SAMTB and city of DeKalb look into possible changes
September 23, 1991
For students wishing to shop at Northland Plaza, there might be a more accessible bus stop to the mall.
A request from a store manager for a bus stop in the parking lot is something the Student Association Mass Transit Board and the city of DeKalb will look into.
Lorena Butts, styling salon manager of J C Penney Co., 2500 Sycamore Rd., put in the request last week. She said she believes the stop would be to everyone’s benefit, including the bus service because there would be an increase in ridership.
“I’m always looking for a means to increase our business. I think the mall is missing a big share of the market,” Butts said.
Pat Sanchez, SAMTB director, said this is definitely something to look into. “We’re going to pursue this,” Sanchez said.
Cameron Davis, administrative assistant for the city of DeKalb, said safety concerns would have to be looked into because it is a congested parking lot.
On a different note, SAMTB member George Abbott said he received input on the issue of changing the Handivan name. The name is short for Handicapped Van, and some feel this name is inappropriate, Abbott said.
A contest will be sponsored to rename the service. The winner will receive a free dinner from McDuffy’s restaurant, 1262 W. Lincoln Hwy., he said.
Other business included two stop changes on route two. The stops, numbers 14 and 15, are both located on Fourteenth Street at Lewis Street and Prairie Avenue.
“Nothing bad has come up yet,” Sanchez said. “We would like to prevent anything before it does happen.”
The stops will each be moved one block north. The changes will be in effect Sept. 30.