Late Discussions Show Progress in Electric Works Plan
(rendering courtesy of RTM Ventures)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowCity leaders in Fort Wayne had a productive 11th-hour discussion Tuesday that gives hope to salvaging the redevelopment of the old General Electric campus.
Our partners at WPTA-TV report Fort Wayne City Councilor Glynn Hines said Mayor Tom Henry and high-profile businessmen Tom Kelley and Chuck Surack were part of the meeting regarding the future of the Electric Works project.
The men discussed working with RTM Ventures — the developer attached to the project since its inception — on some level moving forward.
Hines emphasized the desire to save the 500 jobs attached to the headquarters for Do it Best Corp., the designated anchor tenant of the Electric Works campus.
Hines also indicated a second developer could be brought in to work with RTM Ventures.
Several weeks ago, members of the city’s Redevelopment Commission abruptly withdrew public backing of the project by terminating the economic development agreement.
Last week, the Fort Wayne City Council voted to advance a measure that would launch an investigation into the withdrawal of public backing for the Electric Works redevelopment project.
The vote was 5 to 3 supporting the ordinance, with one member absent from the meeting.
Upon final approval, the legislation would form a subcommittee that would have 60 days to report back to the Council with its findings.
The Council meeting was scheduled to vote on the legislation Tuesday evening, but because of how well this talk went, Council will postpone the final vote by three weeks.