WEST CHESTER TWP. — Revitalization plans in the township's oldest business district have some merchants so upset, at least one has asked officials to hold off adopting them and may form a coalition to protect their interests.

        Efforts are under way to spruce up Pisgah, a three-mile stretch that runs along U.S. 42 between Mason and Sharonville. While business has boomed elsewhere in the township, Pisgah has waned in recent years.

        But plans unveiled to merchants last week aren't going over too well. A longtime business owner has written the township's planning and zoning director a letter requesting the plans be iced until some issues are worked out.

        “We feel like they are trying to railroad this through,” said Ken Van Skaik, who has run Van Skaik's Antiques on U.S. 42 for 21 years. “We feel a little betrayed. We are just a small business. Where are we going to come up with the money to do this?”

        Shared business entrances and medians along U.S. 42 with islands of flowers and trees are among the plans. They would be implemented gradually as the Ohio Department of Transportation widens the road from two to three lanes and new businesses come in.

        Township leaders say it still isn't certain how much the revitalization effort will cost or how much merchants will be expected to fork over. A proposal is expected to go to the trustees this fall.

        But Mr. Van Skaik said he isn't happy with the process of the plan so far because merchants didn't have the chance to provide much input in meetings held with the consultant heading up the project. They also fear they will lose precious parking space.

        “The meetings have been completely controlled by them so far,” he said. “They say, "Give us some suggestions,' but that was just a farce.”

        Mr. Van Skaik is considering forming a coalition of Pisgah business owners to make sure their issues are heard and to protect themselves from changes they think may be detrimental to business. He also feels there are too many zoning restrictions now in the area — and cautions that more could push out even more businesses.

        But township leaders say the plan is crucial to Pisgah's vitality. Two efforts in the 1990s stalled after an agreement on the project could not be reached.

        Trustees President Jose Alvarez said nothing will be adopted anytime soon and the merchants' issues will be considered, especially parking space.

        “We are extremely sensitive to parking because volume means money,” Mr. Alvarez said. “It's the small-business people that make up any good community, and it's our intent to make sure small businesses continue to be supported. But you can't achieve success without at least trying and going through a process. This is just the beginning.”

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