Electric Works: New restaurants + old promises • Google seeks to double diesel generators • New brewery planned for Junk Ditch space
Hey Locals,
From new restaurants at Electric Works to more diesel generators at the Google data center, we have lots of news for you this week.
In Above the Fold, we’re diving into how Electric Works is delivering on a few key promises it made to the public, and how its new restaurant concepts fit into this. Stay tuned for more findings in our Thursday newsletter – for paid subscribers only.
Yesterday, Google announced plans to more than double the number of diesel generators at its Fort Wayne data center – bringing the new total to more than 400 onsite. We fill you in on what to know in Briefs. We also share some more uplifting updates, like a new brewery coming to the former Junk Ditch space, seeking a liquor license at City Council tonight.
In our To Do List, we feature several free, outdoor film screenings this week to help you enjoy the fall weather, including Cinema Center’s 50th anniversary block party with live performances and food trucks. Our Reporter Rachel Horton also suggests catching a showing of the Civic Theatre’s Come From Away* production while it’s still running, Sept. 24-27. Snag tickets here. She attended last weekend and loved it!
Don’t forget: This month, we’re partnering with Welcome Back Records to bring all paid subscribers 10% off any purchase (up to $100). While you're there, say hello to our Contributor, Chrystel Lopez, who is also Store Manager.
Learn how to claim your offer here.
Now, let’s get started!
NOTE: Links to Journal Gazette articles are marked(*) and may be behind a paywall.
New restaurants + old promises:
How is Electric Works delivering?
What's happening?
The Indianapolis-based Cunningham Restaurant Group recently announced plans* to bring three original restaurant concepts to Electric Works:
- A sports bar called “Fuse Box” in the former Chapman’s Brewing space.
- “The Morning Current” cafe for coffee and brunch.
- A future dinner concept TBA.
WANE 15 reports that construction on the first restaurant is already underway, with all three concepts slated to open in late 2026 or early 2027.
You might remember: Electric Works has been lacking an anchor dining tenant since Chapman’s Brewing Co. closed unexpectedly in May. Since then, rumors have swirled about a potential partnership between Electric Works and Cunningham, which already operates two restaurants in Fort Wayne on The Landing, Bru Burger and Marquee.
In Thursday’s Above the Fold newsletter – for paid subscribers only – we’ll dive into this and other recent developments on campus related to promises Electric Works made to the public, including some highlighted in WPTA 21’s recent documentary, The Dream of Electric Works.
- Google is seeking state approval to add 228 more emergency diesel generators to its Fort Wayne data center – more than doubling the current 179 onsite. When the data center first received approvals from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) in 2024, it had only 34 generators, WPTA 21 reports. If approved, the most recent ask would bring the new total to 402, considering that IDEM already gave Google approval earlier this year for an additional 145 generators. Google is now seeking its third air permit modification from IDEM, and so far, no public hearings have been announced. Google issued a statement Monday, saying the 228 new generators will only run “as safety nets to keep the facility operational if the local power grid goes down.” They will also run for maintenance checks and testing, estimated at “less than 10 hours” annually. Google says it has installed “air pollution controls on several generators,” and the site will remain "well below its state-mandated emissions cap." Yesterday, neighbors shared concerns with WPTA, saying: “We told our government officials that Google is going to keep coming back and asking for more, and they’re going to continue to move the goalposts. And that is exactly what they did.”
- A new authentic German brewery might be coming to the former Junk Ditch space at 1825 W. Main St. in November. Tonight at City Council, an ordinance will be introduced for Wunderwerk Brewing Co., seeking a Downtown Dining District Liquor License. Its application says, “The brewery is designed to be a modern take on a German beer hall” with communal seating and community-centered engagement to honor Fort Wayne's rich German history. It will be the “only venue in the area with consistent German food” on the menu, like Jägerschnitzel (a thin meat cutlet topped with a savory mushroom gravy). It will also offer classic American bar foods and vegetarian/vegan options. The owners, John Kuker and Casey Dazey, have 15 combined years of experience in brewing and an “existing relationship with the German Heritage Society" to help the brewery remain authentic. They are in the process of acquiring the building and hope to partner with nearby tenant, Velocity Human Design and Optimization, to activate West Main Street with music, biking and running events, festivals, and other family-friendly activities.
- Last week, City Council gave initial approval to $2.6M for a City project to improve streets, pedestrian safety and travel times in East State Village. The commercial area between Kentucky Avenue and Florida Drive will receive wider sidewalks, landscape buffers, pedestrian signals, lighting, and ADA-compliant curb ramps, The JG* reports. The project will also reduce State from four lanes to three with a left-turn lane between Parnell and Hobson. City traffic engineers say East State Boulevard has seen more than 360 crashes 2021-2025, including three fatal pedestrian collisions, and a similar project on Lake Avenue reduced crashes there by 55% from 2008-2013, while also improving travel times for drivers. Construction is set to begin this fall and be completed in about one year.
- A 1950s-era building at the Headwaters Church campus at 2000 N. Wells St. will soon house up to 17 families affected by the affordable housing crisis in Fort Wayne. The $4M project by New Mercies Ministries is part of its Supportive Housing Ministry, which expands on its work helping families in crisis by temporarily placing children with volunteer host families while their parents work with coaches toward stability. The program has a 99% reunification rate for families, and the new space will provide housing where families can reunite while continuing to work toward independence, The JG* reports, adding that: “A lack of safe and affordable housing can delay reunification between parents and children.” The first phase of the project will create space for 7 families and is expected to be completed this spring.
