FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) — As plans for a new homeless services center in downtown Fort Wayne continue to move forward, one member of Fort Wayne City Council is concerned about the potential location.
Councilman Russ Jehl (R), who oversees Fort Wayne’s 2nd District, issued a letter in March to the city’s downtown improvement district — Downtown Fort Wayne — asking if the organization supports the planned location for the project, which will include a homeless shelter, or if officials have ideas for a location they believe would have less of a negative impact on downtown.
The planned location sits near The Rescue Mission at 333 E. Washington Blvd., city officials confirmed Thursday. A purchase agreement is in place pending City Council approval.
In his letter, Jehl cited two decades of public and private investment into downtown Fort Wayne that have led to “new businesses, new opportunities and a sense of community.” He also cited worries that establishing the City of Fort Wayne’s Homeless Services Center downtown could unravel those endeavors…