Fort Wayne, Ind. – The Downtown Improvement District recognized the City of Fort Wayne for its installation of two new signs into downtown Fort Wayne and for its creation of the Foellinger-Freimann Conservatory Patio and Courtyard.
The awards were given last week at the Third Annual combined Awards Celebration of the Fort Wayne Chapter of the American Institute of Architects; ARCH, Inc. and the Downtown Improvement District. The combined awards are meant to call attention to the importance of recognizing best practices in design, development and preservation; attracting investment and improving the city’s “quality of place.”
“We’re very pleased to accept these awards,” Mayor Henry said. “Understanding the economics of first impressions, we are doing all we can to make our downtown a destination. We are continuing to employ new, innovative strategies to help our community grow jobs, help families thrive and help businesses prosper.”
The DID recognized the city’s installation of new overpass signs on Clinton Street and Lafayette Street, calling them a “significant achievement” of new gateway signage into downtown. DID President Rich Davis also praised city officials for conducting a yearlong planning process to compile community ideas on the best way to showcase all of the entry points into the city.
Ron Dick, principal at Design Collaborative; Russ Garriott, planner in the city’s Community Development Division and Pam Holocher, planning director in the Community Development Division were recognized for making the overpass improvements happen. The Redevelopment Commission was recognized for helping identify funding for the project.
The DID gave the Landscape Design Award to the Foellinger-Freimann Conservatory Patio and Courtyard, noting that the new addition was well integrated into existing landscape, including the classical sculpture of the Roman goddess “Flora.” The sculpture is now part of the redesigned courtyard, done by the city Parks & Recreations Department.
Parks & Recreation Director Al Moll; Parks Superintendent Steve McDaniel; Mitch Sheppard, manager of the Conservatory and Alec Johnson, the city’s landscape architect and project designer were recognized for the Conservatory project. Lawnscape, the contractor, was also recognized.
###