- The Fort Wayne Zoo is encouraging conservation throughout the community with its new “Pick it up for Penny” initiative. The campaign is inspired by Penny the ostrich, who sadly lost a wing following a recent surgery to dislodge a piece of trash from her throat. Zoo representatives tell WANE they hope to “get the community excited to help Pick it up for Penny and do what’s right for the community because those little actions can make a big difference for animals in nature.” The Zoo has since installed a mailbox for attendees to drop off cards and letters of encouragement for Penny and her care team. They’re also selling t-shirts with proceeds going toward local conservation efforts. The Zoo’s Teens for Nature Volunteers will lead a Community Action Day on Sept. 27 to pick up trash on bike and park trails in Franke Park, too.
- Bonus: Kara and Rachel of The Local published an op-ed in The JG,* summarizing our recent report on City Council members' attendance rules – or lack thereof. Last Tuesday, Councilman Dr. Scott Myers (R-4th) returned to the table after missing about three months of meetings this summer with pay and without telling his constituents if/when he might return. We made the case that Fort Wayne should have more specific, city-level rules to govern council proceedings and attendance, as allowed by Indiana law. City Council Administrator Megan Flohr tells us that currently, “Although there are requirements for the council body to meet in state code, there are no specific attendance requirements for individuals, so each person acts independently.”
What else? A petition against blocked railroad crossings, a business incubator for Southeast, and more. We share additional briefs for paid subscribers only!
Extra! Extra! A couple more briefs for paid members only:
- The Fort Wayne Redevelopment Commission is studying the potential for a new business incubator space to bring restaurants and retail to the Southeast side. The JG* reports that money from the sale of the Urban Enterprise Center on Wayne Trace would be reinvested into the new project at a city-owned property on East Tillman Road, which would have three to five sites for restaurant, retail, and commercial tenants in 2028, if approved.
- New Haven’s Mayor is asking Congress to pass the BUILD America 250 Act, which deals with blocked railroad crossings. Mayor Steve McMichael says trains regularly block crossings through his city to the extent that it has become a health and safety concern. “Rail traffic through New Haven is up 6% from last year, while crossing gate downtime is up 19.6%,” WANE 15 reports. McMichael’s Move the Train petition has received more than 700 responses, which he plans to share directly with Congress in Washington, D.C.
- A local resident and longtime University of Saint Francis arts administrator/gallery leader was named Artlink’s new Executive Director. An artist himself, Justin Johnson will start in the role on Jan. 1, and make his first public appearance at the Artlink BASH fundraiser on Oct. 8. Fellow artist and educator Tim Parsley has served as the interim director since Artlink’s previous director, Lynette Scott, resigned in May 2024. Johnson will lead Artlink into its 50th anniversary in 2028, The JG* reports.
- Learn: how genealogists use census records, newspapers, city directories, and other historical sources to solve notorious true crime cases on Sept. 23, 10:30-11:30 a.m., at the Dupont Branch library.
- Watch: a free outdoor screening of “Divine Intervention,” a surreal black comedy exploring vignettes of Palestinian life in Nazareth and East Jerusalem, as part of The Fort Wayne Palestine Film Festival on Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. at the Swinney Park Pavillion. (BYO blankets and chairs.)
- Read: “The Stranger in the Woods” by Michael Finkel for the Books & Beans book club at Crescendo Coffee & Cafe on Sept. 23, noon-1 p.m.
- Cook: a variety of football-friendly finger foods, and learn a few easy recipes with hands-on experience at the Monroeville Branch library on Sept. 24, 4-5 p.m.
- Honor: Fort Wayne’s three rivers on World’s Rivers Day at Promenade Park on Sept. 26, 4-8 p.m., with learning activities led by local environmental organizations, a ‘Wild Goose Chase’ to find Lucy Gold-Goosey, and an outdoor screening of “Jungle Cruise” at sunset.
- Celebrate: Cinema Center’s 50th Anniversary Block Party on Sept. 25 on E. Berry St. with free outdoor screenings of “Back to the Future” and “The Big Sleep” – Cinema Center's first-ever screening in 1976 – plus, live performances by Fort Wayne Dance Collective and food trucks.
What else? A fall wine dinner, Bier Fest, and more. We share additional things to do for paid subscribers only!
Extra! Extra! Even more things To Do for paid members only:
- Dine: at Dash-In for a four-course Fall Wine Dinner on Sept. 24 at 6 p.m., featuring a local, harvest-themed menu with perfectly paired autumnal wines. ($60/ticket)
- Drink: at Fall Bier Fest & Market at 2Toms Brewing on Sept. 26, 4-8 p.m., with live music, food from Santos Tacos, vendor booths, plus Festbier and other seasonal craft brews.
- Weigh in: on a Food Not Bombs Fort Wayne effort to support workers of the Allen County Public Library, seeking a living wage at a library budget hearing on Sept. 24 at 2:30 p.m., or submit comments online.
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Have a great week, Locals!
-Your Editor, Kara Hackett
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