Fort Wayne Riverfront Looking to Next Steps

(Rendering of phase two of the Riverfront Fort Wayne project provided by the city of Fort Wayne.)

The city of Fort Wayne is looking toward the future of the Riverfront Fort Wayne project. The city has issued a Request For Qualifications from consultant teams for the second and third phases of the project, with a final selection expected to come in May.

As part of the RFQ, the city is looking for teams to prepare an Implementation Framework for future development of the project, which will include a Riverfront master plan and reports and recommendations for issues such as infrastructure and environmental. It will also include engineered designs for the next two phases and cost estimates for improvements to public space near the river, as well as reports and recommendations on how the city can help facilitate the project.

Phase II of the Riverfront Fort Wayne project is expected to begin by 2020. Construction on the first phase of the project began last summer and is expected to be complete in June 2019.

The first private development at the riverfront, a $62 million mixed-use property, was announced in December. Construction on the project, the city says, could begin as early as this spring and be complete in the fall of 2019.

"It’s great to see we’re taking the next steps with riverfront development," said Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry. "We’re already seeing results with the current construction of the Promenade Park and the upcoming construction of the Continental Property Group investment with housing, retail and a parking garage. It’s critical to keep this momentum going by taking the time to make proper plans for the public portions of Phases II and III."

Statements of Qualifications for the next two phases are due to the city on March 16 and interviews with finalists will be conducted in April. You can view the full RFQ by clicking here.