News release from the City of Fort Wayne:
Mayor Henry and Downtown Development Trust announce The Model Group as developer for The Landing
(February 3, 2016) – Mayor Tom Henry and the Fort Wayne Downtown Development Trust today announced The Model Group has been chosen to redevelop The Landing along West Columbia Street in downtown Fort Wayne.
The Landing will serve as a gathering place for housing, businesses, and entertainment. There is 110,000 square feet available for first floor retail and entertainment and upper floor residential units. The Landing’s redevelopment will represent the most significant mixed-use redevelopment of existing downtown property in decades.
The Model Group, based in Cincinnati, is an integrated property development, construction, and management company specialized in revitalizing urban neighborhoods. The Model Group’s resume of successful redevelopment can be found primarily in the Over-The-Rhine (OTR) community in Cincinnati. OTR is the largest intact, national historic district and the largest collection of Italianate architecture in the country. The list of other successful redevelopment projects includes Trinity Flats, Forest Square, and Shawnee Place. Local firm MKM Architecture + Design will lead the design team.
Steve Smith, CEO of The Model Group, attended today’s announcement held at the Productive Business Interiors office at 126 W. Columbia St. on The Landing.
“Our choice of The Model Group represents the next building block toward a total renewal of The Landing, which will help cement downtown Fort Wayne as a place where people want to live, work, and play as a regional destination serving all of northeast Indiana,” said Mac Parker, Chairman of the Downtown Development Trust Board of Directors.
“We’re looking forward to The Landing project being one we can all be proud of and reflects the progress and momentum we’re experiencing in Fort Wayne,” said Mayor Henry.
The City of Fort Wayne worked with the Downtown Development Trust, the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to acquire seven buildings and two parking lots. The acquisitions have positioned the community to move forward to engage with The Model Group.
Downtown Development Trust officials are working with The Model Group to finalize a development agreement that will take the next several months to complete. Leaders are hopeful work at The Landing site could begin in late 2016.
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