FORT WAYNE CONTINUES FORWARD MOMENTUM – Message From The Mayor

We’re continuing to experience positive momentum and growth in the City of Fort Wayne. A recent example is the Fort Wayne New Markets Revitalization Fund, LLC (FWNMRF) plans to invest in six projects located throughout northeast Indiana.

The six projects, and their estimated allocation amounts, include:

Byron Health Center, $12.5 million. Byron Health Center is a non-profit facility that provides long-term health care, memory care, skilled nursing care and physical and occupational therapy for vulnerable populations who have multiple diagnoses. The center will be re-locating from Lima Road to the corner of Beacon Street and Lake Avenue.

Electric Works, $12 million – Electric Works is the adaptive re-use of the former GE campus in near southwest Fort Wayne.

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Fort Wayne Rescue Mission, $10 million – The Rescue Mission is a local non-profit organization providing restorative care to men, women and children experiencing a homeless crisis. The Mission is building a new facility at 400 E. Washington Blvd.

Fort Wayne Boys & Girls Clubs, $8 million – The Fort Wayne Boys & Girls Clubs is a local non-profit that provides after-school and summer programs to low-income, school-aged children. A new 2.3 acre campus and building are currently under construction.

Vestil Manufacturing, $8 million – Vestil Manufacturing is located in Angola and has plans to create up to 100 well-paying new jobs by 2021. It will construct a new 225,000 square foot fulfillment center in the area. Vestil is one of Steuben County’s largest employers and an industry leader in the manufacturing and distribution of industrial material handling equipment.

The Landing, $4.5 million – The Landing is the historic restoration of seven buildings and the construction of one new building on West Columbia Street. The project includes 70 apartments and 56,000 square feet of commercial and retail space.

In February, the FWNMRF received $55 million in New Markets Tax Credits allocation authority. FWNMRF received previous allocations of $15 million in 2008 and $33 million in 2014.

The Fort Wayne New Markets Revitalization Fund (FWNMRF) is a subsidiary company formed by the City of Fort Wayne. It is a certified Community Development Entity eligible to apply for New Markets Tax Credits from the U.S. Treasury. The New Markets Tax Credit Program was enacted by Congress in 2000. It allows private investors to receive a tax credit against their federal income tax in exchange for investment in low-income communities.

It’s great to see the Fort Wayne New Markets Revitalization Fund is able to help fill financing gaps in such important projects. By working together, we are helping create jobs and provide opportunities for residents to succeed throughout northeast Indiana.
I’m also pleased to announce the City of Fort Wayne’s Blue Star Banner program will continue in 2018.

The Blue Star Banner initiative started in May 2014 and recognizes City of Fort Wayne residents and City government employees who are actively deployed.

Crews have installed the banners of 10 service members, four of which are new banners:
Specialist Combat Engineer Jaron Stephen Birkey, U.S. Army
Staff Sergeant Denisson Carrillo, U.S. Army
Master Sergeant Christopher R. Gustafson, U.S. Army
Petty Officer Alexander K. Taylor, U.S. Navy
Family and friends of deployed military personnel are encouraged to complete an application at www.cityoffortwayne.org/bluestarbanner. Once the applications are reviewed, banners will be made and displayed on light poles along West Jefferson Boulevard from the Time Corners area to Swinney Park. Banners are displayed through November and then removed during the winter months.

Individuals or companies interested in making a donation to the Blue Star Banner program may contact Karen Richards, Mayor’s Office, (260) 427-2146 and karen.richards@cityoffortwayne.org.

A reminder that the City of Fort Wayne’s Tall Grass/Weed Program is underway for the 2018 season. Neighborhood Code Compliance is responsible for enforcing the City’s Weed Program, which calls for grass or weeds to be no taller than nine inches.
For the first time this year, Weed Inspectors are using a new computer app that allows them to do all their documentation in the field using an iPad. Because traditional paperwork normally takes about 1.5 hours per day, this time will now be available to respond to calls from the public, increasing productivity by approximately 25 percent.

The public may call 311 or 427-8311 to report a possible violation. Online complaints may be filed at www.cityoffortwayne.org/citizen-services. Individuals reporting a violation will need to have the property’s specific street address to register the complaint.

Inspectors respond to reports from the public but also act proactively to identify high weeds and grass, particularly along high-traffic corridors. When Weed Inspectors determine there is a violation, they take date-stamped electronic photos and post a placard on the cited property. As a courtesy, an abate notice is mailed to the owner of record who then has five days to correct the violation. After five days, the City’s mowing contractors will inspect to see if the property is in compliance and if not, they will mow and also take date-stamped before- and after-photos.  The owner will then be charged for the mowing; if the invoice is not paid within 30 days, a lien will be placed on the property.