Members OK deal to sell Scottish Rite, shrine site
Link (JG)

“Hanning & Bean Enterprises Inc. has made an offer to purchase the Scottish Rite Center and the neighboring Mizpah Shrine building, Mizpah Shrine’s leader said Thursday. The two buildings sit on West Berry Street, bordered by Ewing Street and Fairfield Avenue.

Mizpah Shrine’s members voted to accept the offer Wednesday, Potentate Larry Chapel said. He declined to disclose the price.”

[...]

“Chapel declined to say how Hanning & Bean intends to use the building, referring comment on that issue to the firm. The way Hanning & Bean presented the offer would allow the firm to transfer ownership to another business, he said.

Visitors touring downtown often point out the Scottish Rite’s zigzag-patterned brick façade, said Angie Quinn, executive director of preservation group ARCH Inc. The building hosts theater productions, wedding receptions and other events.

The auditorium, which opened in 1928, is a historic part of the downtown landscape, Quinn said.”

[...]

“The service organization, which raises money for children’s orthopedic and burn hospitals, would like to move to a single-story structure to accommodate its aging membership, he said. The group also wants the new location to be more accessible to members who live throughout the region. While the Shriners look for a new home, Chapel said they hope to rent their current space from Hanning & Bean.

The property has “been the heart of downtown for a long time,” Chapel said, “and as far as we know it will continue to be a part of downtown.””

Hanning & Bean buying Scottish Rite, Shrine properties
Link (GFWBW)

“The purchase would include the Scottish Rite auditorium at 431 W. Berry St., the parking lot across the street, the Mizpah Shrine headquarters at Berry and Ewing streets and that organization’s building along Main Street. No buildings are expected to be torn down as a result of the sale.”

[...]

“Allen County property-tax records state the appraised value of the Shrine’s land and building, at 407 W. Berry St., was $588,400 in March 2007. The Scottish Rite auditorium, at 431 W. Berry St., had an appraised value of $2.3 million the same year. The appraised values were used for property-tax purposes, but both buildings were exempt from property taxes.

Chapel said Shrine members expect to talk with Bean about leasing at least a portion of the building while the group searches for a new home. Chapel said the Shrine could remain at its downtown location for another year or two.”

[...]

“Historic preservation group ARCH has placed the properties on its endangered list because they are for sale and their use could change. The entire block is part of the city’s historic district in the West Central neighborhood.”

“The city scheduled a public information session Thursday evening to gather input on its plans to make it easier to travel by foot and bicycle in the city’s south-central region.

Heather Pressley, deputy director of community development, said the effort arose from the city’s desire to connect the Renaissance Pointe housing development to downtown. The project includes the 36 block area near downtown bordered by Hanna Street, Creighton Avenue, South Anthony Boulevard and Pontiac Street. It has the capacity for 400 new homes and 100 rehabilitated homes.

But as city leaders examined the area, they found a more comprehensive approach was necessary. The plan calls for connecting numerous areas in the city’s core, including Renaissance Pointe, downtown and Harrison Square.

Pam Holocher of the city’s planning department said it is becoming more important to residents to be able to walk and bike to different places. While those activities were once thought of strictly as recreation, she said rising fuel prices means they are now becoming important modes of transportation.”

City explores idea of new biking/walking trail
Link (WANE)

“An Indianapolis-based architecture and planning firm is launching a feasibility study to see what it would take to link Renaissance Pointe with Harrison Square.

In this first phase, developers will study how much it would cost and who would pay for it - and whether the concept would work for people who live in those areas.

Landscape architect Meg Storrow says there are challenges. “I think the hard part is how do you fit a new idea into an existing place and how you can visualize that. People are so used to using their car to get around.”

The bike/pedestrian trail could also connect to the River Greenway - and beyond. But for now, it’s far from a done deal.

“It will depend on the will of the people to make it happen and I see a lot of interest,” explains Storrow.

The feasibility study should wrap up next month.”

