By JOHN PECK
Times Staff Writer
jpeck@htimes.com
Bus stop, shuttlesystem possiblefor Bridge Street
Water taxis will ply the lakes in the planned $210 million World Famous Bridge Street retail/office/entertainment complex in Cummings Research Park.
A shuttle bus system may also be offered to help transport people to and within the business park.
The City Council last week authorized requests for bids for construction of an intermodal facility - a bus terminal/parking garage - in Cummings Research Park. Some $7 million in federal transit funds has been authorized for the project.
The transit proposal comes as Cummings continues to expand. Columbia High School is now open on the west edge of the research park, the sprawling Bridge Street retail project is under construction, and officials recently announced a $130 million biotechnology research institute expected to create 900 direct jobs and hundreds of spin-off jobs.
The resolution authorizing the bids for the transit station claim it will reduce current and projected traffic congestion within the park, reduce air pollution by providing an environmentally friendly commuting practice, and further improve the city's overall quality of life.
Joe Vallely, director of economic development for Huntsville, said the Bridge Street developers, O&S Holdings of Los Angeles, were instrumental in nabbing the grant money for the parking/intermodal structure.
"We're going to look at it and try to make a determination on ridership and whether a bus stop is needed," he said.
Vallely said the decision revolves around cost, demand and logistics.
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