Construction Begins On Nation's First Alternative Fuel Vehicle Center Located in the City Heights Redevelopment Area.

Business Editors

Regional Transportation Center Will Showcase Benefits of

Alternative Fuel Vehicles When It Opens in May 2003

Construction is now underway on the nation's first Regional Transportation Center (RTC), a $17.9 million, 60,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility designed to educate people about the benefits of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs), according to Steve Bimson, managing director of the San Diego Environmental Foundation.

Located on 1.4 acres at the corner of El Cajon Blvd. and Interstate 15, the RTC is designed to serve as a gateway project in the City Heights Redevelopment Area. Scheduled to open in May 2003, the RTC will house an Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Showroom, an AFV Rental/Demonstration Operation, an AFV Servicing Center, an AFV Fueling Station and Alternative Fuels Education Center.

Designed by Cross Architects, the RTC's architecture reflects a high-tech feel of the 21st Century, while its subtle design elements recall the golden age of motoring in the 1950s. The RTC is being built by Lusardi Construction. In addition, Exponents, Inc. will design and build the kiosks as well as handle the build-out of the AFV Education Center. Cynosure New Media, Inc. will provide all video feeds to the kiosks as well as scripting, casting and production of all video elements for the Education Center.

"With construction now underway, we are now approaching our dream -- the nation's first Regional Transportation Center located in San Diego, a community that has taken a leadership role in the effort to educate our youth, and the public at large about innovative ways to improve our environment," said Bimson. "When complete, the RTC will be the first of its kind to focus on showcasing the benefits of alternative fuels and the viability of alternative fuel vehicles." "The RTC's innovative educational program will offer area students important insights into the causes and impacts of air pollution," said State Senator Dede Alpert (D-San Diego). "As young people learn about the contributors to air pollution and the value of clean air, they will see more clearly the relationship between their behaviors and their impacts on air quality."

"I have seen the RTC evolve over the past three years. It brings to San Diego a state-of-the-art facility with educational opportunities for our children and it promotes cars that pollute less. The added employment and economic effects will be felt for a long time. It's a welcome addition to our city," said Assemblymember Christine Kehoe.

A major tenant of the RTC, the San Diego Environmental Foundation, will operate the AFV Education Center within the facility. Funded in part by a $1.4 million donation from Ford Motor Company, the RTC Education Center is designed to educate middle and high school students about innovative technologies which will improve the environment. The Center's curriculum, developed in partnership with the San Diego County Office of Education, will focus its lessons on alternative fuels (compress natural gas (CNG), liquefied propane gas (LPG), ethanol (E-85), electricity, low-sulfur diesel and biodiesel) and the vehicles that they power. The Education Center will be equipped with the latest multimedia teaching tools. Students will be wowed by an animated presentation projected in multimedia style theater, guided through the Center with a digital visual tour device, and will have fun with interactive computer kiosk demonstrations. It is expected that 20,000 students from the San Diego region will visit the Center each year.

The RTC's signature structure will be the AFV Showroom. This facility will be a stunning example of modern, state-of-the-art automobile showroom design -- efficient, comfortable and high-tech, yet conducive to the fine art of commerce. The showroom floor will showcase Ford Motor Co.'s complete line of AFV's, alongside conventionally powered vehicles. The showroom will be managed and operated by Pearson Ford, a family-owned Ford dealership, which has been in continuous operation for more than 60 years.

Complementing the showroom, will be the AFV Rental/Demo Operation which will expose the general motoring public to the advantages of new fuel technologies by allowing them to drive and experience the new vehicles.

The AFV Service Center will provide both AFV and conventional automobile owners with a convenient location for vehicle repairs. The Service Center will have multiple service bays equipped to service various types of AFVs, both from Ford and other manufacturers.

The AFV Fueling Station is designed to efficiently accommodate the fueling requirements of all AFVs. Six types of alternative fuels will be available at the AFV Fueling Stations, including compress natural gas (CNG), liquefied propane gas (LPG), ethanol (E-85), electricity, low-sulfur diesel and biodiesel. Gasoline will also be available to fuel bi-fuel, flex-fuel and conventional automobiles.

The RTC has received financial support from Pearson Ford, Ford Motor Company, U.S. Department of Energy, California Air Resources Board, City of San Diego via a HUD grant, and other organizations.

For more information on the Regional Transportation Center, visit the RTC website at www.rtc4afv.com.

About The San Diego Environmental Foundation

Established in 1998, the San Diego Environmental Foundation's mission is to educate the general public on actions they may take to reduce environmental degradation and to support environmental projects that benefit San Diego's environment. The Foundation's Board of Directors consist of academic, community and business leaders committed to environmental initiates. In additional, an Advisory Board of politicians, professors and environmentalists assist in formulating and implementing the Foundation's projects. For more information, call [phone].