Lot’s future: Green space to enjoy lunch

A grassy plot sits next to the Romey and Evans buildings that Eric Dimick Eastman owns on the northwest corner of East Main and 10th streets.

Dimick Eastman, though, sees the 0.15-acre plot’s future with paths, tables, seating, trees and bushes next to the makerspace, called The Hive, he’s creating inside his buildings. He showed what he called an “undergrad architect’s” preliminary plan for the space during the Wayne County commissioners’ Nov. 25 meeting.

Commissioners were required to conduct a public hearing about selling the land at 916-918 E. Main St. to Dimick Eastman, who bid $25,000 during an Oct. 22 auction. No one but Dimick Eastman spoke during the public hearing, and afterward, commissioners reaffirmed their approval of his winning bid.

The lot could include some parking in the back, but it would provide a green space with seating, where Dimick Eastman envisions people eating their lunch bought at nearby restaurants or brought from home. He said Richmond needs more places where people can eat outside.

Dimick Eastman is pursuing the makerspace, which is a place that provides tools, technology and space for users to create, as a hobby and a passion, not a full-time job. The project, which could eventually include a residential component to further the creative community, is now receiving support from Revitalize Richmond, including a consultant’s assistance.

“It’s something I’ve seen in other places, and I thought it would work well in Richmond,” Dimick Eastman said.

He also did not want out-of-state owners to purchase the Romey and Evans buildings and allow them to fall further into disrepair. It’s been challenging to renovate the century-old buildings, facing engineering and architectural issues to meet current code.

The previous buildings at 916-918 were razed during 2021 under city of Richmond emergency orders.

Other issues

• Commissioners approved three memoranda of understanding for the distribution of opioid settlement money the county receives annually from opioid manufacturers, distributors and retailers. The MOUs provide Reid Health with $83,149.66, Birth to Five with $65,000 and Bridges for Life with $75,000. Distributions were approved during the Oct. 22 commissioners meeting.
• The county is exploring the process of assigning tax certificates on three Richmond properties — 212 S. 13th St., 51 S. 15th St. and 441 S. 11th St. — to convey them to Affordable Home Matters LLC, which is part of Intend Indiana, which is leading a Vaile neighborhood project. The process could replace the deed sale, which requires the county to take ownership of properties not sold during a tax sale before conveying them to other entities.
• Commissioners approved paying Ron Cross, the county attorney, $24,093.61 for work he performed outside the scope of his contract dealing with issues such as the local option highway user tax, WUR dissolution and appeal of a Board of Zoning Appeals ruling.
• Cindy Hartman was unanimously reappointed to the BZA for a four-year term.