MARS — The downtown Mars revitalization is still on track, said Mayor Gregg Hartung.

He said the cost of improvement of the downtown shopping area is estimated at $1.5 million, and upgrading the Pittsburgh Street gateway into Mars is $3.5 million.

Hartung and those on the revitalization committee will try to time the improvement of Pittsburgh Street with the state Department of Transportation’s upgrade project at the intersection of Route 228 and Pittsburgh Street.

In the PennDOT project. which is expected to begin in 2018, turning lanes onto Route 228 will be added on Pittsburgh Street and Warrendale Road and Route 228 will be widened to four lanes. Hartung hopes to complete the improvements included in the revitalization when PennDOT is working on the intersection project.

Hartung said the downtown revitalization plan includes eliminating parking on the west side of Grand Avenue.

“There’s ample parking,” Hartung said, “the issue is the municipal parking lot behind the bank has to be part of this revitalization.”

He said some building owners contend that they own the property from their buildings down to the railroad track right of way, which includes the parking lot.

Hartung said the true ownership of the parking lot will be determined, and agreements offered to the landowners if necessary.

He said the revitalization committee is seeking any grants or funding available to pay for the project.

The committee was told by the Department of Community and Economic Development that it must reapply for a revitalization grant.

“They changed their forms, so everything we submitted had to be resubmitted,” Hartung said. “We’re waiting to hear back from them what the next step is.”

The committee also has had conversations with every state and federal representative in the area regarding state funds for the project, the Pittsburgh Small Business Association, and the Pittsburgh History and Landmark Foundation.

“Their president, Art Zeigler, was born in Mars at the current chiropractor’s office,” Hartung said. “They want to become involved at the right time.”

He has also spoken to the county commissioners, who he said are considering a countywide redevelopment project.

“And Mars is a key player,” Hartung said. “We’re looking forward to seeing how that develops.”

Hartung is also planning a “revitalization summit” for the fall.

“I want to get everyone at the table and say ‘This is where we’re at and this is where we want to go,’” he said.

The committee is also working on a master plan for the community, including the section from the Shop ‘n Save to Agway at the end of Grand Avenue, which is not included in the revitalization but may be upgraded, Hartung said.

He said the revitalization project was very well received at the three public meetings held to present it to the public and receive feedback

“The majority of the people are really pleased with the direction the revitalization is going,” Hartung said.

The borough has provided $35,000 so far, and Hartung said he appreciates the council’s backing.

“The council has been really supportive, which I think is critical,” he said.