Stretch of Sylvania to get sprucing up - WICU12/WSEE Erie, PA News, Sports, Weather and Events

When Toledo city council passed the 2013 budget, members agreed to spend money along Sylvania Avenue.   Business owners along one stretch appreciate the attention.

Some businesses between Secor and Douglas along Sylvania have been open for 60-years and business owner say now is the right time to make some improvements.

Dorothy Bryan bought Cake Art Supplies on Sylvania Avenue nearly 20-years ago.  She says this Deveaux Village area has seen better days but she's excited to hear some sprucing up is on the way.  Bryan told 13abc reporter Bill Hormann, "It's like curb appeal on a house.  If it looks good on the outside, you'll want to come in.  I find it works that way, here, too."

Business owners on Sylvania from Secor to Douglas say the neighborhood is slipping.  That's making it more difficult to scratch out success. 

Al Mancino's family has owned their shoe- repair business for 55 years.  He told 13abc, "There's a lot of buildings around here that have been renovated but with the street being narrow and stuff, don't know what's going to happen."

Now that council has approved $100,000 for upgrades, this area may turn around.

Councilman Tom Waniewski (R) wanted to money to put in new trees and benches and fix up facades.  He insists, "I want to make sure that that doesn't deteriorate that business don't leave the city and that we can enhance the whole flavor of that area."

Waniewski's idea was to re-do a one-mile stretch of Sylvania from Secor to Douglas but council went the extra mile... literally... and extended the area to Lewis.

That's where Dawn Murphy's children's store sits.  She's glad her block is now included.  Murphy says, "When people drive by, if the streets don't look as clean or as nice, then they're not as apt to come into a small business.  And us small business owners, we all need that extra business."

So for businesses along Sylvania, the road  to success will be paved with new signs and benches and trees.

Waniewski hopes some bigger companies will match the city's 100-thousand dollars so more work can be done.  He hopes something will start to happen by summer and that the now 2-mile stretch along Sylvania will be attractive for businesses and customers.