Fort Wayne Approves Riverfront Contracts
The first phase of the Riverfront project is set to begin this month. (rendering courtesy city of Fort Wayne)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Fort Wayne City Council has unanimously approved more than $17 million in construction contracts for the first phase of the Riverfront Fort Wayne project. The city says construction is slated to begin in late June.
Funding for the contracts is coming from a variety of sources. The city council approved in December $10 million in Legacy funding for the project’s first phase. The Indiana Economic Development Corp. has approved more than $5 million in Regional Cities Initiative funding. The project has also raised nearly $5 million in private investment.
"I continue to be encouraged by the support and excitement for riverfront development," said Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry. "Fort Wayne has become a point of destination for businesses, individuals and families. To continue to see momentum and investments, we must be committed to providing quality of life amenities that make our community unique. Riverfront development is a critical initiative designed to enhance Fort Wayne and northeast Indiana."
The city says development of the first phase of the project will take place on the north and south sides of the St. Marys River between Harrison Street and the Wells Street Bridge. It will include a promenade, park pavilion, event lawn, urban streetscape, elevated boardwalk and a children’s play area, among other amenities.
Once ground is broken on the project, the city estimates construction to take 18 months to complete.
The contracts approved by the council include:
- Demolition, Excavation and Site Work – Crosby Excavating, $2,427,740
- Landscaping – Dave Harlow Enterprises, $2,498,906
- Concrete Dock Walls and Tree Canopy Trail – Kenny Construction Company, $3,069,000
- Site Concrete and Masonry – Hamilton Hunter Builders, $2,029,780
- Structural Steel Fabrication – Almet, Inc., $1,966,000
- Miscellaneous and Structural Steel Erection – Don Fruchey, Inc., $220,500
- General Trades – Fetters Construction, $1,370,500
- Roofing – C.L. Schust, $155,000
- Aluminum Storefront and Glazing – Hall Aluminum Products, $327,000
- Finishes – Rosema Corporation, $259,600
- Fire Protection – VFP Fire Systems, $49,947
- Mechanical – Project Design and Piping, $890,400
- Electrical – Hambrock Electrical, $1,097,935
- Playground Equipment and Surfacing, $199,999
- Site Specific General Conditions, $592,251
Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Director Al Moll says the city is getting ready to start planning for the second and third phases of the project. He says the focus will be on "creating an attractive environment for private investment, which essentially means framing the river for new development."