Last week I wrote about the ongoing problem of empty storefronts and poorly maintained buildings on Main Street. This is one of the biggest concerns of people in Warren, for good reason. Main Street is the face of our community and central to our economic success.
Improving Main Street will first require property owners to put more effort into properly maintaining their buildings, improving their storefronts, and marketing their rentals at a reasonable rates. For those who need it, financial help for storefront improvement is available through the Town in the form of grants.
The Town must also address the problem limited and under-utilized parking. Some work has already been done towards this. Our Economic Development Board has worked to help identify and create signage for existing parking. The Town has taken also taken steps to keep parking open by monitoring time limits. A few months ago, the Council voted unanimously to lease a parking lot behind Main Street and open it up for public parking. But much more needs to be done to address this problem. We have to explore any and all other options, including shared parking.
I will continue to focus on efforts to improve our Main Street.

Brandt Heckert
Democrat running for re-election to Warren Town Council