July 18, 2024, Press Release from the Lima Allen County Regional Planning Commission: LIMA—Lima Allen County Regional Planning Commission hosted a tour for its Community Development Committee (CDC) yesterday utilizing the RTA trolley to explore and learn about the development and revitalization of downtown. The committee, which meets quarterly in a typical conference room setting, decided instead this time to get out of the office and explore the area in effort to educate and excite its members about the work it takes to properly grow a city. Guest speakers who joined the committee members and other invited guests on the trolley included John Heaphy of Good Food Restaurants, Bart Mills of Central District Lima, Marc Bowker of Alter Ego Comics, Rob Nelson of The Met, and Kirk Niemeyer of The City of Lima.

It was a night of remembering and honoring the life of a long-term serving Lima City Councilman and community leader. The Allen County Democratic Party hosted a "Tribute to Tom Tebben" following his passing in August. On Tuesday night, community members and local leaders gathered for a dinner where people wrote personal memories with Tebben in a tribute book and made monetary donations to St. Jude's by the request of the family of Tom Tebben.

The Lima Allen County Regional Planning Commission are trying to drive home the point that when you are behind the wheel to remain alert and sober.  They brought in the Arrive Alive Tour to the Allen County Fair Saturday afternoon.  Through a driving simulator, people can see just how dangerous it is to be driving while impaired by marijuana or alcohol.  People can even experience the effects of distracted driving through the simulator.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration traffic fatalities rose nearly 11 percent in 2021 nationwide, in Allen County the number of fatal crashes jumped from ten to 21 from 2020 to 2021.  So, officials want to make sure that driver know that people’s lives are at stake when you get behind the wheel impaired.

The City of Lima and the Lima/Allen Co. Regional Planning Commission held another community engagement event to get some ideas on what to focus on in the future. Citizens voiced their support for the economic progress in the downtown. They also shared their concerns on crime in the city and the number of blighted homes and lack of housing.

Since its inception, the daily traffic count using the roundabout has increased from 14,000 vehicles to 19,000. According to the Lima Allen County Regional Planning Commission, it has the county’s highest crash count with 78 from 2017 through 2019. Those crashes are minor with few serious injuries but are still more than they want to see. With that in mind, the Allen County Engineer is working to improve signage and lane markings to coach motorists through the intersection.

The head of Ohio Department of Transportation for District 1 was invited to the Lima Rotary Club to provide updates on Allen County projects. 10 projects totaling $15.8 million are planned this year in Allen County. Chris Hughes mentioned, as some may have noticed, more work on Interstate-75 is underway. Pavement repair is going on from Lima to Beaverdam. More work is planned for I-75 next year, all the way up to State Route 235. Hughes also says there are more changes to U.S. 30 and Thayer Road. A right turn lane will be added to U.S. 30 eastbound to ease traffic, while long term solutions are discussed.

One traffic fatality is one too many, and the Lima Allen County Regional Planning Commission is working to reduce the number of deaths on the roads.