Economic Development

The implications of Headwaters Junction extend far beyond the development it can anchor at 4th street, but provide a very unusual opportunity for Fort Wayne to leverage both attractive commercial and industrial real estate, and also a selection of transportation services, namely freight rail. Acquisition of an underutilized industrial spur on the city’s northwest side … Continue reading →

Tourism

Cultural related tourism in Indiana accounts for more than $4.9 billion in economic activity, contributing more than $43 million in business related taxes every year, with a significant cluster of these attractions and activities close to Indianapolis and Chicago, signaling an opportunity for growth in this region. In addition to providing an atmospheric sense-of-place and … Continue reading →

Urban Redevelopment and Beautification

By its nature, classical railroad infrastructure’s unique character and architecture can enhance its surroundings. The impact of the railroad on the aesthetics and infrastructure of the Bloomingdale, Nebraska, and Brookview Neighborhoods will be obvious. An operating tourist railroad will also add charm and animation to the Wells and Clinton Street gateways. Nowhere will the influence … Continue reading →

Events and Operations

Diverse programs lead visitors and tourists on rail and trail to downtown. Daily Trains – operating several days a week, daily trains give visitors an opportunity to experience recreation and transportation on a streetcar or vintage passenger train, as well as connect the zoo to downtown. Scheduled trains can also provide an alternative transportation method … Continue reading →

Education Outreach

Railroad operations provide a wealth of educational opportunities with science, technology, engineering, and math (S.T.E.M.) as well as history. STEM has a stronghold in Northeast Indiana, which has the highest concentrations of NewTech schools in the country. With special opportunities for middle and high school age curriculums, Headwaters Junction provides a hands-on environment for skills … Continue reading →

Local, Regional, National Draw

Diverse programs lead visitors and tourists on rail and trail to downtown. To get to Chicago, nearly every major railroad in the east had to cross Northeast Indiana and almost every town and city was connected to the other via the railroad. So immense was this infrastructure, that its atrophy since the 1960s is alarming … Continue reading →

History Made Elsewhere

Though Headwaters Junction is unique in its establishment and conceptualization, like-minded efforts have found success elsewhere in the country. SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO – 50 acres of blighted industrial and abandoned railroad properties have been rejuvenated as a cultural public park, retail, and live/work destinations known as the Santa Fe Railyards. From the beginning, the … Continue reading →

Sustainability

The operations, programs, and impact of Headwaters Junction can be hard to condense as the development is equal parts tourist attraction, urban space, city park, light rail service, for-profit railroad, cultural and historic institution providing services that range from train rides, event venues, convention space, speciality industrial, machining and preservation work, freight transportation, dining, education, … Continue reading →

Beyond the Junction

Though the railroad and its operations would largely serve center-stage, it can also be the dramatic backdrop to commercial, retail, and institutional development. Farmers Market – the Nickel Plate once expedited fruits and vegetables between Chicago and New York in mere hours; restored freight cars that once carried perishables could be positioned to recreate the … Continue reading →

Questions and Answers

Q. WHAT ARE SOME FUNDING OPTIONS FOR THIS PROJECT? A broad range of funding options are available for projects of this type – federal and state grants for railroad short line and revitalization projects – transportation enhancement act  (TEA) – Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recover (TIGER) – highway safety improvements – economic development funds – … Continue reading →