Fort Wayne Still Shooting for North River Project
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowPlans for a major economic development project are still in the works in Fort Wayne. Officials tell our partners at WPTA-TV progress is being made for the project at the North River site, which could include a soccer stadium, hotel and new housing.
The site is the former home of an Omnisource metal recycling plant and has been vacant for decades. Jonathan Leist, deputy director of Fort Wayne Redevelopment, tells WPTA he expects the project to move forward as a multi-phase effort.
“(We’re) trying to get to our first economic development agreement on one of the projects,” said Leist. “So… trying to narrow down which one of those is most feasible and most ready to go.”
In February, Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry announced a Memorandum of Understanding with a local developer for the project, which is estimated to cost about $150 million. The mayor later added the project would be a public-private partnership, though it was unclear how much the city would contribute financially.
Fort Wayne City Councilor Geoff Paddock, who represents the district that includes the site, is also optimistic.
“Not only is there the possibility, I think, for something attractive here, but something that will beautify this area,” Paddock told WPTA. “Add value to the city. And, I think, enhance the value of homes in the neighborhood here.”
A potential timeline for construction is not yet known.