Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) announced today that $1.1 million would be earmarked, at his request, for Saginaw transit and development projects in the conference report of the Fiscal Year 2008 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill as passed by the House of Representatives today.  The bill requires the President’s signature to be enacted.

Under provisions of the bill, the City of Saginaw will receive $670,000 to acquire land near St. Mary’s Hospital and demolish abandoned buildings in the surrounding neighborhoods, and the Saginaw Transit Authority Regional Services (STARS) will receive $500,000 in federal aid to improve facilities and install automated fare boxes. 

Funding for the City of Saginaw will aid in the effort to remove vacant and dilapidated buildings that pose a public health hazard and are magnets for criminal activity.   In 2006, the City of Saginaw adopted a revitalization plan that includes land acquisition and blight removal from properties in the 100-city block area encompassed by Washington Ave., Genesee Ave. and Holland Ave.

Demolition is the initial phase in Saginaw’s plan for revitalization.  When the first phase is completed, the City will finalize a community development plan and, in cooperation with the Saginaw County Land Bank, acquire property to initiate commercial and residential development.

“Saginaw’s urban redevelopment plan is vital to the continued growth of the city,” said Kildee.  “Crumbling buildings are hazardous to fire fighters and harbor criminal activity.  Once we have weeded out the decayed structures of the past, new growth will emerge in Saginaw.”

Funding for STARS will be used to renovate and expand the Rosa Parks Operations Center.  Upgraded facilities will include a new training center, a new information technology center, and improvements to the garage.  New administrative and management offices will be included in an addition to the existing structure.

“I am pleased that I was able to secure funding for public transit in Saginaw.  This will ensure that residents will have access to affordable public transportation as gas prices in Michigan still average $3.24 per gallon,” said Kildee.  “A reliable public transportation system is vital to economic prosperity and public safety and provides residents with better access to facilities and services.”

In addition, automated fare boxes will be placed in STARS busses.  The fare boxes will provide information to the Transit Authority to synchronize passenger data with bus schedules for increased reliability.

The House-Senate conference report awaits the approval of the Senate and the President.