Letters to the editor
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/news/editorial/16953285.htm
"Didier should change his tune"
John B. Kalb
"I’ve seen city lose young people"
Charlie Worrall
Thursday, March 22, 2007
More Local Opinions
Posted by scott spaulding at 3/22/2007 12:46:00 PM
Labels: Harrison Square, Opinion, Tom Didier
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
18 comments:
Councilman Didier: I appreciate your willingness to be open to supporting Harrison Square. More importantly, thank you for having the courage to "envision" what Fort Wayne's downtown could be. Contrary to the what the article states, I admire your committment in seeking out a new direction for our downtown. A downtown stadium, with shops, condos, retail and cafes now has a greater chance of becoming a reality.
Didier is singing a tune that is too new and visionary for Mr. Kalb and the rest of the "its good enough" crowd to appreciate.
I watched Mr. Kalb's video (below) and he says the answer is attracting more industrial jobs. This is NOT 1985!
Keep singing Tom, the younger generations here you loud and clear.
Ed
From the editorial...
"...complete lack of any adjacent retail establishments around the Dayton stadium is easy to see."
Maybe you missed the NEWS
Dayton is a huge success example from the same Single A league the Wizards play in. Fort Wayne learned from cities like Dayton that we could include the hotel, condos, and retail from the start.
The Dayton Dragons have sold out for seven consecutive years. I find that literally unbelievable. I will admit up front that Dayton did not have a team in town before they built a ballpark downtown and their MLB affiliate is just down the highway in Cincinnati. However, if Harrison Square is a fraction as successful as Fifth Third Field in Dayton, it would create a complete turnround in downtown Fort Wayne. Isn't that the goal of this project?
The vimeo clip that Ed is referring to can be found here.
I am a strong supporter of what will soon be known as "Harrison Square Plus" This is Harrison Square plus a Popeye's Chicken. The land, franchise and construction costs will be funded by TIF from Jefferson Pointe. Please note that there will be no new property taxes and this is not about Popeye's chicken, but about a mixed use development that, when all 3 phases are completed, will be approximately 58.5% privately funded.
To echo today's editorialist, I support Harrison Square Plus because Fort Wayne absolutely must provide the cultural complexity, stimulating urban environment and spicy chicken and dirty rice that today's young turks require and Harrison Square Plus will provide. Harrison Square Plus is an opportunity to show that Fort Wayne thinks, acts and eats boldly, creatively and with long term vision.
Harrison Square Plus will help forge a bond with our future generations who otherwise will find their way to Atlanta, Seattle or some other Popeye's friendly locale. Those who disagree obviously do not care about our children or understand the importance of a good biscuit, hotel, condos and retail to a thriving downtown.
Bud, prospective Popeye's proprieter.
Someone should mention to Mr Worrall that Columbia Street and others are open past 5pm. This idea that there's absolutely nothing to do downtown is incorrect...
Oh Columbia Street, the sole destination point in Fort Wayne for 30 frickin years.
Ed
Ever been to Fort Wayne, Ed?
Columbian Street is a great place, but it has been the only destination for young people in Downtown for far too long buddy boy.
Ed.
Wow, I can't believe someone would use the church as a tool to strengthen their arguement for Harrison Square.
Is that intimidation or manipulation? Or perhaps both....
I'm disappointed and a bit dismayed!
Tom Didier volunteers a tremendous amount of time singing at mass, weddings and funerals. Evan if Mr. Kalb was just trying to be clever, I think it is kind of a low blow to use Tom's church singing to take a political shot at him.
I think this will rub a lot of St. Vincent parishoners the wrong way.
Mike D.
Granted I haven't been there in a while but last time I checked the 412 Club wasn't on Columbia Street and it was open past 5pm.
Again, I wonder if those that criticize downtown the most ever actually go down there...
Sorry Jeff, I would have to disagree with you on this. I think the majority of the people who criticize downtown do "go down there". I for one, patronize quite a few of the downtown restaurants. In fact, I believe most of these individuals who are critical of downtown FW have had the opportunity to travel/visit other cities with downtowns that are truly "alive after 5". This is something that our downtown is missing. I also work downtown so on a daily basis I witness the amount of people walking the sidewalks. Aside from the mass exodus of people that takes place between 5-6p every weekday night, there are very few people walking the downtown streets. I believe the Harrison Square project would start the rejuvination process of bringing people back to our downtown.
has anyone noticed his mistake is districts?
Its not moving to Smith's.
I was curious about the districts. I believe its Councilman Pape's district now.
Harrison Square would be located in Councilman Pape's district.
Yes, I was wrong on who will belong to Harrison Square on city council - That was only my third error that hour tho John K
John K does not let little things like Facts get in the way of his prose.
Chris W.
Post a Comment