March 6, 2014 - Residents will see a record amount of neighborhood infrastructure enhancements in the City of Fort Wayne as part of the 2014 construction season.

Mayor Tom Henry today formally announced the list of projects that will result in an investment of over $20 million. Mayor Henry visited the Oxford neighborhood in southeast Fort Wayne to make today’s announcement. Concrete reconstruction and sidewalk and curb repairs will occur on Oxford Street from South Anthony Boulevard to Hessen Cassel Road. Mayor Henry was joined by members of the City of Fort Wayne’s Division of Public Works, elected officials, and community and neighborhood leaders. 

A complete list of infrastructure projects can be found at the bottom of the news release. Highlights include 50 miles of paving, 10 miles of concrete reconstruction, brick street work, 12 miles of chip and seal repairs, sidewalk improvements, and curb and ramp repairs. The first projects are expected to begin in late March-early April, weather permitting.

March 5, 2014 - Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry today announced that 13 local businesses will receive 2014 Commercial Façade Grants. This year's awardees will receive $303,859 in City funding and have pledged to contribute just over $1.1 million in private investment to make improvements on their properties.

“Our Commercial Façade Grant program helps local businesses invest in our community and provide a welcoming atmosphere for their customers,” said Mayor Henry. “This program ensures that our commercial corridors remain vibrant so that our citizens have convenient access to goods and services they need.”

Today’s news conference was held at Coe Heating & Air Conditioning, 3300 Lower Huntington Rd. The business will update the façade of its building by using modern and innovative siding material, creating new window openings, replacing old windows, providing an eye-catching customer entrance, installing new signage and more.

“I’m pleased to accept this grant award,” said Scott Coe, owner of Coe Heating & Air Conditioning. “The City’s funding, as well as the expertise of City design staff, is going to dramatically improve the appearance of our building, bring in more customers, and help beautify this stretch of Lower Huntington Road.”

Mayor Henry introduced the Commercial Façade Grant program in 2008 as part of his ongoing commitment to help local businesses thrive and expand, particularly in the heart of the City. The program is designed to assist business owners in making improvements to the exterior of their commercial properties. Enhancements can include new siding, architectural features, signage, lighting, awnings, parking improvements, decorative fencing and more.

The City requires applicants to provide a dollar-for-dollar match in order to receive the grant. The program has been so successful that from 2009-2013, the City awarded $1.07 million in grant funding, which leveraged more than $2.9 million of private investment toward improvements. A total of 63 projects have been completed or are almost completed since the program was introduced.

February 24, 2014 - The public is invited to share their vision for Fort Wayne’s downtown riverfront at two public input meetings.

Both meetings will take place at the main branch of the Allen County Public Library in the auditorium. The meetings are set for:

*Wednesday, March 12 from 5:30-7:30 p.m., with a presentation at 5:45 p.m.

*Thursday, March 13 from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., with a presentation at 11:15 a.m.

“Public input is critical to the success of our riverfront study,” said Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry. “This is everyone’s riverfront and the final designs need to reflect the hopes and dreams of our entire community.”