South Beach Heading to West Palm Beach?

Trendy shops, upscale restaurants, and pedestrians only: it's part of the formula that made Lincoln Road in South Beach a success.

But don't expect to see a mirror image -- yet -- as part of a mini-makeover of Clematis Street in downtown West Palm Beach.

"Anything that's going to bring more customers down here is also great," said Doug Kalinsky, of Downtown Bike Taxi. "However, my main concern is if they're going to be doing all of this construction, how is that going to impact businesses now?"

Businesses say they are seeing a boom on Clematis, and that's something they'd like to see continue. To piggyback on that, the Downtown Development Authority is considering widening sidewalks, adding trees, and improving lighting, said Downtown Development Authority Director Melissa Wohlust.

But Wohlust was quick to caution that too many improvements at once could mean too much construction, and that's something no one wants to see.

"Everybody is concerned about any kind of construction, and is the cost worth the benefit," she said.

At Thursday night's Clematis by Night festivities, concertgoers seemed to think that small changes -- like wider sidewalks -- would be a dramatic improvement.

"I think it's a wonderful and great idea," said Yvonne Page, who was visiting from Chicago. "I think it would make it more family-friendly, allowing the kids, you know, to play a little bit more."

But Wohlust says making some blocks of Clematis pedestrian-only may mean too much construction right now.

"I don't think the time is now," Wohlust said, "but I'm not saying the time is never."

Wohlust said she expects the DDA to make a decision on the improvements in the next 2-3 months. The changes are expected to cost about $4 million dollars, some of which may be paid for through grants.