Hey Locals,

Last week, we filled you in on the state of the city’s homeless population. This week, we’re talking about housing: What’s available, what’s needed, and why it matters. One reason this is top of mind right now is the first apartments at Electric Works opened, including 89 affordable housing units. 

We also brief you on the decision about Google's data center filling wetlands (without a public meeting) and, on a more optimistic note: a plan for the City of Fort Wayne to profit from excess energy at City Utilities. Plus, two new vendors coming to Union Street Market in October.

Don’t forget: There’s still time to rally a team (or play alone), and sign up for our free Local Trivia Night tomorrow at The Fairfield. Details and more in our Local Spotlight. (Everyone planning to attend must RSVP for free to reserve their seat. If you haven’t heard about the event, learn more, and check out the awesome prize packages here.)

In September: We have a special food deal with The Fairfield, too! All paid subscribers to The Local get $2 off a shareable Duck Fry Plate (regularly valued at $10.50), which comes with three house-made dipping sauces. (Hint: Join us for trivia, and redeem your deal then!)

This month, our newsletter is brought to you by AARP Indiana. Did you know they have a local team in Fort Wayne, hosting events and engaging the community on issues we care about at The Local, like transportation, civic engagement, healthy living and more? Visit their website for details!

Now, let's get started!

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

What’s happening in Fort Wayne’s housing market?

We fill you in on The Elex and more.

What’s happening?

In recent weeks, there have been a few important developments in the area’s housing scene – including the first apartments opening at The Elex, a two-building project at Electric Works.

• The first building (now open along Broadway) has 75 income-restricted units, about 31 of which are leased so far. In total, 59 units are reserved for ages 55 and older, and 12 are for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
• The second building (still under construction around Union Parking Garage) will have 221 mixed-income units. Most are market-rate, and 14 are income-restricted, bringing the total to 296.
• As for pricing: Market-rate units rent from about $1,500 a month for a one-bedroom to about $2,500 a month for a three-bedroom, including wireless internet, trash, valet service and water. Income-restricted units are tied to average median incomes, ranging 30%-80%. 

So what else is happening in Fort Wayne’s housing scene? What’s needed? And why does it matter?

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

• The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) approved permits for the Google data center developer to fill nearly 2.5 acres of wetlands – despite nearly 500 pages of correspondence with citizens in protest. IDEM said a public hearing was not held for the project because it was “not expected to bring to light any additional information on water quality impacts.” According to The JG,* “the state cited two previous permits that were approved for the project in earlier phases. The wetlands will be filled with clean soil from the site. That work must be completed by Sept. 16, 2027.” The developer says it will purchase about four acres of wetlands elsewhere to offset damages. See our previous report here.
• The Allen County Plan Commission rejected a recommendation by county commissioners that would “prevent any kind of solar development in Allen County”* – but commissioners still get the final say. Recently, commissioners tried to extend allowable setbacks to 1,000 feet from road centers and non-consenting properties, which opponents say would be “a poison pill” for solar. Councilman Paul Lagemann, who sits on the Plan Commission, said: “A football field is 300 feet. So, the commissioners are saying solar fields can’t be built closer than 3.5 football fields away from anything.” The three commissioners – who operate as the executive and legislative branches of county government – will get the final say. (Learn more about how county government works in our previous report.)
• The City of Fort Wayne might soon have a new way to profit from energy it produces and limit future utility rate hikes for residents. Last week, City Council provided initial approval for two contracts, investing a combined $12.2M to build infrastructure for storing and converting excess methane from City Utilities into natural gas. This would allow the city to sell the gas – a premium product – to NIPSCO (rather than letting the excess go to waste, as it does now). Amid funding cuts and energy-threatening data center development, this comes as optimistic news for the city, which estimates energy sales could yield $7-8 million in revenue annually and prevent future rate hikes for residential customers.
• The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk is drawing into question the free speech rights of Indiana employees and teachers. Last week, Indiana Gov. Mike Braun said teachers could face suspension or revocation of their professional licenses for “celebrat(ing) political violence,” primarily on social media. Free speech advocates say schools can cancel teacher contracts, but “Indiana law typically ties license revocations to criminal acts or serious misconduct.” Beyond teachers, state attorneys tell WANE 15 they’ve seen a rise in calls from employees regarding speech and social media since Kirk’s death, noting: “Indiana is an at-will employment state where private employers may fire workers for almost any reason not protected by federal law (race, gender, age, etc.).”
• Another pedestrian was fatally hit by a vehicle while crossing the street Downtown. A man in a wheelchair died after being struck Sunday night while crossing at Clinton and East Baker streets. As we’ve previously reported, local advocates are pushing Fort Wayne to reduce pedestrian fatalities through street design. Statistics show pedestrian deaths rose 4.1% from 2023-2024 statewide, and local traffic engineers say Fort Wayne has followed this trend. Read more in a new report by Input Fort Wayne, as part of an ongoing series on transportation in Fort Wayne.
• You’ll soon be able to get sushi and southern food at Union Street Market, thanks to two new vendors in the food hall. ACO Sushi, offering rolls, poke bowls, dumplings and salads, plans to open its third area location there in October. (Others are at 2831 E. State Blvd. and in Angola.) The business is owned by Aung Cho Oo who moved to Fort Wayne from Los Angeles with more than two decades of sushi experience. The second vendor, Scratch, is a “modern American comfort concept with a Southern influence” where founders Daniel and Charlee Schubert use Midwestern ingredients to make Southern fried chicken and waffles, creamy macaroni and cheese, and more.
• The City of Fort Wayne and fire union leadership announced yesterday that they failed to reach an agreement on contract disputes despite mediation. In recent months, amid annual contract negotiations, the fire union called for the resignation of Fire Chief Eric Lahey, citing an overwhelming vote of “no confidence” in his leadership as well as public safety concerns related to overstaffing and under-equipping firefighters for duty. The city says it “continues to be committed to finding common ground for a better collective bargaining agreement that benefits firefighters and taxpayers,” noting it will “continue to keep the public informed on next steps in the process, which will likely be non-binding arbitration.” 

