OFFICIAL GROUNDBREAKING OF THE HARRISON SQUARE HOTEL
Link (INC)

“For several months city officials didn’t know for sure that the new hotel would ever get built.

Representatives from the developer White Lodging Services, joined city leaders and banking officials on Monday in commemorating the official start of the project.

The hotel will have 250 rooms, meeting space, and a Champions Sports Bar.

One of the biggest beneficiaries will be the Grand Wayne Center, hungry for more downtown hotel space to attract bigger events.”

Crews break ground on downtown hotel
Project 6 months behind schedule
Link (WANE)

“Coming through at the eleventh hour were seven local banks who decided to put their financial support behind the project. The lead bank is Centier, and along with STAR Financial Bank, Salin Bank, TOWER Bank, First Federal Bank, Grabill Bank, Lake City Bank, and Chase Bank, they were able to grant the financing for the project. Now, construction is underway, putting 50 to 75 people to work every day for the next 16 months. More than half of them local.

“This is a project that’s coming online just at a point when we need the jobs, when we need the economic development,” said former Fort Wayne Mayor Graham Richard, who largely spearheaded the Harrison Square project in it’s conceptual stage during his administration.”

From the DID:

“Every Wednesday in July from 11:30a – 1p, the courtyard at One Summit Square (corner of Wayne and Calhoun) will be tranformed with free live music so that people can take a break from their day and enjoy the summer sunshine and downtown’s beautiful outdoor spaces. Bring your lunch and join us for an “out of office” experience!

Along with great music, attendees can also relax and unwind with our “Health & Wellness Corner” featuring free chair massages by Vital Living Therapeutic Massage , Gyrotonic demonstrations by Pure Movement and special activities each week by St. Joseph Hospital!

The DID is also working with downtown restaurants, asking them to offer boxed lunches for viewers to grab on the go from their office before heading over to the event.

For information on participating restaurants offering boxed lunches and to check out what other bands will be performing at Lunch on the Square, visit the DID website.”

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Aunt Millie’s Bakeries eyeing expansion into Pearl Street downtown
Link (NS)

“A landmark downtown business is planning a $400,000 expansion – if City Council agrees to close the street in front of the plant.

Aunt Millie’s Bakeries, whose huge Sunbeam Bread sign is visible miles from its 350 Pearl St. facility, needs more room to load and unload the huge trucks that deliver raw materials to the plant and distribute its products to stores and other customers. Closing the lightly traveled Pearl Street between Webster and Ewing streets would provide room to load and unload 10 large trucks, according to President John Popp.”

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“Council is expected to conduct a public hearing on the request next month, and Popp said construction could begin this summer. The loading docks would be added along the front of the bakery on Pearl Street, which runs between the building and its parking lot to the south, which would also be improved and landscaped. The bakery’s thrift shop will not be affected by the project, and Popp said the company will seek tax abatements for the project if they are available.”

GREEK FEST 2009
Link (INC)

Start Date: June 25, 2009 – End Date: June 27, 2009

Time: 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m

Location: Headwaters Park

“Enjoy Greek cuisine for lunch and dinner daily along with pastries, baklava sundaes, and coffee. Kids under 12 receive a free hot dog when accompanied by an adult. Visit the Taverna for Greek and domestic beers and wines. Stop by the boutique for unique gifts.
Live music daily starting at 6:00p.m.. Traditional Greek dance performances daily at 12:15 p.m and evenings. Greek cooking demonstrations daily at 1:00 & 4:00 p.m.. Greek dance lessons on Fri & Sat at 2:30 & 3:30 p.m.. Kids rides, a raffle with a grand prize of $1,000, plate throwing, and more!”

From City release:

Mayor Looks to the Future with Cost-Saving Plan for New City Hall
Decision Solves Space Needs, Sets up City and County Efficiency Opportunities

“Reaffirming his pledge to build a more competitive community with a more responsive and effective government, Mayor Tom Henry today presented plans for a new city hall at 200 East Berry Street. The location will bring together City of Fort Wayne operations, including the Fort Wayne Police Department, Neighborhood Code, Fire Department administration and all departments currently housed in the City-County Building, except 911 Communications. It also paves the way for greater city and Allen County cost savings and cooperation benefiting all taxpayers and residents.

“With a new city hall, we are charting a new course for Fort Wayne,” said Mayor Henry. “In these difficult economic times, I am doubly committed to getting the most out of every taxpayer dollar and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective services to every citizen. This is a decision that will help us do both, now and long into the future. Consolidating operations will save money and increase efficiencies. It will also foster new opportunities for cooperation with our county partner, something I am determined to pursue on behalf of all taxpayers.”

The new facility will resolve the city’s growing space challenges and create a one-stop shop for municipal services. The impetus for the decision arose out of the needs of the Fort Wayne Police Department. Housed in a century-old building located at 1320 East Creighton Avenue, the department has outgrown its obsolete, energy-inefficient headquarters. The department is packed into 38,000 square feet of space, but requires approximately 80,000 square feet of space to function optimally. Studies have shown that renovating and expanding the current site would cost $17.3 million, while constructing a new facility would cost $22 million.”

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