WARREN Building delays affect park events

Two big summer festivals will stay in Courthouse Square this year.
By PETER H. MILLIKEN
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Because of construction delays, no events are scheduled for the Warren Community Amphitheatre in Perkins Park until June 30.
The events, including the African-American Festival set for June 2-4, and a series of concerts, will instead be held in Courthouse Square park, Mayor Michael O'Brien said. Musicians will perform at the Courthouse Square gazebo, he added.
The construction delay at the amphitheater is due to a need to increase the depth of the stage's concrete base from 11/2 to 4 inches to support the roof being added onto it, the mayor explained.
"Our focus now is to get this corrected to move on so we can have this under roof by June 30," he said. "They're making the necessary changes to fortify the base to be able to withstand the structure of the roof," he said of the construction crew.
The mayor had earlier said the $500,000 worth of amphitheater work, known as the Warren Community Stagehouse, was to be completed by Memorial Day.
Other construction work
Besides the roof addition, the work, now being performed by Tinkler Construction Co., includes addition of restrooms and dressing rooms for performers and a 12-foot forward extension of the stage toward the seating area. Steps will also be added on the west side of the seating area. Rainwater drainage has been improved by installation of catch basins in the grassy area.
When the work is complete, the performers and their electronic equipment and musical instruments will be protected from the rain; performers will be able to get closer to the audience; and sound quality will improve, the mayor said. "We'll be able to attract more entertainers because of the protection of their equipment," he added.
The mayor also said the annual Italian-American Festival, scheduled for Aug. 11-13, will remain in Courthouse Square park this year because that festival, which has about 60 vendors, requires more electrical capacity than the promenade next to the amphitheater can provide. An upgrade of the promenade's electrical capacity is planned, he added.
Because of good weather, sewer construction has already been completed on the streets bordering Courthouse Square, the mayor said.
"Since the sewer construction is ahead of schedule, we'll be able to have the Italian festival at the Courthouse Square," he concluded.