Project Description

Thirty acres. Vacant. City-owned. Connected to the downtown of the fastest-growing big city in the Midwest by a $100+ million Riverfront Park. Surrounded by hundreds of million of dollars in new investment.

NORTH RIVER stands among the best positioned redevelopment sites in ANY city.

Through this Request for Qualifications (“RFQ”), the Fort Wayne Redevelopment Commission is seeking an experienced and mission-driven Master Developer to lead a collaborative process to develop this site as an energetic and active mixed-use district, focused on health and wellness, and anchored by an Athletic Fieldhouse.

The Fieldhouse is the optimal catalyst for this site. It will draw hundreds of thousands of visitors each year and become a vibrant hub for our community every day. A feasibility study by Victus Advisors confirms its potential, projecting strong demand and significant economic impacts.

A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is a process commonly used by both governments and the private sector to identify experienced and capable developers for important projects, like the redevelopment of the North River site. Instead of selecting a developer based solely on price, an RFQ allows the City to evaluate firms based on their expertise, past projects, financial capacity, and overall vision for the site.

By issuing an RFQ, the City can attract high-quality proposals from developers who have a proven track record of success, ensuring that the North River site is transformed in a way that benefits the community, enhances economic growth, and aligns with Fort Wayne’s long-term development goals.

Once selected, the developer will work hand-in-hand with the City and key stakeholders to create a plan for development that achieves the project vision.

Phase one calls for the construction of the North River Fieldhouse, which would establish Fort Wayne as a key youth and adaptive sports tourism destination. Spanning 160,000 square feet, the facility would be designed to accommodate various sports and activities, including basketball, soccer, volleyball, wrestling, cheerleading, pickleball, baseball, flag football, and more. The estimated investment for the Fieldhouse is anticipated to range between $50 million and $60 million.

The North River Fieldhouse is expected to host at least 27 weekend tournaments annually, benefiting the local economy by driving customers to the many businesses in the vicinity of the project. Its strategic location, within a 2.5-hour drive of 10 million people, positions Fort Wayne as a point of destination.

When not hosting a major tournament at the site, local athletes, schools, club teams and residents would also have access to the facility for programming, league competitions, training, and more. The venue would also be able to host numerous community events, enhancing the city’s cultural landscape.

The complex is estimated to generate approximately $36 million in economic activity annually, supporting nearly 900 jobs and contributing approximately $12.9 million in labor income each year. It is expected to create demand for 54,000 hotel nights annually and generate an estimated $733,000 in tax revenue annually.