Press release from the City of Fort Wayne:
Public open houses set for Washington, Jefferson study; Mayor invites ideas
Goal is to make downtown corridors more pedestrian, bicycle friendly
(June 4, 2010) – Strengthening his commitment to an enhanced and energized downtown, Mayor Tom Henry invites Fort Wayne residents to help make two of its major corridors as friendly to pedestrians, transit riders and bicyclists as they are to motorized vehicles. As part of a larger study of Jefferson and Washington boulevards, open houses will be held June 7, 8 and 9 giving the public an opportunity to offer suggestions on ways to improve those thoroughfares for all users.
The three open house design workshops will be held in the second floor gallery of the Grand Wayne Center. The sessions are Monday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to noon. They are drop-in events, where those interested can stop by for whatever amount of time their schedules permit.
The research is being conducted by AECOM, a worldwide consulting firm with experience in downtown revitalization projects. The focus of the company’s work here is on evaluating options to improve connectivity and better access to increasingly popular attractions in the city center, while also sustaining the street function of key east and west arterials. The study area encompasses Washington and Jefferson boulevards between Clay Street and Broadway.
“A welcoming downtown is the hallmark of a vibrant community,” said Mayor Henry. “Washington and Jefferson are key corridors that define the downtown experience. The heart of our community belongs to everyone, and these workshops and presentations will give residents the opportunity to help make downtown more appealing, and more attractive to job growth and private investment.”
To add insight into the process, representatives from AECOM’s Denver and Atlanta offices will also offer two separate presentations. Monday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. they will give an introduction to creating sustainable corridors in Fort Wayne. To conclude their Fort Wayne design session, they will present draft concepts for Washington and Jefferson from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday. Both presentations are free and open to the public in the Grand Wayne Center Calhoun A Ballroom.
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