The Spokane Transit Authority hopes to start construction next month of a $1.25 million park-and-ride facility on Spokanes South Hill.


The lot, which would provide space for bus riders to park their cars while they take STA buses to downtown Spokane, is to be built on just over two acres of land at the southeast corner of 31st Avenue and Southeast Boulevard, STA spokeswoman Molly Myers says.


STA has applied with the city of Spokane for a special-use permit to allow the project to move forward. STA hopes to obtain that permit later this month and select a contractor for the project in January. If work starts next month as expected, the facility likely would be completed by next October, Myers says.


Park-and-ride lots include passenger-vehicle parking spaces, a bus-passenger loading area, and a covered passenger waiting area. They are well-lighted and patrolled regularly by security guards, STA says.


STA has secured a federal grant to pay for 80 percent of the cost of the new park-and-ride lot. STA will pay the balance of the project cost.


Taylor Engineering Inc., of Spokane, has provided design and engineering services for the project and will be the construction manager.


STA bought the wooded site in December 2002 for just over $300,000 from the city of Spokane for a park-and-ride facility, Myers says.


Prior to 1999, Southeast Boulevard ended at 31st Avenue. In 1999, the city extended the boulevard farther south and east to connect with Regal Street at about 34th Avenue.


That thoroughfare since has become a well-traveled route for commuters driving from south Spokane neighborhoods to downtown and elsewhere.


STA currently has 12 park-and-ride lots in Spokane County, including three in North Spokane, three in Spokane Valley, two on the periphery of downtown Spokane, two on the South Hill, one in Airway Heights, and one in Cheney.