Renovation work to reopen the Kaufman House in Zelienople could begin this summer.

It closed in 2011 after a kitchen fire.

Bids to renovate the restaurant and hotel will be accepted until May 16 by the Butler County Tourism Foundation.

A prebid meeting Wednesday was attended by about a dozen companies.

“Hopefully that will give us some good prices back for the proposals,” said Joseph Saeler, assistant director and manager of operations for the Community Development Corporation of Butler County.

Saeler said there has been great interest in the building’s reopening.

“A lot of people have been asking, and I think Zelienople itself is excited to see something get revitalized and back to servicing the area,” he said.

Tourism foundation President Jack Cohen said construction on the Kaufman House should begin in June if all goes according to plan.

Cohen said the restored hotel portion of the building will have 18 rooms.

Other amenities that need repairs include electric, plumbing, air conditioning and interior work.

“It’s really gutting the building and rebuilding it,” Cohen said.

It could be open a year from now.