FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) - Fort Wayne City Council approved the last piece of funding for two downtown projects which brings excitement for people like Colin Haines.

"I think it's really great. It's going to be great for the community as a whole," Colin Haines said.

Colin believes the Lofts at Headwaters and The Riverfront near Promenade Park will bring more life to downtown.

"Especially, I think the youth to come to downtown and be the best in Fort Wayne, and hopefully bring people from more cities to come and live here," Haines explained.

That makes it appealing to city council members as well.

"For me, I knew it was a good vote for the future of Fort Wayne," Councilman Tom Didier said.

Both projects are expected to bring more housing, retail, office space, and parking to downtown.
One of the main things that got city council on board is the additional parking options the projects will bring.

"If anything, it's going to help parking. We're getting to the point where we're at capacity for parking right now so I think it's really going to help," Didier explained.

The Lofts will bring 217 apartments and 15 town homes along with a 651 space parking garage.

The Riverfront brings 222 apartments, seven townhomes and a 913-space parking garage for apartment residents, county government employees and the public.

As appealing as it is, Jasmine Billingsley hopes those who want to live there can afford it.

"Hopefully it will grow our city and with the lofts that are coming, I just hope they are affordable for the people and with the retail, I'm excited to see what stores come and hopefully it's some shopping because I love to shop and it will be good to have that downtown," Billingsley said.