Work progresses on Zelienople's new municipal parking lot, scheduled to be completed by late October, according to borough officials. The parking lot behind the Kaufman House will have 111 parking spaces and be operated by electronic kiosks.

ZELIENOPLE — A new borough amenity is nearing completion.

The municipal parking lot behind the Kaufman House is scheduled for a late-October completion.

“We’re hoping to get it done before the asphalt plants close for the winter,” borough manager Don Pepe said.

Pepe said the date of the lot’s opening to the public is unknown at this time.

The parking lot will have 111 spaces and be operated by electronic kiosks.

Other features include lights, a snow melt system, trees and two Dumpster enclosures.

The electronic kiosks aim for ease of access for drivers using the lot as well as law enforcement.

“Each police car has a smart phone,” Police Chief Jim Miller said. “All we do is pull up the app and see which spots have been paid for. The officer doesn’t have to guess or look around.”

Borough council earlier this year also voted to allow free, two-hour parking on Main Street, eliminating the use of traditional pole meters.

The parking lot also aims to help revitalize the borough’s businesses on Main Street with its centralized location, including the Kaufman House.

“It certainly will be a benefit,” said Jack Cohen, president of the Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau. “People can park there and use the hotel and also go to the shops on Main Street. It’s a great thing.”

Cohen said spaces will be reserved for people staying in the hotel portion of the Kaufman House, scheduled for a 2017 reopening.

“If you have more businesses, you need more parking,” Miller said. “There’s a need for it.”