Greetings Neighbors!
It’s another great day in the ol’ West End Neighborhood.
Once again we had several first-time meeting attendees! It’s great to see new faces and additional members. Speaking of membership, Anita Kuker informed the group that we have surpassed 200 members in the WCNA!! Three cheers for that! That’s a really big deal because the larger that number the more clout we have with the City and our representatives to get things done on behalf of the neighborhood.
Yesterday’s West Central: Historic Tax Credits
Neighbors Craig Leonard and Dodd Kattman provided some great insights on how nearly all of us can take advantage of property tax credits managed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The program is called Indiana Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit and details can be found at https://www.in.gov/dnr/historic-preservation/financial-assistance/residential-tax-credit/
Craig provided a brief history of the program, which started in 1976, along with the intent to preserve some of our country’s treasured assets during the 200 year
anniversary. The program encourages “repair, don’t replace.” Then Dodd used his own home’s beautiful renovations as a case example. It’s important to note that just a few weeks ago the program was amended and now includes a $10,000 maximum cap on all project – a big change reflective of the new budget realities. He noted that it really wasn’t that hard to do and there are great resources at the DNR who will patiently answer your questions.
Also important, these credits are available for federally identified historic structures and those located in a Local Historic District (LHD). However, even if you’re not, if your home meets the age requirements (50 years or older) you can get it your property individually qualified. More details will be in our meeting minutes or through the website above.
Neighborhood Promotion
Several meetings back the board presented an annual “spending plan” for the neighborhood, an effort to take our substantial financial resources and invest them into the neighborhood. A significant part of that was to expand our member programs (beautification, sidewalks & curbs, tree planting, security), but more can be done. Our Treasurer, George Taylor, informed the group that the Association currently has about $200,000 in “unrestricted” assets, spread into various high-interest accounts with staggered term dates.
Repeatedly the board has heard from members that in the neighborhood there is too much speeding, drag racing, running of red lights and stop signs, and lots of very loud noise. All of these things are deterrents to a safe and healthy neighborhood. Too often the downtown is seen only as a barrier for cars and trucks to pass through to get to the other side.
This was starkly illustrated in the debate on the Urban Trail development linking Promenade Park with Parkview Field, two significant public investments and assets. The trail route considered shrinking West Washington Blvd by one lane from Harrison to Broadway to accommodate a wider sidewalk, bike lanes
and calming landscape. One of our City Council members put it very bluntly: we don’t want to slow anyone down passing through downtown. That’s not our goal!
To promote our vision for a vibrant and healthy place to live, the WCNA is embarking on a multiple phased campaign to improve the livability of the neighborhood. We have lofty goals as part of this initiative:
- Clearly identify the West Central boundaries and connect the various areas through our
branded identity - Amplify the fact that we are a historic neighborhood, in an effort to boost preservation and
restoration efforts - Inform visitors (including those passing through) that this is a neighborhood, a place that people – including children – live, work, walk, bike and play
- Fund the priorities identified by our community, including improved connectivity, safety & security, and infrastructure investments
Step one in this journey is to purchase additional “Historic West Central” permanent signs to be hung throughout the neighborhood. These are meant to augment (not replace) the current square – but significantly smaller – signs that are already in place. Plus we hope to expand the reach into the area east of Fairfield that has no signs. The first installs will be west of the railroad tracks in what is called Area 5. The signs will be 16″ wide metal signs, hanging from a bracket attached to a lightpole.
Neighborhood identification is a priority of the City of Fort Wayne to create a sense of community pride and better connect the neighborhoods. To that end, the mayor has created the “Connected Neighborhoods Initiative” and will be providing grants totaling $4 million to “winning” applicants over the next two years (two $1 million grants for 2026 and two $1 million grants in 2027). West Central has teamed up with North Highlands, Bloomingdale, Nebraska and Hamilton to submit a grant application for one of these $1 million awards. The goals of the application are to: improve safety for bikes and pedestrians, increase resident involvement, reduce economic disparity, and decrease crime incidents. Can you feel the synergy??
At our May meeting the nearly 40 members in attendance overwhelmingly approved up to $25,000 for this first phase, to include the permanent light pole signs and the development of a comprehensive plan, perhaps with the assistance of outside resources. Thanks to all who attended for the support and for the civil and thoughtful discussions.
Announcements
The most significant need for upcoming events is someone to lead our Block Party planning! This event will be held on July 26 from 11 am – 2 pm and has for the last several years been led by our own Tyler Bowers. Sadly for us – but happy for the Bowers family – they are moving to the 07 into another beautiful historic house so won’t be available for the block party. If you are willing to step up and lead the planning for this event, please text me at the number below. We have a very detailed checklist of what needs to be done and have an identified “second in command”. I don’t want to call this easy, but you wouldn’t be starting from scratch!
April Gift Direction
While lots of great ideas were floated, in the end the nearly unanimous choice for our April gift was WellSpring Interfaith Services. They will be our guest speaker at our July meeting.
I’m sure warm weather is just around the corner so get those front porches ready! I’m personally ready for some sittin’!
Joel Sauer, President
(260) 433-3672
2025 Board Officers
- Membership: Anita Kuker membership@westcentralneighborhood.org
- President: Joel Sauer president@westcentralneighborhood.org
- Secretary: Bethany Pruitt secretary@westcentralneighborhood.org
- Treasurer: George Taylor treasurer@westcentralneighborhood.org
- Vice President: Kelly Benton VP@westcentralneighborhood.org