Since Fort Wayne Mayor Sharon Tucker took office one-year ago, the City of Fort Wayne has experienced many successes as a community that continues to make a positive difference for residents, neighborhoods, and businesses.
City of Fort Wayne news release:
Growth and success continue in Fort Wayne as Mayor Tucker completes first year in office
Enhanced quality of life for all as a fun, family friendly, safe communityFort Wayne, Indiana (April 23, 2025) – Today marks the one-year anniversary of Sharon Tucker being sworn in as Fort Wayne’s 37th mayor.
Since Mayor Tucker took office, the City of Fort Wayne has experienced many successes as a community that continues to make a positive difference for residents, neighborhoods, and businesses. An enhanced quality of life for all as a fun, family friendly, and safe community are the pillars of Mayor Tucker’s administration.
Highlights of progress in Fort Wayne over the past year and plans for this year and beyond:
Neighborhood focus in all major divisions
- Plans are in place to invest nearly $41.4 million in neighborhood infrastructure enhancements in 2025
- Ongoing trail growth
- Last year was the announcement of the Vann Family Foundation donation for a bridge crossing for the Pufferbelly Trail
- Efforts continue to protect the environment while positioning Fort Wayne for future growth and being responsible stewards of ratepayer dollars through the Microgrid and Deep Rock Tunnel projects as a few examples
- Along with neighborhood water, sewer, and stormwater improvement projects
Community Development and Economic Growth
- Connected Neighborhoods initiative
- Progress on providing more housing options
- A number of neighborhood plans were completed and several more are in process
- Inside the City of Fort Wayne limits in 2024, there were 15 projects, 813 new jobs were created, nearly 2,800 jobs were retained, and the average wage was $74,000.
- The total private investment was more than $2.5 billion.
- $30 million Riverfront Phase 2B public open space construction to occur this year along the St. Marys River west to Ewing Street and east to Clinton Street
- New playgrounds at several parks throughout Fort Wayne
- Major improvements at Franke Park completed
Public safety
- Increased staffing levels for the Fort Wayne Police and Fire departments
- New Traffic Unit implemented by the FWPD is helping ensure safer driving practices by the motoring public
- Overall crime decreased in 2024
- Clearance rates for homicides were at 88 percent
- The FWFD’s ongoing partnership with Three Rivers Ambulance Authority is providing excellent emergency medical services
- Treeline District – The redevelopment of the former Pepsi warehouse site with new public park spaces, apartments, retail space, and public parking garage
- The Eddy/$45 million – Mixed-use development northwest of Promenade Park with housing, retail, and a public parking garage
- The Landing Exchange/$20 million – Located at the northeast corner of Harrison and Columbia streets to include 40 housing units, with 20 percent of the units being considered affordable housing
Fiscal responsibility/City Council partnership
- Balanced budget for 2025 with bipartisan support and an enhanced working relationship with City Council on executive and legislative matters
Major initiatives
National awards
- 8th best run city in the country by WalletHub
- Fastest growing city in the Midwest through the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data
- Most affordable city in the country to live in by U.S. News & World Report
- Number one housing market in the country by The Wall Street Journal and Realtor.com
- 7th most affordable destination for a vacation in the country by Daily Passport
- 3rd best city in the country for first time homebuyers by Consumer Affairs
- 5th in the nation among large metro areas for the largest increase in Black-owned businesses from Brookings Institution report
New initiatives for 2025
- Mental Health Commission
- Young Adult Council
- Opioid Settlement Fund Committee
- Phase two of infill housing strategy
- Acquisition of legacy industrial properties for future redevelopment
- Study of corridor retail opportunities – South Calhoun Street, East State Village, and Waynedale
“I’m honored to be the mayor of this great city. Under Mayor Tom Henry’s leadership, Fort Wayne was in great position for current and future success and we’re continuing to see positive momentum and growth in our community,” said Mayor Tucker. “Our mission and vision moving forward is to go even further to provide and seek unique opportunities for all residents and businesses as we strive to be the very best as a people-focused city where dreams can come true.”
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