Replace the existing transit storage and maintenance facility with new modern facilities that improves the delivery of services allows for expansion of the transit fleet and reduces the…

The Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration awarded the City of Iowa City $29.286 million on June 2, 2026, under the Buses and Bus Facilities program (CFDA 20.526) to design and construct a new transit operations and storage facility coupled with a fleet maintenance facility, and to replace four electric buses with four 40-foot diesel hybrid buses.

The existing transit facility has reached the end of its service life, suffers from recurring structural settlement, and is space-constrained as the fleet grows. The new facilities will be constructed at a separate location, allowing continued use of the current site during construction. Upon completion, the replacement facility will co-locate transit maintenance with the equipment maintenance division of the city's Public Works department, enabling operational efficiencies and collaboration on a single campus. The project serves the current and future traveling public relying on transit service in the Iowa City metropolitan area, as well as transit employees and users.

The period of performance extends through December 31, 2031. Work is performed in Iowa. The recipient reports no subrecipient activities; all funds support direct eligible expenses under the award.

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to replace the existing transit storage and maintenance facility with new modern facilities that improves the delivery of services allows for expansion of the transit fleet and reduces the long-standing recurring maintenance burdens of the existing facility. Additionally the new facilities will situate transit maintenance adjacent to the equipment maintenance division facilitating collaboration and operational efficiencies by locating city of iowa citys public works and transit departments on a single campus. The project is necessary because the existing transit facility is in a state of disrepair has recurring settlement and has reached the end of its service life. Additionally the current site is space constrained presenting challenges in maintaining the fleet as IT grows.

Activities

The design and construction of a new transit operations (and storage) facility and fleet maintenance facility. The facilities will be constructed at a new location allowing the existing facility to be used while the new facility is constructed.additionally the replacement of (4) 40 electric buses (bus numbers 101 102 103 and 104 as noted in the POP) with (4) 40 diesel hybrid buses.

Expected outcomes

The design and construction of a new transit operations (and storage) facility and fleet maintenance facility to replace the current facility. The replacement of 4 electric buses that have reached the end of their useful life.

Intended beneficiaries

The current and future traveling public who rely on transit service in the iowa city metropolitan area. Iowa city transit employees and users and all who work at or visit the iowa city transit facility.

Subrecipient activities

None. As direct recipient of these funds there are no subrecipient activities.