The city of Richmond is breaking out the hard hats for 2025, preparing for a water main project and street reconstruction.
Richmond City Manager Jon Moore said he anticipated 2025 would bring the start of an important water main project for the city, one that will replace a water main that is over 100 years old.
“We have received federal funding from U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain’s office. That will replace the water main on Main Street from Division Road down to the railroad tracks, $943,000 was received. We anticipate bidding in January for a spring start,” Moore said.
Another project set for a 2025 start is the reconstruction of Oak and Priestap streets in the city. Moore anticipates bidding the projects in January with an eye to spring construction.
“The Oak Street project is from Main Street to Division Road. Also including getting rid of the old abandoned railroad line that currently runs across the street. Then we will reconstruct Priestap from Main Street over to Beech,” Moore said.
This project received $250,000 from a Michigan Department of Transportation fund, according to Moore. Community Development Block Grant Funding in the amount of $20,000 will replace wheelchair accessible ramps.
Moore also said he anticipates the city will have a splash pad that is free to use from dawn to dusk starting this spring.
“In parks, this fall we completed the installation of a splash pad, that was $240,000 roughly, and we look forward to opening that up this coming spring when the weather is warm,” Moore said.
City collaboration with the parks and recreation department to continue developing programming for the Roosevelt Civic Auditorium, known as the AUD, will continue in 2025.
“Feb. 1 the chili cook off will be held at the AUD. This is the second year we have held it at the AUD. It used to be at the community center, but we moved it up there. Last year we did ice carving in front of the AUD that day, we anticipate doing it again this year,” Moore said.
One city project that began in 2024 will spill over into 2025, which is work on property at 69271 Forest Street. The city and the Tax Increment Finance Authority (TIFA) recently purchased the property for about $210,000, and they plan to demolish the house. Moore said he and the city’s public service director have been working on bid specs for the house demolition, and the plan is to open for bids in January. He anticipated that demolition could begin in March. The land will become a grassy area.
“It can be utilized as a public space for the social district. Eventually we may incorporate new parking into that area,” Moore said.
Moore counted the establishment of a social district as a key accomplishment for the city in 2024. The Richmond City Council adopted a resolution establishing the social district on March 4, 2024. It also approved a motion to create the social district’s maintenance plan, which included defining the days, hours of operation and proposed boundaries of the district.
The city opened the social district in the North Business District on Aug. 23, 2024. As approved by the Richmond City Council on March 4, 2024, the social district runs down Main Street from about Park Street down to Division Road. This incorporates two municipal parking lots, which serve as the primary public areas, and some nearby sidewalks. Within this designated area, people age 21 and up can take a designated cup of alcohol from a designated licensee and more throughout.
“There are four businesses that are authorized licensees, able to sell alcoholic beverages in the social district: Commercial House, Ken’s Country Kitchen, Maniaci’s Banquet Center and Starr Craft Brewery,” Moore said. “We have had a lot of positive reviews and we have seen good participation during festivals, parades, the community tree lighting. We are excited to build on that in the coming year.”
Moore also said the city has been working with the licensees to partner on events that will capitalize on the social district. Social district hours, rules and additional information can be found at cityofrichmond.net/476/Social-District.
Twenty-one new homes started construction in Richmond in 2024, and the West Richmond subdivision sold 54 lots. Moore listed the city’s expansion project at the Department of Public Works as another important accomplishment achieved in 2024.
“We added a barn extension of 60 feet by 75 feet,” Moore said. “It included new office space and a break room for the crew. Along with that, we were able to add five vehicle bays to the existing vehicle barn. The total cost was $825,000.”
Nicole Tuttle is a freelance reporter for The Voice.
