Park officials hope to preserve the arch at the old Franklin School (Dean Jackson/WOWO)

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): The transformation of the former Franklin School property into a park has officially begun.

Local leaders were on hand Thursday afternoon to break ground on the first phase of the $760,000 design, construction, and arch restoration of Franklin School Park. 

Tim Hallman is a pastor at nearby Anchor Community Church. He says the area around the park is at a tipping point, and he hopes the park is just the beginning of the area's transformation. “Infrastructure development, new sidewalks, new streets, new sewers, new economic development opportunities that fit our neighborhood,” Hallman told WOWO News. “Trying to bring neighbors together. As police say, there's only so much they can do to keep us safe. The real way to keep a neighborhood safe is to help neighbors take care of neighbors.”

The first phase of Franklin School Park on St. Mary's Avenue is expected to be complete by summer 2016.