Hi, I'm Ed Leon.

Welcome to the 260 where we cover life and community in Northeast Indiana.

On this episode, Fort Waynes proposed Anchor Resource Center.

Why supporters and critics can't agree on this solution to serve the homeless.

Celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival and a unique ADA compliance, sensory friendly entertainment venue that's open to all.

It's all right now on the 260.

Fort Wayne's proposed Anchor Resource center for the homeless has become one of the city's most contentious issues.

Supporters say it could bring vital services and order to a problem already visible on our streets.

Opponents say the downtown location raises legitimate questions about public safety, development and financial viability.

Here to discuss where we stand on the issue is Devan Filchak, Metro and enterprise editor for the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette.

Welcome back to the 260 Devan.

Thank you for having me.

So the city is acknowledging that we have a problem, right.

And this they've proposed this center.

The mayor thinks it's the right plan at the right time.

It is a low barrier center.

And that is part of the the controversy.

What constitutes a low barrier center?

So the low barrier center means that essentially they will accept they've said any men, women and children, which already makes it different from some shelters because they serve a specific population.

But it also removes some of the barriers that keep them out of other facilities, such as criminal charges and things like that.

So what what are those services that are going on in there.

In the resource center?

They're going to have a lot of services so people can, you know, charge their phones, use a bathroom, shower, some of those services, and then they'll also have other resources, like other nonprofits who can connect them to medical care and some of these other things.

Yeah, I mean, I wrote it down because I think that's important.

You know, there's going to be mail and phone communication because people who are homeless have a hard time getting jobs, applying and getting jobs if they don't have a permanent address, right?

So this can be their permanent address.

There's lockers.

There's the parking is important to, right.

Because some people live in their cars and and they need a safe place to park.

And then of course they get the showers and the hygiene.

And then there's other onsite agencies that will be in the resource center, right.

Helping the homeless people.

Yeah.

So I think that will be a huge component of this is it was kind of build originally or referred to as a shelter.

And it's way more than that.

And beds won't even come to the picture until later.

And the it's going to prohibit drugs and alcohol on the property.

But opponents say that's kind of that's kind of Pollyanna thinking, right, that it's going to attract that in the neighborhood?

Yeah, but honestly, it seems like these people are already in the neighborhood because many of them are getting services at the rescue mission and other locations.

But yeah, that definitely has been a major concern.

Because the center is supposed to coordinate services rather than, you know, replace services.

So the location is also a big sticking point, right?

What is wrong with that location?

In the eyes of critics, what is wrong with the location at 333 East Washington?

Yeah.

So a lot of what critics have talked about is that this area was already hit pretty hard when the rescue mission moved and expanded to a bigger location about a block away.

So they're saying that they really can't afford to get hit like this again.

But of course, the supporters think it's the right place because of its proximity to those services.

Right.

And when you say get hit, you mean bringing homeless people into that neighborhood?

Yeah.

And possibly making other businesses not want to come into the area as well and flourish like other parts of downtown?

Right.

Right.

What are the what are the supporters backing?

Why do they say that's the right place?

Yeah, the supporters really like that.

It is close to those other services, but also that it's an area where they could get the land for a decent price, start their renovation and get these services going as fast as possible.

And the mayor saying that it's going to actually bring people inside.

So basically off the streets because they're going to be inside the center.

Yes, I know some of the horror stories that I've heard is people even using the bathroom on the street.

So, so many things like that.

This could theoretically prevent.

And the, the opponents, what are their main, their main issues?

Yeah.

So the biggest thing is the location itself.

But also there are safety concerns and the proximity to schools like Saint Paul's has a private school that's pretty nearby and sex offenders using the center.

So if the location is an issue were other locations considered.

Yeah, they looked at, I believe the mayor said more than 40 other locations.

And during some of this public comment period, others have been suggested as well.

So they released a full kind of analysis as to why some of those other locations wouldn't work as well as this one.

This center is not I mean, we didn't make it up from whole cloth.

This has been modeled from other cities, including Lafayette.

How does that experiment gone?

Yeah.

So in Lafayette, it sounds like they've been going for, I think, about three years and they've run into some troubles.

I know that people have really credited it for some of the issues in that area, and even just the condition of the building and some things like that.

But the mayor has assured us that they've learned lessons from that as well, and that it's not going to be like an exact replication.

Some of the other debate comes around money and how this is being funded.

How is it being funded?

Yeah.

So the city will own the building.

So the $2.7 million that they've asked from city council to use would be used for the renovation and or part of the renovation and the purchase of the land.

But the actual operations will be funded by the new nonprofit Angkor Resource Center.

And they already have pledges from philanthropic organizations to cover the first three years.

Some opponents have said that that budget is unrealistic, and that it's kind of underfunded.

