The Greater Dayton RTA will detour its buses because streets will be shut down during Saturday’s planned demonstrations, and the Wright Stop Plaza will be closed from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon.
The Dayton Metro Library’s flagship facility at 215 E. Third St. will not be open on Saturday because of safety concerns for patrons and staff.
“The Dayton Police Department and other first responders will have intensive resources deployed for a rally taking place on Courthouse Square on that date, and as such, are unable to assure rapid response should any health or safety issue arise at the main library,” said Tim Kambitsch, executive director of the library system.
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RTA buses will be detoured in downtown starting on Thursday when Ludlow Street, between Second and Fourth streets, and the intersection of Main and Third streets are shut down.
All streets surrounding Courthouse Square will be blocked Friday at about 7 p.m., around which time Wright Stop Plaza will close. The RTA bus hub is expected to reopen Sunday afternoon.
Monument Avenue near RiverScape MetroPark will close Saturday at 10 a.m., and all RTA routes will be impacted during this time period, the transit agency said.
Buses could run late due to detours and also because the RTA will give riders additional time to find their buses at temporary lineup locations around the Dayton Metro Library, the agency said.
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Southbound and eastbound buses will line up on St. Clair Street between Third and Second streets, while northbound and westbound buses will be stationed along Patterson Boulevard between Third and Second streets.
All bus stops will be closed between Wilkinson and Jefferson streets, from Fourth to First streets. All stops on Monument Avenue from Patterson Boulevard to Jefferson Street will be offline.
City officials and community leaders are urging the public to avoid the downtown area on May 25 during the event, but the city is preparing for potential emergencies and large demonstrations.
"If you don't have to be downtown, the area should be avoided. There are no guarantees for personal safety in a civil unrest environment," the city said.
Citizens can learn more about Saturday's rally by the Honorable Sacred Knights of Indiana by visiting www.daytonohio.gov/may25.
The Dayton Police Department also is asking the public to call 911 on Saturday if they see people in need of medical attention or other emergencies.
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