The Apponaug Area Improvement Association (AAIA) and the City of Warwick Department of Housing & Community Development are pleased to announce the initiation of a façade improvement program impacting the Village of Apponaug . The activity is supported through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. One hundred thousand ($100,000) dollars in CDBG funds will be made available to finance the façade program. The target area includes all of Apponaug Proper i.e. properties along Post Road , and Greenwich Ave. fronting on the Apponaug Circle .

Commercial property owners and tenants are eligible for grants totaling eighty percent (80%) of renovation costs with a maximum grant of $10,000 dollars. An additional $1,500 may be used for architectural and design fees.

The AAIA and the Department of Housing & Community Development will jointly operate the façade program. Applications are available by contacting Jeff Gofton, President, AAIA at 738-8088. All applications will be submitted to AAIA at PO Box 7892 , Warwick , RI 02887 . A committee of AAIA members will then review requests with applicants before submission to the City and the Historic Preservation Commission. In addition, the AAIA will work with applicants throughout the local permitting and approval process.

The façade program is designed to improve the business climate and to stimulate private investment in the Village. Eligible façade activities include: signs, awnings, windows, siding, and painting. Façade funds may also be used for graffiti removal in conjunction with an improvement plan. The Association will accept other requests for innovative approaches to visually improve commercial structures.

Questions relating to the façade program should be directed to Jeff Gofton, President, AAIA at 738-8088 or Kevin Sullivan, Program Coordinator, Department of Housing & Community Development at 738-2000 extension 6371.