Clifton Ave Redesign

What is it?

Clifton Town Meeting (CTM) is working with the Cincinnati Department of Transportation & Engineering (DOTE) on plans for a redesign of Clifton Avenue north of Ludlow Ave. The redesign plan will involve right-sizing each section of the roadway to better accommodate drivers, pedestrians and non-vehicular users. The new design will fit within the existing footprint of the road, no curb lines will change.

Why do this?

The primary focus of the redesign is to improve safety and useability for all users. For years CTMhas fielded community complaints about the safety of Clifton Avenue. Residents do not feel safe when walking along, crossing, or biking the street. Speed data has recorded drivers traveling faster than 70mph along this neighborhood street. There have been numerous serious accidents, some with vehicles overturned. All on a street that is home to residents, schools, places of worship, and community centers.

How can I help? The redesign plan is happening right now. Community input and engagement is the highest priority to ensure that we are meeting the needs of those that utilize Clifton Avenue the most! We have various meetings scheduled to gather community input and share the most recent updates. See below for the dates and times of these meetings. 

Community Engagement Schedule

Date and TimeLocationEventDetails
3/19/24
7:00 – 9:00 pm
VirtualTransportation committee meeting2024.03.19 Input Session.pptx
4/28/24 4:00 – 5:30 pmDiggs Plaza“Walk the street” community input session2024.04.28 Clifton Ave Walk Community Input
7/16/24
7:00 – 9:00 pm
Community Room
Clifton Cultural Arts Center3412 Clifton Ave
Solution Workshop2024.07.16 Clifton Ave Community Workshop
8/13/24
7:00 – 9:00 pm
TBDInitial Option Presentation
9/9/24
7:00 pm
Clifton Recreation CenterCTM General MeetingPresentation and discussion of options with CTM board
10/7/24
7:00 pm 
Clifton Recreation CenterCTM General MeetingCTM board vote on preferred option

When will this happen? 

Once planning is complete (estimated for summer of 2024), the redesign will be executed in multiple phases. Short-term, the plan may be implemented using temporary materials to validate the design and achieve immediate benefits. Long-term, the redesign will be made permanent when the street is repaved in accordance with the street rehabilitation program.

How will this be paid for?

The planning is made possible by community volunteers and DOTE’s own internal resources. Construction funding is yet to be identified.

Click here to send comments or questions.

CTM Board – Hybrid Meeting – Monday, July 1, 2024

The public is welcome to attend. Public input on CTM agenda items will be heard after Trustee discussion is complete.  Community members wishing to address the Board on an agenda item should sign up to speak at least 24 hours before start of the meeting by completing this Google form or with an email request directed to the president at contactctm@cliftoncommunity.org. Individual input on agenda items will last no more than two minutes.

Community members may speak on non-agenda issues during the public questions and concerns period at the end of the meeting. Individuals with statements are asked to sign in before the start of the meeting. Such statements should last not more than two minutes and are invited during the public questions and concerns period. Email your request to speak (specify the topic), or to request an agenda item at the next meeting to contactctm@cliftoncommunity.org.

Agenda

Join in-person: Clifton Recreation Center, 320 McAlpin Avenue  
Join Remotely: https://meet.google.com/qym-wjou-ncx

TimeTopicTopic Lead
7:00 Welcome / Roll CallPres. Steve Goodin
7:03Treasurer’s ReportTreas. Gerald Checco
7:06NSP Funds UpdateTreas. Checco
7:11Misc. Business UpdatesPres. Goodin
7:16Fire Report
7:21Clifton Recreation Center ReportDir. Brittany Havens
7:26CTM Trustee Vacancy VotePres. Goodin
7:31Transportation Committee Motion 1 – Request DOTE to allow 24-hour parking on the eastbound approach of Ludlow Ave between Cornell and WhitfieldTrustee Justin Ogilby
7:41CTM Communications – MailChimp, Facebook, CTM General Mailbox – Create Ad Hoc CommitteePres. Goodin
7:51Clifton Golf Outing UpdateGerald Checco for John Whedon
7:56Welcome & Connect ProgramTrustee Mindi Rich
8:01Designated Open Refreshment Area (DORA) UpdateTreas. Checco
8:03 Committee Roll CallPres. Goodin
8:08Community Questions and ConcernsPres. Goodin
8:13Adjournment – Next meeting Pres. Goodin

