9 minute read
CENTRAL DISTRICT
Located at the southeast corner of Lima’s urban core, The Central District stretches along South-Avenue from East Spring Street to East Elm Street. What was once a bustling collection of industrial buildings, crane yards and railroad loading points has been completely reconstructed into a modern blend of repurposed historic buildings and outdoor urban leisure space. A greenway pedestrian path, dog park and an enclosed courtyard have been designed into the voids between the industrial buildings for the residents, tenants and visitors to enjoy. This space offers individuals an enlightening walkable experience along with convenient parking, charging stations and curbside pick up.
This project started as a single idea and now has manifested into a vision of collectives working together as one. cepts, ideas and thoughts can be cultivated, thus the birth of the Excite Lab. Not only will there be space to cultivate creativity but also spaces for training, education, team building, and events. The Excite Lab will be fully integrated with intentional grade levels from middle school to college. The programs offered will be functional throughout the school and summer year keeping students active and engaged throughout the community, as well as provide a pipeline to job training and placement for future employers. Excite Lab experiences will assist students to become more creative critical thinkers, innovative problem solvers, self-starters applying real-world applications and enhancing leadership development. These attributes will enable them to successfully transfer their skills and attributes to become effective employees and entrepreneurs.
The vision of the Excite Lab is to create an environment for people to explore the intersections between technology, art and culture. We desire to become one of many regional community resources that encourages local talent and gifts an expansive vision through collaborative works to push culture and commUNITY development. The Excite Lab is on pace for grand opening in Summer, 2024. You can follow an update on their social media page, Central District Lima, or join the mailing list at www.CentralDistrictLima.com.
Amongst the development in this area is a featured building called Lima Makerspace soon to be known as the Excite Lab (Education - eXperience - Creativity - Innovation - Technology - and Entrepreneurship).
The Excite Lab will be a one of a kind, flexible laboratory for local and regional participants to explore new skills, new products and new experiences. The world as we’ve known it has changed. You now have access to unlimited information within seconds. What we are lacking is safe spaces where these con-
by Steve Walter, Trisco Systems
The Metro Center of Lima is an adaptive re-use and re-purposing of the old Metropolitan Bank building in downtown Lima. The project consisted of creating upscale loft-style apartments on floors two through five, as well as business arcade style commercial spaces on the first floor. These 33 one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments are truly unlike any other in the area or our region of Ohio. They rival upscale apartments in cities like Chicago, Cincinnati, and Columbus. The apartments are designed with an “industrial” feel complete with brick and stucco walls, open concrete ceilings, and beautiful original terrazzo floors. All apartments are appointed with unique light fixtures, high-end stainless-steel appliances, washers and dryers, and each unit has either a fully usable balcony or private patio.
OLD MEETS NEW
The building offers amazing amenities, such as a community room with three flat screen TVs, an outdoor community rooftop patio that makes you feel like you are in a large city, large exercise facility with Peloton equipment, private off-street parking, and private storage units. It is probably one of the most secure buildings with multiple high-end security cameras, video entry controllers and Bluetooth door locks. Our tenants have told us that the “feel” of the building has a sense of community in that everyone knows their neighbor and really enjoys living in such a unique building.
The business arcade is designed to hold a variety of tenants that will support each other as well as the neighborhood. These spaces also have that large downtown city feel with high ceilings, glass storefronts both inside and outside of the space, and there are even two spaces that have a historical bank vault. The same high end security system comes with these spaces and there is plenty of available parking. The goal is that the tenants in these commercial spaces will support each other as well as the thirty-three apartments and downtown Lima.
The next time you have a chance, take a ride to downtown Lima, and look around at what is happening. Downtown Lima is alive and well and it is making a comeback. Projects such as the new outdoor amphitheater, the rejuvenation of the buildings at Spring and Main, the Central District project, the Ohio Theatre renovation, and new restaurants are profoundly changing our downtown. The Metro Center of Lima project is enhanced by these other projects, and we feel that it is a key component to the re-birth of our downtown. Our tenants have told us that they are excited to see what is happening around them and it has created kind of a buzz or a vibe that is drawing people back to downtown. So, if you are looking for a safe, secure and unique living style in a downtown setting, then hurry because we only have a few apartments available.
If you are looking to expand your business or start a new venture, then consider the unique spaces on the first floor and be part of the new downtown Lima experience offered at the Metro Center Business Arcade. Come see us, you won’t be disappointed!
Submitted by Beth Keehn, Mercy Health
The Mercy Health Women’s Wellness and Wine series aims to shine a light on all aspects of women’s health in a fun, supportive atmosphere that encourages open and honest dialogue. The series began in early 2022, after several focus groups of women from around the Greater Lima Region indicated they wanted more access to health information. So often they felt that when they searched ‘Women’s Health’ on-line, all of the information was about having babies and getting mammograms… and they wanted more!
On October 22, Mercy Health featured a distinguished panel comprising Dr. Vanessa Stallkamp, OBGYN; Dr. Sheena Patel, Gastroenterology; Amy Edwards, Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy; and Cheryl Kern Buell, PA Urology. The group of 90 women gathered at ArtSpace in Lima to discuss topics like urinary tract infections, hemorrhoids, menopause, pelvic pain, incontinence and much more…not your typical wine night conversations! All the ‘below the belt’ topics were covered…and there were a lot of laughs along the way! Women supporting other women—that always makes for a fun night.
Future events will be held several times each year and will feature expert panelists discussing all of the health topics that women want to hear about! The locations will vary event to event. There is no cost to attend, but an RSVP is requested as the spaces fill quickly! The next Women’s Wellness & Wine Event will be in February, so stay tuned!
The night was catered by Purple Feet Wine Boutique’s, Alisa McPheron, and her amazing team! Each guest left with a Mercy Health board to create their own charcuteries this Holiday Season.
by Tara Reynolds Bales
The Lima Symphony Orchestra (LSO) kicked off the 2022-2023 season with their 15th annual wine tasting event on October 20th! The evening at 19 Hawthorne was full of hors d’oeuvres from The Met, hand-selected wines and a variety of one-of-a-kind auction items, with 100% of the proceeds going to benefit the orchestra. The night was a huge success and raised over $70,000 in support of the LSO. A big thank you to all who donated and helped to organize! We look forward to seeing you at next year’s annual event and in the concert hall! The Lima Symphony Orchestra has returned to the concert hall with our “One Heart, Many Voices” season and brought music back to the region, as we reflect on the past, we look forward to the future of diverse and varied programming. Everyday we continue to see music’s tremendous transformative power in our educational offerings, community engagement programs, and performances. We seek your encouragement and continued support of the Lima Symphony Orchestra. Visit our website at www.limasymphony.com for all of your symphony updates.
Mark Guagenti & Lynn Dunbar Mary & Brandi Trueblood Jeff & Joyce Tracy John Davidson & JoEllen Crites Shirley & Dave Kriegel
Andrew Crust Jeff & Allison Unterbrink Todd Schaub Becky & Scott Wendroth, Matt Kuhn, & Jim Gideon Kari Kuhn & Anne Gideon
World-class health care in your neighborhood
Whether it’s tackling a serious health issue or improving your overall well-being, we’re committed to helping you stay healthy and strong. Our doctors and health care professionals are passionate about improving your overall health with personalized health care solutions so you can be there for what matters most. Visit mercy.com to find a location and connect with a primary care provider today.
