LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) - Allen County Auditor and Land Bank Administrator Rachael Gilroy spoke at the GOP luncheon about completed work and future projects planned across the area.
Entering its 10th year, the Allen County Land Bank has contributed more than $18 million to the county for pathways of development. The largest project recently completed by the land bank was the demolition of the former Lima Tuberculosis Hospital.
Gilroy said one of the most visible projects was the demolition of the former Macy’s store at the Lima Mall, where construction of a new Target store is now underway.
Currently, the Allen County Land Bank is focused on demolishing three former gas stations: one at State Route 81 and Interstate 75, the former BP station on Harding Highway at I-75, and the former Duke and Duchess at Elida and Eastown roads.
"We just received roughly a quarter of a million new dollars in grant money that's reimbursable also, and so with that, you may have heard we're tearing down the 3 gas stations in Lima. And those have been sitting on undeveloped land, basically, for over a decade each. I'm tired of looking at them. I'm sure the community is, too, so if we could get those down and get it ready for further development, our community is better as a whole because of it," says Rachael Gilroy, Allen County Auditor & Land Bank Administrator.
Using grant funding, Gilroy said the land bank will also be able to tear down at least a dozen homes throughout various villages and townships in Allen County.