Motions

Motion and/or Supporting DocumentsSponsor
Treasurer’s ReportTreas. Checco
Three candidates seeking to fill two vacant CTM trustee seats. Click here to view information about candidates Ben Pantoja, Kevin Leahy and Tom Smith.Pres. Goodin
Request DOTE to allow 24-hour parking on the eastbound approach of Clifton Ave between Cornell and WhitfieldTrustee Ogilby
Designated Open Refreshment Area (DORA) UpdateTreas. Checco

CTM Board – Hybrid Meeting – June 3, 2024

The public is welcome to attend. Public input on CTM agenda items will be heard after Trustee discussion is complete.  Community members wishing to address the Board on an agenda item should sign up to speak at least 24 hours before start of the meeting by completing this Google form or with an email request directed to the president at contactctm@cliftoncommunity.org. Individual input on agenda items will last no more than two minutes.

Community members may speak on non-agenda issues during the public questions and concerns period at the end of the meeting. Individuals with statements are asked to sign in before the start of the meeting. Such statements should last not more than two minutes and are invited during the public questions and concerns period. Email your request to speak (specify the topic), or to request an agenda item at the next meeting to contactctm@cliftoncommunity.org.

Agenda

Join in-person: Clifton Recreation Center, 320 McAlpin Avenue  
Join Remotely: https://meet.google.com/qym-wjou-ncx

TimeTopicTopic Lead
7:00pm / 1 minWelcomePres Goodin
7:01 / 2 minRoll Call/ Approve prior month’s meeting minutesSec. Barry Gee
7:03 / 2 minNew Board Member – Motion 1Pres Goodin
7:05 / 4 minTreasurer’s Report – Budget Amendment Motion 2Treas. Gerald Checco
7:09 / 21 minPolice ReportP.O. Shawn Dent
7:30 / 5 minSafety IssuesTim Noonan
7:35/ 5 minFirehouse report 
7:40/ 5 minCRC ReportBrittany Havens
7:45/ 5 minPublic Library ReportDir. Jeanne Strauss DeGroot
7:50/ 5 minClifton Welcome & ConnectGerald
7:55/ 5 minMemorial DayBarry Gee
8:00/ 5 minBike Lane Extension – Motion 3Justin
8:05 / 10 minNomination Committee – InformationPres. Goodin
8:15/ 10 minGolf UpdatesJohn
8:25 / 5 minConnected CommunitiesRachel Wells
8:30/ 5 minDiggs Plaza – Motion 4Gerald Checco
8:35 / 10 minTrustee, Committee and Liaisons AnnouncementsPres Goodin
8:45 / 15 minCommunity Questions/ConcernsPres Goodin
9:00 pmAdjournment – Next meeting July 11Pres Goodin

Motions

#SponsorTopic
1PresidentTo select Ben Pantoja as a new Board Member
2TreasurerTo confirm budget after decision previous month
3TransportationTo approve recommendation of Transportation Chair
4Ad-HocTo approve recommendations of Ad-Hoc Committee

Attachments / Information
#FromTopic
1Nominating CommitteeExisting CTM Trustees Term Information
2MSDWork on Clifton Avenue
32024 Home TourThank You Note
4IINSurvey results about Connected Communities by Invest In Neighborhoods Part 1 and Part 2

Clifton Home and Garden Tour 2024 – a Recap in Three Easy Walkabouts

Did you miss the perfect Mother’s Day event, when all locations were open for visitors? If so, we’ll break it down here for your casual strolling enjoyment. Parking opportunities are marked on the map with a P, with easy walkability in 3 groupings suggested for those who don’t want to go the full distance. You can enjoy a sidewalk view of all 10 locations while traversing our walkable, beautiful neighborhood! Credits to the official tour booklet’s writer Lindsay Wile and illustrator Sonja Thams.

