The Borough of Saxonburg was justified in exhibiting pride Wednesday at the public unveiling of the proposed $3 million Streetscape project. That the project has reached this stage of planning without any serious setbacks is testimony to the vision, commitment and determination of community leaders and residents.

Like what has occurred under Slippery Rock Borough's current revitalization initiative, Saxonburg has mustered the will and drive to push forward in the goal of improving the community and, hopefully, making it more attractive to prospective newcomers - both residential and business.

Also to date, the Saxonburg project has been blessed with superb cooperation among numerous entities - cooperation that can be envied by many other communities.

That is not to say that the project can be carried out without any problems, but at least at this juncture, it would seem Saxonburg has the foundation in place for problems not to become insurmountable.

Such an attitude was evident when Donn Angus, a landscape architect and certified planner who is working on the project, said "there's always an open door somewhere else" if some funding source dries up.

Streetscape, which is being spearheaded by the non-profit John Roebling's Historical Saxonburg Society, formerly the Saxonburg Historic Main Street Committee, will not be just an improvement effort in the sense that relocation of utility lines will take place. Street poles with historic light fixtures, as well as brick walkways, will preserve some of the community's feel of the past.

Saxonburg prides itself on being a safe community, and what is planned through the revitalization capitalizes on that reputation.

Meanwhile, the approximately 150 people who attended Wednesday's meeting displayed the kind of interest that is in place in progressive communities. Those people came to see what lies ahead, and hopefully any uneasiness that existed prior to the meeting was dispelled by what they heard and saw.

Saxonburg is off to a great start. No doubt other Butler County communities that envision revitalization will be watching how the project evolves.