New growth near airport?: Developer considers southwest Allen County project
Jul. 18--In its nearly six years of existence, the Airport Expressway, which links Interstate 69 to Fort Wayne International Airport, has never really fulfilled its potential as a magnet for jobs and development.
Now a massive 565-acre project combining homes, shops, restaurants, hotels, parks, light industry and other features could change all that.
"We want to make sure this is a great plan, so we're talking to the (Southwest Allen County) schools, zoning officials and others before we do anything," said Foss Development's Matt Foss, whose company controls the site that straddles the expressway just east of I-69 in southwest Allen County.
Foss, whose company is also developing the Lima Crossing shopping center south of Huntertown, said he expects to ask the county to rezone the property for his still-unnamed project within a year, depending on economic conditions. Foss said he is negotiating with the city to provide sewer and water service to the area, and may ask the county to create a special taxing district that could pay for roads, lights and other physical improvements in the area.
Although Foss' plans are in the preliminary stages, he has no doubt the demand for new development will continue at a brisk pace in Lafayette Township -- and history bears him out.
Largely a rural area when General Motors opened a truck plant at I-69 and Lafayette Center Road in 1986, the area's growth potential became obvious with the completion of the expressway and, in 2004, with SACS' decision to build Lafayette Meadows Elementary School near Homestead and Ernst roads. The school required the extension of sewer and water lines, which in turn attracted developers' attention.
Since then, according to Mark Royse, Allen County's deputy director for economic development, more than 1,175 homes have been built or approved, but mostly west of I-69 and away from the Expressway -- including this year's Parade of Homes site, Azbury Woods.
A year ago, the county's Plan Commission rezoned nearly 300 acres at the northwest corner of Lower Huntington Road and I-69 for Prairie Center and Prairie Crossing, which will include homes, offices and shops.
Foss said the success of the nearby development would only make his project more attractive to homebuyers, tenants and companies.
Although county officials have envisioned the Airport Expressway primarily as a corridor for light and heavy industry, Senior Land Use Planner Michellee Wood said a "mixed-use" project such as Foss' might be compatible, so long as it does not impede traffic flow and access.
Foss said he's had preliminary discussions with possible tenants, but has reached no agreements.
"But there are no hotels at (the I-69/Lower Huntington Road) interchange, and more housing is needed in that area, with taxes going up so much in Aboite Township," he said. "In 10 years, that will be another major, vibrant corridor."
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