Construction to begin for Pontiac Corridor

Fort Wayne, Ind. – Construction will soon begin on the City of Fort Wayne Community Development Division’s Pontiac Streetscape project. As a part of the Southeast Strategy Update, the Pontiac corridor was identified as a key corridor to focus public improvements and to encourage business growth and attraction. At an estimated investment of $2.8 million, the goal of this project is to make the corridor more pedestrian friendly, to enhance pedestrian and vehicular access to businesses and to encourage reinvestment throughout the corridor.

Read more: Construction to begin for Pontiac Corridor

Proactive Community Plan to Address Homelessness Unveiled

February 23, 2023 - Mayor Tom Henry and the City of Fort Wayne’s Office of Housing & Neighborhood Services today unveiled “Everyone Home: Fort Wayne’s Community Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness.” This strategic plan was created in partnership between the City of Fort Wayne, United Way of Allen County, the Fort Wayne Area Planning Council on Homelessness, and Homebase, a nationally-recognized consulting firm, to evaluate the state of homelessness in Fort Wayne. Everyone Home serves as a guide by providing goals, strategies, and action steps to address the community’s homelessness challenges and prevention needs.

Read more: Proactive Community Plan to Address Homelessness Unveiled

Preparations for Riverfront Phase II construction continue

February 20, 2023 - The City of Fort Wayne has begun preparations for the next phase of Riverfront public space improvements. Two metal, former material storage buildings located on the Schaab Metal site on Harrison Street were recently demolished. These storage buildings will be replaced with decorative walking paths, plaza space and ornamental lighting. Other improvements include a boulder mound, an amphitheater, a hammock grove and planting areas and gardens filled with native plants and trees. The next step to prepare for construction of improvements will include tree removal work along the north bank of the St. Marys River from Clinton Street to Ewing Street and on the south bank of the river near the intersection of Ewing and Superior streets. 

Read more: Preparations for Riverfront Phase II construction continue

New Neighborhood Accelerator Program Available

Fort Wayne, Ind. – The City of Fort Wayne’s Community Development Division announced that FORT-ify 2023, a new Neighborhood Accelerator program, is open and accepting applications. This program aims to strengthen developing and relaunching neighborhood associations across our city through coaching, mentoring, logo development, and funding. Accelerator program participants will also be eligible to receive $5,500 in funds to complete a project from their planning document.

Read more: New Neighborhood Accelerator Program Available

Fair Housing Public Meeting

Fort Wayne, Ind. – The City of Fort Wayne would like to receive feedback regarding access to affordable and safe housing in our community. As part of the City’s fair housing assessment, the Office of Housing and Neighborhood Services is inviting residents to attend a public meeting to discuss fair housing.

Read more: Fair Housing Public Meeting

Applications Open For 2023 Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program

January 11, 2023 - The City of Fort Wayne’s Community Development Division announced today that the 2023 Neighborhood Improvement Grant program is open and accepting applications. This is the sixth consecutive year for the program, designed to support neighborhood projects by beautifying public spaces and strengthening community identity. The program requires neighborhood leadership to engage their neighbors in discovering what the neighborhood would like to see improved. Each year, the funded projects work to enhance the aesthetics and increase civic pride in neighborhoods throughout the community.

Read more: Applications Open For 2023 Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program

REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION APPROVES REPURPOSE OF HISTORICAL SCHAAB METAL FACILITY

December 13, 2022 - The Fort Wayne Redevelopment Commission has approved the sale of the Schaab Metal Products building at 1216 N. Harrison St. to Schaab Riverfront Plaza LLC., a development group led by local developer Don Steininger. Steininger has pledged a private investment of $5 million in the adaptive reuse of the building

Read more: REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION APPROVES REPURPOSE OF HISTORICAL SCHAAB METAL FACILITY

Community Development Announced New Public Information Officer

December 1, 2022 - The City of Fort Wayne's Community Development Division today announced Elizabeth Webb as its new public information officer. She began her duties on November 28.

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Neighborhood Presidents Meeting Held December 5, 2022

November 29, 2022 - The City of Fort Wayne’s Community Development Division will host their next Neighborhood Presidents Meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5 in Room 035 on the Garden Level of Citizens Square. The meeting will also be streamed live on the Fort Wayne Neighborhoods’ Facebook page.

Read more: Neighborhood Presidents Meeting Held December 5, 2022

Fort Wayne Awarded $45 Million In New Markets Tax Credits

November 7, 2022 - Mayor Tom Henry today announced the City of Fort Wayne New Markets Revitalization Fund, LLC (FWNMRF) will receive $45 million in New Markets Tax Credits allocation authority.

Over 230 Community Development Entities (CDE) applied for New Markets funding from the U.S. Treasury Department, while only 107 were awarded an allocation. This is the fourth time that FWNMRF has been awarded an allocation, bringing the total tax credit allocation awarded to Fort Wayne New Markets to $148 million.

Read more: Fort Wayne Awarded $45 Million In New Markets Tax Credits