Funds in place for Clifton plaza

Funds are in place for a new community plaza on the former site of Bender Optical on Ludlow Avenue in Clifton, and work could be completed before next fall.

KZF Design has been retained to work with the Plaza Committee of Clifton Town Meeting to design and manage construction of the plaza, which will serve as a connection between the Merchants' lot and the business district.

The project had stalled due to a gap in financing, but, in August, Cincinnati City Council adopted a motion to fill the gap using Cincinnati Neighborhood Business Districts United funds following a Clifton Town Meeting rally.

Later that month, more than two dozen residents attended a plaza brainstorming session, with major themes including a place for group activities, permanent seating, an information kiosk, a music/performance platform, lighting, food vendors, and an uncluttered, traditional appearance.

The design team is still seeking ideas for the plaza, which can be submitted by e-mail to contactCTM@list.cliftoncommunity.org with "Plaza" as the subject line.

Image credit: Extremely preliminary sketch, courtesy of Clifton Town Meeting

Previous reading on BC:
Cincinnati votes to fund Clifton plaza (8/8/08)
Clifton fighting for promised plaza (7/28/08)
Ludlow Avenue streetscape begins (6/24/08)