The City of Fort Wayne will host an open house on Thursday, April 19 to present the Southeast Area Development Strategy'€™s draft recommendations to the public for the first time. The City'€™s Division of Community Development has been working with residents, businesses, and community leaders over the past 10 months to define a vision for the future of the southeast area and to create its first development strategy.

The strategy lays out areas for commercial and residential development and redevelopment along with policies and recommendations to encourage and guide quality development, redevelopment and investment.

Residents and business owners throughout southeast Fort Wayne and the entire community are encouraged to attend the open house to learn more about the Southeast Area Development Strategy and provide input on its recommendations.

Open House: 5-7 p.m.
Presentation: 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 19 at Link'€™s Wonderland, 1711 E. Creighton Ave.

Several successful projects are underway in the southeast quadrant. At Southtown Centre, a new Menards, Wal-Mart, and Firestone are open. A Regional Public Safety Academy, Wendy'€™s Restaurant and a retail center are under construction.

Plans continue to move forward on Renaissance Pointe. The development 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. Additional recent improvements on the city'€™s southeast side include the new Allen County Public Library Pontiac Branch, CANI'€™s Head Start program, the Urban League, and Citilink bus stop.

The Southeast Area Development Strategy is a positive outgrowth of Plan-it Allen!, the recently adopted joint City and Allen County land use and development plan. It reflects the Plan'€™s new vision, guiding principles and the inclusive roadmap for future development promoting sustainable community growth, new jobs and businesses and stronger neighborhoods.

To find out more information about the Southeast Area Development Strategy, visit the City'€™s website at www.cityoffortwayne.org.