ZELIENOPLE — The three-phase borough revitalization project is getting closer to reaching its goal.

“There is certainly a high level of excitement,” said Mary Hess, council member and revitalization committee chairman. “This project has been years in the making.”

Construction on the municipal parking lot behind the Kaufman House is currently taking place. The parking lot will have 111 spaces and be operated by an electronic kiosk.

The first part of the parking lot construction is scheduled for an Aug. 5 completion. The second and final part will be completed in October, which includes paving and painting.

Money left over from the parking lot will go toward the Main Street streetscape portion of the project, also known as phase three.

Phase three will focus on improvements to Main Street’s sidewalks and intersections from Spring Street to Four Corners Park.

Bids for the streetscape project could go out at the end of this year after the plan’s final design is approved. Borough manager Don Pepe said phase three could be complete by the end of 2017.

The design is being evaluated by the state Department of Transportation regarding “bump outs” planned for Main Street. The “bump outs” would contain vegetation and drainage for rain water that travels down the street.

“I think PennDOT’s OK with it now,” Pepe said. “It should be fine.”

The underground utilities portion of the streetscape project was expected to cost about $700,000. However now, that cost will be under $400,000.

“It looks good, a lot better than it was six to eight months ago,” borough engineer Tom Thompson said.

Votes on the new snow melting system for the parking lot and moving an electrical conduit for the streetscape project were tabled Monday evening.

Additional state grants are being sought for the remaining phases of the project.

Pepe said grants received have overall been less than the borough applied for. However, he said other revenue has made up for it.

“You try to make it fit like a jigsaw puzzle,” he said.

Hess said the project’s financial situation is looking “very positive.”

“The cost of the project is millions of dollars,” she said. “We’re looking at about $5 million already in awards and grants. We’ve managed to find all the money we need so far and we hope to continue.”

Phase two of the project, the renovation and reopening of the Kaufman House, is expected to be completed by 2017.

The project will receive grant money from the state once approved. From there, bid contracts will be given and construction will start.

“We’re very confident. Everything is moving along,” Pepe said.

“Butler County supports us and the state supports us, so we’re very excited about what’s going on Main Street, the park and everything around us,” Hess said. “It just shows what a jewel Zelienople really is.”