City of Fort Wayne Indiana’s Mayor Sharon Tucker, today worked to provide clarity to a situation that may be causing some confusion in the community concerning Fort Wayne Next.
City of Fort Wayne news release:
City of Fort Wayne not affiliated with Fort Wayne Next
Mayor’s office and Community Development moving forward with bold plan for North River FieldhouseFort Wayne, Indiana (March 25, 2025) – Mayor Sharon Tucker’s office today worked to provide clarity to a situation that may be causing some confusion in the community.
The City of Fort Wayne is not affiliated with Fort Wayne Next, an entity that recently announced plans to invest in the downtown and riverfront areas with multiple projects. Fort Wayne Next does not own the property that would be needed to develop what they indicated they would like to do. The land in question is owned by the City of Fort Wayne which does not plan to sell the property.
Mayor Tucker’s office and the Community Development Division continue to move forward with plans that were announced last month for the city-owned North River site. The redevelopment will include the North River Fieldhouse and future private developments including housing, a hotel, restaurant, retail spaces, and parking garage. The 29-acre site is just north of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Bridge and is bounded by Clinton, Harrison, and Fourth streets and serves as an important gateway into downtown Fort Wayne.
The North River Fieldhouse will be a youth and adaptive sports tourism destination for the entire region. It’s projected to bring in $36 million in economic activity annually. The redevelopment effort has the potential to be a monumental boost for Fort Wayne. Upon completion, the North River site will be a source of community pride and a center of activity for generations to come.
The bold plan for the North River Fieldhouse positions the community and region for future success while also protecting taxpayers and not overusing resources that could cause fiscal challenges for local government and the public.
In addition, plans are already moving forward through other entities for projects listed by Fort Wayne Next. Fort Wayne Community Schools is moving forward with the football stadium at Snider High School, Northwest Allen County Schools is moving forward with plans for a natatorium, and work will start soon on Fort Wayne FC’s new soccer stadium in the Bass Road area.
More information about the North River Fieldhouse can be found here or on the City’s official website.
Related Images:
