Ground broken for new $40M southeast Fort Wayne housing development

Groundbreaking for the largest market-rate, single-family housing development in southeast Fort Wayne in nearly a half-century was held May 24. Ground preparation and infrastructure work on the $40 million Roosevelt Reserves about a half-mile east of Hessen Cassel Road on Tillman Road will begin soon. The ceremony was held in the parking lot of Redemption Church.

The 131-lot development is situated on a 126-acre property on the north side of Tillman Road across from Trier Ridge subdivision. Total investment is expected to be approximately $40 million.

In his remarks to approximately 50 people in attendance, Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry said, “this is going to be a tremendous development for our community. It provides needed housing options and is one of the many reasons why I’m so enthusiastic about the direction we’re headed in southeast Fort Wayne. We’re bringing meaningful quality-of-life opportunities to residents, neighborhoods and businesses. Collectively, our community has an unwavering commitment to making a positive and lasting difference in the southeast quadrant. We still have work to do, but we’re on the right track.”

Roosevelt Land Development Group President Jerry Starks thanked members of Fort Wayne City Council for supporting the project. He received approval in February to use Legacy funds to pay for a portion of the needed infrastructure improvements including water, sewer, streets and a couple of lakes. A residential tax increment finance district was also formed to reimburse the Legacy funds through new taxes generated by the project.

Starks, who grew up in southeast Fort Wayne, said, “Roosevelt Reserves is a catalytic project aligned with the recently adopted Southeast Strategy Update. It will attract new owner-occupied households, build wealth through home ownership and stimulate investment in this historically underinvested part of the city.”

He contracted for the land in 2018 and has been working with the city for the past two years to make the project a reality. He says that most of the lots in the first phase have already been spoken for and a speculative home is expected to be completed later this year. Starks says that prices for homes in the addition will begin in the mid-$200,000 for certain models as well as lots being offered for custom builds.