In Fall 2023, 2,430 lineal feet of sidewalk was replaced on Degroff Street and High Street west of St Marys Avenue. Additionally, 1170 lineal feet of curb and 16 ADA regulation curb ramps were installed.

CPTED Principle

Having safe, well-maintained walkable paths in a neighborhood is an important CPTED principle. This creates the ability for people to use the public space safely, which increases "eyes on the street" and natural surveillance. It also increases how well-maintained the neighborhood appears, which begets the sense that disorder and crime would be noticed and reported.

Curb extensions, also called chicanes and bumpouts, were installed at the intersection of High Street and Osage Street in Fall 2023.

CPTED Principle

Traffic calming, or reducing vehicle speeds, especially in residential areas, is a CPTED Principle. Curb extensions are shown to reduce vehicle speeds by visually signaling that reduced speeds are necessary to safely drive on the streets. Curb extensions also create more visual order in a space by stopping illegal parking, which can signal that disorder is tolerated in a neighborhood.

Seven crosswalks were installed at intersections on High Street and Burgess Street. Pedestrian signage was installed at three of the intersections, including the crosswalk closest to Bloomingdale Elementary School.

CPTED Principle

One principle of CPTED is the clear delineation of space, especially between residential and industrial/commercial areas. Crosswalks signal that an area is a residential space, which differentiates it from the industrial/commercial space to the south. Additionally, crosswalks encourage pedestrian safety, which can increase the use of the space and "eyes on the street." Crosswalks may also slow traffic to safe speeds on residential streets.

Homeowners on High Street and Degroff Street were given the option to have a motion sensor light installed on their property. Homeowners were able to decide roughly where they would like the light to be installed. In total, 47 houses opted in to the program.

CPTED Principle

Similar to streetlights, private property motion sensor lights increase the amount of natural surveillance. "Eyes on the street" reduce crime by increasing the likelihood that criminal acts can be seen. Private property lights also demonstrate the maintenance of a property, signaling that the area is well cared for.

The High Street CPTED Pilot area budget invested in 20 trees, concentrated on High Street and Burgess Street. Due to this investment, the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Forestry Team invested in an additional 70 trees in the area, resulting in 90 total trees planted in the park strip (between the street and sidewalk).

Trees were also concentrated around Bloomingdale Elementary School. Species were selected for their suitability to the environment and native species were prioritized whenever possible.

CPTED Principle

CPTED studies have proven that trees create many positive effects. The primary motive for the High Street CPTED Pilot area was to reduce traffic speeds, which trees accomplish by decreasing a wide-open field of vision, which studies have shown increase speeds. Decreasing traffic speeds in residential areas is a CPTED principle which increases the likelihood that people can walk and children can play safely, all of which increase the "eyes on the street" and normal use of the space. CPTED studies have also shown that trees may also improve public health outcomes, improve air quality, and mitigate urban heat risks.

A Hamilton Neighborhood sign was installed at the corner of Pape Avenue and Sherman Boulevard/Van Buren Street. The design was created using the neighborhood logo developed with the Hamilton Neighborhood and local artist Mariah Knight. Landscaping was placed around the sign, and plants will be added in Spring of 2024.

CPTED Principle

One principle of CPTED is the clear delineation of space, especially between residential and industrial/commercial areas. Industrial and commercial areas in the southern portion of the CPTED area are delineated by the neighborhood sign, which demonstrates that thoroughfare traffic is entering a residential area.

Local artist Matthew Plett painted murals for the Hamilton and Bloomingdale Neighborhoods at the intersection of High Street and Sherman Boulevard in September 2023. Previously plain cement, the murals reflect the neighborhood logos that were developed by the neighborhoods with local artist Mariah Knight.

CPTED Principle

Neighborhood signage reflects several CPTED Principles. Creating a sense of place and identity reduces crime by increasing community pride and ownership, particularly because the designs were developed with the neighborhoods. Public art increases the beauty of a place and indicates that it is well-cared for. Additionally, the previously unchanged cement walls are now well-maintained.

Three utility boxes were wrapped with the Bloomingdale and Hamilton logos in October 2023. These logos were developed with the neighborhoods in partnership with local artist Mariah Knight. The boxes were wrapped at the High Street & Sherman Boulevard, Spring Street & Sherman Boulevard, and Spring Street and St Marys Avenue intersections.

CPTED Principle

Neighborhood signage reflects several CPTED Principles. Creating a sense of place and identity reduces crime by increasing community pride and ownership, particularly because the designs were developed with the neighborhoods. Public art increases the beauty of a place and indicates that it is well-cared for.

Light pole medallions were installed on 16 light poles in November 2023. The medallions feature the Bloomingdale, Hamilton, and Nebraska Neighborhoods' logos, which were developed by the neighborhoods with a local artist.

CPTED Principle

Neighborhood signage reflects several CPTED Principles. Creating a sense of place and identity reduces crime by increasing community pride and ownership, particularly because the designs were developed with the neighborhoods. Public art increases the beauty of a place and indicates that it is well-cared for. Light pole signage may also reduce traffic speeds.