Harrison Square is a poor way to light up downtown renewal
A guest column by Terry Haffner
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/news/editorial/16740350.htm
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Guest Column On Downtown Renewal
Posted by scott spaulding at 2/21/2007 03:00:00 PM
Labels: Downtown development, Harrison Square, Opinion
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7 comments:
Oh my!
Oh My is right.
Isnt it amazing how one newspaper poll of 300 people! leads Mr. Haffner to conclude: "More than 70 percent of residents polled have clearly said “no” to the blueprint, including a new stadium".
Now, according to Mr. Haffner, the poll of 300 people apparently represents the "clear" statement of approximately 150,000 residents.
Some of these op-ed pieces do not let little things -- like facts -- get in the way of their argument.
Sam T.
Sam,
I think his statement stands for itself. He said "of residents polled". Now I think you and I both agree that that particular poll was worthless BUT no where does he suggest that it represents "the clear statement of approximately 150,000 residents".
I think a healthly dose of skepticism is in order here and frankly I'm surprised that councilmembers (you and Mr Pape in particular) would be so gung ho on a project where no financial details and/or projections have been released.
I noticed that at the last council meeting Councilman Pape said you and he would be presenting a powerpoint presentation on the Harrison Square project. Can we expect financial details/projections to be a part of that presentation or will it only cite information that's already in the public domain?
I think it's fair to try and get people to be open-minded on the project but cheerleading the project w/o ANY real details is a mistake im my opinion...
Jeff,
Do you honestly think that Councilman Pape and Myself would "cheerlead" a project without being up to speed on the facts that are available to us at that given moment? Do you think the Mayor has any interest in offering up a project that he believes is doomed to failure? Mayor Richard has been a very cautious mayor and I think it is nonsense to believe that he is so hell bent on leaving a legacy that he would offer up a project that he does not believe will work from a financial perspective.
People seem to think that when a proposal is made, that every single element is 100% established and set in stone. Projects like these always have a number of moving parts.
It is obviously critical that every material detail be established and supported prior to a vote or it will never pass city council.
The Op-Ed piece had several ridiculous statements, HOWEVER, you are correct, I missed the words "of residents polled". So, I stand corrected on that front.
Sam T.
Well I would certainly applaud any effort by yourself or any other government official to provide us with details that would allow us to see whether or not this project is financially viable.
To date, I have severe reservations about the parking garage and it's ability to not be a sinkhole for public funds. There has not been a single argument made that this garage will actually turn a profit. And if it won't turn a profit then how will it get paid for in the future?
Secondly, there should be reservations toward the 250 room proposal put forward for the new Marriott. I would think that since the RFP specifically stated that any project should have 300 rooms there must've been SOME reason for that number. Could it be that 250 rooms didn't provide enough revenue for the Harrison Square project? If not, then why was 300 rooms the chosen figure?
And to answer this question:
"Do you think the Mayor has any interest in offering up a project that he believes is doomed to failure?"
Certainly not. But the mayor is not infalliable. It's my experience that a project becomes a failure when it starts to deviate from its original baseline. What seem like trivial changes can add up to severe consequences. And usually those individuals that are closest to the original plan tend to downplay the overall impact of any changes. And more importantly, there should be an extra dose of caution when the program planners won't be the ones involved in its execution...
Jeff,
I suggest that you attend the forum hosted by YLNI on March 14th at the downtown library at 6pm. There will be a panel formed that should be able to address you concerns.
Barranda,
I planned on it after I heard the mayor mention it
Thank You
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