About the Transit Center Relocation Project…
The Yolo Transportation District and City of Woodland are studying options for a new transit center in Downtown Woodland. The new transit center would improve connectivity between Downtown Woodland and key regional destinations, and would replace the outdated and unsafe transit center in the declining County Fair Mall.
Proposed Location: 2nd and Court Street
The proposed transit center would be on Court St at 2nd, adjacent to the Yolo County Administrative Building. The existing bus stops at this location would be expanded with two new additional bus bays, new bus shelters and bike parking. The project would also include pedestrian safety improvements at 2nd and Court, including new crosswalks with flashing beacons, sidewalk improvements, lighting improvements, and painted bike lanes.
Connecting Downtown to the Region
A new transit center will provide direct, one-seat ride from Downtown Woodland to key destinations including UC Davis, Airport and Downtown Sacramento via the Route 42A/B, with fast, frequent service all day. The new transit center will improve access to downtown for downtown workers, shoppers and residents.
Improving Safety For Travelers
The new transit center will improve safety, by replacing the existing transit center in the unoccupied, poorly lit area of County Fair Mall. The mall property has experienced frequent safety incidents and vandalism in recent years. Transit riders have expressed safety concerns about the center. While the current transit center would close, Yolobus passengers would still be able to access destinations at the Mall via bus stops on Gibson at East Street.
Your Input Is Needed
Can’t make it to the event? Take the survey below. Tell us your thoughts about the current transit center at County Fair Mall, and any feedback you have on the proposed new transit center location at 2nd and Court Street. Click Here to take the survey!
Background
The transit center serves as the central hub for local and intercity buses. Transit centers are usually located close to a key destination or cluster of destinations, such as a central business district or major employer. They are a place to facilitate transfers from one bus route to another. Transit Centers are situated in a location that allows for several buses to stop simultaneously, which generally requires a larger footprint than a typical bus stop.
In Woodland, the transit center is located at the County Fair Mall, a declining mall at the southern end of town. The transit center is isolated in the southwest corner of the mall parking lot, with no open businesses other than Walmart. YoloTD frequently receives unsolicited feedback regarding safety issues at the current location. Several serious incidents have occurred in recent months including a homicide.
The YoloTD Board of Directors and the City of Woodland has long wanted to move the Woodland Transit Center out of the County Fair Mall. The City of Woodland, Yolo County Housing, and YoloTD is partnering with an affordable housing developer to apply for state funding that could fund improvements to a downtown Woodland transit center and to develop affordable housing near Downtown at the Yolano-Donnely site on Lemen Avenue. These upgrades would allow YoloTD to move our transit center into a lively and more comfortable environment for existing and future riders.
Project Process to Date….
Considerable analysis has been conducted over the past 5 years to find a suitable alternative to the County Fair Mall, including:
2019 Off-Street Transit Center Study
In late 2019, a draft project development report was prepared for an earlier iteration of the Woodland Transit Center project. The draft report identified and evaluated seven potential off-street sites for a new transit center based on a multi-year project process, focusing on a downtown site at either 1) 3rd & Court or 2) between Armfield Ave & Main Street. Since then, several factors changed the facility requirements and siting priorities for the transit center including the desire for an on-street transit center which can accommodate a move more quickly in response to deteriorating conditions at the County Fair Mall.
Spring 2023: Phase 1 On-Street Alternatives Analysis & Design Concepts
In April 2023, YoloTD began revisions to the prior study of possible new locations for the Woodland Transit Center. The project scope included identifying multiple on-street locations in downtown Woodland that meet facility requirements without requiring private right-of-way and preparing initial concept layouts for feasible options.
Fall 2023: Citizens Advisory Committee
In November 2023, preliminary alternatives were brought to the YoloTD Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) for input. The CAC unanimously supported the 2nd & Court Street site for a downtown
Winter 2023: Transit Rider Survey
In December 2023, YoloTD issued a survey to existing transit riders on their perceptions of relocating the transit center away from the County Fair Mall (stating a specific location). The survey received almost 500 responses, with the key themes being:
- Less than 5% of respondents had “negative” or “very negative” perceptions of moving away from the County Fair Mall
- Importance of ensuring any new transit center location is accessible by walking and bicycling
Spring 2024: Phase 2 30% Design for 2nd & Court Street
In April 2024, findings of the Phase 1 downtown transit center analysis were presented to the YoloTD Board, which included two sets of three alternatives. Operational benefits and drawbacks of each location were presented, with the YoloTD Board affirming the 2nd & Court Street location as the “Preliminary Preferred Alternative” pending additional analysis. The Board authorized staff to proceed to 30% design to better understand traffic impacts, infrastructure improvements, relocation costs, and timing.
Staff Report (pdf pages 221-253)
Winter 2024: YoloTD Board Reaffirms Support for 2nd & Court Street Location
In December 2024, the YoloTD Board was presented with the results of the Phase 2 30% Design as well as a long-term opportunity to site a purpose-built transit center facility in coordination with the Yolo County Housing Authority’s (YCHA) Yolano-Donnelly redevelopment project near East Street and Lemen Ave. This site has some advantages in that it meets many siting criteria while being funded by the state Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) grant program, if awarded. However, the YoloTD Board reaffirmed support for a transit center at the 2nd & Court Street location if the needed infrastructure improvements at that location are eligible for AHSC grant funds, which have since been confirmed.
Staff Report
