ZELIENOPLE — The borough is seeking a $1.5 million grant for phase II of its Main Street Revitalization project.

Borough council Monday night voted to apply for the Multimodal Transportation Grant, an item that was not included in the original agenda for the meeting.

Borough manager Don Pepe said council just found out Monday the application is due in two weeks. Because council does not meet again until the last Monday of the month, the vote to apply for the grant had to be done Monday night.

The borough has to match the grant with $1 million. Some council members showed concern on how the grant will be matched depending on the borough's financial situation.

“We don't have that match yet,” Pepe said.

Council President Allen Bayer said the borough can apply for the grant, but doesn't have to accept the money if offered.

“We've been down this road earlier,” Bayer said. “We don't need to take it if we're not in the financial position.”

“A match doesn't just mean the cash the borough puts on the table itself,” said council member Mary Hess. “It could be matching from funding from other grant sources or foundation sources.”

If the borough gets the grant, the money will be used for infrastructure improvements along Main Street between Spring and Culvert streets.

Sample improvements include sidewalk enhancements, crosswalk safety improvements, pedestrian lighting, traffic signals, new driveway aprons, bicycle parking and new curb ramps that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The multi-million-dollar project's first phase focused on Main Street between Spring and New Castle streets, and it included refurbishing sidewalks and streetlights, moving utility lines underground and building a new municipal parking lot on West New Castle Street.

To build the lot the borough bought seven properties. The houses are planned to be demolished by this fall.

Pepe said he doesn't want to wait too long to demolish the vacant houses. The parking lot will have between 159 and 170 spaces for vehicles, walkways and access to Main Street.

The borough in December received a $3 million grant from the state's Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.