Drawing provided by the city of Athens A sketch of the planned streetlights for the Uptown rennovations. Lighting is Phase I of the Uptown Improvement Project. Phase I should be completed by the end of this year. Plans for Phase II will not be set until later this year.

After Halloween revelers liven' up Court Street for the night, construction crews will begin working to liven' up the street permanently.

Replacement of the sidewalks and streetlights on Court Street from Union Street to Washington Street, excluding the courthouse, is Phase I of the Uptown Improvement Project, said Larry Payne, president of the general division of the Athens City Chamber of Commerce.

Other possibilities for the renovation project include planting trees, replacing trash containers along the street and adding benches and a bike rack, Payne said.

"I think it's great for (Uptown), I'm totally for it," said Jennifer Messina, partial owner of Bungalow's Home Accessories, 8 Court St. "It will definitely improve the look of (Uptown), and it should help business."

Most Uptown business owners and Athens residents are in favor of the renovations that will place new sidewalks and curbs along the road, hide electrical lines underground and install new turn-of-the-century style streetlights.

"It will bring more people up to the area, and will bring more businesses to the Uptown area instead of the mall," said Susie Triplett, general manager for Wendy's, 40 S. Court St.

The renovations will make the Uptown area more attractive, said Athens resident Jim Balding.

Balding said lack of parking is the main factor that keeps shoppers away from Uptown.

The first phase of the Uptown Improvement Project will cost more than the previously estimated $200,000, said Mayor Ric Abel.

The entire project is being funded by the city, property owners, Ohio University, the Chamber of Commerce, the O'Bleness Foundation and Community Design, Payne said.

Of the 21 property owners affected by the Uptown Improvement Project, 16 have agreed to pay for the portion of the renovations affecting the sidewalk in front of their properties, Payne said. The amount they pay is based on the square footage of sidewalk in front of the shops.

Phase I work will be completed by the end of the year, before students return to OU, Payne said.

The cold weather in November should not affect renovation plans, Payne said. Contingency plans have been made with money set aside for heating blankets to help the cement dry in case of extremely cold weather.

Details for all of the phases of construction have not been determined, but Phase II will include the area in front of the courthouse, Payne said.