Open House Press

Crowd likes designs for downtown
About 200 people saw Harrison Square plans and drawings unveiled
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"Harrison Square is causing people to cheer, and the Wizards have yet to score their first run in the new stadium."

"“We're interested in it because we've been to Dayton several times,” her husband, Jim Seney said. Dayton also has a downtown baseball stadium. “They've taken some depressed areas and turned them into jazz clubs and restaurants. It's like SRO — standing room only,” he said."

"The walls of the Harrison rooms in the convention center were covered with enlarged architectural renderings of the condos and retail space. Signs from Martin Goldstine Knapke, the local firm Barry enlisted to sell the condos, advertised the phone number to prospective buyers. The condos even have their own e-mail account, harrisonsquare@martingk.com for those who want more information."

"Cory Miller, an architect with the Fort Wayne office of SchenkelShultz, presented a preliminary design for the parking garage. The inspiration for the design was the Firehouse Café on Jefferson Boulevard. Miller said there's a possibility retail space will line the Harrison Street side of the garage.

Brad Sturges with CB Richard Ellis/Sturges in Fort Wayne, which is leasing the retail space, said he is looking at restaurants, bars, a small grocery or convenience store, and a bank as possible tenants."

"The meeting came a week after demolition began on buildings that now stand on the Harrison Square property, and about two weeks before the project's development plan is to be discussed at a Fort Wayne Plan Commission public hearing. The $50 million bond lease for Harrison Square goes before the state's Local Government Finance Board on Aug. 23.

One of the final details to be worked out is the appearance of a walkway between the hotel and the Grand Wayne, which will have to go through the historic Indiana Hotel. Harrison Square manager Steve Brody said a group that includes representatives from the city's Historic Preservation Commission and local preservation group ARCH will meet again Aug. 13 to discuss the walkway."

Capacity turnout welcomes details on Harrison Square
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"Hundreds of people packed Grand Wayne Center on Thursday evening to get the latest glimpse of condominiums, retail and the baseball stadium aspects of Harrison Square."

"The vast majority of the 300 people at the open house expressed support for the project and dozens expressed an interest to live in the condominiums even though prices weren’t revealed and final floor plans haven’t been completed."

"Unlike other public meetings about the project, most of the people in the audience didn’t attack the project. Instead, the people Thursday asked mostly logistical questions, including where people would park to shop at the retail stores and how much the condominiums would cost."

Public Gets A Look at Harrison Square Designs
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"The developers wanted people to take a look at the different ideas, and give their thoughts before it's too late. "The basic elements are set. What those elements are going to look like and the details of those elements and how we execute that is something that, you know, there's a wide range of variation there and we're trying to see what's going to work best in this community," said Jason Freier of Hardball Capital."

Harrison Square Plans for Condo's, etc.
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"Michael Towne, a fan of the project, said one thing he looks for is the character. Michael said "It's hard to re-create a Wrigley Field or an atmosphere like that and I think this ball park will definitely have a lot of character."