After years of planning, preparation and construction, the Goleta Train Station is ready for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, 10 a.m. Dec. 16 at 27 S. La Patera Lane.
Community members are invited to join the city of Goleta and the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) for the celebration.
Attendees will from speakers about how the project came together and what it means for the region; enjoy light refreshments; and tour the station.
Spanish interpretation will be available.
“We are so excited to show you our beautiful new Goleta Train Station,” said Mayor Paula Perotte. “So much thought and consideration went into every detail of this project, and the result is something we all can be proud of.
“There are so many people and groups on all levels that made this vision a reality and we hope you will be part of acknowledging those efforts and marking this special milestone with us,” she said.
The new full-service multi-modal train station, next to the existing Amtrak platform, is a transformative project for the region, the city said.
The tag line for the Goleta Train Station, Where All Paths Connect, embodies the vision of the station, the city said.
It creates a permanent, full-service passenger rail facility designed to make train travel more convenient and better connected to the broader transportation network.
After the ribbon cutting ceremony, attendees can head inside for a first look at the station and grounds.
Highlights include: a community room, bicycle room, two children’s climbing play structures, informational kiosks, two new bus stops, 13 electric vehicle charging stations, plaza areas, landscaping with about 100 trees, and Chumash interpretive signage about native plants.
The station is designed and built to current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, and its rooftop solar panels supply most of its power.
Parking for the ceremony, which is limited, include the lot across the street from the station, along South La Patera Lane, and in the surrounding area.
The $32 million station project advances a long-term state and regional investment in passenger rail along the 351-mile Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) rail corridor, connecting communities throughout Southern California and the Central Coast.
SBCAG secured $17.9 million for the project through California’s Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program, a state program that invests in projects to expand and improve rail and transit service.
The city of Goleta contributed $7.8 million in other city funds toward design and construction and $6.7 million to acquire the property for the station.
“The completed station reflects years of collaboration among the city of Goleta, SBCAG, the state of California and regional rail partners to provide another transportation option for Santa Barbara County and support continued investment in passenger rail service,” officials said.
For more information, visit www.CityofGoleta.org/TrainDepot.