"Downtown revitalization" was at one time common terminology in Lehighton, referring to the First Street, Second Street, and Sgt. Stanley Hoffman Boulevard areas of the borough.

Little activity has occurred in the past few years but the phrase has indications it could be revived.Nicole Beckett, Lehighton Borough Manager, noted this week that two major things are restoring portential to the concept:• Beckett has located a grant for which the borough was approved but never used, and has managed to capitalize on it before its expiration. The funding will be used for improvements to the Col. Jacob Weiss Park, located between First and Second Street in front of the Lehighton Municipal Building.• The borough council is permitting the Carbon County Board of Realtors to conduct a community assessment survey in the borough. Through the efforts of Kathy Henderson of the Carbon Board of Realtors, a $15,000 grant was obtained from the National Association of Realtors to conduct the survey. The borough will contribute an additional $2,500.Regarding the park project, Beckett said the borough had been approved for a $339,000 TEA Fund (Transportation Enhancement) grant from the state.In conjunction with that grant, the council hired Barry Isett & Associates of Hazleton to perform landscape architecture and engineering services for the design for improvements.The improvements planned include replacement of asphalt sidewalks in the park, new parking meter posts, site lighting and site furnishings.Also envisioned are repairs to the fountain, granite walls around the statue, curbing on First Street, and providing color in the park.Beckett said she will be seeking additional funding for the park project.The construction work for the project is expected to occur next summer.Regarding the survey by the Board of Realtors, Beckett said she likes when "positive things" happen in the borough so she's thrilled by the initiative shown by Henderson and her organization.Beckett said a similar survey had been done in Seville, Ohio, which resulted in improvements to the community.The borough manager said volunteers will be sought in July and August to assist with the survey.In August, "we are expecting a visit from consultants of the Main Street program," she said, regarding the project.It was stressed by Beckett that the survey will not only include downtown businesses and residents, but business owners throughout the community.What makes the efforts of the Realtors so important is that in 2010, such a survey was proposed through the Pa. Department of Community and Economic Development at a cost of $48,000. The borough would have had to provide half of that amount. The council rejected the survey."We're getting a similar study for a lot less money," Beckett said.