"It's becoming a picture," he said of the project's launch. "It's not a puzzle anymore."
A new sign at Ridge Avenue and Hermit Street bearing the neighborhood's name will welcome motorists.
"People will be arriving in the area and have a sense of place," Guet said.
U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah (D., Pa) said he received an $800,000 federal grant to partially fund the project.
State Sen. Vincent Hughes obtained $977,500 through a state transportation program, and $500,000 came from a city grant secured by Councilman Curtis Jones, according to Guet.
Fattah said the project was modeled after the streetscape beautification he championed in Mount Airy last year. He said he hoped the renovations bring revenue and jobs to neighborhood businesses.
"When you spruce up these business streets, it retains customers but attracts new customers," he said.
Some Ridge Avenue business owners said the construction zone, which currently occupies the avenue between Gerhard and Martin Streets, had deterred customers.
Stanley Tropiano, 62, owner of Carlino's of Roxborough flower and tuxedo shop, said construction in front of his store occupied parking spots that would typically be open to customers.
"Somebody driving by and they're not from the area and they can't find a spot, they're going to just keep going when there's nowhere to park," Tropiano said. "They'll think they can get it somewhere else up the road."
Tropiano, whose shop has been at the same location for 36 years, said there were once at least nine competing flower shops in Roxborough, but his is now one of two remaining in the business district. He cited supermarkets and online florists for the change.
"Everybody's busy today," he said. "If you can pick something up while you're food shopping, why make another stop?"
Sandra Dempsey, owner of the Initial Touch embroidery shop, said she welcomed the improvements, but thought the government money could be spent more effectively elsewhere.
"I don't see anything wrong with a lot of the pavement along here," Dempsey said. "Mine, yes there is. There's a tree that's coming up and that could be replaced, but I don't see anything wrong with a lot of the other sidewalks along the way."
Contact staff writer Reity O'Brien at 215-854-2917 or reobrien@philly.com.
