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Residents urge 24/7 homeless services center as debate intensifies over downtown impacts and data center permits
Summary
Dozens of citizens used the public comment period to press the council for a 24/7 homeless services center and to criticize elected officials’ public statements about shelter locations; several speakers also raised health and environmental concerns about proposed hyperscale data centers and diesel generator permits.
During the open comment period May 5, more than a dozen residents addressed the City Council on homelessness, downtown safety and the local impacts of hyperscale data centers.
Katie Jo described recent community meal share efforts and outreach events, and encouraged civic dialogue. Several speakers urged the council to support a 24/7 homeless services center with showers, laundry, workforce training and beds; Sally Sigerson and Laura Jacobs emphasized long waiting lists for shelters and the need for wraparound services. John Carroll McCammon and others said access to services is key to helping people exit homelessness and urged improvements to transit and housing programs.
Multiple speakers criticized Councilman Rush Yale’s public comments about proposed shelter locations, saying his focus on downtown optics undervalues residents experiencing homelessness. Joe Renner said the council’s attention to downtown presentation “does a disservice to the people of Fort Wayne” and urged action to address root causes.
Public commenters also raised concerns about environmental and health impacts of planned data centers. Daniel Depke said state approvals allowed nearly 180 diesel fuel generators for a Google site and called diesel exhaust a carcinogen; he asked what the council will do to protect public health. Other speakers criticized the format of a recent virtual state meeting and asked for more in‑person engagement on permit and environmental issues.
Firefighter John O’Connor spoke about workplace injuries and defended his colleagues against claims the department abused sick‑time policy. Commenters closed and council members thanked participants, said staff and officials are working behind the scenes, and offered to follow up outside the meeting. Council members reiterated rules that public comment is not a time for dialogue but encouraged continued engagement and attendance at upcoming hearings on related matters.
