New Haven is an interesting example of the Renewing Cities model in a community experiencing growth rather than decline. Located just six miles from Fort Wayne, the city has grown to more than 16,000 residents, with the population increasing by approximately 4.7% since 2020 as it continues to see significant development locally and in the surrounding metropolitan area. 

With the support of Sagamore’s Renewing Cities, leaders in Fort Wayne have created a nonprofit land trust that has now acquired four properties totaling approximately 15,000 square feet, providing a mechanism to preserve and strategically redevelop important properties in and around the historic core. This work comes amid a recently adopted downtown redevelopment plan that calls for reinvestment in underutilized properties, improved walkability and public spaces, mixed-use and higher-density development, expanded housing options, and stronger support for local businesses.

The land trust can play an important role in ensuring that this growth strengthens rather than displaces New Haven’s distinctive small-town character. With Fort Wayne just six miles away and continued housing and commercial investment throughout the community, New Haven has an opportunity to capture the benefits of regional growth while preserving the historic buildings, neighborhoods, and locally owned businesses that give the community its identity. The trust provides a vehicle for local stewardship of key properties, allowing the community to take a longer-term view of redevelopment and ensure that strategic assets remain aligned with community priorities.

The New Haven Land Trust is seeking support from the Allen County–Fort Wayne Capital Improvement Board (CIB), a regional institution that has increasingly used its resources to support multi-year projects that contribute to growth and opportunity across Allen County. Together with the City’s downtown planning, TIF resources, and broader investment in the Lincoln Highway corridor, the land trust can help New Haven thoughtfully manage the intersection of growth, preservation, and community identity.

Image credit: Visit Fort Wayne