History/Legacy Task Force
- Details
- Published: Tuesday, 26 August 2014 09:25
In 2011, Mayor Tom Henry appointed the Legacy Task Force to set priorities for use of Legacy funds and gather input from the community about dollars should be spent. The Task Force evaluated and distilled hundreds of potential proposals from the community. The Task Force determined that priorities for Legacy funding should include:
- 21st Century Talent (education, training, workforce development)
- Economic Development (retaining, growing, and attracting business)
- Entrepreneurship (new/start-up businesses, venture capital)
- Infrastructure (services and facilities that support economic development)
- Quality of Life (arts and cultural resources, community amenities, aesthetics)
Specific Funding Recommendations
The Legacy Task Force made four recommendations that are included in the Task Force Final Recommendation Report:
- Core Economic Investments – To secure a solid economic foundation for Fort Wayne's future, while aligning with and advancing the Fort Wayne economic strategy.
- Business Attraction and Retention. Investing Legacy funds in bold initiatives that directly create employment opportunities is a strong recommendation of the Task Force.
- Strategic Infrastructure.
- Downtown and Riverfront Development – To improve and develop two of Fort Wayne's great assets: downtown and its rivers.
- Catalytic Downtown Development Incentives. The Task Force supports the use of Legacy resources to attract private dollars and leverage investment for potential catalytic projects. Examples include:
- Aggressive support system for entrepreneurial and early stage companies
- Live/work space development
- Post-secondary education presence
- Development incentives
- Downtown transit
- Downtown commercial development
- Riverfront Development - Focusing riverfront development in the downtown area to promote the use of the rivers and the downtown area is a natural connection. The Task Force highlighted the importance of prioritizing riverfront planning initiatives and encouraging riverfront development projects. Catalytic projects noted include a large-scale development at the area known as North River.
- Arts and Culture - The Task Force supported a strong arts and culture presence in downtown to improve community identity, destination development, and attraction of residential development. Legacy should encourage innovation and creativity for a thriving and diverse downtown. Examples include:
- Youth arts programming
- Innovative art and technology
- Public art
- Catalytic Downtown Development Incentives. The Task Force supports the use of Legacy resources to attract private dollars and leverage investment for potential catalytic projects. Examples include:
- Youth/Prep Sports Initiative – Build on existing strengths to enhance sport opportunities for Fort Wayne youth/prep sports.
- Investment of the Trust Fund and Light Lease Settlement dollars – The continuation and modification of Community Legacy or the creation of a similar entity to ensure the protection and strategic investment of Legacy funds.
Legacy dollars have been used as match money for several federally funded trail projects. The trails meet Legacy criteria because they leverage significant federal funds and serve as a catalyst for additional development. Funds have been used on the Rivergreenway Extension from Johnny Appleseed Park to Shoaff Park, two sections of the Pufferbelly Trail, the Engle Road Trail, the Six-Mile Creek Trail and the Covington Road Trail. 
As part of the construction of a new Ash Brokerage headquarters in downtown Fort Wayne Wayne, the City constructed a 1,200 space parking garage to meet current needs, anticipated growth and future development. The City's investment of $39 million included the parking garage, land acquisition, site preparation, streetscape improvements, utility upgrades, as well as other project enhancements. Funding for the City's investment in the development came from a combination of tax increment financing (TIF) funds through the Fort Wayne Redevelopment Commission, $5 million of Legacy funds, and support from the Allen County-Fort Wayne Capital Improvement Board (CIB). No property taxes were used to fund the City's portion of the project.
Legacy Funds have supported the historic revitalization of seven buildings and construction of one new building along West Columbia Street. The Landing was once the central business district of Fort Wayne because of its location along the Wabash and Erie Canal and later the railroad. It is a local historic district and is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The re-imagined Landing includes 70 apartments and 56,000 square feet of commercial and retail space. 
Legacy funds have supported the renovation of the historic Clyde Theatre at Quimby Village and helped transform it into world-class entertainment venue and anchor for south Fort Wayne. 
Legacy funds supported the construction of Promenade Park, a centerpiece of Riverfront Fort Wayne. The Park opened in the summer of 2019 and is drawing thousands downtown to enjoy its beautiful art, facilities, and access to the St. Marys River. 
In 2015, the City of Fort Wayne worked with SWA Consulting to develop a comprehensive Riverfront Fort Wayne conceptual plan. It provides a road map for private investment and led to the development of the world-class Promenade Park. The Riverfront study and Promenade Park meet all the Legacy evaluation criteria, especially producing a transformative outcome and leveraging private investment. As the downtown riverfront is improved and made accessible, commercial and residential development is already emerging. Visitors will enjoy the riverfront as well as new restaurants and retail outlets. The increased development and visitors will transform the heart of our community for generations to come. Find out more about Riverfront Fort Wayne 
Indiana Tech Academic Center
Ewing and Fairfield were converted to two-way streets and a new roundabout now connects the two streets with Wells and Superior streets. This project met Legacy criteria because it is transformed a challenging downtown intersection and improved an area that is now attractive for private investment. Learn more 
The historic Wells Street Bridge is now lighted thanks to Legacy dollars. It met Legacy criteria because it revitalized a historic downtown landmark and brings residents and visitors into the heart of the city. It is home to many gatherings; find out more about renting the bridge 
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. Learn more 
The Embassy Board of Directors is embarked on a $10 million renovation to the Indiana Hotel. An investment of Legacy dollars leveraged significant private investment from the Goldstine Foundation and helped stabilize a previously underutilized historic building. The hotel is now a catalyst for more growth as it hosts large events and supports the conferences held at the Grand Wayne Center. 
