FAIRFIELD — Upset over plans to revitalize the city's oldest and most traveled business strip, dozens of merchants along Ohio 4 have formed a coalition.

        The city wants to clean up and make safety improvements along the strip, which carries about 42,000 cars daily and is dotted with some 350 businesses. Ohio 4 is lined with dozens of vacant buildings especially as the road creeps closer to Hamilton, and is the scene of a high number of accidents.

        But some business owners fear the city eventually could seize their property through eminent domain and reduce their access to the thoroughfare. Others also oppose medians that have been proposed to prevent left turns out of some businesses. U-turns instead could be encouraged.

        “We aren't against beautification as long as we don't have to foot the bill for it,” said Tom Burer, president of Winton Development, which owns several properties along Ohio 4. “We are very much against access management. They reason we located here was to have access to Route 4.”

        The goal of the recently launched group, called Coalition of Route 4 Property and Business Owners, is to help shape the revitalization plan more to businesses' needs, Mr. Burer said. So far there are about 50 members.

        “We are going to try to work something out with (the city),” he said. “We are the people who have the most to gain or lose.”

        Previous meetings city leaders held with business owners to discuss the effort, however, have not been well attended. At a series of sessions in March, about 50 business representatives participated out of 350 invited.

        Merchants overwhelmingly objected thento reduced entrances into businesses off Ohio 4, and requested the speed limit belowered from 50 mph to 35 mph to slow down potential customers.

        The four-lane road stretches five miles through Fairfield north to Hamilton. It has seen 1,280 accidents the past three years — a high number for a road its size — according toproject consultants. That's partly because the road has many curb cuts, including some with short entrances.

        The public forums resume with a 3-7 p.m. session today at the Lane Public Library in Fairfield.

        The city has earmarked $2 million for the plan over the next four years and might seek federal and state funding and grants.

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