No love for new Dayton truck stop

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - Tensions ran high at the Carillon Civic Council meeting Tuesday night. Neighbors are upset over the announcement that a Love's Travel Stop and Country Store is going to be built on Cincinnati Street near Interstate-75, the former site of the Delphi Automotive Plant.

"You didn't have enough guts to come to the neighborhood when it first started," says Claude Bell.

Bell has lived in his home for nearly 50 years and he fears for his safety.

"Truck stops are going to bring prostitution. They're going to bring dope in your neighborhood and you can't tell me those truck drivers know every crook and turn. They'll be coming through the neighborhood," comments Bell.

But, Love's Project Manager says they do their best to curb crime.

"We police them and by that I mean we have 24 hour employees out there the entire night...if something's going on, we're going to know about it," explains Frank Ille.

And he says the $8 million dollar investment will bring 55 to 60 permanent jobs, as well as many temporary jobs during construction.
Dayton's City Planning Manager says it will be positive thing for the entire community.

"We think it's going to be well lit, well-managed and we look forward to them being here," says Brian Inderrieden.

Love's plans to break ground in April or May of next year. Construction will take about 6 months.