On March 28, Mayor Tom Henry passed away following a battle with stomach cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family.

Mayor Henry served as the 35th Mayor of Fort Wayne, leading the city for more than 16 years with vision and dedication. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and Army veteran, he left behind a remarkable legacy of servant leadership.

During his tenure, Mayor Henry championed the revitalization of downtown Fort Wayne, strengthened neighborhood infrastructure, and fostered a welcoming community where all could thrive. His contributions to the city will resonate for generations to come.

He is deeply missed by his family, friends, and the city of Fort Wayne.

On April 23, Sharon Tucker was sworn in as Fort Wayne’s 37th Mayor, succeeding Deputy Mayor Karl Bandemer, who had served as acting mayor. Tucker made history as the first Black female mayor of Fort Wayne.

Before becoming mayor, Tucker was extremely engaged in the community. She served as the executive director of Vincent Village and was the City Councilwoman for Fort Wayne’s 6th District from 2020 to 2024, becoming the first Black woman to hold that position. She also served on the Allen County Council from 2014 to 2020.

Now over seven months into her term, Mayor Tucker has prioritized enhancing community engagement, improving neighborhoods, and fostering a more inclusive Fort Wayne where everyone can thrive. Fort Wayne is in great hands under Mayor Tucker’s vision and leadership.

Earlier this year, the City's Department of Neighborhoods launched an innovative online platform called Engage Fort Wayne.

Engage Fort Wayne serves as a one-stop hub where residents can access information about ongoing initiatives and actively share their perspectives on the City's plans and projects. This new digital platform modernizes how residents interact with local government, shifting from traditional methods to a more accessible and inclusive approach.

By combining online tools with in-person activities, Engage Fort Wayne aims to make community participation easier and ensure all voices are heard.

Southeast Fort Wayne continues to benefit from historic investments from both the public and private sectors.

The City of Fort Wayne’s Community Development Division recently completed Phase II of the Pontiac Streetscape enhancement project, following the completion of Phase I last fall. Together, the two phases represent a total investment of approximately $5.2 million.

The project improves the corridor by making it more pedestrian-friendly, enhancing access to local businesses, and encouraging reinvestment throughout the area.

Fort Wayne’s largest-ever infrastructure project is now officially in operation.

In November, City Utilities staff joined Mayor Sharon Tucker to celebrate the completion and launch of the Deep Rock Tunnel with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. This monumental project reflects Fort Wayne’s deep connection to its waterways and its commitment to protecting them, along with its neighborhoods and residents.

Excavated by MamaJo, the Tunnel Boring Machine, the nearly five-mile-long underground system features a 16-foot-wide pipe designed to intercept combined sewage—sewage mixed with stormwater. Located 220 feet below the surface, the Deep Rock Tunnel is built to serve the community well into the 22nd century and will improve water quality in our rivers due to a significant reduction in the number of combined sewer overflows reaching the rivers.

Earlier this summer, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded a $2 million remediation grant for the former OmniSource South property, now known as the North River site, in Fort Wayne.

This grant will enable the City of Fort Wayne to undertake critical improvements to prepare the North River site for future redevelopment. The funding will support efforts to incorporate the site into the city’s Riverfront Plan, which aims to transform former industrial properties into a vibrant, mixed-use district that extends the reach of downtown.

According to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau, Allen County’s population increased by 2,901 residents (0.74%) over the past year—four times the annual growth rate of the Midwest (0.18%). This growth also surpassed the state average (0.44%) and the national average (0.49%), bringing the county’s population to 394,545 residents.

At the time of the report in March, Fort Wayne continued to shine as the second-fastest-growing metro area in the Great Lakes region. Since that time, the latest Census information from June has Fort Wayne as the fastest growing city in the Midwest.

In late April, Google announced plans to expand its Midwest presence with a $2 billion data center in Fort Wayne. The company also unveiled a skilled trade career development program and a partnership with Indiana Michigan Power Company (I&M) to enhance the local grid with clean energy.

Additionally, Google committed $250,000 in initial community and programmatic support for two critical Fort Wayne initiatives:

• Fort Wayne Early Learning Center, which will serve students and their children from East Allen County and Fort Wayne Community Schools.
• Just Neighbors Interfaith Homeless Network, the city’s only emergency housing shelter for families in need.

Before the summer began, the City of Fort Wayne introduced an innovative hospitality concept designed to enhance the downtown experience for residents and visitors alike.

The Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) allows individuals aged 21 and older to purchase alcoholic beverages from authorized vendors and enjoy them within the designated DORA boundaries.

This initiative is expected to benefit local businesses, especially restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues, by increasing foot traffic and encouraging longer stays. Additionally, DORA is anticipated to attract new businesses and investment, further boosting Fort Wayne’s economic vitality.

Mayor Sharon Tucker announced that a record 46 neighborhoods have been awarded improvement grants, totaling over $200,000. The funded projects include initiatives such as new landscaping in common areas and the replacement of neighborhood signage.

Administered by the City’s Community Development Division, the program aims to enhance neighborhood beautification and foster greater community involvement.

The City of Fort Wayne has launched Data Fort Wayne, a new website designed to provide the public with easy access to data about the city’s neighborhoods.

Provided by the City’s Community Development Division, Data Fort Wayne allows residents, neighborhood leaders, and local organizations to explore neighborhood demographics and data. This platform empowers the community by offering direct access to valuable information, helping residents gain a deeper understanding of their neighborhoods and work toward positive improvements.

Riverfront Fort Wayne is always moving.

