ZELIENOPLE — Although the borough is making strides in its three-phase revitalization project, local businesses are being called upon to help improve Main Street.

The borough is hosting a series of workshops aimed at helping businesses improve their appearance to reflect the streetscape changes Main Street will undergo.

“It’s meant for the property owners and business owners on Main Street,” said Shelly Kaltenbaugh, borough code enforcement officer and workshop host. “With revitalization occurring all around them, I wanted to start providing them with ideas.”

The first workshop was held Sept. 14 and addressed signs and facades. Guest speakers included Town Center Associates representative Mark Peluso and Sign Innovation owner Ray Raccon.

The workshop referenced a study from the National Main Street Center stating a “majority” of businesses saw increases in first-time customers and sales with exterior improvements.

“What we were aiming at was showing people low-cost ways they could improve their facades and install better signage to draw people in and address what mistakes people make,” Kaltenbaugh said. “I think with what we’re doing to make the street pretty, the next step has to be the business owners.”

Kaltenbaugh said for now, the borough would not have to make any changes to its ordinance for such improvements.

The workshop saw about nine property owners attend. Kaltenbaugh said she wants to have more come to the next one, which has not been scheduled yet.

“I haven’t come up with a second topic,” she said. “We may be having the same meeting as part of that second meeting.”

The municipal parking lot phase of the revitalization is expected to be complete by late October and will have about 110 spaces. The lot is behind the Kaufman House.

The Kaufman House restoration phase is planned for a spring-to-summer 2017 completion.

The streetscape portion of the revitalization, which aims to improve Main Street’s sidewalks and intersections, is expected to take place in 2018.