Hey Locals,

As Fort Wayne and Allen County face massive budget cuts this fall, what’s worth preserving, and what should we reconsider? This week, we’re taking a look at the tough questions local leaders are asking as they prepare for cuts in 2026 (due to the state’s property tax changes)—and what this could mean for quality of life and community momentum.

We also brief you on new tenants coming to the Schaab Building at Riverfront and a new Indiana clean energy program (launching in Fort Wayne) that might help you offset looming utility bill hikes amid the proliferation of data centers.

Don’t forget to join us for Local Trivia Night at The Fairfield on Sept. 24! Doors open at 7 p.m., and the games begin at 7:30 p.m. We’ve been getting some questions about teams, so here’s the deal: Up to five people per team, you can play alone, or we can assign you to a team when you arrive. Everyone planning to attend must RSVP for free to reserve their seat, so we ensure there’s enough space. If you haven’t heard about the event, learn more and check out the awesome prize packages here.

We also have a special food deal with The Fairfield this month! In September, 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 at stake in budget cuts this fall?

We break down key considerations as the city and county prepare to "tighten the belt."

What’s happening?

In recent years, much of Fort Wayne’s renewed sense of local pride and optimism has been rooted in growth and development. But with budget cuts looming over cities and counties (due to massive, impending state property tax cuts), there are uncertain times ahead. This could test the progress that’s been made and redirect the area’s future – for better or for worse. 

Last week, City Council and County Commissioners spoke with local news outlets* about the difficult conversations they’ll be having this fall related to budgets and operational adjustments. The national 2025 State of Cities report was also released, drawing attention to trends in growth, development and city leadership. This all presents an opportunity to reflect on what’s working in Fort Wayne, what isn’t and what research indicates about cities and quality of life that may inform our future.

We break down key considerations in this week’s Thursday newsletter for paid subscribers only.

• Flashbacks, a dance club formerly on The Landing, is making a comeback at the Schaab Building on North River – alongside a second location for the controversial Mitchell’s Sports Bar & Entertainment Center. Yesterday, project leaders, including local developer Don Steininger, announced that the ventures, both owned by Todd Smith, will open at 1216 N. Harrison St. in 2026. Mitchell’s and Flashbacks will take about 37% of the building, with the rest slated for other businesses, including a restaurant. Flashbacks’ new location (restricted to ages 30+ only) will be on the rooftop, and include “opportunities for passes for groups like bachelorette parties to enjoy the club for a specified time frame,” WANE 15 reports. In recent years, Mitchell’s has made headlines for alleged race-based discrimination and COVID-19 violations, including an incident where “Smith reportedly became ‘verbally aggressive’ toward (Allen County Department of Health) officials and also uncooperative to the point that the Fort Wayne Police Department was called by Excise Police, who then shut the bar down (briefly in December 2020),” WOWO reports.
• City Attorney Malak Heiny addressed concerns among City Council members about homelessness in a letter that is likely to be a hot topic at tonight’s council meeting. The letter, signed by the City’s Deputy Director of Community Development and its new Manager of Homeless Services, included an explanation of current enforcement strategies, encampment cleanup and removal and future initiatives, centering on the creation of Fort Wayne’s first “low-to zero-barrier day shelter,” which would give homeless individuals a safe, easily-accessible place to stay during the day. The city also noted it’s pursuing additional funding through state and federal grant opportunities. Thus far, Council President Russ Jehl (R-2), and Rep. Dr. Scott Myers (R-4), appear to be pressuring the city to take a more swift and politicized approach to homelessness based on national ideas presented by President Donald Trump and California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
• Council is also planning to discuss potential changes to the local public records ordinance tonight. Last week, Attorney Heiny also approached council about updating the city’s public records ordinance to reduce burdens on her staff in the legal department, which is responsible for releasing records. Heiny told council her office has been getting overwhelming requests, primarily from businesses, like personal injury law firms, seeking hundreds of accident reports to pursue business opportunities cost-free via public records (versus paying for this data elsewhere). Council decided to delay discussion on the matter until they have more time to review potential changes and how they might impact general public access. Police records and body camera footage are processed separately by the Fort Wayne Police Department and come to the legal department for review. Council has previously upheld public access to police records.
• If you’re concerned about energy bills rising (related to data centers), there’s a new Indiana program launching in Fort Wayne you might want to check out. Last week, the Indiana Energy Independence Fund announced it’s partnering with credit unions (Midwest America Federal Credit Union and Urban Beginnings Choice Federal Credit Union) to launch a financing program designed to save ratepayers money on clean energy initiatives, including solar panel installations, heat pumps and home weatherization. According to The JG, “The program offers interest rates as low as 6.99% for energy efficiency upgrades and loan amounts between $500 and $50,000 for up to 20-year terms, which should make it affordable for consumers.”
• More Downtown area businesses might soon be able to sell liquor to help expand entertainment options Downtown, officials say. Last week, City Council gave initial approval to expanding the boundaries of the Downtown Dining District to include West Main Street on the west and Conjure Coffee on the east. The district makes liquor licenses more accessible to business owners within its area. In Indiana, liquor license sales are somewhat of a “wild west,” typically costing restaurant owners about $200,000 to purchase, and in many parts of the city, they’re also in short supply, driving up demand. So the city created a dining district Downtown, which allows businesses there to pay significantly lower annual fees (currently $2,500) to enjoy liquor license benefits. The city is proposing expanding this district and raising its annual fee to $3,500. Some council members note the district has helped incentivise development, while others, like Rep. Paul Ensley (R-1), say it disadvantages business owners outside of Downtown who have to pay higher prices for the same privileges.
• Another Fort Wayne shopping center changed hands. Last week, following news of Glenbrook Mall’s recent sale, a different group, South Carolina-based Ziff Real Estate Partners, acquired Covington Plaza (home of The Fresh Market and Catablu Grille). Insiders expect few changes,* but anticipate a “facelift, including the parking lot.”
• Back to school: Indiana’s chronic absenteeism rates are improving post-pandemic* (with Southwest Allen County’s attendance leading the state’s public schools). But rates are still high overall. Now, public school districts across the state are also wrestling with millions of dollars in lost funding,* largely due to Indiana’s new property tax law.
• The History Center is seeking public input on what local historical periods people are most interested in and the types of stories they want to see. Executive Director Todd Pelfrey tells The JG* the center is making major renovations to its first-floor permanent galleries, which will “likely flow chronologically from Pre-Contact to the early 1900s, but the actual end period has not been finalized.” The five-minute public survey will determine what stories are shared, as well as exhibit formats and techniques. 
• Three Fort Wayne artists are working on the city’s largest mural (15,000 sq. ft.) on the Union Parking Garage at Electric Works, in partnership with Australian artist Damien Mitchell. Local artists include Hannah Boersema, Bernadette Fellows and Chrystel Lopez.

