Hey Locals,

This week, we're looking into a new development coming to The Landing and other updates Downtown, including a second local bakery coming soon.

In our To Do List, we have festive dining events for your holiday calendar and a local author's book reading at Sunbound Books.

Don't forget: This month, all paid subscribers get $5 off any purchase at Fancy & Staple. Did you know we give our paid members a freebie every month at a local business to cover the cost of membership? See what a paid membership is all about with this 30-day trial, and you can get that discount!

Now, let's get started!

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The Landing Exchange is progressing.

Here's what to know.

What's happening?

The City's Redevelopment Commission and developers of The Landing (the Model Group, out of Cincinnati, Ohio) are one step closer to building a new six-story apartment and retail project in the lot next to Nawa. Last week, City Council gave a do-pass recommendation to two key measures for The Landing Exchange.

• What is it? The Landing Exchange is a new apartment building, offering 40 rental units (studios, 1-bedroom and 2-bedrooms), as well as 5,000-square-feet of ground-floor commercial real estate. Apartments would rent for $1,000-$1,600/month, and at least 10 units (25%) would be "affordable to people making 80% of the area median income." Project leaders have also hinted about the ground retail space containing an "urban market" or long-awaited Downtown grocery to round-out the area's offerings.
• What's there now? The lot in question serves as an extended outdoor patio for Nawa and surface parking lot beneath the iconic bison mural by artist Tim Parsley. The proposed six-story building would conceal much of the mural, which has become a fixture on the block. Community Development Administrator Joe Giant told reporters last week there would still be space to see the mural in the alley between buildings. It's unclear what would happen with Nawa's patio.
• What about parking? While The Landing would lose a small surface lot, Giant says there's plenty of parking at nearby lots and beneath the railroad overpass. There's also 900+ new parking spaces at a public parking garage at Riverfront at Promenade, as well as the new Star Bank garage and the longstanding Plaza parking garage on Calhoun Street.
• When is it happening? Pending funding and further approvals, work on The Landing Exchange could begin in spring 2025 with completion in mid- to late-2026.
• What's happened so far? The project costs about $19 million total, and last week, council gave a do-pass to 1) supporting the City to issue a $4 million bond to help pay for the project and 2) declaring and extending The Landing Exchange as a TIF district to help repay that bond. "That means Fort Wayne will tax the value of The Landing Exchange, but the revenue from the increased value of the property will go toward paying back the bond," WANE 15 explains. In this way, the project essentially pays for itself. Pending final approvals, the TIF for this new project will likely be extended 25 years while the bond is paid back. Project leaders say additional funding will come from the Model Group, conventional financing, TIF dollars from other Landing properties and a potential state grant.
• It's worth noting: while The Landing is considered "successful" at utilizing TIF to help fund its own growth, it hasn't quite accomplished this to the extent that some city council members had originally hoped. VP of mixed-use development with The Model Group Jason Chamlee told council last week: That's because construction costs have risen significantly since The Landing's first phase of development about eight years ago. "The (property) values have gone up significantly, but the costs have gone up even more so," he says.

Why it matters

While we're optimistic to see a reduction in the number of surface parking lots Downtown (improving density and walkability), some readers have reached out to us with concerns about The Landing Exchange's size and scale compared to smaller, more historic buildings on the block.

We've contacted the Model Group to learn more and will let you know when we hear back. Get more insights on the project in our premium newsletter.

• The City is purchasing the Don Chavas property on Wells Street. Yesterday, the City announced plans in a news release, saying it will work with Owner Roberto Soto on "an exciting concept featuring authentic Mexican food and atmosphere, as part of the growing Riverfront district." The land purchase will be presented for approval by the Fort Wayne Redevelopment Commission and City Council with plans to keep Don Chavas open "through at least 2025." The release says the restaurant owners are "actively working on a new concept they’ve been planning for years."
• Another local bakery is coming to Downtown. On the heels of last week's announcement about Good Bread for All moving into the Canton Laundry building on Broadway, Tiny Little Donuts is also making its Downtown debut. The popular Airstream trailer business, which opened this spring at 10300 Maysville Rd., is preparing to open its second location inside Sweet’s On Main near Coney Island. Watch social media for updates.

What else? Updates on TRAA emergency services, Citilink's new technology and neighborhood projects getting funding. We cover it all in our premium newsletter.

• Make reservations: for a special Michelin-star collaboration tasting dinner at Rune on Dec. 22, with seatings at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Rune's Chef Sean Richardson is hosting the five-course event with Chef Christian Hunter of the Michelin-starred Atelier in Chicago, whose signature style focuses on "infusing New American fare with unexpected global flavors." (Reservations required $115/person.)
• Skate it Off (Taylor's Version): at a Swiftie-themed skate night at Headwaters Park ice rink Downtown on Dec. 12, 6-8 p.m. Each Thursday, the ice rink is doing special themed nights. ($6 General Admission, $3 Rental)
• Listen: to reading and Q&A with local author Jaclyn Youhana Garver, discussing her first novel, Then, Again, at Sunbound Books on Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. The conversation will be moderated by 89.1 WBOI's Rebecca Green.

What else? We share more things to do in our premium newsletter.

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Got a story tip or idea?

Let us know at thelocalfortwayne@gmail.com.

Have a great week, Locals!

-Your Editor, Kara Hackett