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Rio & Walnut Transit Transfer Center Improvement Project - Deputy Director Riske-Gomez
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Requested Action(s)
recommendation
Informational update regarding the approved Intergovernmental Agreement between the County of Tehama and the City of Red Bluff for the Rio & Walnut Red Bluff Transit Transfer Center.
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Financial Impact:
There is no direct fiscal impact to SSTAC. The Rio & Walnut Transit Transfer Center lease has been approved at a nominal cost of $1.00 per fiscal year. The overall transit center improvement project has a programmed budget of approximately $5.38 million, funded through dedicated transit and transportation sources, including State Transit Assistance, State of Good Repair, Carbon Reduction Program, Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities, and Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program / Zero Emission Transit Capital Program funds. Project funds are restricted for eligible transit capital purposes and are programmed for project engineering, construction, and related transit facility improvements.
Background Information:
The Rio & Walnut Transit Transfer Center has been the subject of ongoing planning, coordination, and project development for some time. Staff has continued to work with the City of Red Bluff, County departments, transit partners, and community stakeholders to advance improvements to the existing transit facility located at 735 Rio Street in Red Bluff, near the southwest intersection of Rio and Walnut Streets. The facility is owned by the City of Red Bluff and has long served as a public transit facility for TRAX riders and regional transit connections.
The proposed Intergovernmental Agreement between the County of Tehama and the City of Red Bluff has now been reviewed and approved by the City and the County. The Agreement provides for the County’s lease of the Rio & Walnut Transit Transfer Center for continued transit use, operation, maintenance, and future transit-related improvements. The lease term begins June 30, 2026, and continues through December 31, 2030, at a nominal rent of $1.00 per fiscal year.
The lease includes the transit facility, grounds, buildings, parking areas, landscaping, and associated infrastructure. Under the Agreement, the County may make improvements reasonably necessary to support the established transit terminal, including improvements to restrooms, parking, sidewalks, landscaping, and related site features.
The Rio & Walnut Transit Transfer Center project is best understood as an improvement and modernization effort for an existing transit hub, rather than a new stand-alone development. The purpose of the project is to maintain and enhance a facility that already serves transit riders and the broader public, while positioning the site to better meet current and future transit needs.
The facility is intended to function as a coordinated mobility hub and regional gateway for Red Bluff and the surrounding region. The site is expected to support connections between multiple transportation services, including TRAX, Amtrak, RABA, and the North State intercity bus route. Improvements are intended to support safer and more comfortable passenger transfers, better rider amenities, improved site functionality, and long-term multimodal connectivity.
Planned improvements may include upgrades to passenger waiting areas, restrooms, sidewalks, parking areas, landscaping, related site features, and future charging infrastructure. The project is also intended to support the facility’s role as a visible and welcoming point of arrival into downtown Red Bluff, helping connect regional transportation activity with local businesses, services, community destinations, and public amenities.
The project is being developed with sensitivity to the surrounding community and cultural context. Because the transit center is located near Red Bluff’s historic Chinatown area, project development has included an emphasis on historic preservation, community outreach, environmental review, and consideration of traffic, light, noise, neighborhood character, and community activities such as the annual Chinese New Year celebration.
SSTAC input remains important as the project moves forward. Staff is requesting comments related to passenger access, senior and disabled rider needs, ADA accessibility, rider comfort, transfer needs, shelter and waiting area usability, safety, visibility, and other service-related considerations.