News release from the City of Fort Wayne:
Downtown Design Manual Recognized as Outstanding Project
Guideline wins professional award(April 26, 2011) – The Indiana Chapter of the American Planning Association has awarded the City of Fort Wayne Downtown Design Manual an APA Indiana Chapter Hoosier Planning Award for Outstanding Project 2011.
The Downtown Design Manual was completed by a cross-functional staff team with the assistance of an advisory group made up of representatives from City Council, the Plan Commission, the Downtown Improvement District and downtown business and property owners. Technical and design assistance for the project was provided by Ratio Architects. The Downtown Design Manual and accompanying Zoning Ordinance amendments were adopted by Plan Commission and City Council in late 2010 and became effective in January 2011.
Whereas the ordinance assists staff and the Plan Commission in reviewing new development and redevelopment projects in the CM5A and CM5B downtown zoning districts, the Downtown Design Manual provides design direction and guidance to architects, property owners and developers. The manual provides user-friendly guidelines that encourage preservation, quality design and compatible infill in the downtown, therefore providing a unique solution to a common challenge, increasing awareness and enhancing cooperation. The Downtown Design Manual stood out as an outstanding project based on the following award criteria: originality/innovation, transferability, quality, comprehensiveness, public participation/collaboration, and effectiveness/support.
“Fort Wayne sees the development and maintenance of great public and private spaces in our downtown as both a challenge and an opportunity,” said Mayor Henry. “Encouraging the creation of quality design requires the creativity and cooperation of the public and private sectors.”
The Downtown Design Manual can be found at the following link: https://www.allencounty.us/land-use/ordinances.