A study last year of Wilkinsburg's Penn Avenue business district and surrounding residential area found nearly half of the buildings surveyed to be historically significant.

The survey, by the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation in conjunction with the Community Technical Assistance Center, deems that almost 70 percent of the structures are candidates for possible rehabilitation.

Last summer, CTAC interns recorded information about the age, condition, type of architecture, use and other variables on 1,200 parcels of land, using a software program developed for the Wilkinsburg survey.

"Eventually, we want to put the data on a Web site so developers and other interested parties can access it," said Cathy McCollom, the foundation's chief programs officer.

On May 11, Ms. McCollom, along with Eric Milliron, of Allegheny County Economic Development; Anne-Marie Lube-nau, executive director of the Community Design Center of Pittsburgh, and several others led a discussion of the survey for Wilkinsburg officials and residents in the borough building.

Mr. Milliron said the survey data could be the first step in Wilkinsburg's participation in the National Main Street/Elm Street project, which provides funds for older, established neighborhoods to revitalize their rundown business and residential areas.

Developers and others who buy historically significant structures can receive a 20 percent tax credit in exchange for restoring the property.

The survey found a 38 percent business vacancy rate in Wilkinsburg, compared with 13 percent on Carson Street and 7 percent in Squirrel Hill. But Mr. Milliron doesn't view that as a drawback.

"A high vacancy rate can mean high opportunity," he said. "It's a void, and a void likes to be filled."