Ft Wayne Times

August 31, 2024 - Serving as mayor for more than 100 days has been an honor. I’m learning and growing each day and have appreciated the support from many people in Fort Wayne.

We’ve had several successes that are moving our city forward as a fun, family-friendly, affordable, and safe community to live, work, and play with an enhanced quality of life for all.

Highlights have included:

- Groundbreaking for Google’s $2 billion southeast data center.

- Announcement of construction excellence awards for the Pontiac Street Market and the Veterans Memorial Bridge.

- Implementation of the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area.

- Announcement of recipients of Neighborhood Improvement Grants through the Community Development Division.

- Dedication of the Boone Park playground, one of 10 new playgrounds across the city.

- Welcoming of the 96th recruit class for the fire department.

- Unveiling of a public art soundwalk throughout downtown.

- Ribbon-cutting for the completion of Summit Park Trail in northwest Fort Wayne.

- Announcement of a direct flight from Fort Wayne to Detroit.

- Announcement of a new Treeline District mixed-use offering as part of ongoing riverfront development efforts.

- Announcement of recipients of community development block grant and emergency solutions grant dollars for local nonprofit partners through our partnership with the federal government.

- Announcement of a grant through the federal government to plan for future southeast infrastructure work.

- Ribbon-cutting for the LegacyOne headquarters in southeast Fort Wayne.

- Several promotions in the police department.

- Announcement of Vann Family Foundation donation for bridge crossing for the Pufferbelly Trail.

- Unveiling plans for new gateway markers along I-69 and U.S. 30 corridors.

- Groundbreaking for $180 million Arneo mixed-use development along North Clinton Street.

- Groundbreaking for renovation and expansion at Arts United Center.

- Ribbon-cutting ceremony for STAR Bank’s new downtown headquarters.

-A $2 million grant from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for remediation work at North River site.

Recent accolades show Fort Wayne is a city others are looking to emulate. We have been named:

-No. 1 housing market in country by Wall Street Journal and Realtor.com

-Most affordable city in country for 2024/25 by U.S. News & World Report

-Fastest-growing city in Midwest through most recent Census data

-Eighth-best-run city in country for 2024 by WalletHub

We’ve also experienced challenges, particularly in public safety.

We’ve had three officer-involved shootings and a viral video of a recent traffic stop. In all these situations, police department and I have been open and transparent with public and media. Each circumstance we’re faced with is handled on case-by-case basis.

Our responsibility is to keep public informed about situations that occur in our community. When there is fatal shooting involving an officer, body camera videos have been shared with family members before being viewed by public.

There are also opportunities when complex issues arise.

For example, Three Rivers Ambulance Authority is an area that’s top priority. My administration and Allen County Commissioners are leads on making sure thoughtful and workable plan for emergency medical services happens.

Conversations with commissioners are ongoing. Those discussions have been positive, and we’ll have more moving forward. We expect progress will be made soon.

We’re continuing commitment to developing sustainable model for emergency services that protects patients and taxpayers. In meantime, residents can take comfort knowing TRAA and Fort Wayne Fire Department will continue responding to emergencies timely manner professionally committed saving lives.

Looking ahead, I’m putting together mental health commission along with young adult council aimed at getting individuals families help they need getting younger people involved local government looking new ideas help make Fort Wayne better place call home opportunities growth success.

My commitment extends neighborhoods investing heavily people-focused projects initiatives.

We’re just getting started; I can’t wait see what next 100 days beyond have store great city.