AB417, a local societal think tank in Fort Wayne, has released a statement concerning the Harrison Square downtown development proposal.
The text of the release is very thorough and well thought-out, and we encourage all of our visitors to read through the entire document.
You can read the statement by clicking the link below:
AB417 Harrison Square Statement (PDF)
What is your opinion of AB417's statement?
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Local Think Tank Addresses Harrison Square
Posted by scott spaulding at 2/15/2007 03:37:00 PM
Labels: AB417, City Development, Downtown development, Harrison Square, Opinion
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5 comments:
Little wordy (no offense guys, I know that's how they speak in architecture school ;-)), but really great insights. I love the use of the words "can" and "potential", as they speak to hopes and dreams for something new and different and fresh, not just more certainties of the same old. Here are three "brains" that have not been "drained" and FW should listen well. Now if we can just get them (and their significant others) to put their money where their mouths are and move downtown, then...
;-)
Well, first, I applaud this blog for tracking information and commentary about the Harrison Square project. Second, I applaud the AB 417 guys for a thoughtful piece.
But...
As I read it, the AB417 piece is more of the same; sell the project by ignoring what it is and, instead, criticizing the critics and praising "vitality" in the downtown.
Criticizing the critics. AB417 takes a kindler, gentler and somewhat more interesting approach to explaining why I'm wrong to be opposed to the project without addressing the basis for my opposition. Unlike some editorialists, they don't accuse me of being a "naysayer" and discount my opposition on that basis. Unlike certain City Officials, they don't accuse me of being "confused" or not understanding that this is a "mixed use development" and not a baseball stadium, and discount my opposition on that basis. No, instead, the problem (they assume) is that I am not an "urbanite," or at least don't think like one.
This is, at least, a more thoughtful way to dismiss the critics without addressing the criticism. Undoubtedly there is a substantial vein of skepticism in this (and other) communities that grows from a "what's in it for me" attitude. But so what? How is that observation sufficient to silence rather than answer questions about this project? Does any project in "urban" Fort Wayne become desirable independent of its economics or alternatives simply because some opposition reflects "non-urbanite" bias?
Vitality in the downtown. I agree, guys. I want a vibrant downtown. I'm willing to use reasonable city support to get it. So now that we are in agreement, how does our agreement justify this project? The only answer you give me is this: "We understand the baseball stadium is not everyone's first choice for downtown development, however, it is cetrainly better than the alternative... nothing."
Why is that the alternative AB417?
Let me state my bias, which you may, if you choose, chalk up to a lack of urban appreciation. I think certain private interests have substantial financial interest in pushing through a baseball stadium, regardless of public good or interest, and that this project has been pulled together, sometimes covertly, to serve that end. You, and City officials, declared no alternative before anyone knew we were looking for one. Were you guys privy to the land buy up by the City so you could propose a publicly supported private project of your own? I wasn't; I was told the BaseballPlus suggested location for a ball park had to be a "secret."
Were you told the City had accumulated acres and acres of land that it would donate, and 60 to 70 million in City subsidies to give, to a development project with a "maybe" dollar for dollar private investment? I wasn't. I was told by the BaseballPlus report that any new stadium should require "significant" non-public funding. The "comparables" that report cited had non-public funding from 33% to 100% (Dayton - 33% for baseball stadium only project; Greenville- 80% for stadium and 16.5 million in residential and retail; Greensboro- 100% for baseball stadium only project). Maybe you guys knew the City was willing to pay 85%-90% of the cost of your proposed business and you just chose not to submit a proposal.
No, on this one, the City declared they couldn't attract any customers before they put up the "Open for Business" sign.
Your submission asks how Harrison Square is different from "the exorbitant amount of money" spent on the mass exodus to suburbia? It isn't. But I'm not "urbanite" enough to want to foolishly spend exorbitant amounts of money in urban Fort Wayne to "get even" for past (and continuing) foolish expenditures in Suburbia. Money wasted is not a desirable goal just because you change the hole into which you throw it.
