Lima school officials: Paving projects to increase parking, security

LIMA — The Lima City Board of Education unanimously accepted bids for paving projects at two of the district’s schools during a special meeting Tuesday morning.

The board accepted an $87,605 bid from Fritchie Asphalt & Paving Co. to install a parking lot on the north side of Spartan Stadium. The board also accepted a $50,380 bid from R.D. Jones Excavating Inc. to construct a parking lot on the east side of North Middle School and to create a single point of entry that leads visitors directly to the school’s main office.

Randy Crossley, supervisor of plant operations at Lima schools, said at a previous board meeting that creating a single point of entry will enhance security at the school. He said constructing a new parking lot is also necessary because traffic has become too congested at North.

“The parking for our visitors is pretty much on the street currently, so we want to get them off the street and have them park on the east side of the building,” Crossley said.

A third project at Heritage Elementary School that also involves creating a single point of entry is on hold until the spring because the district did not receive a bid. Crossley said the project must wait until spring because asphalt companies close for the season next month.

The Spartan Stadium and North projects will begin immediately and are expected to be completed no later than Nov. 30.

By John Bush

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Reach John Bush at 567-242-0456 or on Twitter @bush_lima