This summer, Mayor Sharon Tucker announced a major redevelopment of the former Pepsi warehouse site along the north side of the St. Marys River. The project, named the Treeline District, will transform the north riverfront into a vibrant space with public areas, diverse uses, and a landmark destination. The first phase of development is expected to include approximately 250 apartment units, 7,500 square feet of retail space, and a parking garage with public parking.

With each passing year, Fort Wayne continues to gain national recognition as a top place to live, work, play, and visit—and 2024 was no exception.
The city once again earned spots on lists for most affordable cities, best minor league sports cities, best riverwalks, and more.

Welcome to Fort Wayne.

This summer, Mayor Sharon Tucker and city officials unveiled plans for sculptural markers to be installed at several of Fort Wayne’s key vehicular gateways, designed to create inviting landmark entrances into the community.
The gateway markers will be located at:
• I-69 and Jefferson Boulevard
• I-69 and Dupont Road
• U.S. 30 and Flaugh Road

Work on the I-69 and Jefferson Boulevard, as well as I-69 and Dupont Road markers, is expected to be completed before the U.S. 30 installation, due to upcoming INDOT construction in that area.

A major gift for a major trail.

The Vann Family has announced a $5 million gift to the City of Fort Wayne to help fund a future bridge crossing over Coliseum Boulevard as part of the Pufferbelly Trail. The bridge will span Coliseum Boulevard on the west side of Bob Thomas Ford (north side) and Mission BBQ (south side).

The Vann Family Foundation provided the funds for this planned connection. Jim Vann, a former shareholder and chairperson of Rea Magnet Wire in Fort Wayne, was a dedicated leader and community supporter throughout the years.

The revitalization of Fort Wayne’s downtown continues with the announcement by Mayor Sharon Tucker of The Landing Exchange, a $20 million housing development proposed for The Landing at the northeast corner of Harrison and Columbia streets, currently a surface parking lot.

The project will create 40 new housing units, with 20 percent designated as affordable housing. As housing demand continues to rise, this initiative will position Fort Wayne to better meet the community's housing needs.

In 2024, Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation committed to installing new playground equipment at 10 playgrounds across the city. This goal was successfully achieved, and as an added bonus, a new park was also created.

Earlier this spring, Mayor Sharon Tucker and city leaders dedicated the new Boone Playground at the corner of Boone and Mechanic Streets in the heart of the Nebraska Neighborhood. The playground features synthetic turf safety surfacing and inclusive elements, such as two transfer stations, two ADA swing seats, a Cozy Cocoon, ground-level activities, musical play elements, and PlayCubes.

A new type of housing has arrived in Fort Wayne.

In October, Mayor Sharon Tucker and developer Royal Developments LLC celebrated the opening of the Innovative Housing Showcase. The showcase featured four new housing types in the East Central Neighborhood, incorporating innovative designs, sustainable materials, and unique construction methods. The project aimed to stimulate in-fill housing in urban areas while providing valuable insights for future innovation by engaging builders, developers, policymakers, and the community.

This fall, Mayor Sharon Tucker and developer Barrett Realty Investments announced plans for a mixed-use development on the 2.28-acre site known as The Wells Street Wedge. Located northwest of Promenade Park along the north side of the Saint Mary’s River, the site is connected to the park by the old Wells Street Bridge.

The $45 million project will include 111 housing units, a public parking garage with 236 spaces, and approximately 3,300 square feet of ground-floor retail space. The Wells Street Wedge will be the first major new private development on the north side of the Riverfront.

Downtown Fort Wayne continues to grow as a destination for everyone.

In 2024, four new projects were either completed or began construction, focusing on arts, living, and dining. Chuck and Lisa Surack opened The Pearl, a vibrant mixed-use building featuring condos, apartments, a coffee shop, and restaurant. Just across the street, the Surack’s also celebrated the opening of the Pearl Arts Center, a new community arts facility with a music academy, classes, meeting spaces, and more.

A few months earlier, STAR Financial Bank opened its new $45 million headquarters on Main Street, along with a new 400-space parking garage. In August, Arts United broke ground on its $42 million renovation project, which includes the modernization and expansion of the Arts United Center.

The Fort Wayne Public Art Commission remains dedicated to expanding and enhancing the city’s public art offerings, making another impact in 2024.

In October, two new sculptures were unveiled in Lakeside Park and Shoaff Park. The sculpture in Lakeside Park, titled "Crescent Moon Quartet," and the one in Shoaff Park, "Mystery of Continuity and Change," were both created by artist Jim Merz. Each piece is designed to move with the wind.

In September, Mayor Sharon Tucker and developer House Investments, LLP held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the completion of Park’s Edge Apartments, located near South Anthony Boulevard. The mixed-use development features 208 apartments, a clubhouse, playground, and various on-site amenities.

Before the ribbon-cutting, Mayor Tucker and House Investments, LLP also held a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the start of a new neighborhood health clinic, operated by Meridian Health Services. Recognized as a key component of the 2020 Southeast Development Strategy, the new 9,800-square-foot medical clinic will offer primary care, behavioral health services, a pharmacy, and additional resources.

Fort Wayne’s largest park is now home to the city’s biggest pavilion.

In early December, Mayor Sharon Tucker and Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation dedicated the new McMillen Family Pavilion in Franke Park. This state-of-the-art, rentable, enclosed pavilion features a large event hall, outdoor seating area, a warming kitchen, and local art. The McMillen Family Pavilion is now available for reservations through Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation for events in 2025.

Working for the City of Fort Wayne is a call to serve the community, and the giving back doesn’t stop after work hours.