After last night’s vote against funding the proposed Anchor Resource Center, the members of the Fort Wayne City Council who voted no circulated a letter to the media exploring their reasons.
Letter from the Fort Wayne City Council to Fort Wayne residents:
Dear Fort Wayne Residents,
One of the main responsibilities of a City Council person is to separate emotion from the logistics of governing. On the surface, this seems easy, but it is not, especially when the topic is one that is emotional in nature.
This is in reference to the Anchor Resource Center and the vote tonight that did not allow the purchase of a building at 333 East Washington to move forward. This has been a topic of discussion for most of 2026, as the project has been worked on behind the scenes by staff and delivered to and deliberated on by the community. It has been heated on both sides, with opinions and perspectives stretching across the divide.
One piece that has never been disputed is if the community needs to and wants to address homelessness. It is disingenuous to imply that just because someone does not see a problem the same way you do, they do not care about the problem or about humanity. The desire to improve the community does not have a single path, nor does one group of people hold the reins to the only solution.
Over the last many months, we have heard from countless residents who have expressed every concern imaginable about the Anchor Resource Center. Pro with supporting documentation, con with supporting documentation, and steps in between. There have been questions, comments, criticisms, vitriol, prayers, concern, and compassion. Every possible perspective on these bills has been researched, and it has led us to today and the vote not to purchase 333 E. Washington. This vote is not about emotion, only about the specifics of the project before us.
Folks have said we’re only buying a building; that was the only request, and it is not dissimilar to other requests. Except at every step of the way, it is different. We were asked to buy a building, renovate it, then give it to a brand-new non-profit, completely untested, with several years of operational funding committed, but without any proven track record. When operational and policing plans were requested, initially they were unavailable, and even now are less than complete. Budgets are untested. Staffing is undefined. There are no construction drawings or bids. Location could not be defended and may result in sacrificing an area of downtown for existing businesses and future development. Questioning this is not attacking the project, the people presenting it, or the supporters – it is the role of a Council person. We are the checks and balances, and these questions are that system working. These questions do not dismiss the need for assistance. These questions are pointing out that the City of Fort Wayne has limited resources, and this is a completely new program that still has a lot unknown.
The response we have heard from some people is that if we do not like this plan, we should present something better. We do not believe that the ARC at 333 E. Washington is the only idea that has come out of years of planning. Many people in the community, while discussing the merits of this plan, have indicated a willingness to participate in crafting programs to move this discussion forward. There are talented people who have not had a seat at the table yet. We would ask as we plan, we all do so by including the County, the problem-solving courts, groups like the DID, and community law enforcement to determine next steps. We are committed to continuing to helping the Administration find the right option. This is not the end of the discussion.
There is a need now, and the ARC does not satisfy that. We recommend looking at our existing social service partners and see who can expand services right now to serve those in need now. We call on the Administration to use some of the money that has been identified for use later for a resource center for this now, so people who need help can start receiving help now, not at some point when the center is operational. The ARPA interest or one of the federal funds could be utilized today to upscale local operations of local agencies to provide more assistance to our neighbors in need today. A building has the potential to be one part of a surgical solution, but other pieces must be factored in.
We know there are people who are disappointed in the outcome of this vote. To move forward, it must be the right project, in the right location, at the right time, with the right partners. Moving forward with a project just to do a project is not the correct thing to do, especially something of this magnitude. We must continue working to move forward together. We are very thankful to have the ability to work with a committed team of public servants to find the most impactful resolution.
Sincerely,
- Paul Ensley, Fort Wayne City Council, 1st District
- Russell Jehl, Fort Wayne City Council, 2nd District
- Nathan Hartman Fort Wayne City Council, 3rd District
- Martin Bender, Fort Wayne City Council, At-Large
- Thomas Freistroffer, Fort Wayne City Council, At-Large
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