Board gives green light to move downtown Lincoln bus stop, but opponents aren’t giving up

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The StarTran Advisory Board voted unanimously Thursday to move the downtown bus transfer center to the north side of 11th and L streets.

Officials said safety is one of the biggest reasons to relocate the transfer center from its current spot at 11th and N streets.

The Lincoln Transportation and Utilities Department said the new site will have security cameras, off-duty police officers, benches and restrooms.

Eventually, the transfer center will move again, once the city builds a larger transportation hub. That’s expected to take about three years.

SEE ALSO: City of Lincoln hears from public on plan to move 11th Street bus transfer center

But business owners want to hit the brakes on the temporary move.

The owner of The Hot Mess, Sarene Freet, said business owners are working together to appeal.

“The appeal process will come from a city council member to make sure that this proposal is in front of an elected body, which is what we’ve been asking for since the beginning,” Freet said.

The city changed the original plans for the transfer center to address concerns such as lack of parking.

But business owners said losing parking spots was the least of their concerns. They said traffic and safety are what worry them the most.

SEE ALSO: Businesses say new plan for downtown Lincoln bus stop doesn’t address ‘elephant in the room’

Bus riders have mixed feelings about the change.

“I think it is a great idea to get us away from the construction company,” Nick Cannon said.

Another bus rider said the change will be confusing.

“This is the spot that everybody knows, that everybody is used to,” Kenneth Burley said. “It will be so much confusion, I believe.”

SEE ALSO: Plan to move 11th Street bus transfer center has Lincoln business owners concerned