Repost: High Speed Rail Presentation Wednesday

MARCH 26, 2008
Doors open @ 4:30PM
Presentation @ 5:00PM
Cinema Center @ Indiana Tech
1600 E. Washington Blvd (Andorfer Commons Building)
click image for PDF
Ride on fast track - vicariously
Invent Tomorrow will present program on fastest train
Link (NS)

"Invent Tomorrow, a private group that promotes downtown revitalization and other civic projects, and the Indiana High Speed Rail Association are sponsoring the presentation, billed as an opportunity to “Ride the Fastest Train in the World.”

Riding that train will take some imagination, but the program should provide a thorough look at cutting-edge high-speed rail development. Last April, during a test run in France, the V150 TGV train topped out at 357 mph.

Dennis Hodges, vice president of marketing and membership for the rail association, said the video would feature the TGV's record run and describe how the train was conceptualized.

The program also will include an update on the continuing effort to bring high-speed rail service to Indiana."

Return of trains pushed
High-speed rail group hopes to rally support
Link (JG)

"Northeast Indiana residents interested in high-speed rail will have a chance this week to learn more about its possibility of coming to the Midwest.

The Indiana High Speed Rail Association will host a free public rally Wednesday evening at Indiana Tech."

[...]

"Tom Hayhurst, association board member and former Fort Wayne city councilman, said the meeting will include an interesting video and discussion of how the high-speed rail system works in France. He said trains there can travel at incredible speeds, which would be useful locally instead of forcing people to drive from Fort Wayne to other Midwestern cities."

Council Update

Public to be heard, but will it matter?
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/fortwayne/17118903.htm

From the article:

"But members of the council, both proponents and opponents of the project, said they already have enough information to cast their vote. Both sides also agreed there are enough votes to approve Harrison Square."

"Even one of the most vocal opponents of the project, Councilman Don Schmidt, R-2nd, said the hearing will serve little more than a cathartic exercise for the public, rather than a way to gather input."

"The hearing Tuesday night will be unlike any in recent memory, as council members will allow participants to ask questions and try to answer the queries on the spot."

"As of Friday afternoon, about 80 people had already signed up with the city clerk to speak at the hearing. Allowing three minutes for each speaker – the stated time limit – would result in a four-hour public hearing before the council even begins its discussion on the issue."

Council Update

Harrison Square yeas, nays shaping up
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/news/editorial/17019194.htm

From the article:

"City officials are still negotiating with developers and reported productive talks last week. They hope to introduce legislation on the project’s financing a week from today, with discussion on April 17. That means the council could take a final vote April 24, two weeks before primary election day."

Council Prelim Discussion Press

Majority leans in favor of project
Downtown revival vs. cost to public
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/fortwayne/16985807.htm

From the article:

"Councilman Glynn Hines, D-6th, said he was a strong supporter of the project because he believes it will help renovate downtown the way Southtown has revived."

"Councilmen Tom Didier, R-3rd, and Tom Hayhurst, D-4th, said they are waiting to see the final proposal from the city before making a firm decision. Hayhurst did say his gut feeling is Harrison Square could be successful downtown and be the catalyst project to help revitalize the area. Didier said he is feeling comfortable with the project, noting that many of his family who left town for college never returned to Fort Wayne. A project like this could entice more young people to stay, he said."

"Councilman John Crawford, R-at large, said he is undecided on how he will vote, but he said both group’s presentations were helpful."

"Smith questioned why more wasn’t being done to help develop the riverfronts. He said young people consistently tell him they want development there.
“I could accept a stadium if it goes (on the riverfront),” he said."

"Shoaff said while he supports the downtown, he questions how much money is being spent on the project."

Council divided on downtown
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/fortwayne/16987137.htm

From the article:

"A presentation from Tim Pape, D-5th District, and Sam Talarico Jr., R-at-large, offered research in favor of the development, citing real-world examples such as Dayton and Toledo in Ohio and Greensboro, N.C., whose minor-league stadiums were a catalyst for downtown revitalizations.
“We have a ball diamond in the middle of a parking lot that has had no catalytic effect,” Talarico said."

"Shoaff gave an in-depth look at the financing of the stadium, but his numbers included interest; after all, that money will come out of taxpayers’ pockets, he justified.
“To tack on interest is like saying I bought a $150,000 home for $400,000,” Talarico said."

"“What if we had a Plan B?” Smith asked. His idea was to move the project, except for the hotel and parking garage, to the riverfront. “I could put a stadium there. There would be huge public support. People want that riverfront developed.”"

One Future Decided, Another A Toss-Up

Hayhurst won’t seek 4th Council term
Although he won’t rule out a future run for office, retired pulmonologist will serve in other ways.
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/fortwayne/news/local/16418274.htm

Highlights:

• Will use remaining 11 months to push Harrison Square project
• Hayhurst may serve again in the future

Stadium’s future is far from certain
Tough questions must be asked before downtown project proceeds.
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/fortwayne/news/local/16417758.htm

Highlights:

• Questions future of Memorial Stadium and the feasibility of keeping it
• $200,000 to $300,000 in insurance, utility, and maintenance costs associated with Memorial Stadium
• Artificial turf being considered for Memorial Stadium to cut down maintenance costs and allow for other uses
• Study to be generated that investigates alternative uses, along with associated revenues and expenses
• County will not sell Memorial Stadium, intends to keep land available for parking or other possible uses
  

Carpe Commodum

Here's a look at some of the reaction stories coming out a day after the Harrison Square announcement:

Mayor calls stadium plan opportunity of lifetime
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/16298137.htm

• Harrison Square project could spur other proposed downtown projects
• Councilmen Sam Talarico, Tom Hayhurst, and Glynn Hines are noted as supporting the project
• Republican Mayoral candidate Nelson Peters has expressed tentative support

Bought out
Businesses, homeowners displaced by Harrison Square look at options
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/fortwayne/news/local/16299555.htm

• Martin Luther King Montessori School has agreed to a $1.5 million buyout
• The city paid about $3.6 million for approximately 20 residential lots, the school and at least one business
• Some businesses along Jefferson and 500 parking spaces from Lincoln are being negotiated
• Subway sandwich shop on Jefferson will be removed
• Bill's Palace Restaurant will remain

Where will the money come from?
City working out details for public funds to pay for Harrison Square project
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/fortwayne/news/local/16299546.htm

• Property taxes will not be used for project
• Tax incremental financing (TIF) district would be created to pay off bonds
• Community Revitalization Enhancement District (CRED) tax credits will be employed
• County Economic Development Tax (CEDIT) funds of $1 million/year for 20 years to also be used