Fort Wayne Holds Neighborhood Presidents Meeting

Quarterly gathering allows community leaders to share ideas and provide feedback to city officials.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The City of Fort Wayne hosted its quarterly Neighborhood Presidents meeting, where leaders from over 260 active neighborhood associations across the city attended. The meeting featured presentations on topics like historic preservation, rezoning, and neighborhood grants, as well as an opportunity for presidents to share feedback on the city's 2026-2030 consolidated plan for federal housing and community development funding.

Why it matters

These regular meetings are an important way for the city to engage directly with neighborhood leaders, gather grassroots feedback, and foster collaboration between community groups. With over 450 neighborhoods in Fort Wayne, maintaining open lines of communication is crucial for addressing local issues and ensuring equitable investment across the city.

The details

Monday's meeting included presentations on historic preservation, rezoning changes, and available neighborhood grants. City officials also sought input from the neighborhood presidents on the 2026-2030 consolidated plan, which will guide the allocation of federal housing and community development funds. Some of the key feedback received so far includes a need for more affordable housing, services for the homeless, and support for people with special needs.

  • The quarterly Neighborhood Presidents meeting took place on Monday, March 3, 2026.
  • A public hearing on the city's 2026-2030 consolidated plan will be held on April 29, 2026 at 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

The players

Dan Baisden

Department Head for the City of Fort Wayne Department of Neighborhoods.

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What they’re saying

“We have over 450 neighborhoods in Fort Wayne. Out of those, about 260, 270 are actually active associations. So it's really important for us to provide this opportunity for neighborhoods to learn from each other, learn from their mistakes, and try to figure out how they can help each other be more successful in neighborhood planning.”

— Dan Baisden, Department Head, City of Fort Wayne Department of Neighborhoods (wane.com)

What’s next

The city will hold a public hearing on the 2026-2030 consolidated plan on April 29, 2026 to gather additional feedback from residents.

The takeaway

Fort Wayne's quarterly Neighborhood Presidents meetings demonstrate the city's commitment to engaging directly with community leaders and incorporating grassroots input into its planning and investment decisions. By fostering collaboration and information-sharing between neighborhood groups, the city aims to address local issues and ensure equitable development across all parts of the city.