In Loving Memory of Mayor Tom Henry

Construction of the first phase of the Posterity Heights Development, known as Posterity Scholar House, is on schedule to open in the summer or early fall of 2018. Framing has been completed on the north and south buildings and water and sewer lines are being installed. Just last week, the Fort Wayne Redevelopment Commission gave final approval to a tax increment finance district that will help cover infrastructure costs for roads and utilities.

The City of Fort Wayne is one of two Indiana communities chosen for a pilot program aimed at increasing entrepreneurship. Earlier this year, the Indiana General Assembly unanimously approved legislation authorizing an entrepreneurship and enterprise district for both Fort Wayne and Lafayette. Several weeks ago, City Council and Mayor Henry established the Summit City Entrepreneur and Enterprise District (SEED) in accordance with the new legislation.

Mayor Tom Henry was joined today by representatives of Continental Property Group to announce a proposal to bring a $61.7 million mixed-use development to the City of Fort Wayne’s riverfront.

The project would be located on 3.34 acres at the northeast corner of Harrison and Superior streets, directly east of the new Promenade Park, which is under construction and part of the Riverfront Fort Wayne initiative. The private development would be a seven-story mixed-use development with approximately 150 apartment homes and approximately 20,000 square feet of retail space, as well as a parking garage with more than 1,000 spaces.

The City of Fort Wayne’s Community Liaison, Palermo Galindo, has been appointed to the Indiana Commission on Hispanic and Latino Affairs (ICHLA) by Senate President Pro Tempore David C. Long.

The City’s Office of Housing and Neighborhood Services (OHNS) has completed another rehab of a previously neglected and vacant West Central home. The completely remodeled 815 W. Jefferson Blvd. property is one of six homes purchased by the City because they needed such extensive rehabilitation that they were not marketable. All of the homes either have been or will be remodeled and offered for purchase to moderate- to middle-income residents.

Fort Wayne, Ind. -- Proponents of the proposed Chicago-Fort Wayne-Columbus passenger rail line have support from Federal and State agencies to take the first step in establishing the new rail line.

Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry and members of the Northern Indiana Passenger Rail Association (NIPRA) were joined by mayors and representatives from dozens of communities along the proposed route today at the Baker Street Train Station in Fort Wayne. They announced the recent engagement with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to conduct an Alternatives Analysis and Public Input process that are required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) under federal law to begin the project.

Due to increased interest in the City’s Commercial Façade Grant program, the deadline for 2017 applications has been extended two weeks, until December 29, 2016 at 5 p.m.

Applications and information about the program are available at www.fwcommunitydevelopment.org/facade. Anyone with questions about the program may contact Grants Specialist Lindsey Maksim at 311 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  nce completed, applications may be submitted in the City’s Community Development offices, Citizens Square, 200 E. Berry St., suite 320.

Justin Brugger has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Fort Wayne City Utilities. Brugger will replace Len Poehler who was named City Controller earlier this week. Brugger will begin his new duties on January 1, 2016.

Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry today announced the City of Fort Wayne will move forward with a proposal for the creation of a Quimby Village Tax Increment Finance (TIF) district.

Leaders from the Fort Wayne Redevelopment Commission, south Fort Wayne neighborhoods, and area businesses joined Mayor Henry and elected officials at the Clyde Theatre in Quimby Village.

The Envision Fort Wayne Center, 916 S. Calhoun St., is now open by appointment only throughout the months of December, January and February. Residents may call 311 to schedule a date to visit the Envision Center and see the current displays, which feature architectural renderings from the Riverfront Fort Wayne Master Plan and information pertaining to the Regional Cities initiative. Residents are also welcome to schedule a time to use the Envision Center for community meetings and events.

The Envision Fort Wayne Center is a downtown storefront that provides citizens the opportunity to comment, discuss and review aspects of City of Fort Wayne projects.

Riverfront Fort Wayne has named Alison Gerardot the Riverfront Fort Wayne Programming and Events Manager. Gerardot is a contract employee charged with creating and managing events along the downtown riverfront. She reports to a Riverfront Fort Wayne Implementation Committee led by the City of Fort Wayne.

Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry today announced that the City of Fort Wayne is contracting with Indigo Centers to attract more retail to south Fort Wayne. Indigo Centers is a Birmingham, Mich., retail real estate firm specializing in advisory and consulting, leasing, brokerage, investment sales, property management and retail recruitment.

Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry is asking residents to complete an online survey about shopping and dining preferences in south Fort Wayne. Anyone who shops, dines or lives in urban south Fort Wayne (roughly south of Jefferson Boulevard), is encouraged to complete the survey. (see map.)

The survey is being conducted in conjunction with a Market and Retail Analysis examining current and projected commercial market conditions in south Fort Wayne. Gibbs Planning Group of Birmingham, MI, an experienced consulting firm specializing in urban retail planning, is completing the study for the Community Development Division.

Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry and Artlink Contemporary Gallery are inviting area residents to take part in a Riverfront Fort Wayne photo contest. Participants are invited to share their favorite Fort Wayne river-related photos through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram beginning December 15, 2014; the last day for submissions is January 15, 2015.

Participants will have a chance to win a $90, $70 or $50 prize as well as have their photos become part of a traveling photography exhibit. The exhibit will be revealed at the Riverfront Fort Wayne final plan celebration, which will take place February 4, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. at the Grand Wayne Center. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

Longtime community leader Mac Parker talks about changes to Fort Wayne over the decades. Read the Journal Gazette guest column here.