The Global Biorisk Advisory Council® (GBAC), a Division of ISSA, today announced that the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) has achieved GBAC^® STAR Facility Accreditation for its transit centers and administrative offices. Other facilities recognized this week include Richmond International Airport in Richmond, Va.; Colorado Convention Center in Denver; and various hotels around the world.

“GBAC^® STAR is the cleaning industry’s only outbreak prevention, response, and recovery accreditation for facilities, and is designed to support them at every step in the journey,” said GBAC Executive Director Patricia Olinger. “Organizations that commit to the program send a clear message to their employees, customers, and visitors that they are advocates for a cleaner world.”

The award-winning COTA has roots dating back to 1863 when it was known as the Columbus Street Railroad Company. Today, it employs more than 1,200 workers and serves more than 1.2 million residents in Greater Columbus and Central Ohio. Each year, COTA provides over 19 million passenger trips across 42 routes. Recently, COTA partnered with Columbus City Schools, Ohio’s largest school district with nearly 50,000 students, to help students safely return to in-person learning. This makes it more important than ever to have the proper cleaning, disinfecting, and infection prevention protocols in place at six transit facilities and its administrative offices in Columbus, Ohio.

“We are proud to be one of only two destinations in the world that can offer a GBAC accredited public transit system,” said Brian Ross, President and CEO of Experience Columbus. “COTA is an essential piece of the visitor experience in Columbus, and we are glad to know travelers can feel an added level of comfort now that the organization has received its GBAC^® STAR accreditation. COTA has been a leader in the community and the industry in regards to COVID-19 cleaning practices, and this third-party validation of their efforts is further proof of that.”

This week’s newly accredited facilities include:

Airport

• Phoenix Goodyear Airport in Goodyear, Az.
• Richmond International Airport in Richmond, Va.

Office/Commercial Offices

• 10 Hudson Yards in New York
• 30 Hudson Yards in New York
• 35 Hudson Yards in New York

Convention Centers

• Colorado Convention Center/ASM Global in Denver

Hotels

• Hyatt Place Atlanta Duluth Johns Creek in Duluth, Ga.
• Hyatt Place San Juan/Bayamón in Bayamón, Puerto Rico
• Hyatt Place Sanya City Center in Sanya Hainan, China
• Hyatt Place Chicago/Schaumburg in Schaumburg, Ill.
• Hyatt Place State College in State College, Pa.
• Hyatt Regency DFW in Dallas
• Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island in Kunigami-gun, Japan
• The Talbott Hotel in Chicago

Transportation Provider/Centers

• COTA Administrative Offices in Columbus, Ohio
• COTA Easton Transit Center in Columbus, Ohio
• COTA Linden Transit Center in Columbus, Ohio
• COTA Near East Transit Center in Columbus, Ohio
• COTA Northland Transit Center in Columbus, Ohio
• COTA Spring Street Terminal in Columbus, Ohio
• COTA South Terminal in Columbus, Ohio

“It’s imperative that facilities do their part in reducing the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses,” said ISSA Executive Director John Barrett. “GBAC^® STAR accreditation helps organizations establish a comprehensive system of cleaning, disinfection, and infectious disease prevention for their staff and building.” 

Learn more and apply for GBAC^® STAR facility accreditation at gbac.org/star. 

Find accredited facilities and those pursuing accreditation via the GBAC^® STAR Facility Directory at gbac.org/directory.