Letters to the editor
We’ve seen revitalization work
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/news/editorial/16975419.htm
FWCS, Harrison Square
Downtown proposal
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/news/editorial/16974580.htm
Monday, March 26, 2007
Opinion, Council Brief
Posted by scott spaulding at 3/26/2007 12:56:00 PM
Labels: Don Schmidt, Downtown development, Harrison Square, John Shoaff, Opinion, Sam Talarico, Tim Pape
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
12 comments:
Mr. Packnett, CEO at Parkview, recently announced that Parkview will soon be closing up in Fort Wayne and moving,just outside the Fort Wayne city limits, northeast of Dupont and I-69 intersection. This is an organization that, as Methodist Hospital, was located in a part of the planned Harrison Square, before moving to State and Randallia, becoming Parkview.
So they deserted downtown in the past and are now planning to complete the job. We need more CEO's like this!!
I also find it difficult to compare a location like Oklahoma City which has a 1.25 million person population, a Triple A baseball team and a cost-of-living of at least 25% higher than ours with Fort Wayne. Mr. Packnett chose to move to Fort Wayne - I wonder "why?' John K.
He must have come for those "good industrial jobs"
It's great to see articles like Mr. Packnett's in the paper.
John,
Many of your arguments are irrational and seem to be attacking a tremendous business leader of our city. Their decision to move out north is only helping this community more, but wait....we don't like change here....keep everything the way it is. I completely forgot that that is how we do things in Ft Wayne. My apologies
Adam W
Hospitals moving from the city to the suburbs is nothing new, anywhere. In cities all over the nation, hospitals are moving out to the suburbs. I believe St. Vincent's in Indy just announced they are moving one of their campuses from the near eastside to down in Johnson county. Mind you though we still have St. Joe Hospital downtown, look for them to expand when the Parkview transition is complete!
Though I agree with Mr. Packnett's editorial, I'm very disappointed with Parkview's decision to move north (http://greiders.blogspot.com/2006/12/hospital-flight.html). Seems obvious to me this will make downtown revitalization so much more difficult.
The Parkview isn't leaving the city center. They are going to remain in DT, just not in the same capacity.
-Richard
Adam - Can you please point out what is "irrational" about my comment in response to Mr. Packnett's letter? (irrational per Merriam-Webster is "not based on reason") John K.
John K,
Your assumption is irrational:
Oklahoma City is bigger, so we cannot have same success. Well, we are about the 4th of the size. I will take about a 4th of their success since they had nearly one and a half BILLION of private invesment!
John, the momentum is too strong. The status quo militia is going to take a defeat.
Ed
Ed - If you can come up with 1/4 of $1.5 billon in private investment dollars for Harrison Square - I will say "wonderful", but you do realize that that amounts to $375 million ? - in private money - YOU ARE DREAMING that "Fort Wayne Dreams" stuff again.
John K.
I actually think Parkview moving to the north side of Fort Wayne will hurt downtown and the area of town where the hospital is currently located very badly.
I think the Parkview move is TERRIBLE from an urban planning standpoint and illustrates the complete lack of Urban planning in this area.
Who thinks we need TWO new hospitals at I-69 and Dupont Road? The very thought is ABSURD.
Who thinks this will encourage businesses and individuals to in-fill the urban core that all Harrison Square Supporters should want to happen?
The hospitals will cause the north side of Fort Wayne to grow and the City core to erode even further. Do you know how many existing medical businesses are going to move up north?
Many businesses will leave the core of Fort Wayne and build on Dupont Road East of the hospital.
I do not understand how any Harrison Square supporter could possibly think Parkview moving just north of Fort Wayne will help Downtown Fort Wayne. It just does not make any sense.
I am not irritated at Parkview, I am irritated at the complete lack of competent Urban planning.
Adam, please explain why you think moving Parkview north is good for Fort Wayne.
Mike Sylvester
Mike,
I definitely will admit that the move of Parkview out north will not help downtown...but at the same time, it will not hurt downtown either.
First of all, Parkview is not "downtown." The reason I support the move out north for Parkview is because the hospital itself needs to do it. I'm sure you are familiar with Parkview and they have simply outgrown their space. They need to grow and advance into today's medical field and being located at their current location won't allow this.
I am also a supporter because I live out north and realize how fast it is growing out this way. The land they own out north provides the hospital with a ton of room to grow, and with the future population increase out north, it will only help the city of Fort Wayne. Within time, most of the area will be annexed and the city will benefit with a top hospital located in the area.
Finally, I think it is a plus, because Fort Wayne will eventually have major hospitals located SW (Lutheran), central (St Joes and Parkview...remember they aren't leaving), and north (Parkview North).
The move of Parkview also justifies even more the need to build Harrison Square. Many citizens in the core are worried what will happen to property value when most of Parkview goes north. Should Harrison Square go through, it will raise property values, hence "saving" the inner city.
Oh, and one more thing....I know it is hard for you to believe..hahah...but I am a "small govt" Republican, and in this situation I say let the business do what it desires to propel itself into the future. Harrison Square is different because we are saving downtown with incentives and private investment.
Hope that makes sense.
Adam
Mark - Parkview,(on State & Randalia) is not "downtown" ? Did you realize that Dan Carmody is talking to the ARCH group next week about how Forest Park Blvd. is "a part of Fort Wayne's Downtown Core". Forest Park Blvd. runs just 3 blocks from State and Randalia. Can someone define where Fort Wayne's downtown really is ? John K.
Post a Comment