Hey Locals,

We're diving back into the murky waters of the city's North River controversy – and what it reveals about the complexities of public-private projects.

We also cover Purdue Fort Wayne's abrupt cuts last week, causing the loss of 45 jobs, as well as the university's baseball and softball programs. Plus, a lack of press about Downtown Fort Wayne's new leadership – and impending reauthorization.

In our To-Do List, we have lots of food news for you, including a long-awaited grand-reopening and an event that happens to offer some of our favorite festival food in town.

This month, our newsletter is brought to you by Turnstone, which, like us, believes Fort Wayne has a lot of potential. See what we mean at their annual Center Stage talent show fundraiser on June 3 at 7 p.m. where you can get the scoop on the city's up-and-coming artists and performers. Tickets are $25, and all subscribers to The Local get $5 off using code “thelocal” at checkout. Details in our To-Do List.

We're also partnering with Fortezza Coffee to bring all paid subscribers to The Local a Buy One, Get One FREE deal on a hot or iced latte or daily batch-brewed hot or iced coffee. 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 deal!

Now, let's get started!

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

What we know (and don't) about North River.

The project is progressing, but readers still have questions.

What's happening?

Despite lingering uncertainty, the City continues to progress its plans for North River, prompting questions from readers and City Council – not only about this project, but the City's overall processes for public-private development projects.

For instance: the Redevelopment Commission recently approved "up to $99,000" for the City to hire an out-of-state advisor to help select a developer for the site. But a reader emailed us to say that this number feels significant because all expenses above $100,000 must go before City Council for approval.

Former city councilman and mayoral candidate Mitch Harper also pointed this out on social media:

So... what do we know about North River and the City's process for redevelopment projects like this one?

We break it down in our premium newsletter!

• Purdue University Fort Wayne abruptly cut 45 jobs last week, as well as its Division I baseball and softball teams, citing state and federal budget cuts. The university must cut more than $6M from its 2026 budget by a July deadline, and so far, the majority of its cuts (made without warning last week) have affected support services and athletics – not academics. Chancellor Ron Elsenbaumer issued a statement to students, staff and the media last week, saying the institution must "live within its means." (Its enrollment has dropped 15% since 2019, The JG* reports.) Insiders tell WANE 15 pressure from the Trump administration to cut DEI services also played into the job losses, as most of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) was cut, including the Women’s Center, Multicultural Center, and Q Center. Students tell WANE “staff were not permitted to talk" about the cuts and have been threatened by the university for "speaking ill" about it. About $1M of cuts also came from PFW's baseball and softball teams, which Elsenbaumer said "while painful in the short term, will only strengthen our 14 other NCAA Division I teams.”
• The organization Downtown Fort Wayne is seeking reauthorization this summer, and it quietly changed leadership in the New Year without public notice. Last week, The JG* reported that Downtown Fort Wayne's former Executive Director, Mike Galbraith, resigned earlier this year, and the organization is now being run by interim Director and Board Member Bob Walters. Downtown Fort Wayne, which has existed for about 30 years, is also up for reauthorization this summer – and is seeking to expand its boundaries by about 40%, extending to include the Broadway and Wells Street corridors. The organization has an annual budget of $1.5 million, which it uses to host events like Buskerfest and Lunch on the Square, as well as keep sidewalks and alleys clean, care for plants, and patrol the area for safety. But debate over its reauthorization — and a few hot button issues for Downtown property owners – is already simmering. (More on this next week.)

Plus: Updated branding for key streets Downtown, new ways to address violent crime and more. We cover it all in our premium newsletter!

• Dine outside: at Hideout 125's grand reopening, scheduled for May 29* at 11 a.m. The prohibition-themed restaurant and bar is more than doubling its space around the corner from its original location in Woodland Plaza. Its new facility includes a large canopy-covered patio and bar, as well as two private banquet areas and updated menus for brunch, lunch and dinner.
• Celebrate: Arab Culture at Arab Fest at Headwaters Park Pavillions on May 31-June 1, noon- 7 p.m., including cultural food, music, dancing, as well as kids crafts, stories, and more. (FYI: As Kara and Mike at The Local, the food at Arab Fest is some of our favorite festival food in Fort Wayne.)
• Check out: the Fort Wayne Coffee Crawl June 1-27 at participating locations, made possible by Utopian Coffee, Fort Wayne Social Club and Visit Fort Wayne. Pick up a passport at Visit Fort Wayne Downtown, and collect stamps at various local businesses for a chance to earn prizes. Stops along the crawl will offer raffles, exclusive menu items, discounts and surprise merch. Details.

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