Bellevue's downtown commercial district has an enviable variety of architecture and a highly competitive and interesting mix of businesses to build upon, consultants for the county-led Allegheny Together revitalization program told about 50 people gathered Dec. 14 for an architecture/design workshop. It was the first of three workshops scheduled for the community as party of the revitalization effort.

"We're really excited to be working for you, because you have so much going for you," said Mark Peluso, owner of Beaver-based Town Center Associates, a consultant working with Allegheny Together.

Efforts to raise the profile of the borough's business district already have taken shape, with a new section dedicated to Bellevue's central business district up on Allegheny Together's Web site. www.alleghenytogether.com. The borough's section of the site includes a listing of properties and photos of downtown Bellevue buildings. The values of the properties, their owners, and listings of properties for sale in the business district also are included on the site, as a way to provide real estate professionals and others with a one-step source for such borough information.

Bellevue recently was accepted into the Allegheny Together program, which will provide $150,000 in consulting services to the borough in coordination with efforts by members of Bellevue Initiative for Growth and other borough leaders.

The revitalization program was started by the county a few years ago as a way to build on the county's many traditional business districts, said Jessica Mooney, project manager for Allegheny Together. She said the county has 43 traditional business districts, and the program helps communities to devise long-term plans to attract businesses to them..

Eight municipalities participate in the program: Tarentum, Elizabeth, Stowe, Swissvale, Bridgeville and Verona. Coraopolis and Bellevue are the two newest participants.

Improving signage and business facades is one goal. Those aesthetic improvements can be helped through Allegheny Together's low-interest loan program, Ms. Mooney said.

One partner in the program is Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation, providing communities with design guidelines and advice on strategic planning, said David Farkus, director of Main Street Programs for the foundation. The group offers a parking analysis and a review of the town's sign ordinances, Mr. Farkus said.

"We're trying to promote taking back the buildings so their historic character can shine through," he said.

Mr. Peluso said his group works closely with the historic foundation, which brings vast experience in using historic preservation as a centerpiece of business development. On Jan. 14, the group will have a Community Life Workshop, which will focus on looking at downtown Bellevue as the center of the community. The group's Business Development Workshop will occur on Feb. 11.

Mr. Peluso said Bellevue's downtown is the most visible part of the community, which gives people a sense of what the borough is like.

While the revitalization effort is focused on the borough's downtown, it has a broader reach, he added.

"This program is really about the homes and people who live in the community. You're trying to protect the equity and property value of homes," he said.

Bellevue Councilwoman Linda Woshner questioned whether the borough has too many vacancies in its business district.

Mr. Peluso said the borough has about 10 percent vacancy rate in its central business district.

"I'd say that's pretty good," Mr. Peluso said. "It can go to hell in a hand basket in a hurry."

Town Center Associates tracks drive-time demographics for town center areas and Bellevue's figures provide good news. About 33,000 people live within a 5-minute drive of Bellevue's business district and about 143,000 people live within a 10-minute drive to Bellevue's main street. Perhaps one of the most important parts of the program will involve promoting the business district to residents of the borough, Mr. Peulso said.

"Put your money where your mouth is--that's the point of this program," he said.

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