Evansville Board of Public Works approves contracts, permits and opens Portland Loop bids

The City of Evansville Board of Public Works on Oct. 3 approved a set of contracts and permits, authorized advertising and bid openings for upcoming projects and took action on multiple right-of-way applications.

The board approved a $2,504,990.62 contract with JBI Construction Inc. for the Crosspoint Boulevard and Indiana Street roundabout project (project 24-012), moved forward a contract to provide down-payment assistance to Habitat for Humanity homebuyers, authorized a digital signage contract for transit information, ratified a compliance arrangement for revolving loan fund review, approved a small street-sweeping contract for a community festival and opened bids for the Portland Loop (Portland Loo) project.

Why it matters: the roundabout contract represents the largest single commitment approved at the meeting and is part of the city’s continuing street and intersection improvements. The down-payment assistance and revolving-loan administration items affect local housing and small-business lending processes. Opening bids and advertising actions set the public procurement timeline for projects that will affect sidewalks, traffic and downtown facilities.

The board approved the JBI Construction contract after staff said bids were opened weeks earlier and that the lowest responsive bid fell within budget. City engineer staff member Mr. Wyle told the board, “we opened the bids about 6 weeks ago. They've been under review this during this time. Everything's in order. It's within the budgeted amount, so we're ready to move forward with this project.” The motion to award the contract passed with the board’s affirmative vote.

On housing assistance, the board approved an agreement with Hope of Enzo Inc. to provide $3,000 in down-payment assistance per household for 20 Habitat for Humanity of Evansville buyers, a total contract amount of $60,000. Board discussion on the item was brief and the motion carried.

The board also approved a contract with NoviSign Limited LTD to replace the city’s digital-signage system used at the downtown terminal, driver break room and office to display bus information. A staff speaker said the current vendor is no longer in business and the new system will allow the city “to push this out online so that we can show our bus information downtown.” The contract amount as read into the record during the meeting was unclear in the transcript; the amount is recorded in meeting documents.

For loan administration, the board approved an agreement with Old National Bank to act as a compliance partner reviewing credit-related documentation for applicants to the city’s revolving loan fund (RLF). staff explained the agreement carries no cost to the city; applicants leave a check with the local ISBDC to cover the report fee.

Smaller items approved included a $2,074.47 contract with Westside Net Club Inc. for street sweeping during the Westside Net Club Fall Festival and authorization to advertise the city’s 2025 ADA curb ramp improvements project with scheduled advertisement and bid dates in October. The board also approved temporary road-closure requests and barricade/signage use for three community events, including a school marching-band invitational and a car show.

Right-of-way permit decisions: the board approved Appendix A right-of-way permit applications for a long list of permit numbers with standard conditions — requiring Indiana MUTCD-compliant traffic procedures and Board of Public Safety approval before lane restrictions or street closures. The board took exceptions on several permits (2362, 2363, 2365, 2367, 2392 and 2402) because the proposed work lies outside city limits and moved to deny those applications. One permit item was tabled so staff and an applicant could do a site visit; board members scheduled the inspection and asked the applicant to remain available after the meeting.

Bids opened for Portland Loo project: city staff opened two bids for the Portland Loo project (project 25-005). Staff reported two bids received: Dyke Brothers at $319,625 and Rivertown Construction at $514,760. The board voted to take the bids under advisement for later award decisions.

Public comment and records question: resident Lee Russell asked about the bid-opening process and whether the earlier bid opening for the Metz administration and terminal renovation complied with open-meeting and public-record requirements, asking, “Isn't there an open door law that, anything with public monies that has to be read aloud?” City staff responded that the bids had been opened in this room, that the board does not need to be present to open bids under Indiana law, and that the bid documents would be available through an APRA request. On whether the earlier opening was recorded, staff answered, “I don't think it was recorded, and I don't think it was required to be recorded.”

Other business: Board member Mr. Zima announced he will be leaving the Board of Public Works to take a position on the Evansville Water and Sewer Utility board; members thanked him for his service.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes (09/11/2025): approved. - NoviSign Limited LTD contract for digital signage (city transit): approved; contract amount recorded in meeting documents (amount unclear in oral record). - Old National Bank agreement (RLF compliance partner): approved; contract amount $0 (applicant-paid review fee described). - Hope of Enzo Inc. contract for down-payment assistance (20 households × $3,000): approved; total $60,000. - Westside Net Club Inc. street-sweeping contract (Fall Festival): approved; total $2,074.47. - Appendix A right-of-way permit applications: approvals with standard conditions; exceptions noted and permits 2362, 2363, 2365, 2367, 2392 and 2402 denied; one item tabled for site visit. - JBI Construction Inc. contract for Crosspoint Boulevard and Indiana Street roundabout (24-012): approved; total $2,504,990.62. - Open bids for Portland Loo (25-005): two bids opened (Dyke Brothers $319,625; Rivertown Construction $514,760); board took bids under advisement. - Advertisement for 2025 ADA curb ramp improvements (25-009): approved; ads scheduled for Oct. 3 and Oct. 10 with bids opening Oct. 23. - Event barricades/road-closure requests for marching-band invitational, holiday parade and Amvets car show: approved. - Bills and payrolls: approved.

Speakers quoted in this report are identified in the meeting record as Marco DeLucio (board president), Mister Siverke (project representative), Mr. Wyle (city engineer staff), Mister Robertson (transportation/operations staff), Lee Russell (resident) and others listed below in the speaker roster. All votes noted above were taken during the Oct. 3 meeting and recorded as approved, denied or tabled as indicated in the meeting minutes.

Ending note: several agenda items (bid awards and the tabled permit) will return to the board at a later date after staff review, site visits or further procurement review.