Richmond Board of Public Works approves permits, equipment purchases and transit grant application
April 30, 2026 | Richmond City, Wayne County, Indiana
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The Richmond Board of Public Works and Safety approved a package of permits, contracts and a federal grant resolution at its May 1 meeting.
The board approved recurring street closures and event permits including a Townslane Community Center block party on May 16, Food Truck Wednesdays running May through September, a Tuesday twilight market in July–September and an outdoor farmers market at Elstro Plaza running May 2 through Oct. 31. The board also approved a request from Aaron Stevens, administrative resource officer with the Richmond Police Department, to install a new handicap parking sign at 2205 Grand Boulevard; Stevens said he had inspected the location and found "there is no other alternative parking for this residence."
On procurement, the Street Department recommended awarding the only responsive bid for a global street sweeper — including trade-ins — to Brown Equipment Company for $261,771, with delivery estimated in August. The board approved the purchase by voice vote.
Jim Dykes, assistant superintendent of the Parks Department, recommended awarding a package of roof-replacement work for 15 park properties, including a greenhouse, to Smarelli General Contractors for $311,090; the board approved the award after brief clarification about bid line items.
The board also approved several smaller contracts: contract 45-2026 with A1 Concrete Leveling and Foundation Repair for $5,400 to repair cracks in the floor at Don's Cabin, and contract 46-2026 with Anchor Industries for $27,297.90 to purchase replacement umbrellas for Cordell Municipal Pool.
In a preservation move, the board approved contract 47-2026 to transfer a deteriorating historic railroad-depot bench at the parking garage (20 South 8th Street) to the Richmond Area Railroader Society for $1. The society will restore the bench and donated six composite benches to the parking garage as part of the arrangement; Chris Becker said the society has a cabinet maker donating time to restore the bench.
The board also approved resolution No. 5 (2026) authorizing Rose City Transit to apply for calendar-year 2027 grant funds under sections 5311 and 5339 of the Federal Transit Act. "The application for the grant must be completed and filed by May 15th of 2026," said Chris Becker, Rose City Transit Manager; he described the grant as supporting operations and capital projects for public transportation in Richmond. Becker noted the state classifies Richmond as rural for this program based on population thresholds and described the city's mix of fixed-route and paratransit services.
Votes at a glance: all listed items were approved by voice vote during the meeting.
The board adjourned by general consent after completing the agenda.
The board approved recurring street closures and event permits including a Townslane Community Center block party on May 16, Food Truck Wednesdays running May through September, a Tuesday twilight market in July–September and an outdoor farmers market at Elstro Plaza running May 2 through Oct. 31. The board also approved a request from Aaron Stevens, administrative resource officer with the Richmond Police Department, to install a new handicap parking sign at 2205 Grand Boulevard; Stevens said he had inspected the location and found "there is no other alternative parking for this residence."
On procurement, the Street Department recommended awarding the only responsive bid for a global street sweeper — including trade-ins — to Brown Equipment Company for $261,771, with delivery estimated in August. The board approved the purchase by voice vote.
Jim Dykes, assistant superintendent of the Parks Department, recommended awarding a package of roof-replacement work for 15 park properties, including a greenhouse, to Smarelli General Contractors for $311,090; the board approved the award after brief clarification about bid line items.
The board also approved several smaller contracts: contract 45-2026 with A1 Concrete Leveling and Foundation Repair for $5,400 to repair cracks in the floor at Don's Cabin, and contract 46-2026 with Anchor Industries for $27,297.90 to purchase replacement umbrellas for Cordell Municipal Pool.
In a preservation move, the board approved contract 47-2026 to transfer a deteriorating historic railroad-depot bench at the parking garage (20 South 8th Street) to the Richmond Area Railroader Society for $1. The society will restore the bench and donated six composite benches to the parking garage as part of the arrangement; Chris Becker said the society has a cabinet maker donating time to restore the bench.
The board also approved resolution No. 5 (2026) authorizing Rose City Transit to apply for calendar-year 2027 grant funds under sections 5311 and 5339 of the Federal Transit Act. "The application for the grant must be completed and filed by May 15th of 2026," said Chris Becker, Rose City Transit Manager; he described the grant as supporting operations and capital projects for public transportation in Richmond. Becker noted the state classifies Richmond as rural for this program based on population thresholds and described the city's mix of fixed-route and paratransit services.
Votes at a glance: all listed items were approved by voice vote during the meeting.
The board adjourned by general consent after completing the agenda.
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