Laketran Celebrates Headquarters Renovation & Expansion, 50^th Anniversary

Laketran, Lake County, OH, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony recently for its newly expanded and modernized Frank R. Angeloro Laketran Headquarters. The event also marked the agency’s 50^th anniversary of providing service to the community.

The $22 million operations and maintenance facility renovation, designed by Cleveland-based Bowen and constructed by Ozanne Construction Company, adds 37,670 square feet of operations and bus storage space to Laketran’s existing 162,000-square-foot headquarters. The project was made possible through a competitive FTA bus and bus facilities grant.

“This expansion represents our unwavering commitment to providing efficient, accessible, and reliable transportation for Lake County residents,” said Laketran CEO Ben Capelle. “By investing in modern facilities, we can better serve our growing senior population, improve our workforce’s operations, and ensure we’re equipped to meet future transit needs. I’m very excited that we completed the project on time and on budget.”

The updated headquarters will enhance Laketran’s ability to support a fleet of 160 vehicles and adds storage for 40 additional Dial-a-Ride vehicles. Building improvements include an expanded operations center for dispatch, scheduling, and driver’s areas, as well as the addition of a new maintenance bay and expanded indoor vehicle storage.

In addition to unveiling the expanded facilities, Laketran dedicated its boardroom to the memory of Laura T. Pizmoht, a former board member who made significant contributions to the organization and community. Her leadership and vision were instrumental in advancing the headquarters expansion project and fostering public trust in Laketran’s mission. “Laura’s legacy of service and dedication will continue to inspire us,” said Capelle. “The newly named Laura T. Pizmoht Memorial Boardroom honors her commitment to ensuring reliable, accessible transportation for all Lake County residents.”

The ribbon-cutting event was also an opportunity to reflect on Laketran’s five decades of service. Reflections were provided by the three CEOs who have led the organization during the past 50 years: Frank Polivka (1979-2003), Ray Jurkowski (2003-2017), and Ben Capelle (2017-present).