds, which lead the Troy Chamber of Commerce to start working diligently with the Council to come up with a cost-cutting resolution.

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"In fact, the Chamber is at the table addressing the issue of the operating expenses, and we see it as an opportunity to find that new model and transform the community where there is less of a reliance on the Troy resident tax payer and more of a business model in place that will sustain and cover those costs," said Michele Hodges, president of the Troy Chamber of Commerce. "And that's what we have committed to bring to the table tonight."

The new proposal is not to exceed $6.2 million.

Troy councilman Wade Fleming was the swing vote in December and is expected to be the deciding vote Tuesday night. He would not comment on Tuesday's meeting.

"I'm hopeful the parties that are part of this and the Council itself will look to that and know that their concerns have been met and vote favorably for it," Hodges said.

Meanwhile, local Amtrak passengers want the vote to pass the proposal more than anyone.

"There's no amenities. There's no restrooms. There's just a booth that is unheated," said Amtrak passenger J. Anthony Hill. "And it's lit at night time, but it's kind of dark, so I think they could probably just work something in the budget because when you stop along the Amtrak route there is other places that have nicer facilities. So knowing that, if they could make it better for those of us people that travel Amtrak, they should."

The proposed transit center will include more than 100 parking spots, indoor bathrooms, a waiting facility and more amenities.

The meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Troy City Hall. The public is welcome.