A portion of the former Penn Theater’s facade on Main Street will be renovated this summer.

The Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation, which has the mortgage on the building, already has repaired the former theater’s roof and is beginning to repair the front of the structure.

“We’re looking to restore the lower facade of the theater and refinish the entryway tile,” said David Farkas, director of Main Street Programs for the foundation.

Farkas said work taking place through the summer will include re-decking the marquee.

“The building will look a heck of a lot better than it does now,” Farkas said.

The city redevelopment authority bought the Penn Theater in 2009 using the foundation’s loan program.

However, the authority has been unable to make the mortgage payments on the building, and the property is back in the hands of the foundation.

Farkas said the foundation has had multiple people express interest in potentially buying or renting the theater, but he did not elaborate on the status of those talks.

“Hopefully we can find an investor to put in funds for the inside,” he said.

Mayor Tom Donaldson also said he has had preliminary talks with a businessman who may be interested in renovating the building.