next to Fort Wayne, but we are not Fort Wayne,” emphasizes Mayor Steven McMichael. “It’s a really strong small town situated right next to a larger community that offers all the arts and entertainment and shopping that comes with that.” EMBRACING HERITAGE AND TRANSFORMATION New Haven’s identity is deeply connected to its history as a transportation hub. “Our story is a story of transformation through transportation,” portrays Mayor McMichael.The city’s main street tells the tale, beginning with the Maumee River, once a passage for Native Americans, followed by the Wabash and Erie Canal, which played a major role in early 19thcentury commerce. Moving south, the Nickel Plate and Wabash railroads mark the age of steam locomotives, and today, Norfolk Southern’s rail hub showcases the city’s continued role in transportation. Further south, Lincoln Highway, the first transcontinental highway in the U.S., represents yet another layer of connectivity. “Our community was built on transportation. We’re proud of that heritage,” McMichael boasts. New Haven is embracing this heritage through community art installations and cultural initiatives designed to celebrate its legacy. “We’ve added additional community events, and I think there’s a better sense of place, which is part of the reason why people are moving here,” he says. GROWTH IN HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT A significant focus has been on housing development to accommodate New Haven’s growing population. “We’re seeing a large influx of people that either live in Fort Wayne and want to live in a quieter place, or live in the surrounding communities, particularly in Northwest Ohio, and work in Fort Wayne. They want to be closer, but they don’t necessarily want to live there,” McMichael outlines. As a former real estate broker, the mayor understands the importance of providing diverse housing options. “I knew that the way to unleash New Haven’s potential was to really leverage the fact that we are close to Fort Wayne, and we are more of a bedroom 155 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 03 NEW HAVEN, IN
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