With the help of county funding Upper Moreland Township is looking to increase revitalization by next year.

The township received a $153,000 grant last year for various projects Commissioner Lisa Romaniello said. A portion of the money is being used to finance a proposed York Road Streetscape Pilot Project.

The estimated $26,500 project would include the east side of York Road between Davisville and Easton roads, said John Gibbons, associate principal for architectural firm Kise Straw & Kolodner, the project's primary consultant.

The project will include new granite curbs, sidewalks, street trees and tree grates, pedestrian scale lighting and street furnishings including benches and trashcans, a report from Gibbons stated.

"The project will connect the new Memorial Park Drive Plaza area and move down York Road," Romaniello said.

Commissioner Joseph Lavalle agreed the project would boost redevelopment and the appearance of the downtown area.

"We want to expand through revitalization," he said.

He added that although construction will be going on, there will be no negative impact on the community. The township is hoping to expand the project in the future.

If the pilot project proposal is accepted at the board of commissioners regular meeting May 5, Gibbons said the project will move quickly due to the nature of the funding.

According to Gibbons' report, under the conditions of the grant the project must be completed by 2009.

Kise Straw & Kolodner will be working on preliminary drawings and design concepts through the fall and if all goes according to schedule, Gibbons said, construction is scheduled to begin next spring and be completed by the end of the summer.