Restaurateur Dean Tsamouras came to Mathews several years ago to relax, not to take on big projects. But, as owner of Southwind Pizza on Church Street, he’s been bitten by the revitalization bug, and he’s now begun renovations that he expects could eventually cost around $180,000.

Tsamouras got a jump start on his project with a federal community development block grant (CDBG) that will help pay for façade improvements to the small building next door to the Southwind, that he plans to turn into a second dining room.

With a price tag of $34,570, the improvements include replacing the small building’s front porch and attaching it to the porch of the current restaurant, installing a handicapped ramp for a new side entrance, and connecting the two buildings’ dining rooms with a small passageway that Tsamouras calls Hole in the Wall.

Tsamouras said the project will provide extra seating for busy days, as well as a place for people who want to have meetings ...