The ongoing revitalization of Butler has seen several updates in recent weeks — and an upcoming meeting could provide new details about an opportunity zone that’s in the process of being created.

This past week, Butler’s Planning and Zoning Commission said it couldn’t yet make a recommendation to City Council on an ordinance related to the area around Ritts Park being named the city’s second historic district until details are clarified.

While some residents voiced opposition, solicitor Tom Breth said during the planning commission’s Oct. 9 meeting that “it’s intended to preserve and prevent the erosion of historical structures,” adding that while it’s not “perfect,” the plan is a “good first effort for something that will be beneficial to the city.”

Earlier this month, the director of the county’s Housing and Redevelopment Authority was given approval at a county commissioners’ meeting to set up a new funding system to demolish blighted properties. The program would allow the authority to plan ahead and carry out more demolitions.

Also last week, plans were discussed for an opportunity zone — a program run by the state’s Department of Community and Economic Development — in Butler that was chosen by Gov. Tom Wolf from a pool of eight to 10 proposed sites.

The chosen area spans from Washington Street east to the area near Butler Memorial Hospital, and roughly from East Brady Street south to Connoquenessing Creek.

Joe Saeler, director of the county’s Community Development Corporation, said the opportunity zone will enable investors to renovate buildings, buy and demolish buildings for new construction and renovate existing sites. The aim is to attract large-scale manufacturing ventures and affordable, multifamily housing.

“The purpose is so large investors will invest in the city of Butler,” Saeler said.

There are a number of benefits that the opportunity zone could provide.

Luring manufacturers to the region would create jobs, and adding affordable housing to the mix could result in a quality of life boost for some city residents.

Saeler said that upgrades in the opportunity zone could also increase the value of existing homes in the region.

More details on the zone will be available during a Nov. 13 meeting.

Any opportunity to create new manufacturing jobs and affordable housing, while sprucing up part of the city, is a good one.

While details for the aforementioned initiatives still are being hashed out, it’s great that the city is placing an emphasis on revitalization and creating new opportunities for businesses and residents alike.

— NCD