Warren 'Great Neighborhood' celebration is Friday

There’s a neighborhood celebration Friday and without any hyperbole, it should be great.

Downtown Warren was recently named a “Great Neighborhood” by the American Planning Association, and Friday’s 1 p.m. celebration at the Warren Armory on Jefferson Street will see Warren get its official designation from the planning association. Also on hand will be Rep. David Cicilline, Lt. Gov. Daniel J. McKee and other local and national planning, business and town government leaders.

“I’m very happy,” said Warren Town Planner Kate Michaud, who originally nominated the town for the association’s annual list of great places earlier this year. Warren is “a real place. It’s not one of those cookie cutter communities, where everything is planned. It’s very organic.”

Downtown Warren beat out nominations from 35 other states for the honor, and it joins four other great neighborhoods on the association’s 2016 “great” list. They include downtown Santa Ana, Calif., Midtown Atlanta, Ga., Old Louisville in Louisville, Ky., and the Nob Hill neighborhood of Albuquerque, N.M.

Among other things, the association’s report celebrates Warren’s architecture, history, trendy artistic vibe, hardworking creative residents and commitment to planning.

“The eco-haven of downtown Warren is ideal for bikers and foodies alike,” the report reads. “The tiny downtown area and its highly involved community have set the green standard for active living, while local foods have set the stage for a story of urban renewal.”