Vote on North River Property Deal Delayed

(photo courtesy City of Fort Wayne)

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The Fort Wayne City Council has delayed a vote on whether to purchase a 29-acre property near the city’s downtown. Our partners at WPTA-TV report some members of the council are concerned about the more than $4 million deal, as the city will not know the results of an environmental study until after the transaction is complete.

The city has described the property, which served as the site of a former OmniSource scrap yard, as an "important gateway to downtown." As part of the deal, the city would be responsible for any future environmental remediation. 

Earlier this week, Greater Fort Wayne Inc. announced its support for the deal, saying it would spur jobs, private investment and property revitalization.

"This is an opportunity to transform the North River property into a thriving community gateway," said Eric Doden, chief executive officer of Greater Fort Wayne Inc. "Conversations about this issue have been going on for more than a decade. It’s time for leaders to act—and close a deal that unleashes the property’s potential."

The city has not yet released any specific plans for the property. The council is set to vote on the proposal at its next meeting November 28.