Zelienople officials have entered into a partnership with local businessman Patrick J. Boylan that should see the long-closed Kaufman House restaurant reopened this year.

Borough manager Don Pepe said in a press release that a borough grant will pay to refurbish the building's exterior and Boylan, a longtime funeral home owner in the area, will have repairs completed in the interior through private investment.

In the lease program, Boylan will own the Kaufman House in 15 years.

The borough bought the Main Street stalwart on March 15 after a plan by the county Tourism and Convention Bureau did not pan out.

“The goal is that this project can take place without permanent use of local borough funds,” Pepe said in the release.

While the specific construction timeline is not yet firm, all involved intend to see a 2017 opening date for the restaurant.