ZELIENOPLE — State approval is needed before contracts can be awarded for the Kaufman House renovation project.

The Butler County Tourism Foundation will submit its plans for approval as part of the state’s Redevelopment Authority Capital Program. The project received $780,000 in grants through the program.

“We can’t have a contractor until it’s done,” said Jack Cohen, tourism foundation president. “Once we get approval, then we can move forward.”

Work on the project is expected to start this summer.

“We’re almost ready to go,” Cohen said.

The Kaufman House is expected to open in 2017 as part of the borough’s three-phase revitalization project. A new municipal parking lot is being built behind the building and improvements will be made to Main Street.

The Kaufman House has been closed since 2011 when a kitchen fire devastated it.

The project also received another $500,000 state grant.

The Kaufman House Community Connection Campaign created this year will offer residents and businesses an opportunity to invest in the restoration project by sponsoring certain areas of the hotel.

The hotel portion of the project is expected to cost $2.3 million to $2.5 million.

Renovations to be done include electric, plumbing, air conditioning, interior and exterior work. Along with that, 18 guest rooms will be restored. The hotel portion has not been used since the 1970s.

The renovated building also will provide internship opportunities for culinary arts and hospitality management students from Butler County Community College.