LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — Demolition work is underway at the Riverfront One building on South Main Street as the city moves forward with potential redevelopment plans for the downtown property.
The City of Lima purchased the building in the fall of 2023 for possible development. This week, crews began tearing down the one-story block portion of the structure. Workers are also removing siding from the remaining building, revealing the original brick exterior underneath. City officials said the preliminary work is part of a broader effort to prepare the site for future investment.
Shane Coleman, Lima’s chief of staff, said the city has been working with a potential developer for several months, although no formal project details have been announced.
“I can just tell you that we’ve been working with a potential developer over the last several months,” Coleman said. “It does look like this will eventually be residential, but the scope of that project remains to be seen, and we continue to work on those details.”
The Allen County Land Bank secured grant funding to cover the initial phase of the project, including demolition and asbestos abatement. The funding was made possible through brownfield dollars aimed at revitalizing underused or environmentally challenged properties.
Coleman said the preliminary work was necessary to move the property closer to redevelopment. However, he noted that it could be another year or two before significant visible changes take shape at the site.
City officials said they will release more information once redevelopment plans are finalized.
