FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) — Business leaders launched a campaign, Fort Wayne Next, to promote development in and around downtown Fort Wayne. The campaign's mission is to, "unite citizens, businesses, and leaders in a collaborative effort to transform our city into a thriving, dynamic hub recogni zed nationwide as the number one place to live in the country!" Campaign leaders are estimating to bring in nearly $3 billion in investments to Fort Wayne and Northeast Indiana over the span of 10 years, across five development projects. “Fort Wayne Next will positively impact our riverfront, our downtown, and our neighborhoods,and it will supercharge our progress to becoming a world-class city,” said Eric Doden, one ofthe leaders driving Fort Wayne Next. “The recent momentum in Fort Wayne and NortheastIndiana has earned us national recognition. In an annual, respected national ranking of thebest places to live in the United States, Fort Wayne has gone from unranked as recently as2015 to 20th best place to live today. We believe this bold plan can get us to No. 1.” A project spearheading the campaign is the Riverfront Planned Urban District, a $1.8 billion development. Photo shows rendering of proposed North River Sports Arena.Photo shows rendering of proposed Riverfront Residential area.Photo shows rendering of proposed Riverfront Natatorium. The development will combine a professional soccer stadium, event center, natatorium, and a youth sports complex. The project hopes to connect North River property with property along High Street, Superior Street, and Wells Street. Leaders said that combining several event and entertainment venues in one walkable district, will generate economic value, and improve the quality of time spent in the area for residents. “Multiple event venues adjacent and within walking distance to restaurants, stores, hotels,offices and residential uses are necessary to support the viability of the developments,especially the restaurants, shops, and hotels,” said Chuck Surack of Surack Enterprises. The next phase of redevelopment hopes to include the East Campus at Electric Works. This could include $162 million in renovation of historic buildings, and $130 million for investment in new buildings while providing 1,000-2,000 residential units. The campaign is also aiming to educate leaders on a proposed public trust ownership model, The North River Trust Co. This will be managed by a board of community leaders to ensure that all profits from these projects remain local. The campaign is currently at the beginning stages, hoping to raise awareness for the opportunities of development Fort Wayne Next could offer. To find out more information about the potential projects, head to Fort Wayne Next's website. ...read more read less