This is the Engage Fort Wayne site for the Southeast Strategy Update Plan.

The Southeast Strategy Update, adopted in January 2021 by the Fort Wayne Common Council, is presented on this website in an interactive format. The intent of this website is to present the plan's strategies in a variety of ways.

There are multiple ways to learn about the plan:

1. Browse the plan by chapter using the Plan Navigation section,
2. Click on the Story Map to learn about highlighted projects and initiatives,
3. Open the PDF of the plan document, or
4. You can also click the Plan Implementation link to learn about the status of projects.

In 2019, the Southeast Area Partnership requested an update to the City's 2007 Southeast Area Development Strategy. The original strategy plan was developed with an emphasis on residential reinvestment with many recommendations focused in the Hanna and Creighton area (Census Tract 17). These housing related recommendations resulted in projects that increased investment in the Renaissance Pointe Neighborhood.

The Southeast Strategy Update continues to look at housing needs, but places more emphasis on economic development and placemaking. The update provides recommendations for strengthening small businesses and revitalization of several key commercial corridors and nodes southeast.

• The Southeast is not monolithic - neighborhoods are unique, both in development patterns (urban, suburban, and rural) as well as demographics
• Minorities make up 63% of the population living Southeast, over triple that of the other quadrants
• There is a strong desire to have Southeast's story accurately told by the people living southeast and understood by all residents of Allen County
• The Southeast region has a shortage of commercial third places (coffee shops, cafes, sit-down restaurants)- communal places where residents can socialize and share ideas
• Even with a shortage of third places, there is a strong sense of community that should be retained as the area grows and redevelops
• For many residents, there is a lack of amenities in close proximity to their neighborhood
• There are few non-traditional loan providers and access to credit is a challenge for retail entrepreneurs
• Education assistance is lacking for both business owners and employees
• Southeast residents want to be the ones that shape their future