RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

DATE: January 9, 2008 TO: Riverside County Transportation Commission Sheldon Peterson, Program Manager FROM: Stephanie Wiggins, Regional Programs Director THROUGH: Anne Mayer, Executive Director SUBJECT: Perris Multimodal Transit Center Dedication

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:

This item is for the Commission to authorize the dedication of the Perris Multimodal Transit Center (PMTC) to Ward Kimball at the request of the city of Perris (Perris) and the Riverside Transit Agency (RTA).

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The Commission is the project lead for development, design, and construction of the PMTC located between 4th and C Streets in Perris. This project is jointly funded between the Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) and the Commission. Phase I of the project will include eight bus bays with a 141 space park and ride lot and Phase II will be the development of the Metrolink station for the Perris Valley Line (PVL) service. Phase I of the project is currently in final design and construction is anticipated to begin in the summer of 2008.

The new PMTC is a key component of the downtown revitalization efforts in Perris and along with the restoration of the historic depot will become a source of pride for Perris. As such, Perris would like to do something special at the station by dedicating the PMTC to the late Ward Kimball. Mr. Kimball was an Academy Award-winning Disney animator and avid railroad enthusiast who donated numerous antique railroad items, including an 1881 steam locomotive that bears some of his original artwork on the headlamp and cab, to the Orange Empire Railway Museum in Perris.

Ward Kimball (1914-2002) was a member of Walt Disney's team of top animators known as “Disney's Nine Old Men.” Mr. Kimball created numerous classic Disney characters including Tweedledum, Tweedledee, the Mad Hatter, and the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland; Lucifer, the cat, and Jaq and Gus, the mice, in Cinderella; and Jiminy Cricket in Pinocchio. Kimball is also credited with helping Walt Disney with the inspiration to install the Disneyland Railroad at Disneyland.

Agenda Item 7C Dedication Details and Financial Impact

Plans to honor Mr. Kimball at the PMTC would include name plaques at the entrances, a marker inside with a brief biography, and reproductions of his art at various points within the center. The cost for the dedication for the displays and signage would be included as part of the existing Transit Enhancement Grant portion of the project budget. It is anticipated for the dedication enhancements to cost less than $20,000.

To clarify, this dedication does not impact the formal naming of the future Metrolink station, which will be finalized as part of the PVL project. Naming of the station is based upon geographic locations.

The Perris City Council approved dedicating the facility to Mr. Kimball at its October 9 meeting, and the RTA Board unanimously approved the recommendation at its November 7, 2007 meeting. The Commission has received a letter from RTA requesting that the PMTC be dedicated to Mr. Kimball.

Attachment: Letter from RTA

Agenda Item 7C