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an estimated $2.2 million project to relocate the bus transfer station from Lemon Avenue to a site near the intersection of Ringling Boulevard and School Avenue, about a mile east. During their May 16 budget workshop, the county commissioners unanimously voted to continue studying the proposed move of the downtown SCAT station. The plan calls for hiring a consultant to "fine-tune" some of the operational details. Proponents of the relocation say it will open up redevelopment possibilities for the parcel at Lemon Avenue and First Street at the same time an upgraded station will provide space for more buses at a given time. But the discussion is likely to intensify as residents are invited to express their views. During the May 16 workshop, county com- missioners asked when SCAT passengers will be able to start offering their comments. After a consultant comes up with concepts for the new station, staff said, public meetings will be held on the proposal. THE CHALLENGES Kelly Kirschner, a lifelong Sarasotan and past mayor of the city, lives in the Alta Vista neigh- borhood, one of the residential areas close to the proposed site of the new transfer station. He also spoke at Monday's City Commission meeting. Kirschner said the 2002 SMART proposal, which he described as a "spaghetti overlap" of bus routes, is similar to other transit systems that have been proven to reduce headways An aerial view shows the proximity of the downtown transfer station to other properties. Image courtesy Sarasota County Sarasota News Leader June 6, 2014 Page 31