You ask that we "imagine if the likes of Jefferson Pointe located itself downtown." Okay, did that. Pretty image. What does a single A baseball stadium have to do with that image, other than occupy the space upon which such a development might otherwise sit? Harrison square promises only 30,000 square feet of retail/office; Jefferson Pointe is 600,000 square feet. Unfortunately, downtown Fort Wayne has hundreds of thousands of square feet of empty office and retail space. Please explain how a single A stadium fills this space? Better yet, explain how it is the best project to fill this space with 10-12 million of city land and 25 million of city dollars given to the alternative development.
You further write: "It will purchase us something we can share- an experience." We already bought that. It's in the parking lot of Memorial Coliseum. Been there, shared that experience. Might do it again if I ever have kids to entertain for a few hours. It's not a trendy, edgy, young professional scene, whether its urban or otherwise. The most common "prize" at a Fort Wayne fundraiser is use of the Baker & Daniels Wizard's suite (I've "won" it twice; declined twice). They literally can't give the thing away, even with all of their emerging professionals.
I applaud you guys for your interest. Does this project even remotely approach the best that you could come up with, knowing (now)the land and money the city can make available for your project? Let's try (a second time) following the lead of South Bend and Gary? Please guys, don't let your desire for some sign of progress cause you to accept so little.
BTW, I suggest you drop the attempt at high brow writing. You don't do it well and it distracts from your message. A lot of your sentences would defy diagramming and ignore the difference between adverbs and adjectives. Keep it simple.
It's nice to know that others think Ft. Wayne still has potential. It just seems like the people in Ft. Wayne don't realize that it is going downhill unless somebody does something about it. Is this the answer to all of the problems? Ofcourse not, but at least they are taking a step forward and making an effort.
Action in the name of progress is not necessarily progress. It is only action.
Dear Bud,
I thank you for your extensive response to our letter.
I see it like this…
I read a lot of these comments criticizing this and many other projects here in Fort Wayne. I have heard some even say downtown shouldn’t change at all. But when you do nothing, things change as well. In the last decade downtown Fort Wayne has had less than a few millions dollars in private investment. This proposal would have +/-$60 million. I understand everything you are saying, and some days I wonder if I feel the same. But then again, if a jelly bean factory wanted to go almost dollar for dollar with the city in a $100+ million dollar project – I think I would have interest in it – especially if they were willing to provide some mixed-use development. As I understand it, the city would be paying for 40% of the project. Over 80% of that can only be spent within the boundaries of downtown. Which leave less than 10% of the project’s total being spent with money that could be spent for community development elsewhere.
What’s the alternative? I don’t know. Not many other people are offering their private money. This could change that. If so, the possibilities would be endless.
I still have to disagree with your obsession that this is all about a baseball stadium. The intent was never to say the money spent on this project would be a way to “get even for past foolish expenditures in suburbia.” It was trying to explain that this project’s goal is to improve a community, the downtown community, with a similar price point as what we continually spend everywhere else. Only difference is, we would provide a shared experience while bringing taxpayers and families back to the downtown area.
As far as your question about if “this project even remotely approaches the best [we] could come up with, knowing the land and money the city could make available for your project?” – Define project. Do you mean a baseball Stadium? If so, then “no.” If by project you mean a mixed-use development? If so, maybe – depending on how well it was designed. If by project you mean a mixed-use development that would increase the functionality of our convention center, utilize one of the largest libraries in the country, bring more entertainment downtown, and return families and social activity to one of the most crucial and underutilized neighborhoods in the greater Fort Wayne area? If so, I have to say “yes,” Bud.
I am not saying anyone has to like the idea of a baseball stadium downtown – I hate baseball. But at least realize that if this community embraces Hardball Capital’s desire to move to our downtown we will also receive an extensive mixed-use improvement to our community. Something I think is much needed and beneficial to every aspect of Fort Wayne.
BTW, I suggest you drop the “conspiracy theory” tone – it takes away from some really good points. If you want to find out about something… ask. Not much in this community is a secret, and few questions can’t be answered by a phone call or letter to the City/County building. They have been nothing but receptive to every question we have asked – as there are many things we have disagreed with as well – especially in the beginning of this project.
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