Thanks to the heartfelt input of over 3,000 Waynedale area residents, our “2040” Plan is off and running! It is a beautiful story about neighbors who care. Much like our concerted effort to stop the Quarry, it shows the power of a community team effort. You may recall the Townhall we had at the Waynedale United Methodist Church in June of 2024 with our City of Fort Wayne Neighborhood Development Team. This launched a regular gathering of dedicated community leaders who shared their vision for an even better Waynedale. From there, we were inspired with the enthusiasm shared by thousands of conversations with you at doors, events, and online, where your input became the foundation of our 2040 Plan. Finally, our professional Neighborhood Development Team constructed the Plan, and refined it based on your feedback. So, Let’s discuss the headaches progress that come with infrastructure improvements, and also my strategy to keep it funded without raising taxes. The year “2040” represents a “generational commitment” to implementing your vision. Work has already begun, and is rapidly continuing. Since 2024, the city has already constructed many new Waynedale area sidewalks and street repairs. And it is encouraging to know that there are multiple “bids” pending to build new sidewalk sections in 2027. Also, new repairs are now in process such as improving the intersection at Bluffton Winchester Roads, new Waynedale signage, and bus shelters. These are funded by the 2040 Plan itself, with additional support from other funds in the city budget. At the same time, some of our neighbors are saying “Hold on a second! Not so many traffic blockages!” Most of you are aware that the already ongoing Old Trail Road improvements were further delayed because of a gas main structure challenge from NIPSCO. Our city engineers immediately pursued a “work around” and that project is now completed. At the same time, many of you throughout Southwest Fort Wayne have expressed to me a desire to know WHEN, WHERE, and WHY the orange barrels are coming? Much of this information can be found at “TREC the Fort” website, with more updates at the Engage Fort Wayne website. As your councilman, I regularly advocate to our dedicated Public Works team, NIPSCO, and contractors to minimize these interruptions. I will continue posting updates on my facebook page, so please connect with me. Going forward, our Roadmap for the 2040 Plan can be seen at WaynedalePlan.com or the Engage Fort Wayne website. As your councilman, I work with our city administration to see that continued progress is funded each year. This is challenging because of the recent changes in city funding based on state legislation. Yet I am optimistic that together we will see this great vision through to completion, one step at a time. I am also working to keep our utility rates DOWN, which is a topic we can discuss more in the near future. On a personal level, my passion for our city is to see our Neighborhoods shine based on YOUR input. I will fight hard for you every day because every detail matters. Please connect with me on facebook and Instagram. If you message me, I will give you my personal cell phone. As most of you know, I have a living “To Do List” of everything you send me, every pothole, yucky street section, drainage problem, etc. I am confident all these tasks will get done based on their assessed urgency. How quickly depends in part on available city funds. But no matter what, I will keep advocating to see them done as soon as possible. I am working with The Waynedale News and our city administration to maintain a digital “real-time” blueprint of these tasks. I thank you for your love for our community. Our 4th District is what Ronald Reagan used to call “a city on a hill” and it is my honor and joy to represent you always! Dr. Myers is Your 4th District City Councilman, a pediatric specialist, and medical school professor. ...read more read less