DEAR WAYNEDALE READERS,
I want to share with you the exciting news surrounding the revitalization of the Southtown Mall property. The City of Fort Wayne is committed to redeveloping the Southtown area into a destination where folks from all around the community will want to visit. The redevelopment will create jobs and provide needed services.
Menards is expected to begin construction in spring 2005, with an official opening later that year. STAR Financial Bank has also made a commitment to build a branch at Southtown. We believe other retail and service companies are close to joining Menards and STAR at the Southtown Centre site. Plans to build a police and fire training academy at Southtown are moving forward. Construction is expected to begin in 2006. The projected completion date is 2007.
We are able to fund these projects without using property taxes. This unique approach to community revitalization will result in the creation of hundreds of jobs. The Southtown area has been designated as a Community Revitalization Enhancement District (CRED) that will generate $15 million over 15 years. These funds will be invested directly back into the Southtown project.
The demolition of the mall is nearing an end. The J.C. Penney building has been demolished, and the demolition of the Sears building could be completed later this month. The foundations of the Kohl’s and L.S. Ayres buildings are being demolished. Foundation demolition will be completed early next year. Construction of a new U.S. 27/Southtown intersection and other infrastructure improvements are expected to begin in spring 2005.
The future is bright for our community. We are building a better city that will be in a position to compete with cities of our size to attract new businesses and retain the good businesses we currently have in Fort Wayne.
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