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Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown Stutsman Development Corporation (JSDC) Board of Directors, has denied a request from Charlie Kourajian, representing a non-profit corporation for funds to build a bus shelter in downtown Jamestown.

JSDC Board President, Gary Riffe, says he personally supports the project, but does not believe that the JSDC was the proper funding source for the project.

Jamestown Bus Stop, Inc., was requesting $12,000 from JSDC toward estimated construction costs of $16,000. The balance would come from other sources.

Kourajian says bus transportation is important for economic development.

A small lean-to building is proposed for the southeast corner of the parking lot west of the Post House which is located on First Avenue South, downtown.

The building would include lights and heat but no restroom.

Windows would make up the entire south wall of the building to allow law enforcement to observe activities in the building.

Kourajian, expects to use volunteer labor to construct the building.

The plan also includes operations handled by one part-time employee and volunteers.

He’s looking at the possibility of selling bus tickets at the bus stop and using the 10 percent commission paid by the bus line to fund operations.

Jefferson Lines schedule includes two buses through Jamestown each day.

The buses stop in the city parking lot along First Avenue next to the railroad tracks, in a small three-sided shelter, with no lights or heat.

Kourajian says that bus service is also important to local social services agencies, that give bus vouchers to individuals traveling to Fargo or Bismarck for shelter.

If Kourajian is able to secure funding, he hopes to see the building finished before this winter.

The Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corp. Executive Committee will meet with local lenders before making a recommendation to the JSDC Board of Directors concerning participating in the Bank of North Dakota Flex Pace Affordable Housing program.

JSDC Executive Committee members said they want to hear from lenders and developers about how much a project like the JSDC is proposing would be used. COO  Connie Ova says the JSDC staff will try to schedule the special meeting on June 25.