LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — Allen County officials are seeking an extension from the state of Ohio for a $10 million redevelopment project at Memorial Hall as planning for the project continues nearly two years after the funding was awarded.
Allen County commissioners met with the Allen County Port Authority, which is overseeing the state funding, to discuss requesting more time from the state before the current two-year capital budget expires in the coming weeks.
According to officials, most of the redevelopment work is not expected to begin until after July 1. So far, the port authority has spent just over $200,000 to prepare the project, including early planning efforts. Officials said the next major step is selecting a company to develop and manage the proposed hotel property.
Several companies have already toured Memorial Hall, and interested developers have until June 12 to submit proposals.
“At that time, we'll select a subcommittee as part of the Port Authority, review those proposals, and the plan is to have a selected hotel developer manager by June 26," says Cindy Leis, CEO/President – Allen Economic Development Group.
Officials said most of the state funding will be used to renovate the historic Memorial Hall building, a process that could take more than a year to complete.
The Port Authority is also working to address future parking needs for the proposed hotel and has asked county commissioners about using a parking lot located on the west side of Allen County Children Services.
