2017-00078. Transfer of Federally Assisted Land or Facility

AGENCY:

Federal Transit Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of intent to transfer Federally assisted land or facility.

SUMMARY:

Section 5334(h) of the Federal Transit Laws, as codified, 49 U.S.C. 5301, et seq., permits the Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to authorize a recipient of FTA funds to transfer land or a facility to a public body for any public purpose with no further obligation to the Federal Government if, among other things, no Federal agency is interested in acquiring the asset for Federal use. Accordingly, FTA is issuing this Notice to advise Federal Agencies that the Champaign Transit System intends to transfer a 14, 850 square foot, one-story concrete block transit garage building to the Champaign County Sherriff's Department to store the sheriff's department vehicles and equipment. Champaign County currently owns the building.

DATES:

Effective Date: Any Federal agency interested in acquiring the Facility must notify the FTA Region V Office of its interest by February 8, 2017.

ADDRESSES:

Interested parties should notify the Regional Office by writing to Marisol R. Simón, Regional Administrator, Federal Transit Administration, 200 West Adams, Suite 320, Chicago, IL 60606.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Kathryn Loster, Regional Counsel, at 312-353-3869.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

49 U.S.C. Section 5334(h) provides guidance on the transfer of assets no longer needed. Specifically, if a recipient of FTA assistance decides an asset acquired at least in part with federal assistance is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was acquired, the Secretary of Transportation may authorize the recipient to transfer the asset to a local governmental authority to be used for a public purpose with no further obligation to the Government. 49 U.S.C. Section 5334(h)(l).

Determinations

The Secretary may authorize a transfer for a public purpose other than public transportation only if the Secretary decides:

(A) The asset will remain in public use for at least 5 years after the date the asset is transferred;

(B) There is no purpose eligible for assistance under this chapter for which the asset should be used;

(C) The overall benefit of allowing the transfer is greater than the interest of the Government in liquidation and return of the financial interest of the Government in the asset, after considering fair market value and other factors; and

(D) Through an appropriate screening or survey process, that there is no interest in acquiring the asset for Government use if the asset is a facility or land.

Federal Interest in Acquiring Land or Facility

This document implements the requirements of 49 U.S.C. Section 5334(h)(l)(D). Accordingly, FTA hereby provides notice of the availability of the Facility further described below. Any Federal agency interested in acquiring the affected facility should promptly notify the FTA.

If no Federal agency is interested in acquiring the existing Facility, FTA will make certain that the other requirements specified in 49 U.S.C. Section 5334(h)(1)(A) through (C) are met before permitting the asset to be transferred.

The facility is located at 308 Miami Street, Urbana, Ohio and consists of approximately a 14,850 square foot, one-story, concrete block, 12-bay transit garage building. The building was built in 1994 being approximately and has poured concrete footers and concrete slab floor. Other site improvements consist of a concrete apron on approximately 3,262 SF which has approximately 8 lined diagonal spaces of parking and 145 lineal feet of guard rail along the rear of the building.

If no Federal agency is interested in acquiring the existing Facility, FTA will make certain that the other requirements specified in 49 U.S.C. Section 5334(h)(1)(A) through (C) are met before permitting the asset to be transferred.

Marisol Simón,

Regional Administrator, FTA Region V.