“But the hiring of Coldwell Banker Roth Wehrly Graber as the condo project’s real estate brokerage is troubling precisely because it was so sensible. With sales languishing – I first reported problems four months ago – why did it take until now for supposedly savvy people to do something as obvious as including the condos on real estate Multiple Listing Services, exposing the project to a wider audience and giving thousands of Realtors an incentive to sell the condos by qualifying for a commission?

It’s true that the Fort Wayne Area Association of Realtors didn’t allow MLS listings for projects on which work has not yet begun until Roth Wehrly requested it. But Karan Flick, the association’s CEO, said the condos’ previous broker, Martin Goldstine Knapke, never requested the change, which Flick said was approved this week “to promote the community.” Martin is a Fort Wayne company known mostly for commercial and industrial real estate; Roth Wehrly handles mostly residential projects – which, of course, condos are.”

[...]

“Leatherman may have unwittingly illustrated the marketers’ dilemma when he pointed out how the condos’ MLS listings will more effectively reach “people coming into Fort Wayne from other cities where they have seen projects like this.”

In other words, it is not unusual in many other places to pay a lot of money for a relatively small townhouse or condo nestled between shops, restaurants and athletic facilities. The bustle and commotion is an accepted – even anticipated – way of life.

But not yet in Fort Wayne, apparently, despite the city’s much-touted studies purporting to show a pent-up demand for downtown housing.

And even though Irwin said plenty of interest has been expressed in the project’s commercial space, Leatherman noted uncertainty over a construction date cannot help but complicate negotiations with would-be tenants.”

“Rediscover your own backyard during the 10th annual Be a Tourist in Your Own Hometown celebration on Sunday, September 7th, from 12 noon - 5 pm. On this day Fort Wayne residents with a Be a Tourist in Your Own Hometown passport will be able to visit 10 area attractions and museums - FOR FREE!

Passports provide free admission to 10 of Fort Wayne’s attractions, including the African/African-American History Museum, Allen County Courthouse, Artlink, Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, Fort Wayne Firefighter’s Museum, Fort Wayne Museum of Art, History Center, Science Central, The Lincoln Tower, and the Visitors Center.”

Above: Allen County Courthouse from Lincoln Tower during 2007 Tourist event

“Free passports may be picked up at any Fort Wayne Scott’s location (starting August 22nd), and at the Convention and Visitors Bureau Visitors Center - located downtown at 1021 S. Calhoun Street.

And, in honor of our 10th Anniversary, take time to join us at our 10th Anniversary Celebration, held downtown on the street in front of the Visitors Center.

Many additional area attractions, arts groups, sports teams, and athletic facilities will be on site to provide hands-on activities and tons of fun for your family! (Groups include the Mad Ants, McMillen Ice Arena, Allen County Public Library, Dance Collective, The Dome, and many more!)

Discover many of the reasons why visitors love Fort Wayne – and be sure to stop in to the Visitors Center for a slice of cake – to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Be a Tourist in Your Own Hometown!”

View Larger Map

Thursday, April 16, 2009 @ 7 PM

Verbatim Press Release from the Fort Wayne Wizards:

Fort Wayne, IN – The date and time of Opening Day for Fort Wayne’s professional baseball team has officially been determined. The hot dogs will be cooked, the cotton candy spun and the grills will be fired up when the team opens their home Midwest League schedule on Thursday, April 16th, 2009. Game time for the first game has been set as 7:00pm EST.

As construction of the Ballpark at Harrison Square continues on schedule, the anticipation of Opening Day has escalated. “We have been looking forward to April 2009 as the opening month of the first season downtown,” said Mike Nutter, General Manager. “We are excited to be able to officially put a date and time on when the first game will be played in that new ballpark. It’s hard to believe how far the construction has come since the groundbreaking and it will be fun to watch how quickly things come together in the coming months.”

While the specifics of Opening Day ceremonies have not been announced, the team is excited about what the future holds and what the possibilities will be.