South Grouping

429 Resor Avenue

Built approx. 1870; current homeowners Benjamin Schmidt and Danielle Nitti. Renovations: Second Empire style was conserved during a 2017 renovation by previous owners, which added new kitchen, baths, and opened the floor plan. History: Two important Clifton founders built, then inhabited this historic manor. The McAlpin family (1870s), followed by the Isaac Burnet Resor family until Mr. Resor’s death in 1909, when the home was transformed into rental and boarding before the next sale.

3345 Whitfield Avenue

Built in 1848 by Richard Smith/famed newspaperman, now the location of the Center for Mind, Body and Play. Restorations over 30 years by previous owners Tom and Linda Bender.

New transformations: Interior design Tara Ryan Busch of Boxwood Interiors, Bobby Bedinghaus and Chris Liedke of Bedinghaus Painting

587 Terrace Avenue

Built 2017-2018 by owner Dr. Michael Willing. Brad Roush/architect, Andrew James BuildersJill Koch/interior designer. LEED gold certification, Pool by Mid American (2022).

History: This property previously was the site of a modest 2-bedroom home (1954). Acquired in 2016, Dr. Willing sketched out his intentions for a new home, designed in harmony with a Sears home across the street.

North Grouping

8 Belsaw Place  

Built 1922; homeowners Guy and Kelly Banesse. Design: NOLI Kitchen (Agostino Fede design/build); Quince & Quinn (John Hinger interior design)

439 Wood Avenue  

uilt 1920 by Alfred S. Berghausen. A Craftsman bungalow. Current steward/renter Michael Friedes

403 Lafayette Avenue  

Built 1853; current homeowners Jess and Andrew Salzbrun. Renovations: All Around Joe, NOLI Kitchen, and Jess Salzbrun. History: The Neave/Sabin residence was home to the Alexander C. Neave family and his descendants from 1853 to 1925. The formal entryway pediment and columns were added to the façade in 1910. Dr. Albert Sabin and his family moved to Cincinnati in 1947 and chose this address as their home. Here, in his personal laboratory, Sabin would produce the world-famous Sabin polio vaccine.

517 Lafayette Avenue  

Built in 2011 by owners Bill Chappie and Scott Allgyer. Architect Ron Sabo and Justin Goldwire/Goldwire Gardens. Creative evolution over 13 years by Bill (the visionary) and Scott (the executor).

East Grouping

Clifton Cultural Arts Center – 3412 Clifton Avenue  

Built in 2024; Emersion Design/architecture and engineering; Skanska/construction management. History: CCAC’s new permanent home is set into the heart of Clifton, presenting a lively atmosphere of efficiency and inclusivity. Careful choice of materials and preservation of existing sightlines have made this 18,000-square-foot modern structure a well-integrated new gathering and performance space. A variety of classrooms and galleries welcome audiences, artists and educators. All is topped off with a green rooftop terrace where visitors enjoy an overview of Clifton’s lush trees and vintage rooftops.

2 East Interwood Place – The Pool and Marietta Gardens

Built 1925; homeowners Nora and Steve Fink. Pool Design: Christopher Lamond & Lamond Design and Mid American Pools

New Garden Plot at Vine and Glenmary Avenues

Built 2023; David Jackson/D2 Landscaping and Outdoor Service 

Complete CTM’s Connected Communities survey by May 29

Clifton Town Meeting is seeking Clifton resident feedback on the city’s proposal to change zoning in Clifton and other areas of the city. Please complete this CTM survey by May 29 to let us know how you feel! CTM trustees will review the feedback at their next regular meeting on June 3.

For more detailed information about the city’s Connected Communities proposals, visit the city’s website at https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/planning/connected-communities.

For visuals on how individual parcels and the Clifton community will be affected if the proposals are approved, visit the following links. It may be helpful to reference these resources as you answer the following questions:

Search by individual parcel: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/341c80f53c764e0abd4199aeeb18b2de/page/Map/ 

Above is the Clifton poster depicting key proposed changes