City Creating Southeast Area Development Strategy

The City of Fort Wayne'€™s Division of Community Development is working with residents, businesses and community leaders in the southeast quadrant of the City to create a first-ever development strategy to define a vision for the future of the southeast area. The plan will explore new and infill development opportunities and serve as a guide for housing and commercial redevelopment in the area.

Residents and business owners in southeast Fort Wayne are encouraged to attend the sessions listed below to learn more about the Southeast Area Development Strategy and provide input. The sessions will be led by Curtis Davis, founder and principal of ReBuildit Collaborative in Boston. ReBuildit Collaborative provides strategic planning, design review and project support services for redevelopment projects across the country.

Community Forum 5:30-8 p.m. Monday, August 28, Link'€™s Wonderland, 1711 E. Creighton Ave. Report on Findings from the Community Forum
3-4:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 29, Link'€™s Wonderland, 1711 E. Creighton Ave.

Several successful projects are underway in southeast Fort Wayne. At Southtown Centre, a new Menards and Firestone are open. Wal-Mart will open this fall. Wendy'€™s and STAR Financial Bank will also build new facilities at Southtown Centre. In addition, construction on the Regional Public Safety Academy started last month.

In June, Mayor Graham Richard announced the Renaissance Pointe housing plan that calls for nearly 400 new homes, the rehabilitation of more than 100 existing homes, a greenway trail, and improved infrastructure in the area of Creighton Avenue, Pontiac Street, Hanna Street, and South Anthony Boulevard. The development is scheduled to begin this fall, with model units to be constructed in spring 2007.

Additional improvements include the new Allen County Public Library Pontiac Branch, CANI'€™s Head Start program, the Urban League, and Citilink bus stop.