Today, The City of Fort Wayne announced that Redevelopment Director Alec Johnson will step down from his position at the end of the month to join Rock Design Associates.
City of Fort Wayne Indiana news release:
Redevelopment Director to depart City of Fort Wayne for private sector role
Fort Wayne, Indiana (August 19, 2026) – The City of Fort Wayne’s Community Development Division today announced that Redevelopment Director Alec Johnson will step down from his position at the end of the month to join Rock Design Associates, a private landscape architecture firm with staff and clients located throughout the United States.
Community Development Director and previous Redevelopment Director Jonathan Leist will serve as the Interim Redevelopment Director while a search for a replacement is underway.
Johnson’s departure caps a nearly 20-year career in Fort Wayne public service. He joined the City’s Parks and Recreation Department as City Landscape Architect, and then later became the Parks and Recreation Deputy Director of Planning and Development before being named Director of Redevelopment in September 2024.
“Alec has been an outstanding public servant,” said Fort Wayne Mayor Sharon Tucker. “From his years shaping our parks and riverfront to his leadership advancing major redevelopment projects like North River, Alec is an important part of the progress Fort Wayne is proud of today. We will miss his leadership but are excited for him to share his expertise with clients across the country.”
Over the course of his tenure with the City of Fort Wayne, Johnson led design teams for two of the City’s signature public spaces, Promenade Park and the Franke Park Renaissance, and played a central role in shaping the direction of the new Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation System Comprehensive Plan. As Redevelopment Director, Johnson helped guide the selection of PB Development as the master planner for the North River mixed-use district and supported projects such as the Eddy, downtown’s first residential development north of the St. Marys River.
The City of Fort Wayne’s Community Development Division works to establish Fort Wayne as the Community of Choice for residents, visitors and businesses by growing the economy, strengthening neighborhoods and supporting housing options. Visit CityofFortWayne.in.gov/CD for more information.
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