Inside Richmond: The City's Pulse

In episode 34 of Inside Richmond: The City’s Pulse, host Kalleigh Smith and Mayor Oler are joined by Dakota Collins from Earlham College’s Revitalize Richmond initiative to talk about the changes taking shape downtown and what residents can expect next.

From restoring historic buildings to creating new housing, supporting local businesses, and connecting more people to downtown, the conversation explores how Earlham College and community partners are working together to move Richmond forward. Dakota explains the initiative’s three areas of focus, build, activate, and connect, and how each contributes to a downtown where people want to live, work, learn, and spend time.

The discussion also covers connections between Earlham’s campus, downtown, the Depot District, and the Whitewater Gorge, including plans and possibilities for improved kayak access, a river walk, play areas, and new outdoor experiences. Along the way, Kalleigh, Mayor Oler, and Dakota explore housing needs, walkability, safety, and what it means for Richmond to embrace its identity as a college town.

They also address the questions and skepticism that come with major change, the challenges behind the scenes, and why the next 12 to 15 months could be an important stretch for visible progress. It’s a look at the people, partnerships, and projects helping shape Richmond’s next chapter.

Subscribe to Inside Richmond: The City’s Pulse for more conversations about our community, and share this episode with someone who wants to know what’s happening in Richmond.

Learn more about Revitalize Richmond and follow the projects at https://earlham.edu/revitalize-richmond/.

This week on Inside Richmond: The City’s Pulse, guest host Kalleigh Smith welcomes Kristi Cruse to talk about Richmond Parks and Recreation, the Richmond Farmers Market, and the opportunities you might be missing right in your own backyard. Think there’s nothing to do in Richmond? This episode might change your mind.

From JUCO (Just Us Kids Outdoors), a longtime free summer camp, to seasonal festivals and family activities, Kalleigh and Kristi explore how our parks bring people together without putting a strain on the family budget. They share the work behind these programs and why making them accessible matters.

The conversation also heads to the Richmond Farmers Market, where every purchase connects you with someone who grew it, made it, or baked it. Kristi discusses the standards behind the market, the relationships between vendors and shoppers, and how flooding has affected local farms. They also share simple ways to support growers and save seasonal produce for meals long after summer ends.

Beyond shopping local, the market helps get fresh food to more families. They discuss SNAP Double Dollars, WIC Market Match, and the Farm to Pantry project, which reimburses vendors for surplus perishable food that goes to local food pantries. You’ll also hear about the year-round market, its indoor winter season, Tuesday evening markets, fall events, and plans for a playground and splash pad project at Glen Miller Park.

Get to know the people and programs helping Richmond grow, and find something new to be part of. Follow Inside Richmond: The City’s Pulse, share this episode with a neighbor, and leave a quick review to help more people discover what’s happening in our community.

What does a day in the life of Richmond’s mayor actually look like? For Mayor Ron Oler, it can start with the phone ringing before sunrise and change completely before he ever makes it through the day’s calendar.

Mayor Ron Oler joins host Lindsay Darnell on Inside Richmond: The City’s Pulse for a behind-the-scenes look at what municipal leadership really looks like in Richmond. From packed schedules, council and committee meetings, and managing people to approving purchase orders and payroll, visiting city departments, and handling unexpected emergencies, there’s a lot happening that most residents never see.

They dig into the essential services that keep Richmond running, including streets, fire, police, sanitary sewer, stormwater, trash, maintenance, and the airport. Much of the city’s work happens quietly in the background, but when the streets stay passable, the toilets keep flushing, and essential services work the way they should, it creates room to focus on Richmond’s future.

Lindsay and Mayor Oler also clear up some common misconceptions about what the mayor and city government actually control. Schools have their own boards. Judges don’t report to the mayor. Roads, bridges, and railroad crossings can fall under city, county, INDOT, or federal jurisdiction. They discuss how those different layers of government affect projects like Revive I-70 and major bridge improvements, along with why planning, engineering, funding, and coordination can make projects take years to complete.

The conversation also gets into code enforcement, Indiana property rights, tall grass, blight, and why the city sometimes can’t move as quickly as residents might expect.

Finally, they look at the momentum building across Richmond. Downtown revitalization, new retail interest, the Lilly Endowment investment connected to Earlham College and 6 Main, a memorial plaque honoring the victims of the 1968 explosion, and plans for Whitewater Gorge Park, trails, and other amenities are all part of the bigger picture.

It’s about building a Richmond where people don’t just come to work, but choose to live, invest, explore, and build their future.