See you at Local Trivia Night tomorrow!

Here are a few quick tips for the evening.

SPONSORED

What’s happening?

Tomorrow night, we’re hosting a Local Trivia Night at The Fairfield where you can compete to win some pretty amazing prize packages and test your knowledge of Fort Fun! (There’s still time to RSVP and join us on the second floor at 7:30 p.m.) 

Paid subscribers to The Local can also redeem this month’s deal: $2 off a delicious Duck Fry Board to share, which comes with three housemade dipping sauces.

We sat down with Co-Owner of The Fairfield, Nathan Newport, for five quick things to know:

• It’s better-than-average bar food. Newport recommends the Grilled Salmon Caesar Salad ($17.50). “When you order the salmon blackened, it’s unbelievable," he says. “We get so many great reviews.” Our favorite is the Chicken Quesadilla ($10.50) – the best we’ve had – and it’s big enough to be a meal on its own. Hats off to Chef Brady Smith (formerly of The Clyde and Henry’s)!
• It’s budget friendly. The Fairfield offers Happy Hour specials Monday-Friday, 4-7 p.m., along with budget-friendly weekly specials, including a smash burger with fries for $10.50 and $7 lunch baskets of chicken tenders, wings or shrimp. For drinks, Newport recommends beer from Taxman Brewing Co., an award-winning Belgian-style craft brewery out of Indianapolis.
• It has a basement speakeasy. One of the “best kept secrets” about the Fairfield is “The Barrel Room,” with membership-based whiskey barrel lockers, event space and two rentable, private karaoke rooms for only $50/hour. “Instead of hosting your next party at home, try karaoke here,” Newport suggests.
• It’s a crowd-pleasing holiday party venue. If you have a diverse group of colleagues or family to entertain, The Fairfield offers a wide range of activities, from fine dining with skyline views in the ballroom to golf simulators with games for kids and duckpin bowling. 
• It’s community-minded. Newport says he and his business partner, David Beer, are local residents who set out to create what many young adults had been asking for Downtown: More entertainment options. Since opening, they’ve felt support from the neighborhood, too. “We’ve had a lot of Southeast community members who’ve said: 'Thank you for doing this here. This feels like something for us.’” See what they mean at two upcoming Sips & Sounds Jazz Social events on the patio, Sept. 23 and 30, 6–9 p.m. 

• Get outside: for World Rivers Day this weekend with two free, family-friendly events.:
  • Sept. 26: a Paddle Social at Cedar Creek, starting at 2 p.m. where the DNR provides nets for catching aquatic bugs and fish (to release). The paddle journey .9 miles to the St. Joe River begins at 2:30 p.m. (RSVP required.) 
  • Sept. 27: Activities at Promenade Park begin at 2 p.m., including a continuous screening of the movie "River" (2024) in the Park Foundation Pavilion, kids activities, booths, music from 5-7 p.m. and a special screening of "Jaws" from 7:30-9 p.m.
• Color: the Park at Promenade Park with chalk every Thursday in September, 5-7 p.m. Artists of all abilities are invited to participate for free (chalk provided) and enjoy different weekly activities, ranging from music, trivia and more.
• Check out: “Cabaret (for the commoner)” by Opera on Tap at 2Toms Brewing on Sept. 25, 7-8 p.m., featuring popular arias and songs from operatic, classical and the broadway repertoire.
• Listen: to a Concert on the Farm at Salomon Farm Park on Sept. 28, 2-7 p.m., featuring music by Sunny Taylor with Paul Kobylensky, The Matchsellers, and The Hubie Ashcraft Band. BYO lawn chair or a blanket. $5 admission with food and drink for purchase from Bravas and Mad Anthony Brewing.
• Watch: Bikes on the Bricks at Dynamo Alley at Electric Works on Sept. 26, 7-9 p.m., featuring a free motorcycle cruise-in hosted by the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Chapter 14-6.
• Celebrate: the Equinox at LC Nature Park on Sept. 26 with Fireside Friday Live Music, 6:30-9 p.m., ($20 includes two drinks and smores) followed by a Night Hike, 9-10:30 p.m. ($7).
• Stroll: The Landing for WBOI Presents: Live & Local on Sept. 26, 7-9 p.m., featuring music by SUNDYLE (Jazz, Neo-Soul, R&B).
• Cheer on: runners at the Fort4Fitness Fall Festival on Sept. 27, 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m., featuring three race distances (4 Mile, 10K and Half Marathon) as well as neighborhood cheer groups, live music, and activities at Parkview Field.

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Have a great week, Locals!

-Your Editor, Kara Hackett