Is that the mayor pushed back on that.

Yeah, she's tried to assure people that it is funded, but I know there are concerns that if they end up short on funding, that that would come back to taxpayers.

But Sharon Tucker has, you know, really pledged that taxpayer dollars will not go toward operating the center.

Right.

Why is the building being purchased?

Could it be leased?

Is there are there other options that that have come out?

I'm not sure about leasing, but I know they're going to have to do some really major renovations, which would make owning the building really beneficial in this situation.

So what's next in this in this center's life lifeline?

Yeah.

So on September 1st, coming up next week, September 1st, the City council will make their final decision on that funding use.

And if the funding is approved, they'll move forward with the plan.

And if it's not approved, Tucker is said that they will just have to find another way to offer these types of services, but they won't all be in one center like they currently are planned.

Yeah, the need is not going to disappear.

It is not.

All right.

We'll be watching the story and the reporting in the Journal Gazette.

You can read more at.

JournalGazette.Net/260 We have our own URL.

All right.

Thanks a lot.

Devan Thank you.

Every Labor Day weekend, the city of Auburn turns into one of the world's premier destinations for automotive enthusiasts.

This year marks the 70th annual Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival, celebrating the innovation, craftsmanship, design, that made Auburn synonymous with luxury automobiles more than a classic car show.

The festival generates significant tourism for Northeast Indiana, attracts visitors from around the globe, and preserves a unique chapter of American manufacturing history.

Here to fill us in on this year's event is Alyssa Wellington, director of Marketing and Communication at the ACD Museum.

Welcome to the 260.

Thanks for having me.

Oh, 70th anniversary of this thing.

Tell me a bit about what we're going to see.

Why is the festival such a spectacular thing?

The festival is stunning.

I feel like it brings in so many people from all over the world.

At the museum, we bring in about 40,000 visitors per year.

But during the festival alone, it's about 29,000 people that will grace our doors specifically.

But there's hundreds of ACD vehicles that will come out.

There's a huge car show and a car park and a big parade and cruise in, so it's a really magnificent time to be in Auburn.

Talk a little bit about the legacy of the Auburn Motor Company.

What made it a unique, such a unique time and brand and experience here in Northeast Indiana?

Yes.

So during the early 1900s, car manufacturing was starting to boom.

Right.

And I think that during that time, a lot of people were used to horse and buggy, and they had to convince people that cars were the thing.

And the Auburn Automobile Company was just full of innovative minds that could get people excited about these big, scary machines.

But more importantly, especially being the director of marketing, I think the way they marketed those vehicles during that time was significant.

You can you can appreciate them, right?

The marketing.

Let's talk.

Each of the brands had a little bit of a different personality, right.

Yeah.

Let's talk about each of them.

What was a cord like?

So a cord was a little more higher end I would say a little more elegant, especially the L 29, which is known for being the first front wheel drive car ever.

I think that makes it just stand out in time on its own in terms of even the Auburn automobile.

So it was Auburn, the kind of the entry model.

Yeah.

And I would say the Auburn automobile was more for everyday people, a little more affordable, little more family friendly, things like that.

Okay.

And then the Duesenberg.

So Duesenberg is your all time luxury vehicle.

I would say more into the Hollywood stars and pivotal public figures own Duesenbergs more than, say, someone like me, a normal lady.

Well, some of these cars, they look like rolling sculptures, right?

What is the what's the allure for collectors of these cars?

Oh, I think it depends on each model prospectively.

Right.

So Duesenbergs I think because they have that high luxury view, but also they their engines are fantastic.

They have straight 8s in there.

So they're loud.

They're fast.

They're hitting over 100mph during their time.

I think that is just a big deal for collectors, especially if they're into racing or things like that, just with Auburns and Cords, because they were so innovative and coming up with new things that weren't even thought of at the time.

I think collectors can... What are some of those examples of those things.

So, so like hidden headlights or the front wheel drive that I mentioned previously, even the the strange design of a cord.

810, 812 with the coffin nose and the hidden radiator, that was big for the time, because back then a lot of those things were kind of more exposed.

What what do you think led to the decline of of the Auburn Motor Company?

So I really think that, you know, they they closed down in 1937 entirely and all of their factories.

So in Auburn and Connersville and in Indianapolis.

So during that time, I was just at that peak of kind of the Great Depression.

And because a lot of their models were luxury, it kind of phased out a little bit.

Sure, sure.

Is it difficult to keep up one of these cars now in this day and age in finding parts and do parts get like made secondhand for, for these cars?

So sometimes I think the most beautiful thing about these cars are the collectors, especially people at the ACD club and the ACD festival and how everybody is connected to the museum.

We are lucky enough to have a volunteer pit crew at the museum that is there to help restore these vehicles and get them roadworthy again, and I think because we have such a great network with the ACD club and the festival, that we're able to get parts because everyone kind of switches and trades and swaps and we get people donating parts only to the museum.