If you’ve ever wondered what really happens behind the doors of City Hall, why certain projects take time, or what’s being done to move Richmond forward, this episode gives you a look at the work, challenges, and opportunities shaping the city.

A red, white, and blue safe buried beneath concrete for 50 years. A plaque counting down to July 4, 2026. On July 4, 2026, Richmond's Bicentennial time capsule was finally opened, revealing a remarkable collection of everyday history that had been waiting half a century to be seen again.

On Episode 31 of Inside Richmond, we welcome Richmond Mayor Ron Oler and Sue King, archivist at the Morrisson-Reeves Library, to share the incredible story behind Richmond's 1976 Bicentennial time capsule. From locating the capsule and breaking through concrete to discovering the original combination had been lost, they take us behind the scenes of what it really took to bring this piece of history back into the light. What could have been a simple ceremony became a fascinating lesson in preservation, planning, and why documenting history matters just as much as preserving it.

Once the safe was opened, the real adventure began. Inside were letters written to the people of 2026, newspapers from July 4, 1976, a preserved Rose City rose, a TV Guide, a GTE telephone book, and dozens of other items that captured everyday life during America's Bicentennial. We also explore Richmond's even older time capsules, including an 1886 cornerstone discovery, a powerful Grand Army of the Republic letter connected to Civil War General and former Richmond Mayor Thomas W. Bennett, and a historic sword that is now on display.

If you enjoy local history, genealogy, fascinating stories from Richmond's past, or simply want to see how one community preserved a moment in time for the next generation, this episode offers a unique look at the people, artifacts, and stories that continue to shape Richmond's history.

A modern airport terminal is about far more than appearances. It impacts safety, accessibility, economic development, and the first impression visitors have when they arrive in Richmond. Host Lindsay Darnell sits down with Richmond Municipal Airport Manager Rodney Mayse and Board of Aviation President Jonathan Meade to discuss the long-awaited terminal replacement project, the funding behind it, and why this investment matters for the community.

Rodney and Jonathan explain what the new terminal will include, how Richmond secured a $1.4 million FAA grant after years of persistence, and why those federal dollars cannot legally be redirected to roads, libraries, or other city projects. They also discuss how airport revenue helps support the project, what construction will look like while the airport remains open, and how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law created new opportunities for airports like Richmond's.

The conversation also looks beyond the building itself, exploring how a modern terminal can strengthen economic development, better serve pilots and corporate visitors, support future community events, and position Richmond for continued growth. Whether you're an aviation enthusiast or simply interested in how public infrastructure projects come together, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at one of Richmond's most significant investments in recent years.

Richmond has been quietly doing something most cities put off for years: counting and assessing its public trees one by one.

In this episode, Lindsay Darnell is joined by Thomas Hill, GIS Coordinator for the City of Richmond; Laura Karnes, ISA Certified Arborist at Richmond Parks & Recreation; and Schelby Schlager, IU ERI McKinney Climate Fellow working with the City through an Urban Green Governance grant, to discuss Richmond's new tree inventory and what it reveals about the city's urban forest.

The group explains how thousands of public trees are being evaluated, what the early data is showing, and how the inventory will help guide future planting, maintenance, and management decisions throughout Richmond. They discuss risk ratings, public safety, species diversity, and why trees should be viewed as critical infrastructure that impacts everything from neighborhood temperatures to quality of life.

The conversation also explores lessons learned from Emerald Ash Borer, the importance of species diversity, and the long-term vision for expanding Richmond's tree canopy. Carnes shares practical advice for homeowners on proper tree planting techniques, avoiding common mistakes, and giving young trees the best chance to thrive.

If you've ever wondered how trees affect your neighborhood, your parks, and the future of Richmond, this episode is for you.

Host Lindsay Darnell is joined by Jack Bales, a survivor of the April 6, 1968 Main Street explosions, and Richmond Mayor Ron Oler for a powerful and deeply personal look at one of the most devastating days in the city’s history. From inside the Marting Arms building, Jack recalls thinking the first blast was a sonic boom, until seconds later everything changed. He walks through the chaos moment by moment, from the second explosion fueled by stored ammunition and gunpowder to waking up on top of collapsed debris surrounded by fire, brick, and smoke.

The conversation follows Jack’s escape and the immediate aftermath, where strangers rushed to help, injuries were overwhelming, and local hospitals were flooded with victims. He shares the medical realities many never hear about, including severe trauma, missed injuries, and the long road to recovery that included months in traction. The emotional impact is just as real, with reflections on nightmares, claustrophobia, and the determination to keep moving forward with the support of family.

