By Jennifer Edwards
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Lisa Storie, who owns Sitwell's Coffeehouse in Clifton, is part of an effort by business owners to revitalize the corridor with such things as a small courtyard area along Telford Street to provide outdoor seating for several restaurants. The Cincinnati Enquirer/GARY LANDERS

CLIFTON - Business operators along the Ludlow Avenue neighborhood district are planning to revitalize the corridor to attract more customers and new businesses.

The Clifton Business & Professional Association envisions a $1.5 million to $2 million makeover with trees, sidewalks with brick pavers, utility lines buried underground and improved lighting.

Adding to Clifton's eclectic mix of boutiques, ethnic foods and the Esquire Theatre, there also would be a gathering spot at Ludlow Avenue and Telford Street with tables and a kiosk with general information about Clifton.

The project would unfold over two phases, said Paul Salamone, president of the Clifton Business & Professional Association and owner of Paolo, a jewelry store on Ludlow Avenue.

While business owners hope the city can pay for part of the project, they plan to raise funds on their own, he said.

"It's an old, beautiful, historic district that just needs work," he said.

"The community is at a crossroads. The project is needed so the area can remain vital and continue to progress."

Signs also are needed to guide motorists to the association's public parking lot behind the IGA grocery store on Ludlow Avenue. The lot is accessible by car only off Clifton Avenue onto Howell Avenue or off Ormond Avenue, he said. Pedestrians can get in from Ludlow Avenue.

The grocery store has a separate parking lot.

The association's lot has 60 to 70 spots, he noted, something often overlooked by motorists hunting for an opening among Ludlow's metered spaces.

But at least one other merchant, Lisa Storie, owner of Sitwell's Coffeehouse, said more parking is crucial to the district's success.

She called for a public parking garage, something Salamone said isn't necessary.

"We can't stay like we are and attract any viable businesses because there isn't any parking," Storie said.

"It's already a struggle and this parking problem is making it worse."

Requests for funding are due June 18 to the Cincinnati Neighborhood Business Districts United, a group of business owners who advise the city on funding requests.

The organization's president, Mike Wagner, said Thursday that the group already has 10 proposals for a variety of improvements in neighborhoods such as Clifton, Columbia Tusculum, East Walnut Hills and Madisonville.

"We take it upon ourselves to go to council to make sure we get the funds when there is a good project presented," he said.

The requests will be decided in July and eventually go to Cincinnati City Council for final approval, he said.

Funding would come from the city's 2005 budget, he added.

E-mail jedwards@enquirer.com.