Main Street in Northampton's business district is not what it once was.

Years ago, department stores lined the street. However, today many empty buildings have become part of the streetscape.

As a result, the borough has expressed an interest in renovating and revitalizing some of the buildings in the hope of bringing in commercial and residential development.

The three-story Tama Building received approval a few months ago from borough council to undertake major renovations to the building to house apartments.

"Nothing, nothing at all," borough Manager Gene Zarayko said at the Dec. 16 council meeting, referring to whether the borough has received word from the developer about the potential project.

The century-old two-story schoolhouse, the borough's first high school, has some developers and buyers expressing interest in development. Fella Studios was the previous owner of the building. A citizen recently expressed interest in converting the building to an assisted living facility. No plans have been discussed regarding the building's use, however.

The Gospel Chapel occupies a large area on the first floor of Newberry's. A farmers market moved out several months ago.

The former Northampton Auto Parts store building also remains vacant, without a new tenant, Zarayko said. He added the borough has not received any word of a possible new business moving into the building.

More promising is the vacant Posh tract off 21st and Main streets, where a possible new buyer could very well build condos. The borough solicitor has been engaged in legal matters regarding the tract, located in the back of the CVS store.