A Bigger, Stronger Downtown Fort Wayne: More on DTFW’s Latest Expansion

Downtown is officially growing. After years of thoughtful planning and conversations with property owners across the city, the Downtown Fort Wayne Economic Improvement District (or Downtown Fort Wayne) has expanded by a whopping 42%, bringing beloved neighbors like the Wells Street corridor, the creative Broadway Arts District (stretching all the way to Electric Works), and Science Central into the fold. What was once 468 acres is now 667 acres of connected, thriving community.

This wasn’t just a paperwork exercise; it was a labor of love that started in early 2025 and brought together hundreds of voices from across Downtown. The reauthorization process required buy-in from property owners representing more than 60% of non-residential property value (up from 50% a decade ago), and Downtown Fort Wayne exceeded those goals. After filing the petition in July 2025 and working through the details, Fort Wayne City Council voted to support this exciting expansion.

So what does this mean for the DTFW community? Starting in 2026 and running through 2035, these newly included areas will enjoy the same Clean & Safe services, friendly ambassadors, business support, and signature events that have made Downtown such a special place. Whether you’re grabbing a bite on Wells Street, catching an exhibit in the Broadway Arts District, or bringing the kids to Science Central, you’re now part of an even stronger, more connected Downtown community.

We asked the DTFW team what they’re most excited about as we grow into this next chapter. Here’s what they had to say:

Frank:

It’s been an interesting evolution to watch over the last decade. Both Wells Street and Broadway Corridors were considered for inclusion when we went through our last reauthorization cycle back in 2015, but at that time, our organization was not ready for the increased service and programming load an expansion of this size would necessitate. Simultaneously, both corridors, while growing more cohesive and collaborative, weren’t united enough to effectively advocate for their inclusion.

 

This time around was different—both in terms of our own capability and community appetite for the services we provide. For instance, in 2015, we had two full-time Clean & Safe technicians working for Downtown Fort Wayne and doing a great job serving our, then, 99-block district. Now Downtown Fort Wayne has five full-time Clean & Safe technicians, plus seasonal staffing opportunities during high-traffic months. It’s this kind of growth that could allow our team to take care of a larger district’s needs.

 

Also encouraging this time around in the expansion process was the way both regions had active and motivated champions who assisted us in outreach and added enthusiasm and encouragement to the petitioning process.

We are very excited to see district expansion and to look ahead with optimism and lots of commitment to the future of our Downtown community.

 

Being a part of two reauthorizations during two very different decades for our organization has illustrated to me that timing matters, and good things come to those who wait.

Preston:

Downtown’s expansion feels like both a validation of the work we’ve been doing and a real opportunity to think bigger and more holistically about how people experience Downtown. From a marketing and DORA perspective, it allows us to tell a more complete story, one that better reflects how people already move, gather, and spend time across different areas of Downtown. It also gives us more room to be intentional about branding, wayfinding, and communication, so the expanded district feels cohesive, welcoming, and easy to navigate.

 

What I’m most excited about is the energy and potential this brings to new areas of Downtown joining the district. The expansion creates space for new partnerships, events, and experiences, while staying grounded in what makes Downtown special. It opens the door for us to elevate under-recognized places, support small businesses in meaningful ways, and continue building a Downtown that feels active, inclusive, and vibrant for both residents and visitors.

 

Anthony:

Clean and Safe is excited to beautify another part of the city. Having a clean and safe environment for our community to live, work, and play is essential to a vibrant city center, and a vibrant city center is essential to a thriving city. 

 

We’ve already placed new litter receptacles in our expanded areas. We’ve also been doing snow removal and salt dispersal there. We look forward to expanding our outdoor dining areas and activating public spaces that even more neighborhoods can enjoy. 

 

Kim:

Our new district gives us the opportunity to expand our many services—including Clean and Safe, community events, and business support—to an even larger group of businesses than what our previous 99 blocks allowed. Expanding our footprint gives us new locations to hold events and to include more businesses in our existing events. 

 

For me the most exciting portion of the expansion is welcoming the Broadway Arts District—along with its surrounding businesses—and the Wells Street Corridor to participate in our shopping and dining activations, like Ladies Nights Out, Holly Shopping, Window Decorating Contests, and our quarterly roundtable meetings.We’re glad to be able to support them with marketing on a regular basis. I’m looking forward to working with all of these businesses in the months and years ahead.

Tamara:

​​The expansion of Downtown is evidence of a moving, evolving urban core. I’m excited to participate in the events and programs that continue to anchor the city to Downtown, while bringing in new corridors of opportunity. 

 

The possibilities for small business and unique experiences are endless, and with the visions of the North River, we have boundless potential as we expand on Visit Fort Wayne’s Tourism Masterplan. I am so hopeful for the next 10 years and eager to see how we can maintain our Fort Wayne charm while bringing innovative ideas and experiences to our community.

To learn more or see a map of Downtown Fort Wayne’s new district, click here.