ZELIENOPLE — Drivers who travel into the borough will see something different soon.

The borough will have five gateway entrance signs installed at various points on the edge of town, four of which may be installed as soon as July. They will replace the gateway signs that have been in place since the 1970s.

“A gateway is the first feature people see when they first enter a town,” said Shelly Kaltenbaugh, borough code enforcement officer and gateway committee member. “With that first sight, an impression is made about your town.”

Kaltenbaugh cited examples of gateway signs across the U.S., including in Hershey, Las Vegas and Mystic, Conn., among others.

The signs will be located in the following areas: Route 19 south of downtown Main Street, Route 19 north of downtown Main Street, Route 68 (East Grandview Avenue), Route 68 (West Beaver Street) and the split between Routes 288 and 588 on West New Castle Street.

Officials said they are “close” to reaching a deal with property owners on East Grandview Avenue for a sign to be posted. They also said the sign on the north side of Main Street may have to wait while funds are raised.

The borough has pledged up to $23,000 for the signs. The Zelienople Rotary Club and the Zelienople Area Business Association have pledged $5,000 each.

“We have enough (money) now for at least four signs now,” said Dan Fritch, gateway committee member and Rotarian.

Fritch said online crowdfunding may be considered to fund the last sign.

Two of the signs are arch-style and supported by stone pillars. Two solar-powered lamps also will be on the pillars. The Route 19 south location and the Route 288/588 split will have these signs, which cost $8,200 each. They measure over 8 feet high and 10 feet wide.

The other three signs will be attached to lamp posts. They will measure 10 feet high and about 6.6 feet wide. These signs cost $7,200 each.

Each sign, designed by Sign Innovation, will be designated with a large capital “Z” in the middle of frosted, tempered glass and will feature 19th Century styles, including stone pillars and a feature saying “Established 1840,” the year the area officially became a borough. Spot backlights may be added to illuminate the “Z” in the arch-style signs.

“As much as more people are moving into the area and trying to pronounce and spell Zelienople, we may become known as ‘Z Town,’ and establish a brand,” Fritch said.

A display area will be posted on each sign to show who pledged money to the gateway signs.

Borough council applauded the gateway committee’s presentation and the project’s advancement.

“This is a really nice job,” said council President Allen Bayer. “It’s outstanding.”