Funds in place for Clifton plaza

Funds are in place for a new public plaza along Ludlow Avenue in Clifton, and the Clifton Town Meeting (CTM) Plaza Committee is seeking ideas for the elements it will include.

The new plaza, to be built opposite Telford Street on the former site of Bender Optical, will serve as a connection between the business district with the Merchant's Lot.

Construction costs have been estimated at $300,000.

"The community set aside about $150,000 of funds appropriated for the sidewalk renovation for the plaza a couple of years ago," says Richard Druffel, chair of the committee.  "Over the summer when it became clear that more funds were needed to build a plaza CTM lobbied City Council and received an additional $150,000 appropriation.  These funds will come out of 2007 and 2008 budgets, not 2009."

In addition to being a gateway, the space must also be functional – and that's where resident input comes in.

"CTM has hosted one community meeting for plaza input already," Druffel says.  "A second, open community meeting will be held, probably in February, to share preliminary design concepts with the community and to get input and feedback.  Likely two or three plaza designs will be presented and then, based on the feedback, a final design will be developed following the community meeting."

KZF Design has been retained to help the committee design and manage construction of the plaza.

Druffel says that the ultimate goal of the project is to add to the charm of Ludlow Avenue.

"I am hopeful that the Plaza will be a big hit in our business district and improve the feel and flow of the district," he says.  "Can you envision taking your coffee from Sitwell’s or your ice cream from Graeter’s and enjoying it outdoors in a greened up space?"

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Source: Richard Druffel, chair, Clifton Town Meeting Plaza Committee
Photography by Scott Beseler