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“Fort Wayne city officials say they’ve now communicated to the developers out of Atlanta, Barry Real Estate and Hardball Capital, that the city would be willing to allow the space dedicated for residential living to be converted into office space.”

Offices could fill Harrison Square site
Link (WANE)

“In an effort to drum up sales, developer Barry Real Estate has tweaked the design: making the condos bigger, even eliminating a floor. But it hasn’t worked.

“The price point for that particular location has been higher than what it appears our market wants to pay,” Leatherman said.

So why not change the development to lower the price?

“That would conflict with the very nice baseball park and the parking deck and the park that’s there and the new hotel that’s being built,” Leatherman said.”

City open to adding offices to Harrison
Condo project morphs into multiuse building
Link (JG)

““We all still realize the best thing to happen is for more people to live downtown,” Leatherman said. “That doesn’t mean they necessarily have to live right at that spot.”

The project would still have to be of similar quality as Parkview Field and the Courtyard by Marriott that is under construction, Leatherman said, and it would have to support stores and restaurants that bring people downtown after normal business hours.

“What we want more than residential for that area are things that bring people downtown,” he said.”

LEGAL ACTION AGAINST HARRISON SQUARE DEVELOPERS WRONG MOVE: CITY REDEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Link (INC)

“Greg Leatherman/Ft. Wayne Redevelopment Director: ” Those things are still within our rights under the agreement, but at this point, we don’t believe that that’s the best way to successfully launch a project that will complement the hotel, the ballpark and the parking garage.”
The developers are required under their contract to make a minimum 14.5 million dollar investment, but Leatherman suggests that might be subject to some re-negotiation in an effort to encourage the project moving ahead.”

TinCaps Break Season Attendance Record
Through just 61 games TinCaps welcome 322,995th fan, surpass previous franchise record (318,506) with nine home games still remaining

“The Fort Wayne TinCaps welcomed 7,025 fans to Parkview Field on Sunday, August 16th – the 7th sellout in the last 12 games – bringing the season attendance total to 322,995. With nine home games left to play, the TinCaps have already surpassed the previous season attendance record of 318,506 set in 1993, the first year of Minor League Baseball in Fort Wayne.

“This is certainly a milestone for the franchise,” said TinCaps Team President, Mike Nutter. “It is a testament to the hard working men and women that I have the privilege to work with. They come to work each day dedicated to providing each and every person that walks into Parkview a first class experience. We can feel the energy in the ballpark and being at Parkview Field is as much fun for us as it is for the fans. This has been a tremendous first year and we still have more baseball left to play.”

The TinCaps current homestand continues on Monday, August 17 and Tuesday, August 18 as well as four games next weekend beginning Thursday, August 20 and running through Sunday, August 23.

“We still have four fireworks shows, three Thirsty Thursdays, and a Family Feast Night left on the schedule,” said Nutter. “On top of that the Midwest League Playoffs begin at home on September 10th. We have plenty of baseball excitement and entertainment still in store for fans this season.””

It’s worse when the noise coming from the street outside is the destruction of good urbanism:

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS UP FOR PASSAGE

S-09-07-19
AN ORDINANCE approving construction contract, Calhoun Street Streetscape Conversion – Board of Public Works
Total cost of $1,006,300

www.rootsandrhythm.org

Saturday, August 15. 2009
Headwaters Park, 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Fort Wayne, Indiana

Tickets
Pre-sale – $20
@ Gate – $25
Ages 10 & under Free with adult
Ages 11 – 15 – $10 only w/adult
Festival Seating. Bring your blankets and lawnchairs. Sorry, no coolers.

“The 2009 Roots & Rhythm at the Headwaters is set! August 15, 2009. Time is 2 pm. Bands this year are The Freight
Hoppers, Arvel Bird & the Fred Rothert Band, The Goldmine Pickers, PT Gazell, Huckleberry Blue and Ty Causey.
And it’s all for a good cause.

Proceeds from the concert benefit Vincent Village, a non-profit organization that provides housing and other services to homeless families and children.

Food by Albright’s Deli, beverages by Mad Anthony Brewing Co.”

“In a 5-2 preliminary vote, the council approved hiring Hipskind Concrete for $1 million to change Calhoun between Washington Boulevard and Berry Street from a one-way northbound route to allow two-way traffic.”

[...]

“John Urbahns, director of community development, argued the city’s plan for Calhoun has not dramatically changed since it was first proposed in 2006 – it was estimated to cost $700,000 at the time. He said the street can’t be changed simply by adding some signs and repainting the stripes because of traffic concerns.

Delivery trucks frequently stop on Calhoun to provide goods to area businesses, and the city’s plan includes space for them to park. The plan also includes left-turn lanes, preventing traffic from backing up at intersections. The city would remove all the existing planters and trees on Calhoun, and much of the sidewalk. New trees would be installed closer to the street but with more underground space to grow. Smaller planters would also be added along Calhoun.

While the sidewalks would be narrower after construction, Urbahns argued there would be more usable space because of better placement of trees. Shoaff argued the current placement of trees and planters is what makes those blocks so special. Several people in the audience applauded Shoaff’s arguments.”

Construction on Calhoun moves forward
Link (WANE)

“The current Calhoun street has 50 trees. The new version will have five less. Plus, tall street lights will be replaced by lower ones.

“Calhoun street right now is lovely. I mean, it’s a very charming little street,” said Goldner. “However, I think the city’s plan will also be very attractive and provides as much sidewalk space as we currently have.”

Opponents have given council signed petitions opposing the construction. But council members who voted in favor of the contract are standing by their decision.

Council will have a final vote next week. Construction is expected to start late August.”

S-09-07-19
AN ORDINANCE approving Construction Contract #7203-2008, Calhoun Street Streetscape Conversion between Hipskind Concrete and the City of Fort Wayne, Indiana, in connection with the Board of Public Works

Total cost of $ 1,006,300.00

Jeff Pruitt of Fort Wayne Politics captured the above picture along Calhoun Street today.