The Richwood Revitalization Committee is working on a proposal to request appropriations from the 2022 state capital budget designated to local community infrastructure projects.
The committee plans to seek funding to replace and stabilize the roof of the former Richwood Opera House.
The committee will present the proposal with letters of support to Rep. Tracy Richardson on Feb. 17.
“I would like to have everything finalized by the last day of this month,” said committee member Tracy Plouck.
As part of the proposal, the committee received a budget proposal from Robertson Construction Services, Inc. in Heath for the third phase of the opera house redevelopment project, which is to stabilize the building with exterior improvements.
The total budget proposal cost is roughly $2.5 million, including all labor, materials, tools, equipment and disposal to complete the project, plus a 10% contingency. The estimate is based on reinforcing a load-bearing area beneath recently stabilized trusses – $170,350, roof replacement – $548,000, gutter replacement – $260,000 and tuck pointing $1,520,540. The budget proposal excluded estimates for architectural design and engineering, an underground storm system, prevailing wage, foundation work, work to tower, any hazardous materials and abatement, any sidewalk repairs, winter weather conditions, zoning, builders risk insurance, electric, an HVAC system, plumbing, insulation, energy code compliance, a fire alarm system, the installation of an elevator and any utility company fees.
The committee is only seeking about $720,000 in capital funding for the roof replacement and stabilization of the load-bearing area beneath the recently stabilized trusses.
Interior improvements will be approached in phases four and five of the development project.
Currently, the committee has $2,875 in the Richwood Bank coffee fund and $5,352 in the opera house general fund. Chairman Reddy Brown is planning to ask Dustin Lowe to transfer the proceeds from his book sale that he promised to donate to the development project. The committee is also anticipating $50,000 of state capital funds to pay for an architect and a feasibility study.
In addition, the committee agreed to allow Brown to purchase fire extinguishers and egress signs for about $300, then he and member Donnie Ridgeway will install them. Originally, Brown was going to ask the council for funding because the village owns the building. However, council covered a $1,000 expense for the use of dumpsters at several cleanup days at the opera house.
Brown said Council member Von Beal, who is the chairman of the council’s budget committee, offered to have the village absorb the cost.
“He just right away volunteered, and Von hasn’t been our greatest supporter, so I really felt touched that Von said, ‘We got that,’” Brown said. “I couldn’t ask council to pay another $300 when they just did that for us.”
Once those safety materials are installed, the committee is permitted to give tours of 10 people or less in the historic building.
Furthermore, the committee approved changes to its charter about voting possibilities of alternate members, which will be presented to the Village of Richwood Council at an upcoming meeting.
The next Richwood Revitalization Committee meeting is scheduled for Feb. 24 at the municipal building, 153 N. Franklin St.