“We plan on kicking off the first game, home stand and season downtown in style. We have had tremendous support and encouragement from our new neighbors downtown and we are excited about the possibilities that those relationships bring to the table, “ stated Michael Limmer, Assistant General Manager. “There’s a lot of work to be done between now and April 16th, but having a date to focus on is important for our staff. We have 224 days to get everything ready in order to play ball. We couldn’t be more excited.”

More information on the 2009 schedule will be released when the remainder of dates, times and promotional events have been finalized by the front office staff.

For more information on season tickets, group outings or corporate partnerships for the Ballpark at Harrison Square contact the team at (260) 482-6400.

Above: An image from the 2007 Home and Garden Tour

2008 House and Garden Tour (WCNA website - go here for more info!)

September 6th and 7th
Printable Map (PDF)

“The 26th Annual West Central Neighborhood House and Garden Tour will highlight gardens, historic homes and other buildings from the 19th and 20th centuries in an effort to promote neighborhood revitalization and historic preservation. Also featured during the tour will be the West Central Arts Fest showcasing the talents of neighborhood visual and performing artists.

11am to 5pm
Free horse-drawn carriage rides

Advance sale tickets are $9 each - $12 days of tours (children age 12 and under are free)

Advance ticket sales begin August 25, 2008 at the following locations:
Neuhouser Nursery (8046 Stellhorn Rd.)
Neuhouser Garden & Gifts (4605 W. Jefferson Blvd.)
Antiques on Broadway (1115 Broadway)
Umber’s Ace Hardware stores (2413 Lower Huntington Rd., 2814 Maplecrest Rd.)
Home Grown Bead & Candle Shoppe (125 W. Wayne St.)

Ticket sales on tour days will be at:
Swinney Park near the Swinney Homestead (1424 W. Jefferson Blvd.)
St. Joseph Hospital parking lot (Broadway between W. Wayne St. and W. Washington Blvd.)

Free parking is available at:
Tennis courts at Swinney Park (near 1424 W. Jefferson Blvd.)
Washington Elementary School (Rockhill St. and W. Jefferson Blvd.)
St. Joseph Hospital parking lot on Broadway between W. Wayne St. and W. Washington Blvd.) on-street (no money needed for meters)”

View Larger Map

Hard work, love turn 1867 house into home
Couple will open West Central house to public for neighborhood tour
Link (NS)

“The Husars have lived in and worked on the cozy brick Italianate home for 19 years, crafting it into a home that suits their lifestyle and tastes. This year they’ll open up their home and garden to the public as part of the West Central House and Garden Tour.

Cindy’s childhood doctor’s office was in the West Central neighborhood, and she always loved the area and wanted to live there someday. “Thankfully, John was willing to live here, too,” she says.

They bought their home in 1990 for $47,500. Since then, they figure they’ve put $40,000 to $50,000 into it. Over the years they’ve “poured concrete, landscaped, painted and repainted, refinished some floors, installed more historic lighting, had most things replumbed” and reconfigured the kitchen. And that’s only a partial list.

The Husars’ decorating style complements the home’s age.

“I have called it ‘Grandma chic’ because I have incorporated many things from my grandma and things that John and I have purchased or found, such as an antique bubblegum-pink corduroy, claw-foot, camelback sofa,” Cindy says.

Antiques such as a gramophone with a large bell give the illusion of stepping back in time.

When the house was first built, the clip-clop of horses would have constituted traffic noise. Now trucks, buses and cars zoom by on the busy street. The Husars say the noise is not much of a distraction. “Unless you are actually on the front sidewalk,” Cindy says.”

“Sluggish sales have forced The Harrison developer to offer discounted condominium prices and kick off a new marketing campaign.

Jim Irwin, project manager for Barry Real Estate, said that as of Tuesday only 10 of the 62 condominiums in The Harrison were sold. Barry is developing the high-end condo/retail complex as part of the larger Harrison Square downtown development.

Irwin said at least 20 more condo sales are needed for the company to break ground on the project, and several initiatives are under way to help boost sales.

One of those initiatives is offering discounts on The Harrison condominium prices, which Barry officials previously said ranged from $149,000 to $349,000.”

[...]

