Hello Neighbors!
It’s another grand day in the ol’ West End.
At our July meeting we were visited by Dan Baisden with the Fort Wayne Community & Economic Development, Neighborhood Planning & Activation. Dan presented a whole host of data around the demographics of West Central. Here are some quick highlights.
- The total population of West Central has increased over the last 10 years, not quite to its peak but getting closer
- Median home values have increased a lot – as I’m sure many of you have felt in your property taxes; median incomes for our residents has also increased significantly
- Housing unit density has increased in the area of West Central east of Broadway
- In the area west of Broadway housing unity density has decreased, with many formerly multi-unit homes being reverted back to a single family dwelling
- West Central has the highest concentration of rental units in the city
- West Central is one of the least diverse neighborhoods in Fort Wayne
Safety Sundays were created as a way to deter crime in West Central. The concept is really simple: meet your neighbors and share contact information. The more connected we are as a neighborhood, the safer we are. This has been proven time and time again through neighborhood watch programs and was told to us when we were visited by the FW police this past fall. Our next Safety Sunday is October 13th and we’re looking for “block captains” who will help organize their respective blocks. It’s a simple job too: when you see your neighbors on your block remind them of the purpose of Safety Sundays and when the event is being held, then encourage them to participate. That’s it! You can send them to our website for more information.
Our Historic Preservation Committee, led by Craig Leonard, is looking for additional members. They just finished up guidelines for retaining walls and landscaping, and are currently working on their overall plan for the coming year, so having additional input would be very valuable. The committee meets the first Tuesday of every month at the downtown library, room 114. Please contact Craig directly if you’re interested (craigleonard1949@gmail.com).
The 42nd Annual Home & Garden Tour is in full swing. All homes have been secured and what a lineup it is! In addition, we broke a record for sponsorships in 2024 and are already ahead of past years for ticket sales. Artsfest will again have terrific cache of artists and artisans selling their wares on Wayne Street. Plus a fabulous roster of musicians – including the Saturday headliner Dave & Rae band – and some delicious food trucks. Of course Mad Anthony’s will provide a full bar as always. This event runs September 7 – 8 so get it on your calendar!
The next big event is the West Central Block Party this coming Saturday at Moody Park. The event runs from 11 – 2 pm and features food, games and prizes. We could still use volunteers so if interested please use this link to sign up.
That’s it for this month, but remember there are other great ways to stay connected to the neighborhood. Our website has a trove of great information, including our many programs, a listing of upcoming events and detailed minutes from our meetings. In addition, the Beyond Porch Parties Facebook page has an active and ongoing dialogue amongst your neighbors. This is a private group exclusively for those who live within West Central. If you want to be included, click “join group” and wait for the membership questions to pop up. Then last are our famous Porch Parties each Friday throughout the summer and fall. Neighbors take turns hosting but all WC residents are welcome. Contact wcporches@gmail.com for information.
See you on the front porch!
Joel Sauer, President