Lima council approves tax abatement for eatery

12/18/2002

LIMA, Ohio - Despite reservations by some city council members, council approved a 10-year, 100 percent property tax abatement for a new downtown McDonald's restaurant.

Council voted 5-4 on Monday night in favor of the abatement for franchisee Jerry Lewis, who owns several McDonald's in the area. Some council members said the abatement would give Mr. Lewis an unfair advantage over other restaurateurs who did not get a tax break.

Mr. Lewis plans to build the fast-food restaurant at Market and Metcalf streets where a BP gas station had been.