LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) - Heir Force Community School is leading a new effort to revitalize North Main Street in Lima.
The school has already completed a $2.5 million investment into properties at 799, 809, and 817 North Main, as part of their Grand and Main project.
The next phase is building an $800,000 all-abilities playground. Its goal is to serve as a safe place for children and their families. Developers say they hope this can be the starting point for more long-term economic development in the area.
The project's goal is to serve as a safe place for children and their families.
"We thought about the context of why not link with the city and create a community play park and play off Spring and Main, and call it Grand and Main, with the long term possibilities of being able to support the idea of affordable housing here in our community and create businesses that will allow consumers to exchange goods and services," said Dr. Willie Heggins, executie director of Heir Force Community School. "Of course, as you begin to do those types of initiatives, just think about the economic return that you get on those investments."
The Lima Community Foundation is managing donations, with $160,000 raised so far. The Grand and Main project aligns with city plans to grow downtown Lima through housing, retail, and public spaces.
"To me, it's the beginning of a revitalization of the North Main area," said Robin Frazier, executive director of the Lima Community Foundation. "It's exciting to see what they've done at Spring and Main, and what else could possibly happen at Grand and Main. We love to see projects that make a big impact in the community. It's starting with a play park, but we don't know where it's gonna go from there, so we're just really grateful to be a part of it."
Donations can be made through the Lima Community Foundation's website.
