Residents of neighborhoods near the former Frances Slocum Elementary School opposing the property's redevelopment into 43 units of multifamily housing said Monday they would picket Parkview Health's Fort Wayne hospital campuses today and Wednesday.

In the third weekly meeting since the Slocum Pointe project's approval last month, residents said they would take their cause directly to the property owner of record, Parkview, which called the site in the 2500 block of Curdes Avenue the Lougheed Center and used it for offices.

Residents said they would picket between 7:30 and 9 a.m. today and Wednesday and 4:30 to 6 p.m. today in front of the Parkview facility at East State Boulevard and Randallia Drive and/or at the entrance to Parkview Regional Medical Center off East Dupont Road.

The idea is to solicit Parkview's help in maintaining the character of the north-side single-family home neighborhood, said Matt Kelty, a one-time Republican candidate for mayor who led the meeting and suggested the picketing as a way of getting administrators' attention.

About 200 people – up from about 15 at the first meeting – attended the meeting at the Lions Park pavilion to convey their sentiments to State Rep. Bob Morris, R-84th, and Dave Heine, R-85th.

The meeting was also attended by Fort Wayne City Council President John Crawford, R-at large; Paul Ensley, R-1st District, and Russ Jehl, R-2nd District, who was greeted by a sign reading, “Why have Parkview and Russ Jehl sold us out” backing the microphone.

Jehl, in a previous meeting, said there was not much that could be done in that the land long has been zoned for multifamily use and the development plan was passed by local authorities.

Morris said he was there to listen but wanted residents to think about what they would want to see happen at the site.

Suggestions included apartments for senior citizens, a school or library, shelving the second building and adding onto the school instead, more green space and more on-site parking.

Residents voiced concerns the high density of the property will make nearby property values go down and will increase crime, traffic, sewer and parking woes.

Saying he would take neighbors' concerns to Parkview administrators, Morris at one point tried to broker a meeting between administrators and some neighbors Wednesday morning in lieu of picketing. He said he knew administrators would rather not see signs.

However, several neighbors said they wanted to continue raising public awareness through demonstrations before the area's next neighborhood association at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Planned then are speakers representing Parkview and the developers, the nonprofit anti-poverty agency Brightpoint and Keller Development of Fort Wayne.

In a brief interview with The Journal Gazette, Jehl said he understood the sign as neighbors venting. “The neighborhood is frustrated,” he said.

“The only thing I can do now is empower them to meet with the stakeholders and get their views known.”

rsalter@jg.net