Hey Locals,

In recent weeks, there's been a trend of absenteeism among some members of City Council, contributing to delayed decisions on projects, like the thrice-deferred Urban Trail. In this week's Thursday newsletter, we're exploring how council attendance affects the community – and how the system might change.

We also update you on the Urban Trail project (now up for a vote on Aug. 12), and fill you in on other developments around town, like a new high-end shopping center proposed for Coldwater Road.

Plus, we recap last week's City-led meeting on youth violence and share some can't-miss events for your to-do list, like a special screening of Apple TV's golf comedy Stick, set in Fort Wayne.

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Now, let's get started!

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

What happens when City Councilors miss meetings?

And how does it affect the community?

What's happening?

At the last City Council meeting on July 22, three council members were absent, including President Russ Jehl (R-2) and Reps. Rohli Booker (D-6th) and Paul Ensley (R-1). This left council with barely enough members to pass bills (which requires five out of nine votes). Councilman Geoff Paddock mentioned he was “a little embarrassed” so many council members were absent. In recent weeks, absenteeism has contributed to council delaying its vote on the next segment of the Urban Trail several times, and on the 22nd, the vote was set back three more weeks until Aug. 12.

So how do absent councilors affect community decisions? And are there attendance requirements for council – or should there be?

We break it down in this week’s Thursday newsletter for paid members only.

• City Council will (re)consider funding the next leg of the Urban Trail project Downtown during its regular session meeting on Aug. 12. On July 22, several council members voiced concerns about the project’s $1.6M price tag, questioning the trail’s purpose, location and value – especially considering state and federal tax cuts, like SB1, are expected to reduce city budgets by millions of dollars in coming years. Those in favor of the trail (Reps. Geoff Paddock and Michelle Chambers) argued it’s more inclusive and attractive to users than sidewalks, which aren’t bicycle or ADA friendly. They also said now is the time to invest in the trail, as the section of sidewalk in question is already torn up for construction. Fort Wayne’s Urban Trail is designed to emulate the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, which – while costly – has generated an estimated $16 in economic value for every dollar invested in it, among other advantages. Chambers plans to bring the trail back for council’s consideration on Aug. 12 when more members are present. 
• The City hosted a highly attended meeting last week on rising youth violence in Fort Wayne. The panel at the ACPL featured Mayor Sharon Tucker, Police Chief Scott Caudill, and community advocates Roderick Parker (of Big Hearts Community Project) and Foundation One (of Unity Barber Shop). Panelists discussed questions submitted by the public, including root causes of violence, roles of local government, challenges of enforcing curfews, police training, grassroots efforts and more. “Listening” and support from caring adults were two themes that emerged to help youth. One local mentorship group, Building Kings, received recognition for engaging young people and said it has a list of ideas from them on reducing violence among their peers. Mayor Tucker was notably candid and discussed immediate, short-term and long-term solutions, including new City-led youth and mental health councils. As of the meeting, there had been 22 homicides in Fort Wayne in 2025, 17 of them youth-related – an increase from 2024. However, Chief Caudill also noted overall crime is down double digits so far this year, including violent and property crime.
• The Plan Commission is hosting a public hearing next week for a new high-end shopping center on Coldwater Road, just south of Cook Road. An Indianapolis-based developer, Warstler Realty Group, has filed plans with the Fort Wayne Plan Commission for a nine-acre, $18M investment called “Coldwater Commons.” It includes a 58,000-square-foot shopping center for 30+ retailers and restaurants, a splash pad and outlots for future development. Tenants are expected to be “similar to those located at the Landing and restaurants like Ruth’s Chris Steak House,” The JG* reports. Plans compared the project to The Yard at Fishers District and Ironworks at Keystone in Indianapolis. The plan commission will host a public input session on Aug. 11, 5:30 p.m. at Citizens Square.
• The south side of St. Joe River Drive is getting a sidewalk, connecting neighborhoods to the North Anthony Corridor and area schools. City Council Rep. Marty Bender, a frequent critic of pedestrian projects, notably called the plans “one of the best sidewalk projects I’ve ever seen,” saying it will improve safety, encourage economic activity and assist pedestrians during the annual Johnny Appleseed Festival. Work is scheduled to begin in August, and the project is expected to be completed by November.
• A senior housing project in Southwest Fort Wayne was granted a rare type of tax abatement by City Council. The proposal by SDG Getz, LLC seeks to build a 98-villa senior community near Getz Road and Constitution Drive, with 1-2 bedroom units renting for an estimated $1,800-2,200/month. Chambers noted it’s the first senior housing project council has considered during her six-year tenure, and it's needed to address Fort Wayne’s housing shortage. However, a citizen who spoke at the conclusion of the meeting said the project will “miss the mark” in its rent costs, which will outprice many lower-income seniors who are unhoused. Council noted the nearly $25M investment will add a road and activate a difficult-to-develop property that has sat empty for more than 10 years, suggesting the project will ultimately generate more in property taxes* than its abatements cost.
• Local artist Julie Wall is debuting a new mural on The Riverfront at Promenade Park’s east garage entrance off Calhoun Street. The 2,000-square-foot mural will feature “many natural elements from our area,” like botanicals. Wall has done previous murals at Jefferson Pointe and The Sidecar at Copper Spoon, and the new mural is funded by the city’s Public Art Giveback Program.
• Packard Park (off of Fairfield Avenue on the south side) reopened last week with $1.9M in improvements, including two new playgrounds (one for pre-schoolers and one for elementary schoolers) with safety surfacing, as well as an event lawn, landscaping and a new 1/8-mile walking path with connections to the neighborhood. The Packard Area Planning Alliance (PAPA) and City plan to host a public event to celebrate the park on Oct. 4.

