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."

Core Cleanup Crew Created

Join the Downtown Clean-Up Crew!
Link (DID)

"The Cleanup Crew is a group of volunteers working together to tackle heavy and widespread beautification projects downtown. These projects include heavily weeded areas, areas struggling with abundant litter, or just cleanup of downtown streets in general. The group will meet once a month on Saturdays throughout the summer for about a three hours (usually 9 a.m. until noon). In addition to volunteering outside, members will also meet at various times to discuss beautification strategies, identify areas in need of immediate attention, arrange additional volunteer dates, and organize future cleanup crew dates.

If your interested in joining the Downtown Clean-Up Crew, please write-us at cleanupcrew@downtownfortwayne.com."

Another Capital Example

Sun photo by Kenneth K. Lam
Nationals' new ballpark is a D.C. showpiece
Link (Baltimore Sun)

"It's close to downtown and open to the sky, and features sweeping views of the city beyond. There's an asymmetrical field with enough nooks and crannies to keep the game interesting - plus a state-of-the-art scoreboard, luxury skyboxes and all the creature comforts fans could want.

Oriole Park at Camden Yards in 1992?

Yes, but also Nationals Park on the Anacostia riverfront in 2008.

Sixteen years after Baltimore broke the mold with its "newfangled, old-fashioned" ballpark, Washington has joined the list of cities that can boast they have a new, baseball-only stadium in a prime urban setting."

[...]

"The ballpark was designed to fit into the Pierre-Charles L'Enfant plan that has guided development in the district since 1791.

The site is bounded by South Capitol, N, First and Potomac streets Southeast. The designers took two geometrical shapes, a triangle and a circle, and combined them to create the basic plan for the park."

[...]

"Every seat is designed to be part of a distinct "neighborhood," so fans will be close to the action and have a variety of viewing experiences, both of the game and the city. Fans also can stay connected to the game if they leave their seats because the concourse offers open views of the playing field."

[...]

"Nationals Park is the first professional stadium in America designed as a "green" ballpark, and the architects plan to seek certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Eco- friendly features include a green roof, water-conserving plumbing fixtures, high-efficiency field lighting and an intricate ground and storm water filtration system designed to protect the river from peanut shells, among other debris. That's a promising new direction in ballpark design."

Related:
A Capital Example

Also:
Check out the Nationals Park OxBlue webcam.

While you're at it, check out the progress of Harrison Square on the OxBlue cam here in the Fort!

There's This Place On Main Street...

Obama, Clinton to open local headquarters
Link (NS)

"If the 4,000 people who packed the Grand Wayne Convention Center last week to see former President Clinton didn’t provide enough proof that Indiana will play a key role in the Democratic presidential process, here’s more: Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton both plan to open campaign headquarters in Fort Wayne as early as this week."

...and it's still for sale

Listing: Republican Headquarters Building

Local Opinion

Letters to the editor
Link (JG)

See "Community should help save museum" and "Museum valuable as ‘classroom’"

Abatements shift taxes unwisely
Link (JG)

Council Brief

AGENDA
FORT WAYNE COMMON COUNCIL
MARCH 25, 2008

5:30 P.M.
COMMON COUNCIL
CONFERENCE ROOM 128

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS UP FOR INTRODUCTION

G-08-03-25
AN ORDINANCE amending Chapter 38 City Policies, of the City of Fort Wayne, Code of Ordinances
Provide electronic access to the notice through a computer Gateway – notice to be made available on the internet

Related:
Open Government Ordinance (FWP)

Barr To Get Makeover

BARR STREET BECOMES MORE PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY WITH STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS
New sidewalks, trees connect places of interest using Downtown Blueprint ideas
Link (City)

"Continuing his commitment to downtown revitalization, Mayor Tom Henry kicked off the start of the Barr Street streetscape improvement project Monday.

This improvement project running from Main to Wayne streets is similar to what was done on Harrison Street. It involves installing new sidewalks with brick pavers, historically styled streetlamps, new trees and curbs, and other features to make the area more pedestrian friendly."

[...]

"Construction activity will begin at the southeast corner of Barr and Berry in front of the History Center. The City anticipates construction to be complete at the end of May or beginning of June.

The intersections are being reconfigured to make them safer and more friendly to pedestrians. The curbs will extend into the parking lanes, which lessens the distance across the street but still allows for two lanes of traffic."

[...]

"In the coming years, other downtown blocks will receive similar enhancements. “Inlaid brickwork, shady trees and ornamental fixtures add character and create a unique sense of place. These features are an invitation for walkers to enjoy the downtown experience. They instill pride, and they help to connect our many attractions and points of interest,” Henry said.

The cost of this phase is $648,000, with $496,000 coming from an Indiana Department of Transportation transportation enhancement grant given to the City in September 2004. This grant is designated for pedestrian-oriented projects. The remaining money comes from local economic development (CEDIT) funds."

New look for Barr
Downtown street to get $650,000 makeover
Link (JG)

More On Gnats Acquisition

New owners better embrace Grayson Stadium
Link (Savannah Morning News)

Sand Gnats also changing stadium
Link (Savannah Morning News)

Atlanta Group Pitches to Purchase Sand Gnats
Link (WTOC)

Savannah Sand Gnats Announce Ownership Change
Link (OurSports Central)

Previous:
Hardball Acquires Another Team

Cities Of The Future Recap

A city's green blueprint
Link (JG)

"Jeremy Harris, who was mayor of the city and county of Honolulu for a decade, was the guest of the Fort Wayne chapter of the American Institute of Architects, the city of Fort Wayne and others for an address Monday at the Allen County Public Library. His message was one of urgency in building communities less reliant on non-renewable resources and one of promise in building communities that are attractive, livable and environmentally conscious. His suggestions for eliciting public involvement in a bold redevelopment plan are well worth considering."

