Options sought in wake of Southridge Mall bus changes
GREENDALE (WITI) -- The Milwaukee County Board's Transportation and Transit Committee voted unanimously on Wednesday morning, October 23rd, to explore possible legal actions it can take against Southridge Mall and its owner, Simon Malls.
Southridge management has said starting Friday, November 1st, it will ask buses to drop off passengers at a new location -- one farther from the mall's entrance. Management says moving the bus stop will improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety.
On Wednesday morning, Ann Newcomer was one of the riders who spoke before the Transportation and Transit Committee.
"When somebody says you can't come here, that really hurts, you know. I don't want to be discriminated against," said Newcomer.
But even before supervisors heard public comment, some were already saying the county should call the mall's bluff.
"I say November 1st we continue as normal and let's see if some these challenges, let's see if some of these challenges stand up in court because I think that's what we need to do," said Milwaukee Co. Supervisor Steve Taylor.
Under the proposed changes, the Route 46 Freeway Flyer will no longer stop on mall property -- and the site of that stop will no longer be a Park-and-Ride location. The four other routes that run to the mall will begin to stop at that location.
Critics of the proposal have scheduled a protest for Thursday morning outside of Southridge Mall.
Neither Southridge Mall nor the public relations firm that sends out its releases, returned calls from FOX6 News on Wednesday.