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Government

Mayor Henry Announces Legacy Request To Assist With Funding Riverfront Development Project

Mayor Tom Henry today joined community leaders and riverfront advocates to announce a request of $10 million in Legacy funding will be made to assist with the construction investment for the first phase of riverfront development.

The Legacy Joint Funding Committee will review the request at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9 in Room 030 at Citizens Square, 200 E. Berry St.

Pending a positive recommendation from the Legacy Joint Funding Committee, the funding request would proceed to City Council with introduction scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 22, possible discussion on Tuesday, Dec. 6, and possible final vote on Tuesday, Dec. 13.

“This request demonstrates our commitment to making Fort Wayne’s riverfront a world-class development and positions us to be considered for financial contributions from other organizations,” said Mayor Henry. “Riverfront development is critical to the current and future success of our City and region. We must continue to emphasize quality of place amenities to attract and retain talent and businesses and make Fort Wayne and northeast Indiana a point of destination to invest in.”

The projected construction investment is $20 million. Potential funding sources to complement the new Legacy request could be Regional Cities and private donors.

The first phase of riverfront development will be focused on the public spaces in a park setting and overseen by the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department. Anticipated future private riverfront development would occur in areas surrounding the public spaces.

Development would occur on the south and north sides of the St. Marys River between Harrison Street and the historic Wells Street Bridge. Highlights of the plans include a promenade, park pavilion, event lawn, entry plaza with sculpture/signage, urban bioswale, educational water feature, urban streetscape, central plaza, urban riverfront terraces, elevated boardwalk, dock, interactive sculpture, and children’s play area.

For the construction phase to begin, the Fort Wayne Board of Park Commissioners is in the process of acquiring three properties along Superior and Harrison streets. It’s anticipated construction would start in 2017 with completion in 2018.

Progress continues to be made on the design work for the riverfront project. The design development phase, a step beyond the schematic design process, is expected to be completed in late November.

The team leading the design work is Riverworks Design Group, comprised of Design Collaborative, Forum Studio, Hoch Associates, Engineering Resources, American Structurepoint, and One Lucky Guitar.

Residents wanting to stay connected to the Riverfront Fort Wayne initiative may visit www.RiverfrontFW.org.