• Get outside: at Kuehnert Dairy Farm’s Fall Festival, occurring weekly on Fridays-Sundays in Sept. and Oct. The festival includes corn mazes, hayrides, pumpkins, baby calves, and more, as well as the farm’s processing facility and retail store, serving craft ice cream, cheese curds, and pizza. Festival tickets are $15 - $30.
• Learn: about local efforts to support native pollinators (and meet Little River Wetlands Project, featured in Thursday’s newsletter) at its annual Monarch Festival on Sept. 13, noon to 5:00 p.m. at the Eagle Marsh Nature Preserve barn. Admission is $3 for adults and free for LRWP members and children.  
• Experience: a taste of local cultures at Welcoming Week Fort Wayne Sept. 12 - 21, honoring the diverse homelands of Fort Wayne’s people in art, film, food, education, and more. We recommend family-friendly Culture Fest on Sept. 13, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at 500 E. Berry St. There is also a (separate) free Korea Festival at Purdue Fort Wayne, including food, cultural goods, and dance performances on Sept. 13, noon-5:30 p.m.
• Get inspired: by the haunting beauty of forgotten places with a photo exhibit, Abandoned Escapes, by Midwest-based artist Rebecca Htut at East Ende Eclectic on Sept. 13, 4-8 p.m.
• Watch: the first Esports Showdown at Riverfront with games, including Super Smash Bros Ultimate and Mario Kart World. Tournament is open to all experience levels, and spectators are welcome Sept. 13, noon-8 p.m. RSVP to play for $10.
• Shop: the Fort Wayne Arts Festival at Jefferson Pointe, featuring award-winning local and regional artists in wood, glass, clay, fiber, oil/acrylic, watercolor, prints, photography, jewelry, sculpture, assemblage, and mixed media. Sept. 13, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 
• Roadtrip: to Huntertown Heritage Days Festival and Market at Huntertown Family Park on Sept. 13, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Listen: to the Fort Wayne Philharmonic’s The Resonators share Stories in Music with a free performance of Carnival of the Animals for children and families at the Pearl Arts Center. Music begins Sept. 11 at noon, and registration is required.
• Honor: Sept. 11th with the dedication of a new memorial for those who fought in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Dedication begins Sept. 11 at 4 p.m. at 2122 O’Day Road.
• Stretch: with free Yoga on the Riverfront on Sept. 14, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. BYO mat to a class led by Chelsea Vona, owner of Discover Yoga.
• Tour: the historic Bell Mansion Downtown, and learn about its architecture and past, including the people, events, and craftsmanship that have shaped it. Sept. 14, 2-4 p.m. $25 kids 15 & under free.
• Dine: at Downtown Fort Wayne’s new Monday Lunch Club on Mondays in September, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at The Porch Off Calhoun near 816 Pint & Slice, similar to Lunch on the Square with food trucks.

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Have a great week, Locals!

-Your Editor, Kara Hackett