Public Works

Public Works Department Responsibilities

The Public Works Department of the City of Lima is charged with the most diverse range of responsibilities of any city department. The Public Works Department addresses the physical needs of the city including everything from snow plowing to issuance of taxi licenses. This department is comprised of four divisions: Engineering, Building, Streets and Parks, Recreation, and Forestry.

It is only through the resources and support granted by the taxpayers of Lima and the efforts of many dedicated employees that the department is able to provide the myriad of services that make this city an enjoyable, healthy community in which to live.

PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS

ELM STREET RAILROAD GRADE SEPARATION

(RRGS) PROJECT

The Bellefontaine Avenuenue / Elm Street / Calumet Avenuenue intersection serves as a main corridor into the Lima community and has a multitude of responsibilities:

Serves two State Routes (117 & 309)
Is a significant corridor for commerce along the east side of town
Provides safety access for Fire, Police, Ambulatory routes & Medical Care Providers
And is traveled by over 35,000 vehicles on any given day

To improve safe vehicular and pedestrian travel through this busy corridor, the City of Lima authorized the construction of the $13.8 million RRGS project which will enhance the operation, serviceability, safety and aesthetics of the area! A few design highlights for the project include:

3,696 feet (0.70 miles) of new roadway, curbs and sidewalk
Improved drainage as a gravity sewer will provide an outlet to the Ottawa River
Lowering of Elm Street twenty feet to go under the I&O Railroad
Roadway improvements including landscaping, wide sidewalks between the parks and roadway lighting.

ODOT provided this VIDEO as a useful tool for navigating a roundabout.

Clean Ohio Funding Available

District 13 Natural Resource Assistance Council (NRAC) announces the application period is now open for Round 15 of Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Funding. Approximately $3,728,453 is available to local communities and non-profit organizations to preserve natural areas, protect streams, and create outdoor recreational opportunities.

District 13 is comprised of Allen, Auglaize, Hancock, Logan, Mercer, Putnam, Shelby and Van Wert Counties.

Applications for Green Space Conservation funds may be requested through the Ohio Public Works Commission, 65 E. State St., Suite 312, Columbus, OH 43215, phone (614) 466-0880, can be downloaded off the internet at www.pwc.state.oh.us, or can be obtained through County NRAC Representatives (see below). Applications can be submitted to Chairman Howard Elstro, 50 Town Square, Lima, OH 45801-4900. District 13 NRAC requires twelve (12) copies of the application to be submitted.

For more information, see the July 22 Media Release

City of Lima Tree Rebate Program

In conjunction with the Allen Soil and Water Conservation District, the City of Lima is promoting a new program which encourages Lima residents to plant trees on their property. The City of Lima Tree Rebate Program is open to City of Lima residents and offers a 50% rebate to eligible participants. There is a limit of 2 rebates for newly planted trees per residential parcel, per calendar year. Eligible tree sizes are limited to 1.5" - 3" diameters and must be one of the sixty-nine approved tree species. 2018 marks the third year for the program as it launched in March and will carry thru November with reimbursement money available from the city's Stormwater Utility.