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Council committee advances $330,605 contract to create new downtown plan
Summary
The council's regulations committee recorded a due‑pass vote to approve a professional services contract (not to exceed $330,605) with Interface Studio to prepare a 10‑year downtown plan; funding is roughly 30% community development and 70% grants or partners, with completion expected by April 2027.
The Fort Wayne Common Council’s regulations committee on April 14 voted to advance a professional services agreement with Interface Studio to create a new downtown plan that will guide investment and development for the next decade.
Therese Fortreed of the Community Development and Planning & Policy division told the committee the contract is a not‑to‑exceed $330,605 and that roughly 30% of the funding will come from community development dollars while the remaining 70% will come from grants and community partners. Fortreed said the study area includes the downtown improvement district boundaries, areas north of the river, Electric Works campus and gateway corridors into downtown.
“We were pleased to receive 13 proposals,” Fortreed said, and after interviews Interface Studio was selected as “the most responsive firm” for the project. Council members asked about the firm’s location; Fortreed said Interface Studio is Philadelphia‑based and will partner with local team members.
Councilwoman Chambers and others welcomed the update, and Councilman Feiner asked about the timing; Fortreed said the planning process would kick off this month with an expected completion by April 2027. The regulations committee registered an 8‑0 due‑pass recommendation for S260320.
If approved at final reading, the plan would be used by the City’s Community Development Division and related boards to guide zoning and investment decisions in downtown Fort Wayne.
