DEAR WAYNEDALE READERS
Festival season is here in Fort Wayne. As you visit Headwaters Park this summer, I know you’ll enjoy the new widened sidewalk along Clinton Street near Headwaters Park and Freimann Square. City and community leaders recently led a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the substantial completion of the project. The work was a key recommendation from the Downtown Blueprint plan to enhance downtown. The total cost of the project was around $125,000 which was financed through the Downtown CEDIT bond.
The width of the sidewalk has been tripled and architectural concrete bollards are placed along the curb to protect walkers from traffic. The area also includes brick paving accents, and trees in new planters will be added in the fall. The sidewalk enhancements help serve as a great gateway into downtown. Investing in our downtown makes our community more attractive for residents and visitors and more competitive for business, job, housing, and retail growth. Due to the sidewalk improvements, the eastern lane of Clinton from the St. Mary’s Bridge to Superior Street is now a dedicated left turn lane onto Superior. Travel lanes on Clinton have been restriped and adjusted for the new traffic pattern.
I’m also excited about our Green City initiative to improve your quality of life. The initiative started in 2005 as a way to improve government services and make the City more environmentally friendly. We are making great strides with our initiative.
Green City results:
•13 hybrid vehicles in use/16 vehicles that run on ethanol fuel
•300 vehicles running on biodiesel fuel/Total fuel savings: over $217,000
•Idle reduction software in over 50 vehicles
•5,800 traffic lights converted to LED reducing energy consumption by 60%
•Repaving the Rivergreenway/working toward creating more than 80 miles of trails and greenways. $2 million commitment to improve and add trails and greenways.
•Endorsement of environmentally friendly construction. Encouraging businesses to gain Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for new commercial buildings and major renovations of existing buildings. City’s Public Safety Academy will use green build standards.
•50% energy savings by making improvements to City asphalt plant
•Smart growth principles as part of comprehensive land use plan
•Participation in countywide Ozone Task Force activities
To expand the Green City Initiative, we have developed a Green Ribbon Commission that is creating a comprehensive energy and air quality plan. I have challenged the Commission to create an action plan that includes goals and performance measures to reduce energy costs and consumption and improve air quality. Their recommendations will be presented to the community this fall. In addition, a new Director of Energy and Environmental Services has been hired. Wendy Barrott is leading our efforts to develop energy policies, clean air programs and green build practices to name a few.
We are building best practices models to benefit you and our environment.
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