City Council talks Legacy Funds and parking fines

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - After two years of analyzing how to spend millions of dollars of Fort Wayne Legacy Fund money, the City Council took action Tuesday night.  Representatives of Mayor Henry's administration presented the ideas to the council.

They proposed nine projects that would cost $20 million.  These projects focus on economic development, beautifying our river fronts, and youth sports.  City Council members were receptive to the mayor's ideas.  They approved the projects in their initial vote Tuesday night.  The Council will finalize its decision of spending the $20 million at next week's meeting.

"We are ready to move forward after a final vote next week by city council.  So, we're excited about moving ahead with these projects.  A lot of them will bring about transformation and change in our community," spokesperson for the City of Fort Wayne John Perlich said.

The following is the list of nine Legacy projects:

Riverfront Development Study – up to $500,000
An action plan including engineering elements which will provide the road map to implement a world class downtown riverfront development. A request for proposals will be issued in early 2013; plan completion in 2013/2014; phase I implementation in 2014.

Higher Education Opportunity Fund - $8 million
This will provide funds to assist higher education institutions to purchase property, develop new facilities, rehabilitate older buildings in downtown, and provide needed infrastructure.

Downtown Trust - $1 million
The Trust is structured to be in position to move expeditiously and strategically to secure options to purchase and/or purchase properties as they become available downtown.

Downtown Overpass/Underpass Beautification and Lighting - $2.1 million ($700,000 per year for three years)
Overpasses serving as gateways to Fort Wayne’s downtown will be transformed with unique overpass signage and underpass art light. Phase I construction will occur in 2013.

Ewing/Fairfield Conversion - $3 million
Conversion of Ewing and Fairfield from one-way to two-way, along with streetscape and pedestrian, bike and place making improvements. Construction to occur in 2013 and 2014.

Gateways - $2 million ($500,000 per year for four years)
Wayfinding signage; corridor enhancements; interchange beautification along and adjacent to Fort Wayne’s major gateway corridors. Phase I construction in 2013.

Trail Development - $1 million
The funding will provide the 20% local match needed for previously committed federal dollars that will go toward implementing several City trail projects in 2013/2014.
-Rivergreenway extension from Johnny Appleseed Park to Shoaff Park
-Two sections along the Pufferbelly Trail
-Engle Road Trail
-Six Mile Creek Trail Phase I
-Covington Road Trail

Youth Sports Assessment/Market Potential Study and Implementation – up to $200,000
Provide guidance on how best to market existing strategies and determine untapped opportunities. In addition, determine facility needs with the goal of being regionally/nationally recognized in youth/prep sports. A request for proposals will be issued in early 2013, with study completion in summer 2013.

McMillen Community Center - $2 million
Renovation of the former McMillen Ice Arena into a Community Center. Anticipated completion is 2014.

Also up for discussion was something that may impact your wallet if you go downtown.  City Council is evaluating parking fees and fines across Fort Wayne.  The City would like to see parking violation fees increased.  Right now if you forget to feed a parking meter, you'll be charged a $5 fine.  If you don't pay that fine within 30 days, it increases to $10.  The City would like to see the initial fine doubled to $10 and the 30 day overdue fine increased to $20.

"It's something that we've been studying for quite a long time.  It's something that we have wanted to look at.  We've done a thorough evaluation of that.  And now City Council will have a discussion about that to see if it's something they think is needed in the city."

Here's how Fort Wayne compares to other cities:

• Lincoln, Nebraska - $10 parking fine
• Grand Rapids - $20
• Toledo - $10
• Cleveland - $25
• Lansing - $20
• Flint, Michigan - $20
• Cincinnati - $35
• Pittsburgh - $20

As for a decision on both of these matters, City Council will talk more about it next Tuesday.