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By Joanne Huist Smith, Staff Writer 11:45 PM Tuesday, April 13, 2010

DAYTON — Glimcher Realty Trust, the owner of Dayton Mall and the Mall at Fairfield Commons, has agreed to talk more about the proximity of bus stops to the Dayton Mall with Leaders for Equality & Action in Dayton.

Currently, three routes using 25-passenger buses — Route 60, serving Miami Twp./Miamisburg; Route 61, Miami Twp; Route 23; and Eastown Hub in Dayton, Kettering — are permitted to drop off and pick up passengers in the Dayton Mall parking lot about 300 yards from an entrance.

Many bus riders must use the stop at Kings Ridge and Lyons Ridge to get to Dayton Mall, about one-third of a mile from an entrance.

“For some folks who are elderly or not able-bodied, that’s quite a journey,” said Frank Ecklar, director of planning and marketing for the Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority.

Other RTA customers use a bus stop on Ohio 741, where they must cross that busy road and deal with the ramp at the mall entrance.

“It is a disaster waiting to happen,” said the Rev. Earl Hudson, pastor of Harris Memorial CME Church, one of the LEAD churches.

After a meeting with a delegation from LEAD on Tuesday, April 13, executives from Glimcher will send a representative to attend LEAD’s annual Nehemiah Action Assembly on Monday, where 1,500 people are expected to attend in support of finding a solution.

The assembly will be at 6:30 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 2300 S. Smithville Road in Dayton.

Dave Duebber, Dayton Mall general manager, said “The Dayton Mall gives more access (to RTA) than other retail facilities in the Miami Valley.”

Ecklar said RTA does have a stop on Stroop Road in Montgomery County, across the street from The Greene, which is in Greene County. The transit company also does not go onto the property of The Greene.

“Our funding primarily comes from Montgomery County sales tax,” said Ecklar, adding RTA is still interested in providing access to those locations.

Beavercreek has rigorous laws governing where bus stops may be located and what they must entail, including a concrete pull-off if the stop is located on a main thoroughfare.

For RTA schedules and route information, go to the RTA Web site, www.greater daytonrta.org/routes.

Staff writer

Dave Larsen contributed to this article.

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