[Federal Register: February 12, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 29)]
[Notices]               
[Page 7167-7168]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12fe03-83]                         


-----------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION


Federal Transit Administration


 
Transfer of Federally Assisted Land or Facility


AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT.


ACTION: Notice of intent to transfer Federally assisted land or 
facility.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------


SUMMARY: Section 5334(g) of the Federal Transit Laws, as codified, 49 
U.S.C. 5301, et seq., permits the Administrator of the Federal Transit 
Administration (FTA) to authorize a recipient of FTA funds to transfer 
land or a facility to a public body for any public purpose with no 
further obligation to the Federal government if, among other things, no 
Federal agency is interested in acquiring the asset for Federal use. 
Accordingly, FTA is issuing this notice to advise Federal agencies that 
the Norwalk Transit District (NTD) intends to transfer approximately 
2.11 acres of land and improvements thereon at 100 Fairfield Avenue, 
Norwalk, Connecticut.


EFFECTIVE DATE: Any Federal agency interested in acquiring the parcel 
of land must notify the FTA Region I Office of its interest by March 
14, 2003.


ADDRESSES: Interested parties should notify the Regional Office by 
writing to Richard H. Doyle, Regional Administrator, Federal Transit 
Administration, 55 Broadway, Room 921, Cambridge, MA 02142.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard N. Cole, Director of 
Operations and Program Management, at 617/494-2395; or Jackie Hathaway, 
FTA Headquarters Office of Program Management, at 202/366-6106.


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Background: 49 U.S.C. 5334(g) provides guidance on the transfer of 
capital assets. Specifically, if a recipient of FTA assistance decides 
an asset acquired under this chapter at least in part with that 
assistance is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was 
acquired, the Secretary of Transportation may authorize the recipient 
to transfer the asset to a local governmental authority to be used for 
a public purpose with no further obligation to the Government.


49 U.S.C. 5334(g)(1) Determinations


    The Secretary may authorize a transfer for a public purpose other 
than mass transportation only if the Secretary decides:
    (A) The asset will remain in public use for at least 5 years after 
the date the asset is transferred;
    (B) There is no purpose eligible for assistance under this chapter 
for which the asset should be used;
    (C) The overall benefit of allowing the transfer is greater than 
the interest of the government in liquidation and return of the 
financial interest of the government in the asset, after considering 
fair market value and other factors; and
    (D) Through an appropriate screening or survey process, that there 
is no interest in acquiring the asset for government use if the asset 
is a facility or land.


Federal Interest in Acquiring Land or Facility


    This document implements the requirements of 49 U.S.C. 
5334(g)(1)(D) of the Federal Transit Laws. Accordingly, FTA hereby 
provides notice of the availability of the assets further described 
below. Any Federal agency interested in acquiring the affected land and 
improvements thereon should promptly notify the FTA.
    If no Federal agency is interested in acquiring the existing land 
and improvements thereon, FTA will make certain that the other 
requirements specified in 49 U.S.C. 5334(g)(1)(A) through (C) are met 
before permitting the asset to be transferred.


Additional Description of Land or Facility


    The property is located at 100 Fairfield Avenue in Norwalk, 
Connecticut, and contains approximately 2.11 acres of land and a 
building which is approximately 26,495 square feet. The property has 
two 10,000 gallon underground fuel tanks and a leak detection system.
    The land is of a triangular shape and is situated along exit ramp 
14 eastbound of the Connecticut Turnpike, and the building fronts on 
Cedar Street. The land slopes down from Fairfield Avenue and the Cedar 
Street properties. The building is approximately 26,495 square feet; it 
consists of a metal sandwich panel construction with a rubber ballasted 
roof; and it is fully sprinklered. Almost \2/3\ of the building was 
used for vehicle storage; and as a result, the heating and lighting 
systems in that area have limited capacity. The space is clear span. 
The balance of the building was used for a vehicle washer, four 
maintenance bays, and approximately 3,000 square feet of office space, 
toilets and showers.
    The building is in fair condition but may need painting, a new 
roof, substantial cleaning and considerable cosmetic work. Fumes from 
the maintenance and storage area seep into the office area at times; 
and during


[[Page 7168]]


extremely wet seasons, there is water seepage in the storage area.


    Issued on: February 6, 2003.
Richard H. Doyle,
Regional Administrator.
[FR Doc. 03-3454 Filed 2-11-03; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-57-P