Thirteen commercial properties throughout Warren’s major downtown areas are undergoing exterior renovations thanks to a $250,000 ARPA-funded facade improvement grant program that was passed at the beginning of 2022.

Grants were available to commercial businesses in Warren’s lone census tract, which includes Water Street, much of Main Street, along with portions of Child Street and Market Street. Awards were allocated in amounts not exceeding $25,000, and were put through an approval process overseen by the town’s voluntary Historic District Commission.

Money for the projects will cover a variety of improvements, from fixes to windows, siding, and doors, to touching up peeling paint and refinishing exterior aesthetic details. Others have proposed more ambitious plans that will make a noticeable alteration on the streetscape.

“It made a huge difference,” said Uriah Donnelly, whose property at 4 Market Street (where The Collaborative and the new arc{hive} book + snackery is located) is in the midst of renovations after receiving the max $25,000 grant. “We wouldn’t be doing the work if it weren’t for the grant. It definitely helped us. We’re in the middle of the project but we believe it will improve the look of the building and help with what the Historic District Committee is trying to achieve.”

Three members of the Town Council who own or co-own downtown businesses are among the recipients, including Keri Cronin (155 Water St.), Joseph DePasquale (164 Water St.), and Brandt Heckert (63-65 Water St.).

While walking the town and looking at the properties that were chosen, DePasquale was seen in the midst of some repairs at the building he co-owns with William Schaff at 164 Water St. He said they received the $25,000 maximum grant, which would go towards a new entry door and new windows, among some other much-needed fixes for the building, which houses Schaff’s art studio.

“We’re very grateful to the parties who helped put this together,” DePasquale said in between making measurements.

Of the applications reviewed within the file at the town building office, only one notable property was found to have been denied after filing its application — a storefront at 147 Water St. that was purchased by a luxury real estate company, Engel & Völkers. The Historic District Commission reportedly was not satisfied with the aesthetics of the facade that they put forward for approval.

Other notable properties that received money includes Richardson’s Kitchen and Bar at 15 Child St., the Siren Spell tattoo shop at 160 Water St., the firemen’s museum at 38 Baker St., and the large corner building at 489 Main St., which has multiple renderings for its proposed restoration options posted in the storefront window for all to see.

Town Planner Bob Rulli, who was the initial point of contact for those wishing to apply for money, said that the program was a successful one, and that there are likely plenty of more properties who would love the opportunity to apply if more money became available.

“I’m sure if the [Town] Council allocated another $250,000 we could fill that up too,” he said.

The full list of properties that received money includes:

45 Water St. - $25,000
63-65 Water St. - $15,000
155 Water St. - $8,500
160 Water St. - $17,000
164 Water St. - $25,000
194-196 Water St. - $23,200
259 Water St. - $3,500
489 Main St. - $25,000
585 Main St. - $11,500
38 Baker St. - $25,000
4 Market St. - $25,000
13 Child St. - $25,000
18 Child St. - $21,300

Total - $250,000