81 FR 68499 - Transfer of Federally Assisted Facility

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 192 (October 4, 2016)

Section 5334(h) 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 VIA Metropolitan Transit (VIA) intends to transfer the facility at 7535 Merton Mintor, Bexar County, San Antonio, Texas, to University Health System (a.k.a Bexar County Hospital District, hereinafter ``District''), a political subdivision of the State of Texas in San Antonio, Texas, serving Bexar County. The facility is attached and connected to a building and parking garage at the South Texas Medical Center. VIA used the facility from approximately 1998 to 2012 as a transfer facility. VIA discontinued use of the facility in December 2012 with the opening of its new medical center transfer facility at a different location. The District intends to use the facility for various hospital departments, including the Information Technology Department, and a Pediatric Food Bank. The transfer will provide benefits to the hospital by providing space for hospital department personnel and operations. The transfer will provide a benefit to the community in the form of the Pediatric Food Bank, filling a need for children that will allow them to stay nourished and healthy, with the goal of avoiding unnecessary hospital stays. The District plans to use the facility for at least 20 years and is planning renovations to the facility and its systems.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 192 (Tuesday, October 4, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68499-68500]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-23940]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration


Transfer of Federally Assisted Facility

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent to transfer Federally assisted facility.

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SUMMARY: Section 5334(h) 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 
VIA Metropolitan Transit (VIA) intends to transfer the facility at 7535 
Merton Mintor, Bexar County, San Antonio, Texas, to University Health 
System (a.k.a Bexar County Hospital District, hereinafter 
``District''), a political subdivision of the State of Texas in San 
Antonio, Texas, serving Bexar County. The facility is attached and 
connected to a building and parking garage at the South Texas Medical 
Center. VIA used the facility from approximately 1998 to 2012 as a 
transfer facility. VIA discontinued use of the facility in December 
2012 with the opening of its new medical center transfer facility at a 
different location.
    The District intends to use the facility for various hospital 
departments, including the Information Technology Department, and a 
Pediatric Food Bank. The transfer will provide benefits to the hospital 
by providing space for hospital department personnel and operations. 
The transfer will provide a benefit to the community in the form of the 
Pediatric Food Bank, filling a need for children that will allow them 
to stay nourished and healthy, with the goal of avoiding unnecessary 
hospital stays. The District plans to use the facility for at least 20 
years and is planning renovations to the facility and its systems.

DATES: Effective Date: Any Federal agency interested in acquiring the 
facility must notify the FTA Region VI office of its interest no later 
than November 3, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties should notify the Regional Office by 
writing to Robert C. Patrick, Regional Administrator, Federal Transit 
Administration, 819 Taylor Street, Room 8A36, Fort Worth, TX 76102

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eldridge Onco, Regional Counsel, (817) 
978-0557.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

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

Additional Description of Land or Facility

    The subject improvement is located on property legally described 
as: NCB 12816 BLK 6 LOT NE IRR 781.56 FT OF 4. The subject property 
consists of an easement encumbered with an improvement (building) and 
does not include fee to the land. The improvement is approximately 1925 
square feet consisting of a waiting area, two restrooms, ticket office 
and an elevator. The elevator goes up to the crosswalk of the 
University Health Center crosswalk. The facility is in fair to good 
condition. Public utilities are available: Water; sewer; telephone; and

[[Page 68500]]

cable. The improvements are attached to a parking garage owned by the 
District. The facility is no longer used by VIA because the agency 
constructed a new transfer center in the immediate vicinity. The 
easement to VIA restricts the use to public transportation purposes.
    If no Federal agency is interested in acquiring the existing 
facility, FTA will make certain that the other requirements specified 
in 49 U.S.C. 5334(h)(1)(A) through (C) are met before permitting the 
asset to be transferred.

Robert C. Patrick,
Regional Administrator, Federal Transit Administration Region VI.
[FR Doc. 2016-23940 Filed 10-3-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-57-P