And I think even outside of the museum, that that network is still available for people to communicate with any within each other and find out what they need.

Ed: And that makes a lot of sense, right?

If you want to, if you have something and you donate it to the museum because you know, it's very specific, very specific use for for the people that have these cars.

The parade of classics is a big part of the festival.

Talk about that.

Why that's special.

Alyssa: So the Parade of Classics, I think is amazing.

It starts at the museum and goes all the way downtown into Auburn.

And I think it can we I always talk about the museum itself being a time machine.

You step in, you get to go.

Back in the 1930s into the original Auburn automobile showroom.

But I think it's so fun to see the parade happening because it's like you get to be transformed to the 30s in Auburn, being able to see all these cars together in in with the historic buildings and seeing all the people dressed up and things like that.

So it's really highlighting just kind of the best of the best that's out there right now.

We welcome everybody to come out and even kind of building a really great community of people that enjoy and appreciate these cars.

Yeah, it's a scene, right?

Yeah, it really is definitely a scene.

It's also a big driver in Auburn.

I mean, traditionally, this time of year brings in a lot of people for the local economy.

Yeah.

Like I said, we we get about 29,000 visitors that come through our doors.

And that's something we can track readily.

But the whole town of Auburn is buzzing during that time.

I mean, from downtown businesses up to other museums that we have in the area too.

Ed: Do you you know, you work at the museum, you're around these cars, is there?

What is special about this brand that can still resonate in today's day and age?

Alyssa: So I really think that's important to understand that these cars, it's all about it's all about the people.

And being the Auburn Automobile Company in the original building that started in, there are descendants that still live in Auburn with the Auburn workers and the people that are related to the people that work there.

So you start with that connection of people from then to now, with the owners and the people that come through for the festival.

I think the most beautiful thing is the connection to all the people it has, and I think that's super special.

Do younger generations start to appreciate these cars when they discover them?

Yeah, the real beautiful thing.

We just took a 1930 Duesenberg Model J to the Concours d'Elegance in South Bend, and they have a junior judging section.

So we sat in our CEO and executive director, Brandon Anderson, talked to all these little kids.

And these kids were like, I don't know, maybe 6 to 12 or something like that.

I don't remember the exact age range, but they were little, that's all.

Sometimes I look at somebody and I'm like, are they three?

Are they 12?

I don't know if.

You've lost that ability.

I lose that sometimes.

Yeah.

So but it was it was really cool because Brandon was able to get them excited about this old car.

And, you know, he asked if they wanted to hear him rev it up.

And they were like, yeah, they're all excited.

And they're like, oh, it's loud.

And they're like, oh, but the smell, they love the smell of the crisp, clean gasoline smell.

The sound of the of a Duesenberg straight eight engine is just it's so cool because you don't hear that and you wouldnt expect that from a car from the 1930s.

But it's smooth.

It's it's it's roaring, but it's very smooth and clean.

And the cool thing was, is that our Duesenberg ended up winning the junior judges award.

So I think that's kind of a testament to us appealing to younger generations.

I can I can hear the passion coming from you.

You grew up around cars.

Like not these type of cars.

So I grew up around cars are probably more in the 50s, 60s to the 70s.

I grew up in Detroit around Detroit, Michigan, and my dad has always been a big hot rod guy, and his friends were collectors.

And so I was like 6 or 7 riding around in old Corvettes and Mustangs and things.

What's it like to ride in a Duesenberg?

Oh, well, you know, everybody always wants to ride in a Duesenberg.

And like I mentioned, with that crisp sound and the smooth engine, it's it's a really fine experience.

I actually rode in the rumble seat at the concourse, and you would think in the rumble seat in the back, you'd just be bouncing everywhere.

But it was so smooth and so comfortable.

The seats are super comfortable.

I can understand why it was a luxury luxury vehicle of its time.

Awesome.

Thank you so much for all that all that information.

The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival runs September 3rd through the sixth with some pre festival activities beginning the weekend before Labor Day.

Learn more at ACDFestival.org Thank you so much for being on the 260.

Inside a quiet Fort Wayne neighborhood sits something truly unexpected.

A private entertainment venue where the lights can dim for sensory sensitive guests.

Adaptive ramps help everyone play, and the mission is much bigger than just recreation.

It's called House of pins, and I'm joined by its co-founder and co-owner, Sarah McMillan.

Sarah, welcome to the 260.

Thank you for having me.

You know, when I ran across House of Pins, I had never heard of anything like this.

Please describe exactly what it is.

Okay, so we're a 4,500 square foot building that's actually attached to the back of our house.

And inside we've got two full lane bowling alley.