Mayor Ron Oler brings the conversation into the present, discussing how Richmond continues to remember and honor those affected. He shares plans for a new bronze memorial plaque at Sixth and Main that will list all 41 victims, along with details about the upcoming public ceremony and how the community can support the effort.

This episode is a reminder of resilience, loss, and the importance of preserving local history. Listen now, subscribe for more stories from around Richmond, and share this episode with someone who cares about our community. After you listen, leave a review and tell us how you think Richmond should honor April 6, 1968.

Richmond was named as a potential casino market, local leaders got behind it, developers showed interest, and then Wayne County was pulled from House Bill 1038 at the last minute. That shift left a lot of people asking what actually happened and what it means moving forward.

Host Lindsay Darnell sits down with Mayor Ron Oler to break down the full timeline and the real numbers behind the headlines. From the state’s gaming study by Spectrum Gaming Group to how Richmond ended up on the list of “proxy” locations, they walk through what changed as the bill moved through the legislature and why it ultimately didn’t stick.

The details matter here. They get into license fees, bidding requirements, and the reality of a $500 million resort-style development that may not align with Richmond’s projected revenue. There’s also a clear explanation of what a referendum would look like, why local voters would have the final say, and why 2028 is the most realistic timeline if this comes back around.

The conversation also looks at the bigger picture. What a modern resort-style development actually includes, what other Indiana communities have experienced, and how Richmond could prepare for the impact. Even without this project moving forward right now, the coordination between city, county, and business leaders put Richmond in a position to be considered for future large-scale opportunities.

If you’ve been trying to make sense of the proposal, HB 1038, and what comes next for Richmond, this is the conversation to hear.

Vacant lots don’t just sit there, they slow everything around them down. On Richmond’s south side, that’s starting to change in a real way.

Host Lindsay Darnell sits down with Sarah Mitchell from the Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County along with Jeb Reece and Bennett Bensman from Intend Indiana to break down the Vaile Neighborhood Project, a plan bringing 22 new single-family homes to long-vacant parcels and turning them into real opportunities for homeownership.

This conversation gets into what actually makes a project like this possible. From closing the appraisal gap to leveraging HOME funds and offering up to $20,000 in down payment assistance, this is the behind-the-scenes work that helps monthly payments compete with rent. They also walk through what buyers can expect, including three-bedroom layouts, one- and two-story options, and a focus on quality construction that raises the standard for affordable housing.

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to qualify, we lay out the full path. Income requirements, lender pre-approval, reserving a home during construction, and the Homeownership 101 program course hosted at Vaile Elementary that helps guide buyers through budgeting, mortgages, and life after closing.

Learn more about the Homeownership 101 program: https://intendindiana.org/homeownership-101/

Watch the Homeownership 101 overview video: https://youtu.be/EPxB1O2WoKI?si=UTQh26jdv4oezctf

Read more about the project: https://whywaynecounty.com/community-partners-break-ground-on-vaile-neighborhood-revitalization-project-bringing-22-new-affordable-homes-to-richmonds-southside/

Want to see Main Street buzzing after dark again? Host Lindsay Darnell sits down with Acacia St. John of Forward Wayne County and Rebecca Gilliam of the Wayne County Foundation to talk about how the new Wayne County Land Trust is working to keep historic buildings in local hands, open the door for mixed use housing, and create a downtown that truly serves residents and small businesses.

The conversation dives into the real challenges Richmond has faced, including absentee ownership and long vacant storefronts, and why a community land trust offers a practical path forward. You will hear how early philanthropic support helped secure key properties, how each building will remain on the tax rolls, and how tools like historic tax credits and private investment will help sustain the vision long term. With most acquisitions complete, the focus now shifts to planning, design, and due diligence, with phased construction expected over the next few years alongside projects like Six at Main and ongoing downtown activation efforts.

This is about building a downtown people can live in, walk through, and enjoy every day. From upper floor apartments to locally owned shops and safer, more inviting streets, the goal is to create spaces shaped by the community. The episode also explores governance through the Foundation, safeguards for transparency, and a strong commitment to local contractors and suppliers. Most importantly, there is an open invitation for residents to share what they want to see fill these spaces, from cafés and bookstores to studios, gathering spots, and thoughtful design touches that make downtown feel alive.

If you care about the future of Richmond, now is the time to lean in.
 To learn more, visit waynecountyfoundation.org and forwardwaynecounty.org.