The Downtown North River Task Force today held its initial meeting to begin studying opportunities for the development of land just north of the city center and the
Today's session served as an organizational meeting and a review of the goals and objectives for the process.
“We are fortunate to have committed community leaders that are focused on finding the best possible uses to enhance the
The membership of the Task Force also was announced, as follows:
Rick Samek ' Co-Chair,
Wendy Stein ' Co-Chair, Stein Advertising
Bill Bean ' Developer
Cheri Becker ' Invent Tomorrow
Bill Brown ' Allen County Commissioner
Carol Coen ' Fort Wayne Community Schools Board
Jim Cook ' Chase Bank
David Corcoran ' Identity
Pat Delaney ' Science Central
Tom Didier ' City Council
Quinton Dixie ' Redevelopment Commission
Julie Donnell ' Friends of the Parks
Ben Eisbart ' OmniSource
Scott Glaze '
Tiffany Gooden ' Barnes & Thornburg
Josh Harper ' CM Sloan
Paula Hughes ' Allen County Council
Deb Leonard ' Fort Wayne Sports Corp.
Eleanor Marine ' Fort Wayne Resident
Tom Niezer ' Barrett & McNagny
Mike Packnett ' Parkview Health
Tim Pape ' City Council
Vince Robinson ' Convention and Visitors Bureau Board
Don Schenkel ' Tower Bank
Dennis Sutton ' Fort Wayne Sports Corp.
Andrew Thomas '
Dick Waterfield ' Waterfield Mortgage
Don Willis ' FourthWave
Dan Wire ' River Advocate
The study is anticipated to include a comprehensive, inclusive community participation component. It will feature neighborhood input sessions, public brainstorming meetings and charettes, along with opportunities for online involvement. The neighborhood input sessions will be held in mid-May. Communitywide input meetings are slated for mid-June. Dates and times will be announced in the coming weeks.
A Downtown North River Task Force e-mail address and website are being constructed to allow the public to provide comment and learn more about possible plans for the area. The specific e-mail and website addresses will be announced soon.
The City has secured an option agreement with OmniSource for its 29 acres of land north of the
Earlier this month, Mayor Graham Richard and Allen County Commissioner Bill Brown announced the creation of the task force.
Downtown BlueprintPlus recommended the establishment of a task force to explore the potential of this landmark district and the feasibility of various initiatives. Those include the development of a Youth Sports Complex; expansion of Lawton Park; re-establishment of a street grid; creation of a “Harrison Street North District;” and development of a mixed-use retail area at Clinton and Fourth streets. While all of these options may be considered, the goal of the task force will be to recommend the highest and best use of this property for the long-term benefit of the community.