Fort Wayne & NE Indiana News

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Government

Mayor Opens Hanna Street And Renaissance Pointe Trails

Mayor Tom Henry, members of the Housing and Neighborhood Development Services (HANDS) Board and residents of nearby neighborhoods celebrated the opening of portions of the Hanna Street and Renaissance Pointe trails today.

“The new additions to our trails system are essential to enhance connectivity for residents in southeast Fort Wayne,” said Mayor Henry. “I’m encouraged by the progress we’re seeing as we work together to invest in quality of life amenities that make a meaningful difference. Our City continues to move in the right direction with positive momentum like never before.”

Renaissance Point Trail: Construction of the newest section of the Renaissance Pointe Trail began March 11, 2016 and is substantially complete. In addition to the trail, which extends two blocks, 26 existing curb ramps and landings that were in poor condition were replaced. Five new ADA-compliant curb ramps and landing areas were also constructed and 53 street lights were installed.

Hanna Street Trail: Construction began on the first phase of the Hanna Street Trail on November 2, 2015 and was complete by November 25, 2015. Phase I of the Hanna Street Trail, which is six-tenths of a mile on the east side of Hanna, stretches from Wallace to Pontiac streets. The Hanna trail is the beginning of a multi-phase extension that will eventually total five miles from Berry Street downtown to Tillman Road on the south.

Connectivity: Together, these two new trails connect residents to destinations such as Brightpoint, the Fort Wayne Urban League, Allen County Public Library-Pontiac Branch, Thurgood Marshall Academy, Reservoir Park, Renaissance Pointe YMCA, Bowser Park and churches in the area. More than 7,000 residents live within a half-mile of these two trails.

“The City and the private sector have invested millions of dollars in new and rehabilitated housing, streets, and sidewalks in this area,” said Heather Presley-Cowen, director of the Office of Housing and Neighborhood Services. “These trails are another piece of our work to revitalize southeast neighborhoods and empower residents to live healthy lives.”

Funding: Funding for the two trails projects comes from the City’s Office of Housing and Neighborhood Services through federal Community Development Block Grants. The Hanna Street trail phase I cost just under $200,000; the Renaissance Pointe trail, with its ADA ramps and streetlights, cost approximately $290,000 to construct.