By Anna Guido
Enquirer contributor

WEST CHESTER TWP. - Officials trying to revitalize U.S. 42, the original gateway into this Butler County community, say they want to bring new businesses and improved roads to Pisgah.

Tuesday, a public hearing will be held on recommended improvements to the historic two-lane highway and its abutting business district. The 8:15 p.m. hearing will be at the township administration building, 9100 Centre Pointe Drive.

"There is a potential for this area to be blighted and get worse, and we want to make sure that doesn't happen," township trustee Jose Alvarez said. "Not doing anything is not a solution."

The public hearing comes nearly two years after the township launched a study into the revitalization of U.S. 42.

A series of meetings has since been held among community and business leaders, landowners and McGill Smith Punshon Inc., the Sharonville architectural and engineering firm hired to develop a revitalization plan.

"One of the problems we've had with some of the landowners is their lack of understanding about the proposal," said Jose Castrejon, heading the project.

In West Chester Township, U.S. 42 extends three miles from the Hamilton County line in Sharonville, northeast to the Warren County line in Mason.

Ken and Shalini Van Skaik, owners of Van Skaik's Antiques, are organizing a coalition of landowners opposed to the revitalization plan.

The plan suggests building access roads leading to more than one business to help reduce the stop-and-go traffic that exists because of multiple entrances along the highway.

The Van Skaiks contend the plan will not solve traffic problems, will require landowners to share in the cost of access road construction and ultimately will reduce their property values.