Final Harrison Square bids high
City confident project will stay on budget, finish on schedule
Link (JG)

“The Fort Wayne Redevelopment Commission on Thursday opened bids for two contracts for the $130 million downtown development: stormwater pump station with retaining wall and a streetscape package, including the construction of a public park.

Hamilton Hunter Builders Inc., of Fort Wayne, was the apparent low bidder for the streetscape contract. The company bid just more than $3 million for the project estimated to cost $2.85 million.

Greg Leatherman, executive director of redevelopment, said the contract includes curbs, sidewalks and beautification around the stadium. Although the bid was slightly over budget, he said the city has recently added some features to the streetscape to make it a more attractive project. He said this was only possible because other areas of the project will be done for less than expected.”

[...]

“Gerig Ottenweller Contracting LLC was the apparent low bidder for the stormwater pump station and concrete retaining wall bid. The city estimated the project to cost $744,000, and the company bid $785,000.

Leatherman said even with the higher bids, he wasn’t concerned about the project’s costs, saying the city still had almost $2 million in contingency money for unexpected overruns. He said the ballpark should be constructed on time and on budget.”

Related:
Ballpark Related Bids Opened Today

Also:

Tax Abatement for Harrison Square Hotel Will be Debated
Link (INC)

“A public hearing is coming up Tuesday regarding tax abatements for one component of the development.

Economic development officials in Mayor Tom Henry’s administration are asking Fort Wayne City Council members to ratify a tax abatement on the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel project, that would give the owners of the hotel what amounts to a three million dollar tax break.

The hearing affords the chance to get input from the public on the proposed tax break.”

[...]

“Redevelopment Director Greg Leatherman says council would be making a big mistake to pull back on the abatement.

Director Greg Leatherman/Ft. Wayne Redevelopment: ” We would be going back on the development agreement that we have signed. It says we will be providing them with tax abatement in the development agreement. While I’m not a lawyer, I would think that they might have grounds for deciding they don’t have to go forward with constructing the hotel because we didn’t meet our obligations.”

Leatherman says without the hotel, the money isn’t there to fund the public components of the project; the stadium and parking garage.

Leatherman also says the cost to each individual taxpayer of providing the hotel a tax abatement is practically nothing, while the benefit to the hotel operators would be substantial.”