We've got billiards, we've got a kitchen, we've got air hockey, foosball, but karaoke.

And we also have a sensory room.

So a lot of different activities inside.

Ed: And it's designed for whom.

So it's designed for all abilities.

So we want no one to be left out.

So it's conducive for special needs handicap, any ability that walks through that door.

And you you made it this way by design.

What?

Talk to us.

About what?

What led you down to the path to... Towards House of Pins.

Sarah: Our why?

Ed: Yeah.

Yes, why?

Sarah: So our why is very personal.

We're we're a blended family.

So my step son, he has autism.

And so he's definitely a great part of the vision and the passion behind.

Because as a family, being able to go to a recreational center was definitely something that is an obstacle for us.

And and then truly a huge fire behind the passion is our son Brody.

So my husband and I had a son.

He was diagnosed with Trey Cilmi, 18, in in Utero and it was a non-viable diagnosis.

But we were tremendously blessed by God that we got to have him for five weeks.

And so when we saw this as an opportunity to be able to include and create more accessibility.

And so for me, I have found that since we've been working as a nonprofit, how much being able to see as a mom that, you know, he's not here.

And so being able to parent on earth when he's, you know, not here, this has been just a tremendous way of being able to advocate for the community with special needs and being able to provide different opportunities that maybe be harder to be able to have access to.

When parents come in and they bring their children, what what do they say to you?

Do they?

Because it must be it must be unique for them to have this opportunity.

Yes.

So we we serve all ages to adults as probably our biggest population, because we're in the community with special needs.

There's way less out there for them to be able to be involved in.

So I mean, it's pretty awesome.

We definitely get the wow, how did this happen?

And, and and through that doors, your living room?

What?

And definitely driving through the neighborhood it already is catching people off guard.

And so it's just been tremendous here.

I you know, talking about Brody was extremely painful and difficult and was not something that I divulged or talked about very much.

And here God gave us this amazing opportunity.

And families are walking through the door and and I'm getting this opportunity of their like, how did this.

And then I do get to say the why.

So it's just been amazing how I'm getting to talk more about my son and have the courage to do that.

But then in that being able to channel that grief into the joy and being able to provide different programs for, for our guests.

Thank you for having that courage here today on the 260 that's so, so perfect.

Talk a little bit about some of the adaptive features that people might not understand or notice, you know, when you walk in.

Yes.

So we we rent to the general public and then we are a nonprofit.

And so everybody has access to those resources, those adaptive resources.

So of course we're ADA compliant.

And then in addition to that we have dimmers, we have headphones.

We have wrist guards for bowling, We have ramps.

We have wheelchair accessible activities.

And then we have sensory swings for every every height, every weight and trampoline sensory board.

We also use a peck system.

So if we have nonverbal that want to be able to use steps on being able to have those picture visuals to bowl or play pool or karaoke, we've got all of those to be able to help them, guide them to do that.

And you could do all those things.

We do.

We also have a lot we do, we teach even pickleball, and we do a lot of different programs that are not even in our parking lot, that we we utilize it to be able to just.

Yeah.

When when you see families, they're having a good time and enjoying themselves.

Does it bring you back to to Brody?

Oh my gosh, yes, very much so.

And what's great is being able also a lot of families they can stay.

We have a lot of rec therapists and behavioral therapists that come and many of them drop them off.

And so I get this an amazing opportunity to build an intimate relationship.

And we want that relationship to continue so I can best support them and our volunteers.

And so that intimate relationship creates just an ultimate joy and a place to put that grieve, to see them their smiles, see what they're capable of doing, doing, and definitely seeing a lot of different disabilities that come in that my son would have had, did, have, and had he lived.

So to see them accomplish and to see them see their value and how much they can give back and what they're capable of, it shows that if Brody was here, he could have been doing that too.

Wow.

What do you hope that people feel when they walk through the doors of House of Pin?

Number one value and number one that when you walk through that door diagnosis, stay outside.

There's no diagnosis.

And we are very determined and passionate about helping to break down those barriers and change that paradigm shift.

We want each and everyone to see that they're they're there goals, their dreams, they're limitless, that they have an opportunity.

And and in all activities that we do, we really try to also find activities that challenge them in different ways that may necessarily they've experienced before so they can see they are capable to see they don't fit in a box and to see that, you know, it's also a communication to the, you know, our community that, you know, when we hold, when we decide what the bar is for them, then that's where it's going to stay.

But if we give that and empower them, that leads to their further independence and confidence to be able to do so much more.

That is amazing.

You were doing amazing work here in the 260 Sarah.

Sarah McMillan, House of Pins.

Thank you.

Come back, come back.

Thank you for having me.

I would love to keep track of how you doing.

I appreciate it.

Thank you so much.

We'll be back.

That is all the time we have for this episode.

I will see you next time on the 260.