Dignitaries open Rapid bus center in GR

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - After years of planning and construction, the expanded Rapid bus system's Wealthy Operations Center officially opened Saturday with a ribbon cutting that included US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

Renovations began in December 2009 on the $32.4 million project, which included $10.6 million in grants from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act -- aka Stimulus Money.

The facility's size was doubled and now has room for nearly 180 buses. Maintenance bays, office space and secured parking for employees also were added.

LaHood was joined by US Sen. Carl Levin, Walker City Commissioner Barb Holt (who is also the board chair for The Rapid), Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell and Jeff Cranson from MDOT. Rapid CEO Peter Varga introduced each speaker.

LaHood said in a release that the facility reflects President Barack Obama's "blueprint for an economy built on American manufacturing, American energy, skills for American workers and a renewal of American values."


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LaHood's son is one of at least 10 Americans and Europeans banned from leaving Egypt. The travel ban was part of an Egyptian criminal investigation into foreign-funded democracy organizations after soldiers raided the offices of 10 such groups last month, including those of two American groups.

The ban became public after Sam LaHood, Egypt director of the Washington-based International Republican Institute, went to Cairo's airport Jan. 21 to catch a flight and was told by an immigration official that he couldn't leave.

"I asked her why I was denied, she said she didn't know. I asked how to fix it, and she said she didn't know," said LaHood, 36. An hour later, a man in civilian clothes gave him back his passport and escorted him to the curb, LaHood said.

"It's a dark signal for groups who are interested in doing this kind of work," he said.

LaHood's father, a former congressman from Illinois, is the only Republican in Obama's Cabinet. The elder LaHood declined to comment.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.