• Watch: a special screening of the final episode of Apple TV’s acclaimed golf comedy Stick (starring Owen Wilson and set in Fort Wayne) on Aug. 6. The event at Cinema Center includes a virtual Q&A with Hoosier-born screenwriter Jason Keller, as well as a pre-screening mixer with local golf pros. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and RSVP is required.
• Lunch: at Music on the Plaza at the ACPL’s Downtown branch, offering a free mid-day concert with food trucks and a tent on Aug. 6, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., featuring music by Fort Wayne Funk Orchestra.
• Celebrate: Christmas in August with a Sleigh the Heat bar crawl on the Fairfield Corridor on Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. The event features four local stops: Wunderkammer Company, Packard Taphouse, Bravas and Wonder Camera. $50 tickets include three holiday drinks, a mini photo shoot, live music and off-season cheer. 
• Listen: to Fort Unity on the River, a one-day festival celebrating music, unity, and purpose at Promenade Park on Aug. 9, 4-11 p.m. The annual event features a full lineup of musicians, DJs and spoken word artists, headlined by national hip hop artist Stevie Stone (formerly of Strange Music). (Early tickets start at $15)
• Support: Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana during an “Athena’s Armor Art Project” exhibit at East Ende Eclectic on Aug. 9, 5-9 p.m. The show features “custom bust sculptures crafted from plaster casts of breast cancer survivors, fighters, and individuals impacted by this disease,” a news release says.
• Shop: Bloom Fest at Riverside Gardens Park in Leo-Cedarville on Aug. 9, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The eighth annual event celebrates local art and nature with 150+ local artists, artisans and nature vendors, educational non-profits, live music, food trucks, children activities and more.
• Enjoy: a special free screening of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Cinema Center in celebration of the film’s 20th anniversary on Aug. 9, 1-3 p.m.
• Forage: at LC Nature Park on a special Wild Edibles hike with expert guide, Carrie Vrabel, on Aug. 9, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. During the hike, you’ll learn to identify and harvest seasonal wild plants followed by a cooking demonstration featuring your foraged finds. ($20/person includes food and drink tickets; 21+ only)
• Stretch: to free Yoga on the Riverfront at Promenade Park on Aug. 10, 10:30-11:30 a.m. BYO mat for an all-skill-levels class by instructor Chelsea Vona of Discover Yoga. 

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Have a great week, Locals!

-Your Editor, Kara Hackett