Butler's Downtown Revitalization Committee is getting ready to hire a Main Street manager.

Vince Tavolario, owner of Natili Restaurant and Lounge, 104 W. Wayne St., who is chairman of the committee, told city council Tuesday that the committee has done as much research into what it can and can't do to revitalize the city's business district and is ready to move forward.

Tavolario asked council for its support in hiring a manager, who would work with the state through the Main Street program applying for grants and organizing revitalization projects.

"This person's salary would be paid for through state matching grants," Tavolario explained.

He estimates the salary would be between $50,000 and $70,000 per year.

At the end of the five-year program, Tavolario said, the committee would establish ways, including with private money, to continue to pay for the position.

"We aren't asking the city for any money and our goal is to become a self-sustaining committee," he said.

Tavolario also said the state Department of Community and Economic Development has suggested that the committee designate the Community Development Corporation of Butler County as the organization to handle any money raised for downtown revitalization.

Mayor Leonard Pintell asked if a letter of support from council would be sufficient for the committee to go forward with its work.

Tavolario said it would.

Pintell said such a letter would be drafted and sent to Tavolario.

The city had a downtown project manager in the mid-1980s, when many of the Main Street businesses got new sidewalks partially paid for through grants.