City working on cleaning up weeds along streets leading to downtown

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - The saying goes, you only get one chance to make a first impression.  That's the motto Fort Wayne leaders take when it comes to improving the city's appearance.

Leaders want to draw people to downtown, but think it's also important what people see as they travel to the heart of the city.

"It is a presentation problem, for the community and coming into downtown," Bill Brown, the interim president of the Downtown Improvement District, said.

Brown has worked for DID the past two months, and learned it takes a wide group of people to improve the city's appearance.

He said the city, or other local government, is responsible for the curb face in.  The property owner, or home owner, is responsible from the curb face out.

Things the city is trying to fix is removing weeds from the edges of roads and sidewalks.  And painting fences and other rusted things that stick out in Fort Wayne.

"It's going to take a coalition between the city, state, and county," Brown said.  "That's something we should form this fall, so it can be ready to go next spring with this whole campaign."

City councilman Mitch Harper has said he too has wanted to see Fort Wayne's major roads cleaned up.

"It takes an on-going effort, and an on-going concern," Harper, a Republican who represents the city's fourth district, said.

Harper has already seen an improvement in the 91 blocks that is considered to be the Downtown Improvement District.

"I think downtown looks a lot better," Harper said.  "There's certainly infrastructure that needs to be done.  In terms of certain sidewalks and so on that business visitors from out of town, who we're hoping to draw as investors, will see that needs improved."

Harper agreed with Brown's plan to tackle the appearance issue.  He added that the group should meet every three weeks to discuss the problems that need to be addressed right away.

"It would be done intensely from spring to fall," Harper said.

Harper and Brown referenced several places they've noticed needing work.  Those include on Maplecrest Road, at the edge of the city limits, and along Clinton Street, a few blocks north of downtown.

"I think we're going to start seeing this stuff getting cleaned up soon," Brown said.

Brown added a spot on Lima Road had already been worked on.  His organization has a Clean & Green cleaning project Saturday morning , where a group of people will work on outside work at Matthew 25.