Fort Wayne begins work on $65M mixed-use project
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Groundbreaking on the Village Premier project in southeast Fort Wayne on Feb. 14, 2023. (photo courtesy of the city of Fort Wayne)
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Officials in Fort Wayne broke ground Tuesday on the first phase of a $65 million mixed-use development on the city’s southeast side. Phase one of the Village Premier project will include more than 200 units of affordable rental housing and nine market rate single-family homes.
The project is located on a 22-acre site near South Anthony Boulevard and McKinnie Avenue. The city said the neighborhood center model being used for the project is in line with recommendations from the Southeast Strategy that was adopted last year by the Fort Wayne City Council.
The development of Village Premier is being led by Indianapolis-based House Investments in partnership with MKM Architecture and Michael Kinder & Sons in Fort Wayne.
“We are excited to begin Phase I construction of Village Premier, and we look forward to the completion of the full project,” Jonathan Leist, deputy director of redevelopment for the city, said in written remarks. “The new amenities will improve the quality of life in our existing neighborhoods while also attracting new private investment in southeast Fort Wayne.
The city said its Office of Housing and Neighborhood Services is investing $500,000 in federal funds for the project, in addition to $2.1 million in funding that was used to acquire the property and make it shovel-ready.
The project also received $5 million in funding through the state’s Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative, or READI.
The first phase of Village Premier is slated to be complete in June 2024. Two additional phases of the project will include senior and income-based housing, childcare, a health clinic, and commercial space.
“I’m enthusiastic about what we’re seeing take place in southeast Fort Wayne,” said Mayor Henry. “We’re looking forward to partnering with House Investments as we work together to make a lasting and meaningful difference. Village Premier is going to be an outstanding project for our community.”
The first phase of the $65 million project is expected to cost about $45 million.