Laketran Ribbon Cutting Event Celebrates Headquarters Renovation, Expansion & 50th Anniversary

Laketran Board of Trustees and community partners recently celebrated Laketran’s 50th Anniversary. (Photo courtesy of Laketran)

Laketran, the regional public transportation provider for Lake County, OH, recently celebrated a major milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly expanded and modernized Frank R. Angeloro Laketran Headquarters. The event also marked Laketran’s 50th anniversary of providing reliable transit services to the community.

With over 260 community members in attendance, the celebration brought together local officials, community leaders, transit peers, contractors, and current and former agency trustees to commemorate the completion of a $22 million Operations and Maintenance Facility renovation. The project, designed by Cleveland-based Bowen, and constructed by Ozanne Construction Company, adds 37,670 square feet of operations and bus storage space to the existing 162,000-square-foot headquarters.

“This expansion represents our unwavering commitment to providing efficient, accessible, and reliable transportation for Lake County residents,” Laketran CEO Ben Capelle said. “By investing in modern facilities, we can better serve our growing senior population, improve our workforce’s operations, and ensure we’re equipped to meet future transit needs. I’m very excited that we completed the project on time and on budget.”

Laketran’s updated headquarters will enhance its ability to support a fleet of 160 vehicles and adds storage for 40 additional Dial-a-Ride vehicles — a crucial service for seniors and people with disabilities, according to a press release.

The release added: “Building improvements include an expanded operations center for dispatch, scheduling, and driver’s areas, as well as the addition of a new maintenance bay and expanded indoor vehicle storage. These upgrades will create a high-quality work environment for Laketran’s frontline workforce while increasing efficiency and sustainability.”

The renovation was made possible through a competitive Federal Transit Administration grant for buses and bus facilities.

In addition to unveiling the expanded facilities, Laketran dedicated its boardroom to the memory of Laura T. Pizmoht, a former board member who made significant contributions to the organization and community. Pizmoht joined the Laketran Board of Trustees in July 2022, bringing her expertise as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney and former Willoughby Hills Council member.

The ribbon-cutting event was also an opportunity to reflect on Laketran’s five decades of service. Historic reflections were provided by three CEOs who have led the organization during the past 50 years — Frank Polivka (1979-2003), Ray Jurkowski (2003-2017), and Ben Capelle (2017-present).

“For 50 years, Laketran has served over 700,000 riders annually with Local Routes, door-to-door Dial-a-Ride services, and Park-n-Ride commuter options to Cleveland. With this expansion, Laketran is positioned to serve the community for decades to come,” the release added.