VW Forward: Renovations could begin in early August This map shows the three areas (in dark pink) included in Phase 1 of the Van Wert Forward downtown development project. DAVE MOSIER/ independent editor The Van Wert Forward downtown development project is still… um… moving forward, with the exciting news that major work is tentatively set to begin on buildings in Phase 1 this August. On Friday, those Van Wert County Foundation (VWCF) staff members actively working on the downtown project — Executive Secretary Seth Baker, Development Manager Amanda Miller, and Property Manager Hall Block — sat down to talk about various aspects of the work, including what has occurred and what is likely to occur in the relatively near future.