The City of Warren Redevelopment Authority agreed to purchase a total of 13 additional tables to supplement the tables the city puts out downtown each spring.

The RDA took the action during Wednesday’s meeting.

RDA member Wendy McCain told the Times Observer that 12 of the tables will seat four people while one will seat two. She said the total cost approved was $29,920.

“City Council could need to approve of the ‘gift’ of the tables with a motion,” Vince DeJoy, director of codes, zoning and economic development explained.

While city council recently approved the placement of tables by local businesses that would be solely for those businesses, this purchase is for tables for the general public.

“(T)he tables will be the property of the city and restaurant businesses would not have the ability to reserve tables,” DeJoy said.

The RDA also discussed a couple properties that face blight designations during Wednesday’s meeting.

The news was positive for 602 Conewango Ave as work is being completed at that residence but the situation at 1613 1/2 Madison was less optimistic.

Jessica Bee, the city’s code official, said she condemned the property after the plumbing was stripped out, it was infested with fleas and was abandoned.

“It’s been very neglected for a long time,” she said, explaining that the property sold at tax sale. The owner had been invited to the March 2020 meeting of the city’s blight committee but that meeting — and subsequent meetings — were canceled due to COVID-19.

Bee said complaints have been received recently about garbage accumulation and the committee agreed to let her pursue actions through the property maintenance code — potentially including a demolition order — at this time.