The village of Johnstown is applying for a $246,000 grant for a downtown streetscape project.

Village council approved a resolution April 20 to acquire Transportation Enhancement Funds from the Ohio Department of Transportation for a Downtown Streetscape Project.

Village planner Jim Lenner has been working on the proposal, which is due May 1, that would cost the village 20 percent of the full amount, or $49,191.

He said the improvements would include some underground conduit, benches, pavers, street lights and trash receptacles.

"It will mimic the left-hand side of Main," he said. "We'll need preliminary engineering and we'll have public input."

Village manager Judy Edwards said the village's share would come from next year's general fund.

Council member Carol Van Deest suggested a building enhancement program for the downtown businesses for faade improvements and areas where the businesses might not meet various codes.

"It would be a 60-40 match, and each business would have up to $10,000," she said. "It seems like it would be a great opportunity. There's a lot of building enhancement programs that we could model."

Lenner said Marysville has a nice program the village could model.

Also at Tuesday's meeting, council:

• Approved an agreement with former village employee Dan Glaze for reimbursement of medical expenses.

• Approved a resolution to allow village manager Judy Edwards to execute an amendment and partial release of water and sanitary sewer easement for the benefit of resident Charles Campbell.

• Heard first readings of an amendment of Johnstown's zoning map, as well as an amendment to the sign code.

• Learned from council member David Keck that his wife Rebecca Keck raised $500 that has been donated to the Johnstown Historical Society for a chair lift at her April 17 Opera House performance. She also donated a piano to the society that is now in the Opera House.

The next regular meeting of council will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 4, in council chambers.