Is downtown plan in the ballpark?
Yes: Young professionals want more places
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/news/editorial/16837066.htm
Is downtown plan in the ballpark?
Almost: Draw more people with a mall
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/news/editorial/16837068.htm
Monday, March 5, 2007
Opposing Viewpoints VI
Posted by scott spaulding at 3/05/2007 02:15:00 PM
Labels: Downtown development, Harrison Square, Opinion
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4 comments:
A comment about Mr. Corcoran's piece. It seems he needs a thriving downtown to recruit new workers for his company. I sympathize and recognize that his future positions are the kind of jobs that might stem the "brain drain" from Fort Wayne (rather than the hot dog vendors and room service clerk positions that come with the "catalyst" project of Harrison Square).
I have worked downtown since moving here in 1988. The BIG change has been the constant loss of downtown workers- the people who patronize the downtown restaurants for lunch, shop at the convenience stores (anyone remenber Tapp's market?) and meet friends after work at a downtown location. As the jobs have left the center of Fort Wayne, I've witnessed expansion of the library and Grand Wayne, renovation of the Courthouse and its plaza, creation of Headwaters Park, Science Cental, new Lincoln Museum and Emabassy Lobby space. All nice projects, but none have succeeded in replacing the LOST people or filling the glut of unnocupied office and retail space.
Mr. Corcoran, if downtown means so much to your future and to your employees, move your business from Stellhorn on the North side to downtown! In fairness to you, I know you are a part of the Innovation Center. I'd rather see a subsidy to move that entire project downtown, than an excessive investment in a minor league ballpark.
Mark Garvin
Mark ... I appreciate your comments ... we are in the process of locating downtown real estate to relocate our company. We want to be a part of what is happening.
Mr. Corcoran-
That's tremendous! If you ever care to share what your real estate needs might be, I'll keep my ears open for you.
Now, see if you can convince Bob Taylor at Do-It-Best Corp. to relocate his headquarters to downtown Fort Wayne...
You truly are backing your words with action. I look forward to seeing you downtown.
Mark Garvin
Thanks Mark. I'd be happy to discuss. There is a lot of stuff in the works downtown from private companies like ours. There are a lot of on-contract buys and leases downtown from people that are hedging to see if Harrison Square happens. The reason this is important is that it serves as an indicator to private investors that downtown investment is viable - it negates the whole chicken and the egg problem. There is a lot of private stuff in the works downtown from people that are hoping that Harrison Square happens. If Harrison Square wasn't being proposed, I'm not sure we would be looking to locate downtown. It's all about hope ..... and taking risks.
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