Site work and new construction of a retail development in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Completed plans call for the construction of a 2,180-square-foot, one-story above grade retail development; and for site work for a retail development.

https://www.journalgazette.net/local/ceremony-marks-start-of-grocery-store-in-citys-southeast-food-desert/article_25f3d5e6-beb8-11ed-8bf2-0fc95163b1df.html Ceremony marks start of grocery store in city's southeast food desert James D. Wolf Jr. | The Journal Gazette Mar 10, 2023 Mayor Tom Henry, Parkview Health officials and various city leaders hammered holes in a wall to end a food desert. The action marked the start of construction and remodeling at what will become the Pontiac Street Market, 918 E. Pontiac St. The market will bring fresh produce, dairy products and meats to the southeast side, which is considered a food desert because fresh, healthy food is not easily accessible to all residents. The market, which is planned to open this fall, is a public-private partnership between the city and Parkview Health. The nonprofit retailer's prices will be similar to those of other local stores. "I think once we get this going, we're going to be a model for the community," Henry said to the crowd of about 175 people. The market will also carry baked goods and offer a sandwich counter and grocery pickup. The city and Parkview have committed to underwriting the Pontiac Street Market for five years, and the hospital food service provider, Sodexo, will operate the store. Henry said the city has known that the area has a high rate of type 2 diabetes. He also talked about the relatively high percentage of infant mortality in the city. Pontiac Street Market will be in walking distance for several neighborhoods. Dr. Sarah GiaQuinta, Parkview's senior vice president of community health and equity, said 20% of health care is in doctors' offices and 80% is social factors, such as diet and lifestyle. GiaQuinta is a medical doctor with a master's degree in public health. To show why the store is needed on the southeast side, Councilwoman Sharon Tucker, D-6th, told the audience about a woman she knows from Vincent Village who got off a city bus loaded with grocery bags and holding the hand of her child. The woman has to board a bus to downtown, then transfer to another bus and repeat the process to get back home every time she goes grocery shopping. "That probably took her more than a couple hours to get food," Tucker said. Some people had concerns about Pontiac Street Market's plan of operations. Before the ceremony, a handful of people held a rally outside the building, asking for more inclusion for the neighborhood. Ty Simmons, who organized the rally, said he wants neighboring residents on the grocery store's advisory board, and he wants the store to be more equitable, diverse and inclusive. Nonprofits have been coming into the southeast side, but he said the money they receive doesn't stay in the neighborhood and residents aren't in high-level positions. If all funding that came into the south side stayed in the area, the residents would be more self-reliant, he said. The nonprofit model continues a pattern of residents relying on people outside the community. "We want to have this grocery store, but we want to have more ownership," Simmons said. "We want our cup full, just like yours." Tucker said she doesn't know how Simmons determined the store's funding wouldn't stay in the neighborhood when officials are still working on details. Tucker is on the market's advisory board with two mayoral appointments and three members appointed by Parkview. Councilman Glynn Hines, D-at large, said after hearing the concerns that the city is making progress on Pontiac. Hines represented the southeast City Council district for 20 years before running for an at-large seat. He said the city has worked on getting the southeast side grocery store for about 20 years. Hines expects the market will spur additional development in the area. Hines delayed votes on the resolution confirming the city's involvement in the grocery store because he wanted Tucker appointed to the advisory board, he said. Pontiac Street Market will hire workers from the neighborhood, and the neighborhood committee will decide on what the store will carry. "We've got to make sure the products they sell here are what the neighborhood wants," he said. "It's all about the neighborhood." ______________________________________________________________ Bid Item #1 - Site Development / Utilities / Foundation Excavation & Backfill Bid Item #2 - Asphalt Paving Bid Item #3 - Landscaping Bid Item #4 - General Trades / Concrete / Carpentry Bid Item #5 - Masonry Bid Item #6 - Masonry Restoration Bid Item #7 - Structural Steel (Fabrication & Erection) Bid Item #8 - Roofing Bid Item #9 - Aluminum Storefronts, Aluminum Doors, & Glazing Bid Item #10 - Doors, Frames, & Hardware (Supply Only) Bid Item #11 - Metal Studs / Drywall / ACT Ceilings Bid Item #12- Flooring & Base Bid Item #13 - Painting & Drywall Finishing Bid Item #14 - Food Service & Grocery Equipment Bid Item #15 - Mechanical & Plumbing Bid Item #16 - Fire Protection Bid Item #17 - Electrical (inc. Low Voltage, Fire Alarm, and Technology) Project Location: Southeast Urban Grocery Store - 918 E. Pontiac Street Fort Wayne, IN 46806 *A Pre-Bid Conference will be held at 918 E. Pontiac St, Fort Wayne, IN 46806. Please park across the street to the north, in the adjacent lot, and meet on the west side of the project building. The date and time are to be determined and will be issued as part of an update to all bidders at a later date. Project Description a. Construction of a new 2,180 SF single story building addition. This addition will be constructed using a combination of load bearing masonry, structural steel, and engineered wood systems. The addition shall be connected to an existing two-story building currently 9,689 SF. The existing structure is composed of load bearing masonry walls systems, structural concrete decks, and wood I-joists. The Site will receive new asphalt, concrete, fencing, and a new dumpster enclosure. The project space will be outfitted with the required infrastructure, finishes, and equipment to operate a grocery store.