Four properties in Warren’s busiest downtown hub have already been approved for ARPA-funded grants provided by the Town of Warren to beautify their storefronts, and over half the money remains in the pot for others to apply.

The Town of Warren allocated $250,000 of American Rescue Plan Act dollars towards a facade improvement program, which was approved by the Town Council in January. Businesses within Warren’s lone Qualified Census Tract in town — an area that includes much of Market Street, Child Street, Water Street and Main Street — are eligible for up to $25,000 in grant funding to help rejuvenate their storefronts.

The first to be approved by the Warren Historic District Commission, which oversees the grant program, was Richardson’s Kitchen and Bar, located at 15 Child St.

“I’ve been wanting to do the front since I owned the building,” said owner Mike Richardson, who said he brought the property (originally built in 1895) in 2013, and opened up the restaurant about five years ago. “I think it would completely change the look of the facade and the corner.”

Richardson said the process was relatively straightforward, and the major hurdles have had less to do with government red tape and more to do with the unavailability of contractors who can actually commit to taking on another job.

“My brother is a contractor and I can’t even get him right now,” he said.

Town Planner Bob Rulli said that property owners who are approved for the grants must agree to language committing them to the work to ensure it gets done. He reported that the other three properties approved for facade improvement grants thus far were all on Water Street, and include:

• 194-196 Water Street — Approved for $23,200
• 155 Water Street — Approved for an amount not to exceed $10,500
• 63-65 Water Street — Approved for $15,000