LIVONIA, NY – June 24, 2024 – The Livonia Central School District proudly announces the grand opening of its new state-of-the-art transportation facility, marking a significant milestone in enhancing the district’s transportation infrastructure. The new facility, located at 44 Memorial Drive on the school’s campus, will officially open its doors on July 1, 2024.
The construction of this modern facility began in February 2023, and it represents a major upgrade from the district's previous off-site leased location. This move allows the district to own and operate its transportation facility, providing a more efficient and centralized hub for school bus operations, maintenance, and administrative functions. By moving to the new on-campus location, the district will reduce mileage driving back and forth to the off-campus location by over 50,000 miles each year. This reduction not only saves on fuel costs and wear-and-tear on the buses but also contributes to the district’s sustainability efforts.
The project was expertly designed by HUNT-EAS while Campus Construction Management oversaw the construction process, ensuring the project was completed on time and within budget. Remarkably, the project was completed without any additional impact on the tax levy. The cost of the project was covered by New York State Building Aid for School Districts, with a portion being contributed from the district's Capital Reserve Fund, which had been prudently saved over the years prior to the project.
The facility was designed with a number of features to be prepared for future electric vehicle (EV) requirements. There is conduit going throughout the site to ensure that the facility is future-proof. The district is currently working with National Grid and NYSERDA to secure grant funding to cover the costs necessary for EV infrastructure that can be easily installed due to this foresight. This spring, the district acquired its first electric bus through grant funding, marking a significant step towards a more sustainable future. The District is committed to minimizing the cost of implementing this new mandate and these areas of foresight are contributing to minimizing the burden on the taxpayers of the District.
Board of Education President, Josh Monster, noted that “It has been a long-time goal of the School District to own and operate its own Transportation Facility. We are grateful for the work of Dr. Lonneville, our transportation staff and our partners in working diligently to ensure we were finally able to accomplish this goal!”
Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Jeremy Lonneville, stated that “I am thrilled for the opening of the new Transportation Facility and I am most excited for our transportation staff. For years, they have not had a home on our campus. This facility will allow our bus drivers to have a clean and comfortable location before, between and after their shifts. It will allow for our bus mechanics to work in a safe and secure environment. Our school buses travel over 400,000 miles each year and our mechanics work to ensure our buses are safe and secure for our students. Having a modern transportation facility will allow us to continue to offer a safe, secure and orderly transportation program for our students.”
The new facility is designed to accommodate the growing needs of the district, with features including expanded parking for the bus fleet, advanced maintenance bays, and modern administrative offices. This investment makes certain that the Livonia Central School District can continue to provide safe, reliable, and efficient transportation services for its students.
Senator Pam Helming stated “I am grateful to Dr. Lonneville and the entire Livonia Central School District for their diligence in achieving their goal of building and operating their own Transportation Facility. This new centralized hub will help both students and taxpayers by providing efficiency and ample cost savings while also contributing to sustainability efforts.”
Assemblywoman Marjorie Byrnes added “I applaud the Livonia Central School District for their commitment to increasing their sustainability efforts while keeping the financial impact on taxpayers at a minimum. A beneficial location change, a balanced approach to implementing unfunded state mandates around energy, and taking advantage of grant opportunities and capital reserve funds, exemplify responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. The transportation facility project is a testament to their dedication to enhancing the well-being of students, employees, and the broader community."
Details will be forthcoming on the date and time for a community open house when the facility will be open to the community for tours.
The Livonia Central School District is committed to fostering an environment that will inspire all students to develop the knowledge, skills, and character necessary to become their best selves. The new transportation facility is a testament to this dedication. By investing in infrastructure, the district aims to support the educational journey of every student, ensuring they have access to the resources and opportunities they need to achieve and thrive.
For further information, please visit https://www.livoniacsd.org/o/lcsd/page/capitalproject2024 or contact the Livonia Central School District Office.
Jeremy Lonneville, Superintendent
Phone: (585) 346-4000 ext. 4100
E-mail: jlonneville@livoniacsd.org