City leaders provide update on next phase of Riverfront Development

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (Fort Wayne’s NBC) - We’re learning a lot more about the next phase of Riverfront Development and the details just released suggest the city is looking to make the great outdoors -- a little greater.

“It was over a decade ago when we all sat down and said we need to make downtown Fort Wayne part of a critical destination,” Mayor Tom Henry said.

It’s all been part of Mayor Tom Henry’s vision for years. Wednesday morning, city leaders shared updated plans for the next part of the Riverfront Development. They say they’ve already seen results from the early portion of that effort.

“I think when you build quality public space and create space where people want to be, that does ignite interest with developers, investors and people who want to take advantage of it,” Fort Wayne Director of Community Development Nancy Townsend said.

Right now if you go downtown, you’ll see and hear the construction. The mayor says he wants the riverfront to be filled with families who come to the heart of the city to make memories.

“I think it’s a good sign that people think Fort Wayne is now “Fort Fun,’” Henry said. “We’re offering all kinds of possibilities for family entertainment and for visitors to experience our city.”

City leaders say you can expect the Tree Top Canopy Trail to be expanded. There will also be two more boat docks and more walking trails, which they say will be better accessible. It’ll be paid for with a $32 million bond, which still needs to be approved.

“We’re going to the bond market,” Henry said. “We’re taking a look at what type of money is available out there and we’re trying to make it as favorable as we can to the city of Fort Wayne.”

As years of work come together, city leaders are happy with the community’s response so far.

“Even with the challenging times that we’re currently in and those that might be anticipated, we still think we’ll be able to meet the needs of our community,” Henry said.

City leaders say construction on phase 2 of this project is set to begin in December of this year and will wrap up in 2024.

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