FORT WAYNE, Ind.- A lot has changed at the 'City County Building' in the last few months, including the building's name. Monday, it was renamed the 'Edwin J. Rousseau Center' in honor of the former Allen County Commissioner.
Rousseau first took political office in the 1960's. He stayed in politics for 40 years, holding positions including County Councilman, City Councilman and County Commissioner.
Monday his family helped unveil his tribute. "It's a very emotional day. I worked in county government for 25 years with my Dad, so we had a special bond and it's just, it's just wonderful," said Rousseau's daughter, Renee Rousseau-Fishering.
Rousseau had a vision for co-location back in the 1970's. Current county commissioners said it is fitting that the building just recently because the headquarters for both city and county public safety. "I like the comradery on the floors. I wish that we could have put all the county offices in one building, but we don't have a building that large," said County Commissioner, Linda Bloom,
Fort Wayne police and the fire department have moved in to the Rousseau Center and are almost all settled in. Fire Chief, Pete Kelly, says so far the move has helped improved communication between departments. Kelly said "We are already building relationships with other public safety personnel in this building, so I think that's going to be beneficial."
The Allen County Sherriff's Department has yet to move into the Rousseau Center. The spokesperson for the sheriffs department says they should start moving in very soon, and it will take them about a week to get everything moved.
