SEBRING Sebring kicks off project

The revitalization is being done in three construction phases.
SEBRING -- Construction of a $3.5 million revitalization of the village's downtown district was to begin today.
"It's a dream come true after 10 years of planning," said Teddy Ryan, village manager.
The project's kickoff was marked with a ceremony Wednesday morning, attended by several state, county and local officials. Ryan said the project's cost is being paid with a combination of state grants, some of which were secured with local funds contributed from a Mahoning County sales tax.
"It's an example of what we can get done when the public and private sectors work together," said Commissioner David Ludt. "Cooperation is what made this project happen."
To be done in phases
Ryan said the project's first phase will focus on a three-block area of 15th Street, beginning at Maryland Avenue and extending southward to just beyond Pennsylvania Avenue. That part of the project is to be completed by Sept. 30, he said.
It will include new sidewalks, landscaping, streetlights and street improvements, and will cost about $1.5 million. The second phase, set to be done next year, will cost about $1 million and will include a three-block section of Ohio Avenue between 14th and 16th streets.
The third phase, which also is expected to cost about $1 million, will be restoration of a brownfield area on Oregon Avenue, Ryan said. That will be done in the summer of 2005.
Besides beautifying the village's downtown, Ryan said, the project is designed to "prime the pump" for private investment by businesses locating there.