Middletown to accept donated lot from Coach USA for planned transportation hub; DOT funds available

Middletown council voted to accept a parcel donated by Coach USA as part of a broader plan to build a Middletown Transportation Hub.

An unidentified city staff member told the council that Coach USA purchased a lot from Orange County Trust for about $220,000 and will donate it to the city so it can be incorporated into the hub. "The DOT paid them for the purchase," the staff member said, describing the transaction that made the donation possible. The staff member added the city will negotiate a lease with Coach USA so the company can continue to use the parking area for its buses.

Alderman Massey raised a legal concern about very long leases, saying, "I think it's a 40 year or some there's there's some legal issues that have to be addressed with the legality of going beyond 40 years." Council members clarified the action before them was limited to the vacant lot on Orchard/Robert Street; a separate parcel needed for a ticket booth or office must be secured from a private property owner for the overall site to qualify for DOT funding.

City staff said approximately $7.5 million in Department of Transportation funding is available to support the transportation hub project if the site meets funding requirements. The council approved the resolution accepting the parcel; the motion was moved by Massey and seconded by Rodriguez and carried by voice vote in the meeting record (the spoken minutes show two "Aye" responses while two members indicated they would not vote).

The council did not finalize lease terms at the meeting; staff said negotiations over a long-term lease will be completed later. The project remains contingent on acquiring the additional small parcel needed to satisfy DOT eligibility and on the outcomes of those lease negotiations.