Press release from the City of Fort Wayne:
Open house offers public a chance to comment on proposed downtown design
Draft manual available for review and input with open house Feb. 11
The City of Fort Wayne’s draft Design Manual for new development and exterior renovation projects in the Downtown is ready for public comment. Anyone interested in learning more about the proposed manual is invited to attend an Open House Thursday, Feb. 11, from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in Meeting Room C of the Allen County Public Library’s downtown branch.
“Mayor Henry is fond of saying that Downtown is everyone’s neighborhood,” said John Urbahns, division director of Community Development. “This is a great opportunity for the public to get involved and let us know what they think makes an attractive and vibrant downtown. We encourage anyone who is interested in learning more to join us for the Open House.”
A cross-functional internal City team has been working on an update to downtown design standards and recommendations at the direction of City Council. An advisory group made up of representatives from City Council, the Plan Commission, the Downtown Improvement District, and business and property owners also assisted in the project. A design survey distributed last fall allowed participants to evaluate things like facades, lighting, parking options and landscaping.
The downtown design standards project will result in an amendment to the City’s Zoning Ordinance. A new, comprehensive downtown design manual will provide design direction and guidance to architects, property owners and developers as well as assist staff and the Plan Commission in reviewing new development and redevelopment projects in downtown Fort Wayne.
At the Open House, attendees will be able to visit several “stations” which explain specific sections of the manual. Although a formal program will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., attendees will be able to ask questions of staff at each station before and after the program.
The draft document can be viewed online or in hard copy at the City-County Building (Information Desks on 1st, 6th floor and 8th floors) and at the Downtown branch of the Allen County Public Library.
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