Uptown beautification projects might get underway sooner than previously expected - if Athens City Council passes a resolution of support at its next meeting.

Athens Area Chamber of Commerce President Larry Payne said the chamber hopes to start general construction later this year. Donations to the effort already total about $90,000. Approval from council, however, is necessary before any plans are finalized, Payne said.

Athens Mayor Ric Abel said the city wants to widen sidewalks on the first block of Court Street and said the city is willing to change the traffic lights at its own expense.

"The costs are estimated at $150,000 to $175,000 per block," Abel said. "It is a three-year plan, one block per year."

He said grant money is available, but the city needs to show some sign or form of commitment to the Uptown revitalization project before it could go after downtown revitalization funds from the state and federal governments.

Councilwoman Nancy Bain, D-3rd Ward, said council's next step is to get a handle on the costs of the entire project.

"There are some costs to the entire project that I am interested in knowing more about since it is a cost-sharing project between the city, businesses and (the) chamber," said Councilman Dale Tampke, D-at-large.

"I would like a better idea of the total costs to see how we are splitting our commitments," he said.

Councilman Ed Baum, R-at-large, agreed more information is needed about the costs.

"I support getting the initial engineering study to find out what it is really going to cost," he said. "If the cost remains where we think it is, then I support the plan."

Abel said the revitalization project that would improve the Uptown area has been in the works for about two years. The two ideas are uniform design on the sidewalks and street lighting.

Bain said Ohio University also has agreed to beautify the streets adjacent to its property at the university's expense.

They have set aside about $50,000 a street, she said.