Cherokee Area Transit Service to Open New Site by End of 2025

A new Cherokee Area Transit Service facility is expected to be built by the end of 2025.

The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted July 2 to approve a $478,575 professional services agreement with Wendel Architecture, P.C., for design and construction administration services for the new CATS building.

According to the county, the new site, on the southwest corner of Univeter Road and Pinecrest Road near Canton, will provide adequate space for current needs as well as growth of CATS operations as needed for the next 20-plus years.

The project is funded by a Federal Transit Administration Grant and Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, with the FTA grant covering 80% of the cost and SPLOST covering the other 20%.

CATS currently operates out of 884 Univeter Road, sharing a building with fire logistics and several other county departments. Office and warehouse space in the building, as well as parking for employees and buses, has exceeded capacity at this location, according to the county.

The design of the new building is expected to be completed in early 2025 with construction expected to start in April 2025, according to the county. Construction is expected to be completed at the end of 2025.