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OCTOBER 17, 2024 • Vol. 40, No. 23
Troy Transit Center reaches 10th anniversary Amtrak hopes to double ridership by 2040 BY SARAH WRIGHT swright@candgnews.com
See TRANSIT on page 14A
SENIOR CENTER OFFICIALLY OPENS AT TROY COMMUNITY CENTER BY SARAH WRIGHT
swright@candgnews.com
The Senior Dining Room in the Troy Community Center has recently been revamped into the Troy Senior Center. In September 2022, the Oakland County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution
for American Rescue Plan Act funding to support the Oakland Together Senior Initiatives. Troy’s Recreation Department was awarded $250,000 through the program, which allowed for a sign labeling Room 402/402A in the Community Center as the “Senior Center,” along with the purchase of new furniture, upSee SENIOR on page 20A
ABOVE: Guests enjoy the updated space for the grand opening of the Senior Center inside the Troy Community Center. Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
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Since opening in 2014, the Troy Transit Center has served thousands of riders not only through Amtrak trips but also through its bus and taxi access. The 2,000-square-foot transit building, located at 1201 Doyle Drive, officially opened Oct. 14, 2014, and provides commuters, who could be interested in traveling by train as far as Chicago, with an indoor waiting area and free parking. “It’s really a night and day difference and really speaks to Troy stepping up,” Amtrak Senior Public Relations Manager Marc Magliari said. “A lot has happened in the last 10 years, and more is coming.” The project initially saw some difficulties with its land use issues during the development stage. Previously, the city had partnered with Birmingham, though they backed out later. Real estate developer Grand Sakwa Properties LLC donated 2.7 acres of the total 77-acre mixed-use commercial and residential property at Maple and Coolidge for the project under the condition that funding for the transit center be secured by 2010. While Troy did secure a $8.4 million federal grant, the money wasn’t acquired before the deadline, meaning the property ownership reverted to the company. This led to legal issues between the city and the devel-