FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): There was a public meeting last night to give Fort Wayne residents a glimpse of the future.

The City showed off its riverfront development plans, including a look at what the downtown riverfront should look like by the time work is done in mid-to-late 2018. Riverfront Fort Wayne Director of Programming and Events, Allison Gerardot, says there’s a big opportunity for growth through the project.

“If we’re talking about numbers, including the Three Rivers Festival (and other activities), we’re already seeing over 400,000 people participating in events on the Riverfront in Fort Wayne,” she said. “I think really growing upon that momentum is a really exciting thing.”

A total of eight parts of both of the north and south sides of the St. Mary’s River will be developed. Construction is expected to start in mid-to-late 2017 and is expected to cost around $20-million.