The cost estimates are in for the first phase of a proposed revitalization plan for downtown Sharon.

Joe Mazzola of E.G.&G. Inc., Akron, told city council Thursday that the initial proposed improvement will cost $5.6 million. Those improvements include creating gateways into the city at East State Street and Sharpsville Avenue, U.S. Route 62 and Irvine Avenue, and Route 62 and Connelly Boulevard and improving stretches of Connelly and Sharpsville.

"This is all for information. It can change," Mazzola said.

He said the first phase was based on the outcome of steering committee and public meetings at which people rated those areas as priority for improvement.

Mazzola said the money for the project can come from several different areas. He suggested that 15 to 20 percent come from a capital improvement bond. Other state funding sources are PennDOT and the Department of Economic and Community Development. Federally, the city could apply for money from the Appalachian Regional Commission.

Locally, Mazzola suggested Community Development Block Grant funds, soliciting money from foundations and holding fund-raisers.

Mazzola said his company will help the city find money for the project. He said the $44,000 in professional fees for their work could come from the capital improvement bond.

E.G.&G., a landscape architecture and engineering firm, unveiled its downtown revitalization plan in May. Other parts of the plan include improving State Street downtown, improving Sharon City Centre and revamping some old buildings in the city.

The city will hold a separate meeting on the plan in March.