Why primary elections matter • Where to house homeless services • Cinco de Mayo tips + more!
Hey Locals,
Happy Cinco de Mayo and Election Day in Allen County – two occasions that pair particularly well in 2026. We're here to tell you why you should get out and vote today – and where you can get a good margarita after.
In Above the Fold, we’re talking about a controversial location for the city’s new low-barrier homeless services center that's causing a stir between Mayor Sharon Tucker and City Council. In Briefs, we fill you in on a new restaurant Downtown, the latest on Google’s water impacts in Fort Wayne, and why you’re paying more at the pump in Indiana.
Plus, a new deal for you in May.
This month: we're partnering with Bravas to bring all paid subscribers to The Local get a free order of patatas with any burger for dine-in.
Learn how to claim your offer here.
Also: Mark your calendar for Bravas's upcoming event Bravas Fest on May 16. We’ll share details in next week’s newsletter!
Now, let’s get started.
NOTE: Links to Journal Gazette articles are marked(*) and may be behind a paywall.
Debate on new homeless services center Downtown.
Where is the 'right' location?
What's happening?
Last week, Mayor Sharon Tucker and City Councilman Russ Jehl (R-2) sparred on social media and WANE 15 over a proposed location for the city’s new low-barrier homeless services center.
- What's the project? Following years of research as well as prompting from City Council about homelessness Downtown, the city is planning to open the first local 24-hour, low-barrier homeless services center to serve approximately 150 individuals daily. The center is modeled after a similar facility in Lafayette, which offers a hub for day services, as well as overnight beds and space for partner organizations to work with clients.
- Why the concern? The city is seeking to locate the center at 333 E. Washington Blvd. near the Rescue Mission — an area Jehl says is already facing challenges with homelessness disrupting/displacing nearby businesses and threatening Downtown's growth. The Mayor and those in favor of the location say the area is appropriate to minimize transportation costs and offer proximity to service providers. So far, organizations representing Downtown businesses have remained silent.
- So what happens next? The city will need council's approval to proceed with acquiring the property at a cost of roughly $1.5 million, with renovation costs to be determined, WPTA 21 reports. The topic is not on the agenda for tonight's City Council meeting, but may come up during public comment.
So what are key considerations regarding the location for a new homeless services center? And what do Downtown businesses and stakeholders have to say about the situation?
We dive into these questions and more in this week’s Above the Fold newsletter on Thursday – available to paid subscribers only.
What do you think? Are you a Downtown resident, business owner or service provider? Hit reply to this email, and share your perspective.
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- Reminder: It's Primary Election Day in Allen County, and if you haven't voted yet, you should! Last week, Karen Eller of the League of Women Voters penned an op-ed in The JG* explaining how turnout at primary elections helps prevent fringe, extremist candidates from progressing onto the general election ballot. In 2024, Allen County's primary voter turnout was a dismal 13% – among the lowest in the state and nation. In a recent Above the Fold, we shared a few key issues to know for this spring's primary and explained the county’s new voting system, which utilizes 53 vote centers (instead of the former assigned precinct model).
- The City of Fort Wayne is getting water-saving upgrades to its filtration plant, thanks to a new deal with Google. The tech giant is paying for a $1.1M improvement to give the Three Rivers Water Filtration Plant a more efficient tank rinse cycle that's expected to save the city 182M gallons of water per year (or about five days of usage). Google annually self-reports its freshwater replenishment, and issues a self-published Environmental Report showing water usage at its data centers. It has yet to report numbers for its Fort Wayne facility, but tells WANE 15 once those numbers are live: “You can check out how much water we’re using in Fort Wayne and hold us accountable to it.” Across the U.S., Google has pledged to replenish 120% of the water it uses to cool its data centers. The City of Fort Wayne has submitted a second funding proposal to Google for 2026, seeking to seal underground leaks in municipal water mains.
