Butler's Centre City development project took a leap forward at noon today with the announcement of a partnership with the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation.

Perry O'Malley, executive director of the city's Redevelopment Authority, announced the authority will work with the foundation's Landmarks Development group to rebuild the property in the South Main, East Cunningham, South McKean and East Jefferson streets area.

Landmarks Development is the group that has saved historical buildings in Pittsburgh and surrounding counties, and helped to rework sites, such as Station Square, Carson Street and now, Market Square in downtown Pittsburgh.

Arthur Ziegler, the foundation's president and chief executive officer, said his group has seen the "potential that Butler possesses and now we can help make that potential into reality."

Work begins with a study of the feasibility of building, what kinds of buildings and how they will interact. The study by Lloyd Jones of New York will be completed in four to six weeks, Ziegler said.

Ann Lloyd Jones said her firm's representatives want to hear from everyone on the project.

"We need to know what you have, what you need, what businesses are here and why," she said.

The study's results will be presented at a public meeting in about a month and a half, O'Malley said.

Design work will follow quickly afterward, Ziegler said, with that report to be done in another four to six weeks.

"There is no assigned end date for this project yet," he said.

O'Malley pointed out that it has taken the authority almost six years to reach this point, but the project will move forward quickly from now on.

The original idea for Centre City came from Rick Hardman with Olsen Engineering in Butler, who suggested to O'Malley that the city could support a hotel and miniconvention center.

The plan has always included those features, as well as retail and apartments.

O'Malley said that for about three years Rite Aid has been interested in buying property from the corner of South Main and East Jefferson streets to the East Birch Street alley for the site of a large drugstore with parking lot.

"Unfortunately, no one saw the economic downturn or other economic problems for Rite Aid that has delayed their plan," O'Malley said, adding property owners along that stretch have either closed businesses or have let maintenance lapse on buildings.

"So as part of the feasibility study we will look at whether we should wait for them or if the city should look to develop that land another way," he added.

Ziegler said whatever the plan, the Centre City project will be "in the heart of Butler's historic district with contemporary design that can fit in the city, but also stand the test of time."

Business owners who attended the announcement all agreed it is an exciting time for the city.

Ron Olsen, owner of Olsen Engineering; Joe Gray, owner of Gateway Engineering in Butler, as well as the restored Odd Fellows Hall, now called Cornerstone Commons and several other buildings in the city; and John Mossman, who is a volunteer with Butler Multi-Municipal Plan, a plan that is being developed for five municipalities including the city, all said they are looking forward to working with the Landmarks group.

"Its not too late for Butler," O'Malley said. "New Castle, it looks pretty, but you can shoot a canon through the downtown. For Aliquippa and others, it is too late, but not for Butler."