Laketran invests $22 million into an Operations and Maintenance Facility renovation to prepare for future transit service in Lake County
Lake County, OH – Laketran, the regional public transportation provider for Lake County, celebrated a major milestone on Friday, January 24, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly expanded and modernized Frank R. Angeloro Laketran Headquarters. The event also marked Laketran’s 50th anniversary of providing reliable transit services to the community.
With over 260 community members in attendance, the celebration brought together local officials, community leaders, transit peers, contractors, and current and former agency trustees to commemorate the completion of a $22 million Operations and Maintenance Facility renovation. The project, designed by Cleveland-based, Bowen and constructed by Ozanne Construction Company, adds 37,670 square feet of operations and bus storage space to the existing 162,000-square-foot headquarters.
“This expansion represents our unwavering commitment to providing efficient, accessible, and reliable transportation for Lake County residents,” said Laketran CEO Ben Capelle. “By investing in modern facilities, we can better serve our growing senior population, improve our workforce’s operations, and ensure we’re equipped to meet future transit needs. I’m very excited that we completed the project on time and on budget.”
Laketran’s updated headquarters will enhance its ability to support a fleet of 160 vehicles, and adds storage for 40 additional Dial-a-Ride vehicles—a crucial service for seniors and people with disabilities. Building improvements include an expanded operations center for dispatch, scheduling, and driver’s areas, as well as the addition of a new maintenance bay and expanded indoor vehicle storage. These upgrades will create a high-quality work environment for Laketran’s frontline workforce while increasing efficiency and sustainability.
Board President Brian Falkowski highlighted the importance of the project, saying, “Both our ridership and number of employees have more than doubled since this headquarters was built 30 years ago. This expansion allows us to meet the growing demand for transit services and to better support our employees in delivering safe and dependable transportation.”
The renovation was made possible through a competitive Federal Transit Administration grant for bus and bus facilities.
In addition to unveiling the expanded facilities, Laketran dedicated its boardroom to the memory of Laura T. Pizmoht, a former board member who made significant contributions to the organization and community. Laura joined the Laketran Board of Trustees in July 2022, bringing her expertise as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney and former Willoughby Hills Council member. Her leadership and strategic vision were instrumental in advancing the headquarters expansion project and fostering public trust in Laketran’s mission. “Laura’s legacy of service and dedication will continue to inspire us,” said CEO Ben Capelle. “The newly named Laura T. Pizmoht Memorial Boardroom honors her commitment to ensuring reliable, accessible transportation for all Lake County residents.”
The ribbon-cutting event was also an opportunity to reflect on Laketran’s five decades of service. Historic reflections were provided by the three CEOs who have led the organization the past 50 years – Frank Polivka (1979-2003), Ray Jurkowski (2003-2017), and Ben Capelle (2017-present). “Celebrating 50 years of serving Lake County is a momentous occasion,” said CEO Ben Capelle. “We’re proud of our history and excited for the future as we continue to grow and innovate to meet the needs of our community.”
President Brian Falkowski added, “This day is a testament to the dedication of our team, the support of our partners, and the trust of our community. We’re grateful for our support provide by many local community partners and elected officials to secure the federal funding for this project and the collaboration of Bowen and Ozanne Construction in bringing this vision to life.”
The event concluded with remarks from local leaders, including Lake County Commissioners, who emphasized the vital role Laketran plays in connecting residents to jobs, healthcare, and community activities.
For 50 years, Laketran has proudly served over 700,000 riders annually with Local Routes, door-to-door Dial-a-Ride services, and Park-n-Ride commuter options to Cleveland. With this expansion, Laketran is positioned to serve the community for decades to come.
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Event photos & building rendering: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/t1cgop3vdunb743pikby3/APTUe9bqHaFNMZ0OUS4oepk?rlkey=81v8gjqzlsq6d5zj5qgerg9hu&e=1&dl=0