Hey Locals,

We’re out of town this week, so we have a guest writer, Rachel Horton, providing this week’s Above the Fold rundown on what’s driving an increase in lawsuits against the City and why it matters.

We also brief you on potential plans to bring a casino to town and how New Haven’s fieldhouse is progressing – alongside Fort Wayne’s. We also have a new deal with The Berry in August for paid members, offering BOGO scoops of their real-fruit ice cream at Union Street Market. (Learn how to claim your offer here.)

Plus, lots of fun events for your weekend, from a Thrift Trail to Open Streets and a Creator Space meetup with a view.

Now, let's get started!

NOTE: Links to Journal Gazette articles are marked(*) and may be behind a paywall.

It's an expensive year for City lawsuits.

Is this "random" or the new normal?

What's happening?

Since state legislators passed Gov. Mike Braun’s property tax cuts in SB1, the future of Fort Wayne’s City budget has been a top concern at City Council. Now, another potential budget strain is coming to light. 

On Aug. 5, the City’s liability consulting firm, SGRisk, told Council it's been a “difficult year” for lawsuits – with the amount of money pending in lawsuits against the City at about $2 million. As a result, the firm recommended the city put aside about $1 million to cover potential losses – money that won’t be freed up for Council to use for other purposes until the cases are closed.

In Thursday’s newsletter for paid members only: what’s happening, what’s driving the City’s legal woes, and why it matters.

• A controversial casino once planned for New Haven could be coming to Fort Wayne. WANE 15 published an exclusive interview with Gov. Mike Braun where he hinted that the fledgling Rising Star casino, by Full House Resorts in southern Indiana, may relocate to Allen County, calling Fort Wayne “an ideal spot to have one, if you want one.” Indianapolis, Lake County, and Hamilton County are other possibilities, Braun said. Earlier this year, the state legislature killed a bill to relocate the casino to New Haven, despite support from New Haven Mayor Steven McMichael. Some in opposition have called brick-and-mortar casinos “dinosaurs of gambling” amid online options, and three local legislators opposed the move, including Sens. Liz Brown and Tyler Johnson and Rep. Dave Heine. The average hourly wage for gambling service workers in 2023 was $16.53 per hour – below Northeast Indiana’s median wage of $26.53 per hour.
• New Haven broke ground on its $31 million fieldhouse, called the New Haven District. The fieldhouse was originally slated to be built on property owned by Grace Gathering Church, but it ended up landing at 3800 Minnich Rd. “The original $50 million project was tweaked due to new state legislation that eliminates cities’ ability to secure bonds with local income taxes,” The JG* reports. Fort Wayne is also moving forward with its plans to build a $50 million fieldhouse at North River.
• Allen County commissioners effectively blocked large-scale solar energy development last week at a standing-room-only meeting. They did so by amending a planned solar ordinance, increasing solar setbacks on properties from 400 feet to 1,000 feet. Solar advocates tell The JG*: “The setbacks that they proposed remove farmers’ private property rights to have control over what they want to do with their land. One thousand-foot setbacks completely eliminate the ability for farmers to put their land into solar.” The ordinance must be approved by the Plan Commission, which will discuss it at a Sept. 18 business meeting.
• Mayor Sharon Tucker unveiled a new youth violence prevention plan, including a Youth Engagement Council and a microgrant program. Her plan also involves hiring a part-time liaison to help the police department form partnerships with community organizations (likely Lewis King of Fort Wayne). Pending City Council approval, Tucker’s microgrant program will be funded by $250,000 of interest from the City’s American Rescue Plan Act dollars, and any organizations serving youth may apply, including sports leagues and groups that keep kids out of violence. The mayor’s recently created young adults council will recommend which applicants receive grants.

New Deal with The Berry at Union Street Market:

BOGO scoop of real-fruit ice cream!

What’s happening?

In August, all paid subscribers to The Local get BOGO on one scoop of real-fruit ice cream at The Berry at Union Street Market.

If you haven’t been to The Berry yet, this is the perfect opportunity to check it out, and cool off with a sweet treat.

Here are three quick things to know:

• The Berry uses fresh fruit and locally sourced dairy from the Kuehnert Dairy Farm. We recommend their strawberry ice cream, but there are many fruit options, and if you’re not into fruit, there’s chocolate, too. 
• Watch the process. The Berry uses a special machine to blend fresh fruit into ice cream in seconds, so stick around to watch. Owner Edwin Chow brought the machine to Fort Wayne, inspired by his military deployment overseas.
• Chow is a serial entrepreneur in Fort Wayne. He is also a co-owner of Summit City Climbing Co., the city’s first climbing gym.

• Attend: a Rooftop Pop-Up at Electric Works by Creator Space on Aug. 19, 7-9 p.m. The evening includes photos, content creation, and connection with fellow creatives. BYO camera, or just hang out, and enjoy the view. (Free, but must meet at The Forum at Electric Works by 7 p.m. sharp to attend.)
• Shop: the Fort Wayne Nonprofit Thrift Trail, Aug. 15-16, a two-day community event featuring nine local nonprofit thrift stores with additionally discounted items, scavenger hunts and more!
• Stroll: Open Streets Downtown on Aug. 17, noon - 4 p.m., featuring 20+ blocks of pedestrian-only streets on Calhoun – games, music, vendors and more. New this year: free samples of Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream and a Sensory Tent provided by Partners in Autism.
• Listen: to Rock & Roar at the Fort Wayne Zoo on Aug. 14, 6:30-9:30 p.m. It’s a 21+ summer music series, featuring local bands, beverages, special menu items and zoo exhibits.
• Celebrate: Arena Dinner Theatre’s 30th year on Rockhill on Aug. 16 at 7:30 p.m. The event features songs from shows performed in the space, including Chicago, South Pacific, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Drowsy Chaperone & more! 
• Dress up: for 80s Night at Headwaters Park on Aug. 16, 6-11 p.m. ($10)
• Learn: at an afternoon with PBS food expert Steven Raichlen, bringing his latest book, "Project Griddle: The Versatile Art of Grilling on a Flattop," to his PBS Fort Wayne fans. Aug. 17, 4 p.m. at the McMillen Family Pavilion at Franke Park. ($60-$75)
• Dance: at Dance Promenade on Aug. 18, 6-8:30 p.m., featuring "Summer of Youth" pop and K-Pop. ($10-$12, registration required today)

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Have a great week, Locals!

-Your Editor, Kara Hackett