‘Green’ building will increase access to public transportation
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 15, 2012) — Gov. Steve Beshear today announced the awarding of a $5 million federal grant for creation of a transit hub in downtown Hindman that will increase access to public transportation in four eastern Kentucky counties.
The grant will be used by LKLP Community Action Council Inc., which provides transportation services in Leslie, Knott, Letcher and Perry counties. The grant is from the Federal Transit Administration and will be administered by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
“For 41 years, LKLP has been a transportation lifeline for the counties it serves,” Beshear said. “For many of our fellow Kentuckians, especially the poor, elderly and disabled, public transportation is the difference between isolation and access to jobs, doctors, grocery stores and other shopping.”
The project involves renovation of property in downtown Hindman to create a transit hub and parking structure. “Green” building techniques will be used, including the installation of solar roof panels to help power the facility. The structure will be LEED certified — Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design — and will have an ENERGY STAR rating.
“Providing better transportation for these counties opens avenues to new opportunities and allows some of our vulnerable citizens easier access to necessary services,” said Sen. Johnny Ray Turner of Prestonsburg.
“This has been a great team effort, and I want to especially mention Charlie Cornett who worked tirelessly to bring this project to life,” said Rep. John Short, of Hindman. “The transit hub will provide public transportation to our residents who for too long have been unable to perform simple things because they had no access to a vehicle. These funds will also create a center of hope and support to assist people struggling to survive this difficult economy.”
The facility will include transit offices, bus parking, rider parking and a waiting room for riders, who can make connections for other routes, including inter-city routes.
The hub, which will be within 1,000 feet of a low-income housing area, also will host LKLP Outreach Services, whose many offerings include home ownership counseling and workshops on predatory lending, budgeting, credit repair and foreclosure, among others.
The parking facility will have an outdoor, perimeter walkway that can double as a walking track, serving the dual purpose of connecting to the transit facility and city sidewalks and encouraging exercise.
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