Warren gets a check for improvements

More federal money may be headed to the city.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Mayor Michael J. O'Brien believes a roof over the Warren Community Amphitheater stage will attract additional performers to the city.
U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-17th, presented O'Brien with a $500,000 check Tuesday. The money is from a 2004 federal spending package passed by Congress earlier this year.
It's to be used for a roof over the amphitheater stage and other enhancements to the Riverwalk and amphitheater, including lighting and speakers, the mayor said.
The stage also will include dressing rooms and restrooms, O'Brien said.
The city is in the midst of the first full season of programming at the amphitheater, and crowds at events have reached 2,000 to 2,500 people, he said.
"I believe it will do nothing but get better in the years to come," O'Brien said.
Ryan called it a quality of life issue that fits with education and workforce retraining in keeping the area's young people in town.
The congressman credited O'Brien, Trumbull 100, former Mayor Hank Angelo and Michael Keys, community development director, with getting the Warren Community Amphitheater project going.
"We've got more [money] on the way," Ryan said.
Included in a six-year transportation reauthorization bill being hashed out in a joint committee of both branches of the Legislature is $1.5 million for the Riverwalk and Warren Community Amphitheater and $750,000 for an expansion at the National Packard Museum.