ANAHEIM, CA - (February 23, 2012) - Momentum continues to build for the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center – ARTIC – as the iconic transportation center project moves forward with plans for a groundbreaking this fall and grand opening in the fall of 2014. Upon completion ARTIC is projected to serve more than 10,000 commuters each day, and will increase mobility options for residents, business travelers and visitors to Anaheim, Orange County and the entire southern California region.

Another milestone in this grand project is the federal environmental approval recently garnered by the City of Anaheim and the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) for ARTIC. On Feb. 21, ARTIC received a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for its Environmental Assessment from the Federal Transportation Authority (FTA), thus completing both state and federal environmental approvals for this project.

“By gaining final environmental approvals from both the federal and state government, ARTIC has cleared two significant hurdles that move the project much closer to groundbreaking,” said Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait. “The City of Anaheim is working closely with OCTA on the planning and construction of this state-of-the-art facility. ARTIC will make travel in Southern California easier and we all look forward to the completion of this project.”

Project documents are moving toward completion with the preparation of construction plans, permit review processes, and anticipated design completion in late spring. The next major ARTIC project milestone is project bidding, which is also on target for late spring and will be preceded by a pre-bid conference. Upon selection of a general contractor, construction is anticipated to start this fall.

In addition to receiving its final environmental clearance, the City of Anaheim is winning awards based on design and sustainable building practices related to the ARTIC project.

Enhancing the quality of life for Anaheim residents and creating a “greener” environment are priorities for the City. The commitment to these priorities was rewarded when in January, the City and the ARTIC Project were notified that they were the recipients of three prestigious awards and a $350,000 grant: The American Institute of Architects Award, U.S. Green Building Award, an Orange County Business Council Red Carpet Award, and the Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program grant.

American Institute of Architects Award

The ARTIC Project received the 2011 American Institute of Architects (AIA) - San Fernando Valley Design Award of Merit in the Mixed Use Category. The AIA awards are annually presented to a wide range of deserving projects from initial drawings and models to completed construction projects. Each project must fulfill the judge’s criteria of excellence from meeting the client’s needs to excellence in design solutions. Awards were granted to exceptional projects across the country.

U.S. Green Building Award

The City of Anaheim received the Eco City Award as the greenest city in Orange County by the Orange County chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council. Anaheim received the award based on the City’s incentives in green development, knowledge of LEED Building and planning, LEED Certified buildings, City Council Sustainable goals and website information supporting green building and sustainability. The City’s efforts for innovative, sustainable and green projects for residents and businesses stood out among the judges. Examples include the LEED Platinum ARTIC Project, along with transportation systems, outdoor spaces, public outreach and education and incentives offered by various departments including Anaheim Public Utilities, Planning and Public Works.

OCBC Red Carpet Program Award

ARTIC received the award for Real Estate Redevelopment and Reuse, for the City’s example of the public sector taking on, and completing, the risks of land entitlement, zoning and environmental cleanup, and preparing the land for both public and private sector development. The private sector benefits with certainty, early efficiencies and cost savings in planning for ultimate development uses that may include commercial, retail and residential, as well as a world-class transportation center benefitting all of Orange County.

Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program (EEMP) Grant - Project: Santa Ana River Trail Mitigation Project

The City of Anaheim was awarded $350,000 for the construction of the Santa Ana River Trail Project. This project will construct a multi-purpose trail between the Santa Ana River and ARTIC. The purpose of the EEMP is to exceed environmental requirements by encouraging pedestrian and bicycle transportation and adding shade trees to reduce carbon emissions. This grant was provided by the California Natural Resource Agency.

For additional information or questions about the project, visit ARTICinfo.com, call the project helpline at 1-877-99-ARTIC, or email info@ARTICinfo.com. Visit www.AConnext.com, connecting you to Anaheim's current and future transportation vision.

For more information about the City of Anaheim, please visit www.anaheim.net.

ABOUT ARTIC - ARTIC (Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center) will be a world-class transportation center where people will seamlessly move between transit services to reach Southern California's activity centers and business districts. Transit-oriented developments in the immediate area will integrate with the ARTIC Project to form a vibrant Southern California community. The design will be functional, adaptable and flexible to meet the needs of the users and service providers.

Media Contact: Ruth Ruiz 714.765.5060more city news

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ABOUT ANAHEIM – The City of Anaheim, founded in 1857, is one of the nation's premier municipalities and is one of California's most populous cities. Anaheim covers 50 square miles with more than 343,000 residents and more than 2,950 City employees. The municipal corporation's annual budget is $1.5 billion. Anaheim supports a thriving business community with companies such as Carl Karcher Enterprises, Inc., L-3 Communications, Pacific Sunwear, and Disneyland Resort. Successful sports franchises call Anaheim home, including Angels Baseball, Anaheim Ducks, the U.S. Men's National Volleyball Team, the 2012 Olympic Games Silver Medal winning U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team, and the Professional Arena Soccer League Anaheim Bolts. Anaheim also boasts world-class meeting and entertainment venues with the Anaheim Convention Center, LEED-certified and the largest on the west coast, Honda Center, City National Grove of Anaheim, Anaheim GardenWalk, and Angel Stadium of Anaheim. In addition, Anaheim embraces its vibrant cultural arts community, including the world-renowned Anaheim Ballet. Annually, Anaheim welcomes millions of visitors to the city, truly making it where the world comes to live, work and play. For more information, please visit www.anaheim.net.

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