West Central Neighborhood Garage Sale - Saturday, June
27. Put your wares out for sale for this neighborhood-wide event. If you're
not selling, take a walk and check out the deals.
$5.3 Million to be invested in the West Central Neighborhood
- On May 18, 2009, voting members of the WCNA voted to support a proposal
from Enterprise, Inc. to rehab a number of existing homes in addition to
building a few new ones in the neighborhood. These homes will be rent-to-own
and will be available for low-income tenants. Look for more information
to come as the project progresses.
Raingarden
Workshops - Earlier
this spring, the City of Fort Wayne is conducted workshops to promote the
installation of raingardens throughout the city. These
workshops were taped and are being shown on Comcast channel 58 or Verizon
FIOS channel 48. To see the TV schedule and for more information in general,
go to http://www.catchingrainfw.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=52&catid=37&Itemid=61.
If you sign an agreement to install a raingarden, you will receive free
plants or up to $175 in a cash payment toward planting a garden.
Commercial Facade Grant Program - In early March 2009, it was announced
that some West Central businesses have been named as recipients of funding
from Commercial Facade Grant Program. Last fall, Mayor Tom Henry announced
the availability of this program to owners of commercial property to help
pay for projects such as facade improvements, signage, lighting, awnings,
parking improvements, and decorative fencing associated with the commercial
property. It is a matching grant program with an expected average grant
to be about $20,000. The application period is closed at the present time.
WCNA nominates the West Central Neighborhood as a Best
Place to Buy a House- PreservationDirectory.com and This Old House
magazine are searching for "The Best Places to Buy an Old House."
An upcoming issue of This Old House will feature an article identifying
affordable homes in historic neighborhoods and districts across the United
States. The WCNA submitted an application in early March to be selected.
Stay tuned for more!
WCNA working to expand Local Historic District Boundaries - Earlier
this year, the WCNA determined it wanted to expand the boundaries of the
Local Historic District (LHD) as a means of accomplishing part of its mission
to preserve neighborhood assets. With the construction of Harrison Square occurring, it is even more
important to ensure that the West Central neighborhood maintains its aesthetic
nature, historic character, and architectural diversity that have made it
the grandest neighborhood in Fort
Wayne. For more information on this project, please
go to http://www.westcentralneighborhood.org/BroadwayFairfieldLHDExpansion.htm
WCNA
and Emmanuel Lutheran Church Partner for Redevelopment - The
WCNA and Emmanuel Lutheran Church have formally applied for public funding
of up to $30,000 to create a comprehensive redevelopment plan for the area
of the West Central neighborhod near Emmanuel. Identified in the West
Central Plan as Area 3, the boundaries are roughly Broadway,
the railroad tracks north of the GE campus, Swinney Park, and W. Jefferson
Boulevard. The WCNA will bear no liability for the funds, which may be forgiven
when redevelopment begins.
Fort Wayne’s Green City Mailing List - Subscribe to the list
and get notices on air quality action days, monthly newsletters, and special
events. Go to http://www.cityoffortwayne.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=1373
PRICE REDUCED WCNA House for Sale- Come
see this recently renovated and charming home at 
1134 Nelson Street. A few of the many tasks that were done were the removal
of asphalt siding and restoration of the clapboards below, addition of second-story
dormers, and the creation of a modern interior layout to include a second-floor
full bath. Also, the house now has new heating and air-conditioning systems,
plumbing, and electrical.
The home is for sale for $69,900 to an owner-occupant who
makes no more than 80% of the Area Median Income as required by U.S. Department
of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A chart of income guidelines may
be found at http://www.cityoffortwayne.org/images/stories/community_development/hns/files/2007inc.pdf.
For more information on this home,
please contact the WCNA at (260) 385-WEST.
The
West Central neighborhood developed as a residential area during Fort Wayne's
canal era in the 1830s. The West Central Neighborhood Association (WCNA) is
a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that began in 1969 to solve problems and
to promote improvements and social welfare in West Central. Its current mission
is to enhance the environment of the neighborhood by improving the quality
of urban life for its residents, business owners, and visitors. It is committed
to the preservation of diverse neighborhood assets as well as economic and
partnership development.