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Carbondale man wants Greyhound stop

BY CALEB HALE, THE SOUTHERN

Friday, May 11, 2007 7:09 AM CDT

CARBONDALE - When David More says he wants to put a Greyhound bus stop at 215 N. Washington St., what he really means is he wants to revitalize that area of Carbondale.

"This right here is the future of downtown Carbondale," More said, standing on the sidewalk in front of the gray building he hopes will serve as the city's next stop for bus passengers.

Sharing a door with what is now a small apparel store but what was once the Cadillac Lounge, More's Greyhound depot is little more than an old desk, a telephone and some framed posters along two of the walls.

More already is selling tickets over the phone from the location, but the buses stop only at the Amtrak station along Illinois Avenue at the moment.

Should More get the approval of the city council, he may be able to trade a couple of parking spaces along North Washington for a bus arrival zone. He will take it before the council at its June 19 meeting.

However, More has already run into resistance from Carbondale's planning commission.

Members recently rejected his proposal on grounds it may disrupt other businesses in the area and brought up concerns the building lacks an adequate shelter area for passengers.

More said he is addressing the concerns and hopes the city council will agree his idea is a good one for the section of town.

"We're working on answers to whatever objections people may have, but I think it should be passed. It will help this whole area pick up," More said.

The storefronts along North Washington, just off the intersection of East Jackson Street, have seen better days.

More said he knows several people who are willing to do something with the vacant buildings in the area, if just given a chance.

More, who's been a resident of Carbondale since he arrived as a Southern Illinois University Carbondale student in the 1970s, is no stranger to creative ventures.

In addition to selling Greyhound tickets, More works with the Art Lovers Trading Co. on East Main Street and maintains several community blogs.

He was responsible for the "Marry the Mayor" blog, which attracted some attention earlier this year in trying to find a date for Carbondale Mayor Brad Cole.

caleb.hale@thesouthern.com

351-5090