McKinnie Commons
- Details
- Published: Thursday, 15 September 2022 11:32
The McKinnie Commons project in the Rudisill-Plaza and Anthony Wayne Community Association neighborhoods was identified as a priority for future improvements in the Public Spaces & Interconnectivity section of the Southeast Strategy Update adopted in 2021.
Project Overview
The McKinnie Ave. and South Anthony Blvd. intersection is a highly visible and traveled commercial node. The excess right-of-way created by the northernmost slip lane along McKinnie Ave. is being repurposed and transformed into a community gathering space for activities and events. Several input meetings were hosted by the Southeast Area Partnership and the City to help create the design concept for this space. The space will feature a bandshell that could have reoccurring or impromptu performances, large urban swings, space for food trucks and pop-up vendors, outdoor dining areas, decorative lighting, and shade sails.
PHOTOS OF McKINNIE COMMONS (BEFORE)
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PHOTOS OF McKINNIE COMMONS (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
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Project Goals and Objectives
GOAL ONE: Create a space where the community can gather
- Objective 1: Design a bandshell used for organized and impromptu music performances
- Objective 2: Provide a space for holidays lights and tree lighting
- Objective 3: Provide a space for public art to be displayed
- Objective 4: Provide a space for food trucks to park during events
GOAL TWO: Improve Safety
- Objective 1: Additional lighting will be added to the site via street and accent lights
- Objective 2: Create a planted buffer to separate people from vehicular traffic
- Objective 3: Improve access to the site by improving crosswalks and closing off the slip lane
GOAL THREE: Beautification
- Objective 1: Provide additional planting along sidewalk areas
- Objective 2: Create areas where accent string lights can be utilized
- Objective 3: Provide new walkways and concrete
- Objective 4: Provide shade sails to help combat the heat island effect and provide visual interest
- Objective 5: Provide a space for urban swings
Project Timeline
June 2021
- Community Engagement event at Renaissance Pointe YMCA
July 2021
- Project design begins
April 2022
- Groundbreaking on the project
Completed as of October 2022
- Demolition of the slip lane
- General earthwork
- Footings for the bandshell, string lights, street lights, and urban swings have been poured
- New water and sewer lines are being installed
Project Team
Community Development
- Nancy Townsend, Director - Community Development
- Stacy Haviland, Landscape Architect, and Administrator - Redevelopment
- Holly Petzak, Community Development Manager - Redevelopment
- Hayley Bondi, Urban Designer, and Landscape Architect - Redevelopment
Design Team
- Paul Konwinski, Project Manager - Martin Riley Architects
- Torrey Ehrman, Civil Engineer - Martin Riley Architects
- Dan Ernst, Landscape Architect - Earth Source Inc.
- Ryan Rodrigue, Landscape Architect - Earth Source Inc.
Contractor
- Hamilton Hunter Builders, Fort Wayne
Plan Alignment
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Southeast Strategy Update Public Spaces & Interconnectivity One: High-quality and inviting public gathering spaces should be created and maintained Two: Improvements to neighborhood parks, including upgrades to existing amenities, should be a priority in Southeast and focus on neighborhood and resident input |
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All In Allen Comprehensive Plan (DRAFT) Transportation & Mobility Goal Five: Improve awareness of outdoor passive and active recreation and local and regional tourism opportunities within our parks, trails, riparian and natural areas |
Project Metrics
- How many people use the new community space after completion
- Neighborhood survey on comfortability and accessibility of the new community space after completion
Project Budget
- $1,038,335.83 (current cost)
Downtown Fort Wayne is bounded on the north and south by rail elevations (overpasses) which have long served as an unsightly gateway into downtown. In order to enhance the image of our central business district these points of entry into the downtown need to be improved. Improving downtown's railroad overpasses is a major recommendation from the Front Door Fort Wayne (Gateway Strategy) Plan. In 2011, the Clinton Street and Lafayette Street overpasses were improved. Both projects included a lit welcome sign on a blue field. Community Development is continuing to improve additional downtown railroad elevations. These projects meet Legacy criteria because they promote downtown and work as a catalyst for additional downtown development.
