City on a building boom

LIMA — In this economic climate, municipal governments make news often with details about drastic cuts and last-resort mass layoffs of police officers and firefighters. Treading water might be considered an accomplishment.

At the city, however, it's been full steam ahead, with everything from multiple huge construction projects to new police efforts leading to a drop in crime to tout.

“The city is ahead of the curve when it could be behind the eight ball,” said City Council President John Nixon. “You see other municipalities and counties with massive layoffs in police, fire and core services. We're not doing that. We've had to make tough decisions in the past that have kept us stable and kept intact public services. Council has a role in that, but it's really the employees who have adapted.”

Violent crime in the city in 2010 dropped by 28 percent, according to federal statistics. Police Chief Greg Garlock has attributed that drop to improved cooperation among law enforcement agencies and Lima's new strategy of pinpoint policing. The new effort starts with conversations between officers and neighbors about specific problems and strategies to address them.

The city also managed three big construction sites in 2010 and a multitude of other smaller projects, Public Works Director Howard Elstro said.

The Utilities Department made major progress on Williams Reservoir. The reservoir will be built by the spring and could take up to a year to fill up before it is used.

The city completed its Job Ready Site and related intersection improvements on South Main and Fourth streets.

The Vine Street underpass is well under construction and will be complete this fall.

The Engineering Department also managed 22 projects totaling $15 million in 2010, nearly all funded with either state or federal money and many with stimulus cash the city went after.

“The funding and projects are a record for this department,” Elstro said. “I don't know how (City Engineer) Kirk Niemeyer pulled it off. With the size staff we have, it's a testament to their ability and work ethic. They're very talented and eager to do all they can to make this community the best it can be.”

The work included such projects as the University Boulevard reconstruction, west Lima storm sewer flooding relief, Streetscape renovation, South Main Street Bridge deck replacement and various paving of streets, sidewalks and bike paths.

“We really had a range of projects,” Elstro said. “Everything from economic development positioning us for job growth to the neighborhood level and focusing on quality of life.”