- Indiana’s gas prices jumped 84 cents in the last week, reaching $4.99/gallon for unleaded — one of the highest price changes in the U.S. Across the nation, gas prices are the highest they’ve been in nearly four years, up 38.2 cents on average. Along with the war in Iran straining global oil supplies, refinery disruptions in the Midwest are contributing to higher regional costs, too. The Hoosier state also has high state excise taxes on gasoline (5th highest nationally), but on April 8, Gov. Mike Braun declared an “energy emergency” and suspended the Gas Use Tax for 30 days through May 8. WANE 15 reports that the City of Fort Wayne has a set fuel contract, which locks rates for city vehicles at $2.70/gallon, preventing volatility from affecting city budgets. However, other entities, like Fort Wayne Community Schools and Citilink, are more affected.
- A new family-dining restaurant, Bridgeport, is opening this summer in the former Pint & Slice location Downtown. Chef and owner Marcus Daniel plans to serve fresh pasta, short ribs, and vegetarian meals, focusing on fresh and local ingredients. Born in Chicago and raised in Fort Wayne, Daniel studied culinary arts at Ivy Tech and has experience working at Michelin-star restaurants in California, Chicago, and New York. He was recently executive chef at Joseph Decuis in Roanoke.
- Ruoff Mortgage Stadium opened Saturday with a 2-2 draw between the Fort Wayne FC and Charlotte Independence. The inaugural match was considered a “soft opening” for the arena, which still had sections of stands unfinished. Despite ongoing construction, nearly 4,000 fans gathered excitedly in the new space, which is expected to be complete and ready to seat 9,200 fans in time for its Fourth of July game. The JG* chronicled the stadium’s journey from its beginnings in May 2020, when Fort Wayne native US National Team star DaMarcus Beasley first spoke publicly about his vision for professional soccer in Fort Wayne. Beasley is part-owner of the club and director of football operations.
What else? A fundraiser to save a local venue, NIPSCO employees return to work, and rising costs for local farmers. We share additional, even brief(er) briefs for paid subscribers only!
Celebrate: Cinco de Mayo today at:
- Cozumel Restaurante Mexicano at 2202 Fairfield Ave. with live music, meals for $10.99, and 20 oz. margaritas for $6.
- Mi Pueblo at 2419 W. Jefferson Blvd. with live music 5:30-8:30 p.m., tacos under $2, and $5 Cinco’ritas.
- Cebollas with free queso when you join Cebollas Rewards at any location on Cinco De Mayo. Ask your server how to sign up.
More things to do...
- Get tickets: for a show at the new Bedtime Stories Theatre in Fort Wayne on May 15 at 6:30 p.m. at The Local Archive on The Landing (118 W. Columbia Street, Suite 201). (Tickets start at $17)
- Shop: local deals Downtown at Ladies Night Out on May 7, 5-8 p.m., including a special partner deal at Hyde Brothers Booksellers and Honey Plant on Wells Street, where if you spend $20 at the bookstore, you’ll get a $5 coupon off plants or vice versa.
- View: three new exhibitions at Artlink Contemporary Gallery, opening on May 7, 5-8 p.m., with light snacks and a cash bar. Exhibits include: Green Wheels by Jeff Schofield, Memories of Water by Katherine Kratzer, and Fight Club, a group exhibition exploring conflict, tension, and contradictions juried by Jen Brown.
- Prepare: for Mother’s Day with a Plant Sale at McMillen Park Community Center on May 8-May 10, featuring more than 700 different plant varieties. Proceeds benefit the Botanical Conservatory.
- Dance: at Pedal City with Latin Sundays every week, featuring $5 Latin dance lessons at 7 p.m. and an open dance with a DJ from 8 to 10 p.m. on May 10.
- Dine: with The Monday Lunch Club at The Porch Off Calhoun Downtown on May 11 and 18, 11:30 to 1:30 p.m., featuring rotating food trucks and live music. May 11 features music by Angie Marquardt and food from Chance Bar, Sweets on the Street, and Another One Bites The Crust.
What else? Unsung local heroes and a spring road trip idea. We share additional things To Do for paid subscribers only!
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-Your Editor, Kara Hackett
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