Council Clears Way For North River Acquisition

(photo courtesy City of Fort Wayne)

The Fort Wayne City Council has agreed to buy a 29-acre property that was once the site of a metal recycling facility. The deal for the former OmniSource Corp. property, known as North River, has received support from Mayor Tom Henry and Greater Fort Wayne Inc., who say it will create opportunities for private investment.

The vote had been delayed and the proposal has received opposition from several members of council, who spoke out against provisions that are keeping results of a 10-year-old environmental impact study sealed until the acquisition from owners the Rifkin family is complete. The city will be taking on the property in its present condition.

Our partners at WPTA-TV report the vote came in 5-3 in favor of the more than $4.6 million deal.