Harrison-area improvements OK’d
City to spend $1.5 million on water, sewer upgrades
Link (JG)

“The city will spend an extra $1.5 million to upgrade the infrastructure around Harrison Square to make the area ready for development.

The Fort Wayne Redevelopment Commission on Monday approved spending $1.55 million on sewer, water and stormwater improvements downtown.

Greg Leatherman, executive director of redevelopment, said the work is in addition to the $1 million of utility work being paid by City Utilities as part of its contribution to the $130 million Harrison Square development.”

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“The work will separate storm sewers from the sanitary sewers, which is expected to reduce basement backups in the area, he said. It also is expanding water capacity for future growth. The work is being done on Ewing Street, Brackenridge Street and Jefferson Boulevard. The work has necessitated the closing of some lanes on Jefferson.

Leatherman said he is hopeful the work will be completed this year. The $1.5 million agreement has the commission repaying City Utilities for the work over five years beginning this December.

The commission is using money from the Jefferson Pointe tax increment district to finance the utility work. Leatherman said while this is a new expense, it is still within the original financial guidelines of the project.

He said half of the revenue from the special taxing district will still be available for other projects, which was promised when Harrison Square was pitched to the Fort Wayne City Council.”

$1.55M approved to develop stadium area
Commission also OKs city ownership of downtown ballpark liquor license
Link (NS)

“From within, Commission Executive Director Greg Leatherman said he recently discovered state law allows the city to own the stadium’s liquor license. The commission approved city ownership for the license. Hardball Capital, the Atlanta-based owner of the Wizards, was originally slated to hold the license. Its role will now be limited to managing the stadium’s alcohol sales.

Cost for the permit is about $1,000, Leatherman said.

From outside Harrison Square, the commission approved spending an additional $1.55 million in tax increment financing (TIF) money to encourage development around the $125 million downtown revitalization project.”