"When" is Still the Questions for SCSU Transportation Center

By Glenn McNeil

Within the past two weeks, the Post & Courier has posted numerous articles regarding challenges at South Carolina State University's University Transportation Center. The Jun 14, 2010 article cited twelve years of a vacant area initially planned as the site of the James E. Clyburn University Transportation Center (JECUTC).

In a related article posted on Jun 24, 2010, a South Carolina State University board member said he will ask trustees to approve an audit of the JECUTC at an upcoming retreat.

While accounting for funds looms large for the JECUTC, perhaps a bigger issue is a plan for the center going forward. When, or if, implemented, the center could provide excellent training for local transportation/logistics career oriented prospects.

According to the college's website, the JECUTC places major focus of intermodal research, education and technology on transportation-related programs. Completion of a $50 million transportation center would certainly help the cause.

The UTC program, initiated in 1987 under the Surface Transportation and Uniform Relocation Assistance Act, authorized the establishment and operation of transportation centers in each of the 10 standard federal regions.

With over 30 University Transportation Centers nationwide it would be great to complete construction of the JECUTC complex - a project started over ten years ago. A project that could recruit, educate and mode local talent. A project that could help South Carolina's economy.

Now South Carolina State University plans to conduct an audit of millions and confirm where funds may have been spent. Supposedly, a little over $26 million remains for the new complex but questions have come up regarding the center’s program funding.

As an explanation of millions of funds which are not accounted for, a finance official said the university put in place a new financial recording system a few years ago, and it's difficult to access records from the old system. Not much assurance for taxpayers.

According to university officials they still hope to move forward with a complex for the JECUTC.