“John Bellio, Coldwell broker, owner and president of sales, said he planned to promote the project through the Homes magazine, the company’s Web site and listing The Harrison on three multiple listing services in northern Indiana that reach more than 2,500 real estate agents.”

[...]

“Leatherman said the city also supported the change in pricing for the condominiums. He said it was unfair to blame the slow sales exclusively on the poor economy, but it has played a part.”

Image from www.harrisonsquareliving.com

Press release:

“Fort Wayne, Ind. — Barry Real Estate today announces a new marketing push for The Harrison, the residential and retail component of the signature, downtown Harrison Square mixed-use development. The comprehensive program includes a dynamic new condominium sales team, a new marketing strategy and an inviting, one-stop Web presence, along with other new outreach materials in support of the campaign.

With a front-row view of the downtown skyline on one side and the new ballpark on the other, The Harrison is the anticipated four-story structure located at 301 West Jefferson Boulevard. It features 24,000 square feet of prime retail space on the first floor and 62 contemporary condominiums on the upper three floors.

Spearheading the new condo marketing effort will be the Coldwell Banker Roth Wehrly Graber (CBRWG) brokerage team of John and Argie Bellio. CBRWG’s Harrison team can be reached at 260-416-5000 or at www.cbrwg.com. CBRE/Sturges continues as the broker for the retail space within The Harrison.

“Our goal is to capture the excitement of The Harrison and what living downtown is all about,” said Chris Schoen, CEO of Barry Real Estate. “With the combination of Coldwell Banker and HarrisonSquareLiving.com, we’re confident that this integrated new marketing approach and aggressive campaign will give us the momentum necessary
for success.”

As part of the new initiative, Coldwell Banker will utilize their renowned, strategic approach to residential real estate marketing. This includes listing The Harrison on three MLS services in northern Indiana, reaching more than 2,500 real estate agents, and corporate marketing through a relocation network of more than 100 business partners in the region, consisting of many of the area’s largest employers.

Intense ground initiatives include tapping CBRWG’s economic development partners, such as Leadership Fort Wayne and YLNI; intense electronic marketing; special events and community marketing; and leads tracking and follow-through with CBRWG’s exclusive IQ suite. These initiatives are orchestrated by an executive management team with deep experience and a passion for the development.

CBRWG president of sales John Bellio stated, “We’re incredibly excited about the opportunities before us with The Harrison. With our dedicated team of more than 300 CBRWG agents, we’re armed to make things happen. We’ll promote the project through prominent placement in the Homes magazine and our highly trafficked Web site—which features nearly 20,000 unique visitors a month. We’ll follow every lead with our digital newsletter, direct follow-through and responsive communication.”

A key marketing tool for The Harrison is www.HarrisonSquareLiving.com, a new Web site created by local marketing firm One Lucky Guitar, Inc. (OLG). OLG owner Matt Kelley said, “We’re tremendously proud to be part of this revitalized marketing effort for The Harrison. We dug deep in the creation of this site—reviewing the hard demographic data from the city’s Zimmerman/Volk Residential Market Potential research study, studying the marketing success stories from other markets and bottling the distinct magic of our own particular downtown community into a site that will live, breathe and grow with the development. Prior to this site, interested buyers were forced to make a big mental leap to get a real sense of life at The Harrison. It was an obstacle. We’ve put the bridge up for that leap. Come on over and have a look.”

In addition to offering virtual tours, floor plans, feature and amenity packages and extensive information on the residences at The Harrison, www.HarrisonSquareLiving.com showcases an interactive in-progress tool that allows the site visitor to track weekly progress on Harrison Square and related construction. As well, the site features an interactive downtown map that positions The Harrison at the heart of a thriving arts, dining, entertainment and hospitality district with ample parking nearby.

Enhancing the visual appearance of the Harrison Square construction site and ensuring immediate access to contact information about The Harrison for passersby, the fence around the entire block will soon be enfolded in a lively graphic wrap promoting the development.”

Critical Mass Ride Fort Wayne, IN 8-29-2008 from David Spaulding on Vimeo.