The Richwood Village council called a special meeting Tuesday evening to deal with the Dudley Circle project. councilman Reddy Brown was absent from the meeting.
The original agreement with contractor Jason Wills, regarding the completion of Phase 1 of the Dudley Circle development ended May 31. Two areas needed to be completed, grading the gravel for the base of the street and the black top layer.
Wills came to the special council meeting Tuesday to ask council for an extension. He provided a signed contract with Park Enterprise of Marion, whom he has subcontracted with to lay the finishing layer of the street. The contract states they can complete Phase 1 by June 30.
Several residents of Dudley Circle came to the meeting to find out what council plans to do. At the last regular meeting of council, it was decided to take over the project if Wills did not have it finished at the May 31 deadline.
Homeowners questioned Wills about drainage of the street. A few residents have had water laying in their yards or in front of their homes. Wills explained that there will be a crown in the center of the street and in the curbs that will direct the water to go to the curbs and into the drains. He stated that he had jammed up both ends of the natural flow of the water with gravel, which he was using in the street. He explained that the stone will be pushed further north into the Phase 2 area so the street can be graded before laying the blacktop.
Councilman Von Beal commented that if council were to take over the project, the village would have to go through the bidding process to find a company who would finish the street, which could take more time and the project might be completed by October at the earliest, if companies were still blacktopping then.
Wills said, “I want to get the project done. It’s been a crazy year, with the high costs in construction, shortage of employees, etc.” He also apologized for not keeping council updated on the progress of the project. He said that while he was laying curbs, he has already placed curbing about 20 feet into the Phase 2 area and is working on getting the two Dudley Circles connected.
Council voted unanimously to extend the project date to June 30, giving Wills time to complete the project. Park Enterprise stated they could lay the street within 30 days or earlier.
The next regular council meeting is set for June 14, 7 p.m. at the village administration building, 153 N. Franklin St. The public is invited to attend.