At its May 28 meeting, the Muncie Board of Public Works and Safety approved a street-closure permit for the East Central Neighborhood Association’s Old Washington Street Festival, granting the neighborhood’s request to close Washington Street and adjacent side streets for the annual event.

Erin Lovell, who identified herself as a member of the festival planning committee, told the board, “This will be our 40 eighth year, and we are looking to close the usual streets down Washington and down the side streets. We did get sign off from the police department and fire department.” Lovell provided proof of insurance and said she would supply additional documentation if needed.

Staff noted a permit-fee waiver is available for qualifying nonprofits and discussed a requirement for proof of 501(c)(3) status. As staff put it during the discussion, “It’s if they're a 501C3C3, they do not They waived it. Okay. Got it. Got it.” A board member moved approval; another seconded “with the proviso that they supply the 5 0 1 c 3.” The board approved the closure; staff said documents would be signed for the group following receipt of the 501(c)(3) documentation.

Separately, the board tabled two other street-closure applications. A request tied to a group identified in the record as “Foreverlasting” did not have a representative in attendance and was tabled. A second application for the Robinwood neighborhood was also tabled because no representative was present and staff requested that applicants be asked to attend the next meeting and to supply any outstanding paperwork, including insurance and proof of nonprofit status if seeking a fee waiver.

Clarifying details from the discussion: Lovell said the festival has police and fire sign-off and provided insurance; staff and the board required a 501(c)(3) document to finalize a fee waiver and asked applicants to appear at a subsequent meeting to complete paperwork.