The City of Fort Wayne's Department of Neighborhoods is working with several Northwest area neighborhood associations, local organizations, and institutions to develop Northwest Neighborhoods 2035.

The expected outcome of this work is a 10-year neighborhood plan that provides a shared vision and direction for the neighborhoods, providing strategies for investing in growth, building community, and improving the quality of life for neighborhood residents, businesses, and organizations.

You may ask why a neighborhood plan is important. The neighborhood planning process offers local stakeholders the opportunity to come together and shape the future of your neighborhood.

Neighborhood plans do a lot for a community, including

• (1) engaging residents and businesses in identifying a future vision for the area and providing strategies and recommendations for achieving that vision,
• (2) providing detailed recommendations for the neighborhood to ensure neighborhoods grow as envisioned by the plan, and
• (3) provide a level of analysis, detail, and guidance on issues affecting local areas that a "comprehensive" citywide plan cannot.

In short, everyone! This plan involves anyone who lives, works, worships, and participates in the Northwest Neighborhoods Planning Area neighborhoods, and we want to ensure your voice is included.

Direct involvement from the neighborhood's stakeholders and residents is central to developing a neighborhood plan. To ensure that the neighborhood planning process goes smoothly, a team of steering committee members, made up of residents and business owners in the Northwest Neighborhoods Planning Area, meet regularly to provide feedback and guidance in the plan development process.

Northwest 2035 emphasizes proactive investment in environmental design and community partnerships to ensure every street, park, and gathering space is a place where residents can walk freely, children can play safely, and families can live with peace of mind.

Northwest 2035 puts people first by prioritizing infrastructure that makes it easy, and safe, to move throughout the community. By investing in walkable corridors, safer intersections, and accessible transit, the plan doesn’t just link parks, schools, and businesses—it links people to each other and to the heart of Fort Wayne.

Northwest 2035 focuses on revitalizing commercial corridors, parks, and civic spaces to create vibrant hubs of activity. When local businesses flourish, parks come to life, and institutions open their doors, the entire community benefits. These anchors aren’t just physical spaces—they’re the heartbeat of a thriving, connected neighborhood.

Northwest 2035 recognizes that the character and culture of a neighborhood are its greatest assets. That’s why the plan is committed to inclusive growth that respects what makes each area unique while balancing growth by expanding housing options, supporting affordability, and ensuring that long-term residents can benefit from investment, development, preservation, and placemaking.