At its June 8 meeting, the city council approved the allocation of $70,000 to the department of public works for streetscape design improvements on West Virginia Street, from Delmas to Illinois avenues and Delmas Avenue from West Virginia to Jerome streets. But the redevelopment agency's recommendation that $565,000 come out of its 2004­05 budget for the construction will have to wait until at least August for city council approval. Even then, Greater Gardner coalition chairman Kevin Christman said, getting the money isn't guaranteed.

Christman said the $70,000 is coming from the 2003­04 redevelopment budget, while the $585,000 would be spent out of the 2004­05 budget.

The $585,000 would be used to bring new, "Victorian-style" streetlights, street trees and crosswalks into North Willow Glen.

"The $70,000 is probably more than we will need for design, but any remaining money will stay in the neighborhood for additional improvements," Christman said.

Christman also said residents will be able to work with the department of public works on how the streetscape will look. He expects the first meeting to be in two months, although a firm date has not been established.

The streetscape improvements will complete two of the Greater Gardner coalition's top neighborhood priorities, which were originally developed through the Strong Neighborhood Initiative. The Greater Gardner coalition is composed of three neighborhood associations, including the North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association, Gregory Plaza and the Gardner Advisory Council.

For more information about the Greater Gardner coalition's top neighborhood priorities, visit www.strongneighborhoods.org/gardner/gardner.asp. The Greater Gardner coalition meets the fourth Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at Pension E Esperanza at 598 Columbia Ave.