Hey Locals, 

We heard from several South side readers this weekend about a portion of Lutheran Park being listed for sale by its new(ish) owners, the Boys & Girls Club. In this week’s Above the Fold, we talk with the club and others to figure out what’s going on – and what’s next for the beloved community space.

In Briefs, we update you on City Council’s decision to delay its vote on Flock cameras (again) until August. We also fill you in on a scandal connected to New Haven’s Fieldhouse and recent happenings at Downtown Fort Wayne hotels and eateries. 

In our To Do List: Meet Chrystel, a contributor to The Local, this weekend while you snag deals on vintage finds at The Rink. Plus, a free outdoor movie series Downtown with 80s vibes!

Don’t forget: In July, we’re extending our partnership with Club Soda to bring all paid subscribers to The Local a free small smoked Gouda dip with the order of two entrees. 

Now, let’s get started.

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

What’s next for Lutheran Park?

What’s happening?

Over the weekend, we received emails from several readers about a listing they found, advertising a “Rare Urban Development Opportunity” on 9.49 acres of land at Lutheran Park – a 14-acre community treasure.

• You might remember: In June 2025, the Lutheran Foundation gifted the park to the nearby Boys & Girls Club. The story was first reported by former News-Sentinel columnist (and supporter of The Local) Kevin Leininger, who noted: “The Boys and Girls Club may sell off about three acres along Fairfield that are zoned for commercial use to help provide funds for maintenance.” However, the 9.49 acres listed by Sturges Property Group is more than three times that much.
• Since then: We’ve heard from Mark Dixon, President and CEO of the Lutheran Foundation, (and WANE 15) that the listing is incorrect, and the Boys & Girls Club is, in fact, only selling about 3.9 acres of commercial-rated property on the Southeast corner of the park, as originally planned. “The listing will be updated,” says Boys & Girls Club CEO Joe Jordan.

So what’s next for Lutheran Park? What is for sale? And what’s planned for the rest of the park – which has seen spells of less-than-usual maintenance since the ownership transfer last year?

We’ll break it down in this week’s Above the Fold newsletter on Thursday – for paid subscribers only.

• City Council will revisit funding the FWPD’s controversial Flock License Plate Recognition (LPR) cameras on August 25, after a 6-1 vote delayed the decision (again) last week. In June, the FWPD requested council’s approval to spend $120K to re-up its contract with Flock, which began in 2024, but did not become known to the public and council until this year. (The FWPD originally utilized a grant, which did not require enough public funding to warrant a council vote.) Since June, council has held the vote twice, seeking more information about the cameras and safeguards for civil liberties. On Tuesday, Councilman Russ Jehl (R-2) reiterated that he wants the council to look into adding safeguards and amendments addressing concerns, like surveillance, data retention, and information sharing. Council introduced* an amendment requiring their approval for any future changes regarding LPRs – which Councilman Paul Ensley (R-1) noted should have happened in the first place before the cameras were installed in 2024. (He was the sole vote against delaying the decision, saying he was ready to reject the proposal now.) The FWPD currently operates 36 LPRs – about half of the total 70+ thought to exist within the city, owned by private businesses and others. Although the FWPD’s contract with Flock expired in June, the company has allowed them to keep using its cameras until a decision is reached. 
• More than 270 cases of Cyclosporiasis were reported in Indiana last week, with 32 cases confirmed in Allen County. Dr. Amy Beth Kressel, Parkview’s medical director for infection prevention, spoke with The JG*, noting it’s important for infected people to seek medical care, and stay hydrated. The infection caused by the cyclospora parasite can trigger watery diarrhea, stomach pain, and flu-like symptoms. It is typically transmitted through contaminated food or water, with this specific outbreak stemming from lettuce. Symptoms may take weeks to appear, and can linger longer if untreated. 
• The owner of an Indianapolis-based real estate company with projects in Northeast Indiana has been federally accused of fraudulently using money from a project to purchase a home in Florida. The lawsuit alleges CEO of Card & Associates, James “Andy” Card, and his wife, Martha, obtained more than $2.2M through wire fraud from the proceeds of a Mishawaka Fieldhouse project to buy a home in Marco Island, Florida. Card’s company is planning to build the New Haven Fieldhouse, but in a press release, the City of New Haven says they are monitoring the federal investigation, and the developer has not yet received city funds beyond engineering and design reimbursement. “Should these accusations turn out to be true, the City will move forward on the project with another developer,” the statement says.
• Henry’s was briefly closed by the Allen County Department of Health after a customer claimed to have become sick with Salmonella. Though inspectors noted no issues with food handling and storage, they did find cockroaches near the dishwasher, water heater, and mop sink. In a Facebook post, restaurant  owners said the findings were “unexpected,” and they are committed to full cooperation with the health department, having conducted a full sanitization of the restaurant with additional pest treatment. Henry’s has since reopened. The popular Downtown hangout has had new ownership since April, when Kelly and (son) Max Steele purchased it from John Freistroffer.
• Downtown Fort Wayne’s Hilton at the Grand Wayne Convention Center is getting a $16M renovation.* Updates include new furnishings, bedding, well-lit workstations, and accessible walk-in showers. The Hilton has a direct connection to the Grand Wayne Convention Center, making it an ideal stay for conventions, conferences, corporate meetings, and other events. Fort Wayne’s growth in tourism was a large incentive for the makeover, leaders say. “In 2025, the Fort Wayne International Airport saw 983,042 passengers fly in and out of the airport – an increase of 14.7% over 2024,” Visit Fort Wayne reports.
• Fort Wayne’s L3 Harris space manufacturing facility was chosen by the U.S. Space Development Agency to create 18 satellites as part of President Donald Trump’s Golden Dome missile defense system project. The satellites collect data to detect and track emerging missile threats, and their production will cost about $955M. L3Harris recently completed a $125M expansion in 2025. Manufacturing will take place at L3 Harris’ facility at 1919 W. Cook Rd. and be assembled in their test facility in Palm Bay, Florida.

• Shop: local vintage finds at The Rink’s Outdoor Market on July 25 at 4540 Bluffton Rd., featuring 40+ vendors offering vintage home decor, clothing, and homemade goodies, plus coffee by Fairfax Coffee & Records, and more vendor discounts indoors.

• Celebrate: the local LGBTQ+ community at Fort Wayne Pride at Headwaters Park, featuring local bands and DJs at the early kickoff party on July 24 at 5 p.m., as well as a vendor market, beer tent, food vendors, and two entertainment stages at the Pride Festival on July 25, noon-midnight.
• Try: Boss Lady Confections, a new full-service bakery at 7510 S. Anthony Blvd., featuring cheesecake, giant cupcakes, brownies, and more.
• Watch: a FREE outdoor screening of the film, “The Neverending Story,” at Cinema Center's updated parking lot (using their new outdoor projector) for Downtown Fort Wayne’s 80’s-themed Movie Night on July 24. Pick your spot at 8 p.m., and enjoy yard games and a mobile library while the sun goes down. 
• Find: your next read, at A Book Affair on July 25, noon-4:30 p.m, at the Allen County Fairgrounds, featuring more than 40 authors spanning all genres, plus vendors with bookish gifts, coffee, and baked goods. ($5 admission)

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Have a great week, Locals!

-Your Editor, Kara Hackett

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