Digging into the quarry + city-county relations • How to reduce utility bills • Middle Waves party on Broadway!
Hey Locals,
This week, we’re talking about the controversial quarry project in Southwest Allen County – and how it relates to other projects, like the Google data center, as well as city-county government relations.
In Briefs, we have updates on the Philharmonic’s new home Downtown and how Indiana lawmakers and regulators might reduce residential utility bills. Plus, the latest on Google’s community contributions and other updates for Southeast Fort Wayne.
In our To Do List, don’t miss tonight’s Trek the Trails kickoff and a special First Fridays on Broadway at Fancy & Staple where you can prep for Middle Waves – and win free tickets!
Don't forget: In April, we’re partnering with the Shops at The Sanctuary in Columbia City to bring all paid subscribers a BOGO coffee drink at their new cafe and reading room, 1892 Coffee & Books.
Learn how to claim your offer here.
Now, let’s get started.
NOTE: Links to Journal Gazette articles are marked(*) and may be behind a paywall.
What to know about the county quarry project.
What's happening?
Last week, Mayor Sharon Tucker joined City Council in voicing opposition to a controversial quarry development proposed for Southwest Allen County. Following a public informational meeting on Wednesday, Mayor Tucker said she doesn’t “believe that the quarry is a good project for the area,” but she acknowledged that the issue is out of her hands because the development is beyond city limits in Allen County.
For a quick refresher:
- A group called US Aggregates (a subsidiary of The Heritage Group) filed plans to build a $145 million, 824-acre limestone quarry off Homestead Road near the new Indiana University Health hospital. It has received strong pushback from residents, as well as IU Health, Southwest Allen County Schools, and Little River Wetlands Project. A petition has collected 8,000 signatures, and more than 100 households have contributed to a No Quarry on Homestead Road Coalition.
- About 500 residents gathered last week at an informational meeting to hear from developers about the project. Five speakers detailed how it would create about 100 jobs, pay about $1.1 million in annual tax revenue and produce stone, asphalt and concrete for the county’s growth. However, residents said the meeting “didn’t address significant issues," including an industrial portion of the site that would "convert what is extracted from the quarry into asphalt, concrete and other building materials and commercial development.”
- County Commissioners say: there’s still a lengthy process required to approve the project, including a public hearing at the Coliseum on May 26 hosted by the Allen County Board of Zoning Appeals and the Allen County Plan Commission. The JG* notes: “The Heritage Group isn’t asking for tax breaks, so the commissioners wouldn’t be able to derail the project by withholding incentives.”
In this week’s Above the Fold newsletter on Thursday, we’ll dig into what to know about the quarry and how it relates to broader city-county developments and relationships.
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- The Fort Wayne Philharmonic celebrated its return to Downtown with the grand opening of its "new" century-old building. Formerly the University of St. Francis Business Center, the space now serves as a music venue, event space, and “home for musicians.” Stay tuned to The Phil's event calendar for opportunities to visit, including mid-morning performances (with coffee) and yoga classes with live music.
- Following a recent public meeting on record-high utility bills in Indiana, an op-ed in The JG* outlines four changes lawmakers and regulators can make to help Hoosiers. The op-ed was written by Megan Robertson, executive director of Indiana Conservation Voters (ICV), which champions legislation to improve the state’s environment, economy, and competitive edge. Her four points include: 1) bringing low-cost wind and solar power online faster; 2) banning utility lobbying funded by consumer utility bills; 3) ensuring tech giants and data centers are paying for their own power and transmission needs; and 4) increasing accountability in utility regulation to ensure profits benefit consumers and small businesses.
- Shop Two-Sixty Bagels and BBQ announced its last day of business will be May 3. Yesterday, Chef Rio posted on social media: "I am looking forward to this next chapter being focused on my family." In recent years, the business has served thousands of bagels at hundreds of farmers markets, hosted pop-up dinners and shared kitchen space at Draft Taproom and 2TomsBrewing, where it currently serves BBQ, brunch and pizza pickup orders. It's hosting a Goodbye Pizza Party at 2Toms on May 1, 4-9 p.m.
- Google contributed $150K to Fort Wayne’s Tree Canopy Growth Fund to plant trees in Southeast Fort Wayne and Adams Township. Founded in 2022, the Tree Canopy Growth Fund distributes free trees throughout the Greater Fort Wayne area. According to the City of Fort Wayne’s Engage website, Google claims it is ”committed to its global goal of operating on carbon-free energy 24/7 by 2030.” It has also contributed $1.2M to ACRES Land Trust to protect the St. Joseph Watershed. An updated Fort Wayne Data Center website displays Google’s commitment to investing in Fort Wayne’s economy, community, and environment. This comes weeks after the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) approved Google's request to increase its Fort Wayne data center’s backup diesel generators from 34 to 179 with no pollution controls.
- The City of Fort Wayne is seeking public input on plans to make Southeast Fort Wayne safer, more connected, and more vibrant. The City is hosting a series of Community Design workshops May 2-5, starting with a Hanna Street Trail Activation & Block Party on May 2, noon-2 p.m. at the corner of Hanna & Paulding/629 E Paulding Rd., including food, music, games, and project engagement activities. The week of workshops culminates in a meeting on May 5, 4-7 p.m., at the Public Safety Academy where consultants will share what they learned. The project is funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s RAISE program and aims to develop a comprehensive plan for roadway repairs, land use, housing and retail. Residents can complete a Community Input Survey to share ideas, too.
What else? A new trail grant and tax-dollar savings for the City of Fort Wayne. We share additional, even brief(er) briefs for paid subscribers only!
- Vote: for your favorite Downtown Garden Party window display as part of Fort Wayne in Bloom, now through May 10.
- Get outside: for the return of Trek the Trails tonight at 6 p.m. at Promenade Park, including a Trails Celebration Party with light snacks. Trek the Trails and Tread the Trails are biking and running/walking groups that meet every other week.
- Prepare: for Middle Waves with a party at Fancy and Staple on May 1, 5-8 p.m., including a glitter bar, flower crowns, friendship bracelets and a chance to win festival tickets. Stop by Hopscotch House on May 3, 1-3 p.m., for a kid-friendly version of the festival preparation with coloring pages, bubbles, and sidewalk chalk art, too.
- Listen: to the Sweetwater All Stars kicking off the new Pearl District Summer Art Series on May 1, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., offering free, all-ages live music in the corridor of Pearl Street between Maiden Lane and Webster Street Downtown.
- Shop: the first outdoor Summer Barr Street Market of the season on May 2, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Learn: about the health benefits and community engagement of rowing and other water sports in a recent Input Fort Wayne story on G2 Rowing, a local organization fostering connection between people and waterways.
- Experience: a Free Meal Giveaway with Nourishing Our Neighbors on May 4 at 4 p.m. Pickup at Mustard Seed Furniture Bank includes roasted chicken, mac'n cheese and cole slaw from Hop River Brewing.
What else? Local (food-filled) fundraisers and a lantern-lit evening run at the zoo. We share additional things To Do for paid subscribers only!
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