DEAR WAYNEDALE READERS
There is positive momentum in southeast Fort Wayne and the entire community. Recently, Kmart received a $9,730 grant from the City of Fort Wayne for making façade improvements to its store on South Anthony Boulevard.
Kmart participated in the City’s Southeast Retail Incentive (PRISE) Program that assists businesses in the southeast quadrant. PRISE stands for Prime Retail Incentives in Southeast. The program includes “Grow Southeast,” a grant program that provides a 50% funding match for façade upgrades. Kmart also invested $9,370 for a total of nearly $19,500.
The PRISE program is also expanding. Matching grants for commercial center owners have increased to up to $20,000 from the previous $10,000. In addition, the program now includes the entire southeast quadrant. The goal is to enhance the visual aesthetics of existing commercial businesses, improve marketability and attract new retail to the area. Those interested in participating in the PRISE program should contact the City’s Redevelopment Department at 427-1127.
As we continue to work to build a better city to retain and gain jobs, we’ve launched a Southeast Area Development Strategy. City officials and leaders from the southeast quadrant are creating a guide for future growth focusing on housing and commercial redevelopment and new and infill development. This strategy is at its halfway mark. We heard from the community in August and since then, City personnel has conducted surveys, phone interviews, and held meetings to gather additional input on what types of development should be pursued. A final draft of the report is expected to be finished by the end of the year.
The preliminary findings include:
* Commercial development opportunities exist along South Anthony Boulevard, Pontiac Street and Paulding Road
* Great services are being provided by southeast area businesses
* The image and perception of the southeast does not reflect the reality
* Housing and education issues need to be explored
* Existing small businesses need better support
* New small businesses need to be encouraged
* Positive neighborhood commercial and professional services are needed
* Southtown Centre and Renaissance Pointe are viewed as positive catalyst developments
Graham Richard
Mayor
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