Formal supporters and endorsers of Headwaters Junction include:
- Wells Street Historic Corridor and Business Association
- Fort Wayne Trails
- Arts United
- Friends of the Rivers
- Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce
- Downtown Improvement District
- Friends of the Parks
- Bloomingdale Neighborhood Association
- Nebraska Neighborhood Association
- Northside Neighborhood Association
- Northwest Area Partnership
Read what others in the community are saying about Headwaters Junction:
At TRAINS magazine, we see many railway preservation projects nationwide, but few with as much potential as the Headwaters Junction proposal. The potential it has to become a catalyst for tourism, an engine for economic development, and a spark for the overall livability of your city is enormous.
Jim Wrinn
Editor, TRAINS Magazine
This isn’t your typical mass-mixed-use development, obviously. That’s because this is purposeful development; this is something that achieves the much-desired impacts of the North River development (whatever it may be), but also offers the benefits of a historical attachment to Fort Wayne’s past, a catalyst for reclaiming our identity, and places an emphasis on connectivity with existing assets so that everything is working in a comprehensive format that further multiplies the desired impact. This is something that makes sense. A lot of sense.
As you scroll through the homepage of the website, one phrase reaches out and grabs my attention: “experience Fort Wayne’s story and create your own.” Perhaps I’m reading too much into it, but the way this is worded sends chills up my spine. Headwaters Junction offers an opportunity for you to experience – to fully immersive yourself – in Fort Wayne’s story, while creating your own. You’re involving yourself in Fort Wayne’s concrete historical identity and using it as a foundation for the evolution of our identity moving forward. Knowing where we’ve been is critical to identifying where we’re headed.
Nick Arnett
President, Twelve Cities Fellowship
Of all of the development proposals we have seen, the Wells Corridor Business Association believes that this far surpasses anything else ever presented. We believe Headwaters Junction would make an incredible venue on the North River property, encouraging tourism, economic development and civic pride. We are willing to work with you to bring this fantastic idea to Fort Wayne. It would be a dream come true for many of us.
Judi Wire
President, Wells Corridor Business Association, Fort Wayne Redevelopment Commission Member
I believe that the Headwaters Junction plan for the North River area is by far the best proposal that any of us in the Bloomingdale Neighborhood Association have seen or could have hoped for. In fact, it is the only proposal that compliments both the Bloomingdale Neighborhood’s goals as well as the Bloomingdale/Spyrun Neighborhood Plan for our area. As the heart of the city, the Bloomingdale and Spy Run Neighborhoods strive to cultivate quality housing while enhancing the area’s historic character, to redevelop innovative businesses, exciting recreational activities, and provide a safe, attractive community where dreams can become a reality.
I believe that the historically inspired Headwaters Junction would serve as a delightful reminder of our railroading history and what this area truly might have looked like in its hay day. It would be a natural tie-in to the Wells Street Corridor both historically and aesthetically. I would love to hear a steam whistle echoing through my neighborhood.
Headwaters Junction is just what the City of Fort Wayne needs to spur the improvements its citizens desire.
Gretchen E. Johnson
President, Bloomingdale Neighborhood Association
Committee Member of Bloomingdale/Spyrun Neighborhood Plan
I think it has tremendous potential for creating economic growth that the community desperately needs. It would also improve the Bloomingdale and Nebraska neighborhoods which would help improve the community’s outlook to get the Baker Street Station and high speed rail system that connects cities together. The Headwaters Junction could help connect the parts of the city together.
Thomas Doell
Nebraska Neighborhood Resident
YLNI embraces quality of life projects such as Fort Wayne Trails; Headwaters Junction, river development and public market.
Michael A. Barranda
Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana
Headwaters Junction is an awesome vision. It could serve area business and stimulate industrial growth with its “short rail” system; create apprenticeships; and boost civic pride, education outreach, special events, entertainment, recreation and learning.
This vision would and could be something for everyone, and the vision seems endless.
Rosie O’Grady, Co-Chair
Northwest Area Partnership
With the City of Fort Wayne ready to visually extend Headwaters Park across the river by continuing the tree plantings along Clinton Street and the Rivergreenway system being extended via the walkways on the
upcoming Martin Luther King, Jr. Bridge, the downtown cultural district that begins with The History Center, The Fort Wayne Museum of Art, and The Arts United Center is on the verge of linking up with Science Central.The proposed Headwaters Junction attraction, put forth by members of the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, Inc on the site of the former New York Central rail yard at Fourth and Clinton Streets has great potential to consolidate and enhance this possibility.
The FWRHS has not only created a revenue stream for itself by rehabilitating the 765 locomotive and using it to run excursions; their having done so with a $750,000 grant from INDOT has established their credibility with major funding agencies.
This is not a cadre of idle dreamers.
A considered evaluation of the FWRHS proposal should be made. Is there really a compelling reason to immediately create yet another rubble-strewn lot in downtown Fort Wayne?
Craig Leonard, Preservation Consultant
Fort Wayne
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