Committee backs lease for Richmond Community Tool Bank at Broad Rock Sports Complex

The Land Use, Housing and Transportation Standing Committee voted to forward ordinance 2025239 to council with a recommendation to approve a lease authorizing the city to execute an agreement with Richmond Community Tool Bank for storage space at Broad Rock Sports Complex, 4385 Old Warwick Road.

Chris Frelke, director of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, said the Tool Bank operates a central location on the city’s north side and that the new leased storage would provide a secure, temporary storage shed at Broad Rock to make equipment more accessible to South Side residents. Frelke said the parks department has worked with the Tool Bank for about six months and that the Ninth District supported the location.

Committee members corrected a district labeling error in the ordinance (the paper listed the Eighth District; the committee clarified it should read Ninth District) and held a public hearing; no public speakers appeared in person. The committee then voted to forward the ordinance with a recommendation to approve.

Recorded committee votes: Mister Bridal — aye; Vice Chair Robertson — aye; Chair Jones — aye. The motion passed.

The lease would grant the CAO authority to execute an agreement allowing nonexclusive storage on city property at Broad Rock Sports Complex; terms and duration of the lease were not specified in committee discussion and will be finalized in the administrative drafting and review process.