In a letter to the Allen County Commissioners, in response to their letter earlier this week, the Mayor has given the go ahead for a working group to explore options for the Renaissance Square building plan.
Text of the letter:
Dear Commissioners Bloom, Brown and Peters:
As stewards of our community, our challenge is to look to the future, to look beyond ourselves. Â We must make decisions that both enhance today and strengthen the Fort Wayne and Allen County for generations to come. Â In that spirit, I want to thank you for your letter of August 10, 2009, and the accompanying draft Memorandum of Understanding. Â Your commitment to an open and inclusive dialogue about our mutual building and space needs is one that I share.
Like the County, the City of Fort Wayne is prepared and ready to take the next steps in this process. Â There is much on which we agree: the importance of this issue; the common goal of a joint solution for our building and space needs; the need to better serve the public and use our resources wisely; the desirability of greater collaboration; the value of the Working Group; the accelerated timeline you put forth; and co-location imperatives that ensure the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective services, increase access and promote operational efficiencies for all citizens.
With these points of consensus in place, there is no need for delay. Â In an effort to expedite the process, I have encouraged the Working Group to begin its task immediately. Â To enable its work, additional information must be gathered to allow for the prudent assessment of options and sound decision making. Â As public servants in these difficult economic times, our citizens look to us for choices that are transparent, sensible and supported by factual data and solid financial analysis.
I believe strongly that we must keep the momentum of our commitment building. Â I trust that we can move forward in good faith today, charging the Working Group with the business of securing the necessary answers, sorting through the detail and formulating optimal solutions. Â The group’s considerable knowledge and ability to tap professional resources will guarantee that our worthy framework can become a joint plan that is in the best, long-term interests of Allen County and Fort Wayne residents and taxpayers.
I heartily endorse this next stage and encourage you, our County partners to support it as well. Â Thank you.
Tom Henry,
Mayor
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