The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) in Columbus recently renamed its park-and-ride facility in Reynoldsburg, OH, in honor of longtime agency employee Jim Hutcherson. Reynoldsburg Mayor Brad McCloud and COTA President/Chief Executive Officer Bill Lhota participated in the program to rededicate the facility as the “James M. Hutcherson Reynoldsburg Park and Ride.”

Hutcherson retired from COTA in 2011 after a 38-year career with the system, serving in positions ranging from bus operator, street and radio supervisor, and superintendent of street operations to senior service analyst in the planning department.

“Jim is well loved among his peers,” said Lhota. “He … is already greatly missed as a member of our team at COTA. Jim’s expertise and connections proved integral to the improvement of COTA’s business operations and successful service expansion.”

Along with renaming the park-and-ride facility, COTA implemented renovations including repairing broken curbs and sidewalks; repaving and striping the parking lot; installing a high-capacity passenger shelter, bike rack, and ramps to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act: and replacing drains and grates.

 

COTA employees honor Jim Hutcherson (10th from left, wearing cap) by renaming a park-and-ride facility in his honor. At far left is COTA President/CEO Bill Lhota.