The city's Urban Redevelopment Authority is poised to award a $4.1 million contract tomorrow for the proposed makeover of Market Square.

URA board members are expected to vote on whether to award the work to A. Merente Contracting Inc. of Streets Run Road. The firm was deemed to be the lowest responsible of the five bidders for the $5 million in Market Square renovations.

Under the agreement, A. Merente Contracting would be responsible for the construction of new roadways in the square as well as street and site lighting, grading, landscaping, utility and other work associated with the project.

The contract would be the largest awarded for the renovations, which are set to begin on August 1.

The work will be done by quadrant, starting with the one closest to the Original Oyster House and moving in a counterclockwise direction around the square ending with the section closest to Starbucks Coffee next May. It is not expected to block access to any of the Market Square businesses.

As part of the renovations, the square will be leveled to give it more of a European piazza-feel and to make it more pedestrian friendly. All buses will be removed and cars will be redirected from Forbes Avenue around the square.

Sidewalks will be extended to 21 feet. Tables, trees, and decorative stone surfaces will be added.

Also tomorrow, members are expected to act on a proposed $249,800 contract with Advanced Builders Inc. of Perryopolis to demolish the former Revco building on Fifth Avenue Downtown.

The structure, adjacent to Piatt Place at the corner of Fifth and Wood Street, is considered "unsafe," said Kyra Straussman, director of real estate for the URA, which owns the building.

There are no immediate redevelopment plans for the site, although Millcraft Industries, the owner of Piatt Place, holds an option on the property and has expressed interest in it in the past.