The Fort Wayne City Council unanimously approved a measure Tuesday expanding an economic target area near U.S. 27 and Hanna Street, a move officials say could help a potential development project move forward.
The expanded area will incorporate five residential lots in the 7100 and 7200 blocks of Hanna Street and the north and west right-of-ways bounding those properties. The reason for expanding the area is to help development of an assisted-living facility move forward, Greg
Leatherman, the city's community development director, told the council.
“This is about creating the expanded economic development target area that would make this project eligible, should they decide to do so, to apply for tax abatement on the project,” Leatherman said. “So at this point the request doesn't have anything necessarily to do with the project, although there is a project behind this request.”
Leatherman said the planned development would consist of 119 units, some of which would be for low-income residents. Specific details of the project haven't been disclosed, Leatherman said, noting the council would receive a clearer picture should the development apply for a tax abatement.
Councilman Russ Jehl, R-2nd, praised the move as a sensible step forward to facilitating much-needed development in south Fort Wayne.
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