[...]

"Mistakes that resulted in traffic-choked freeways, urban sprawl and endangered wildlife inspired “21st Century Oahu,” the former mayor’s initiative to gather broad community involvement in a massive redevelopment project. Residents were invited to “visioning” sessions where they were asked to tell – and show with photos from disposable cameras – what they liked and didn’t like about their home. From their responses, architects and urban planners drew up project ideas for 19 development areas, fueled by a $2-million-apiece investment of city funds. Billions in public and private investment followed."

[...]

"The former mayor was in attendance Monday and said afterward that it was gratifying to have such efforts validated, but he also pointed out that selling Honolulu residents on bolder development issues was easier because they appreciate the need to protect resources that draw tourists. The same task is tougher for Fort Wayne, where the transition from an industrial-based economy to a new economic model isn’t so apparent, Richard said."

[...]

"The former Honolulu mayor gave an enticing view of the great things that can happen when everyone works together with a goal of building a city that works for residents and the environment. Local officials can start by working together and then inviting the community to join in."

Parks Board Votes To Advance Harrison Square Public Park

The Fort Wayne Parks Board gave the go-ahead for The LandPlan Group to solicit bids for the construction of a public park (likely to be named after Robert Meyers) within the Harrison Square project.

The park will include a seating area for center field area concessions, a two-way performance stage, a water feature, and open lawn space.

The park will only be accessible to those with a game ticket on game days but otherwise will be open as a public park when a baseball game is not in progress.

Hardscape construction is expected to take place this fall with landscaping and finishing touches taking place next spring and finishing up in time for the baseball season.

The budget is $500,000 and will be discussed again in front of the Board of Park Commissioners in July.

Hardball Acquires Another Team

Savannah Sand Gnats sold to Hardball Capital
Link (Atlanta Business Chronicle)

" Atlanta-based Hardball Capital has added to its holdings of minor league baseball teams with the purchase of the Savannah Sand Gnats of the Class A South Atlantic League.

Hardball Capital, whose principals are Barry Real Estate Companies Inc. CEO Chris Schoen and former Bondurant, Mixson and Elmore LLP attorney Jason Freier, also owns the Fort Wayne Wizards of the Midwest League."

[...]

"The Sand Gnats play in Grayson Stadium, which was built in 1927 and is the oldest operating stadium in affiliated baseball in the country. Hardball is building a $125 million mixed-use stadium in Fort Wayne, but has no plans as of yet to do so in Savannah."

Engadget Highlights Harrison FiOS

Indiana's Harrison Square condominiums to come pre-wired with FiOS
Link (EngadgetHD)

"Nary a week after finding that a forthcoming University of Houston residence hall was being erected with U-verse built-in, along comes word that 62 luxury condominiums in downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana will be constructed with FiOS pre-installed. Dubbed The Harrison, the aforementioned units are a vital part of the downtown revitalization efforts, and each one promises dedicated underground parking, near-10-foot ceilings and access to an indoor / outdoor roof deck overlooking the nearby ballpark."

Demo Unit Press

Harrison mock-up on display
Mayor tours condo model; three homes sold so far
Link (JG)

"Any of the 65 people with reservations – or interested in reserving a unit – can check out the replica condominium, which is in the offices of Martin Goldstine Knapke, 2020 E. Washington Blvd., Suite 400.

Although only three people with reservations have bought condos, Jim Irwin, with Barry Real Estate, said he isn’t too concerned because many people wanted to see the replica before committing to buy. Barry Real Estate is the Atlanta development firm building the condominium/retail building. Mike Brita, with Martin Goldstine Knapke, said the firm is working in the order that reservations were made to sign contracts. He said the fourth person on the list wanted to see the model unit, so sales were halted until it was complete."

Harrison Condos Unveiled
Link (WANE)

"Harrison Square project manager Jim Irvin says demand for the downtown units has been high.

"We've had dozens of people on the reservation list who are just itching to get in their unit," Irvin said. "Now that the model's here, people can see exactly what they're going to be buying.""

[...]

"Irvin says the downtown development will be huge for Fort Wayne.

"We've seen some property to the west, double or even triple in value in the last year just because of what we're doing at Harrison Square", Irvin said. "It's going to be a tremendous catalyst for the city.""

Decision time nears for those who reserved Harrison condos
Link (GFWBW)

"Officials at Martin Goldstine Knapke are starting to call those who paid the $1,000 fee to reserve a condo to get their final decision. Priority is given in the order reservations were received.

A model of a small unit in The Harrison has opened at the Martin Goldstine Knapke office on Washington Boulevard in Fort Wayne to give future condo-owners an idea of what the final product will look like."

[...]

"Three contracts already are signed, said Mike Brita, of Martin Goldstine Knapke. He estimated 64 reservations have been made for the 62 available condos in the first phase. Reservations for The Harrison still can be made."

Line Forms For Bill Clinton At Grand Wayne Center

3:30PM
Jeff Pruitt of Fort Wayne Politics sent the above photo of the line that is currently growing in anticipation of former U.S. President Bill Clinton's appearance at the Grand Wayne Center in downtown Fort Wayne.

Former President Clinton is expected to speak sometime after 6:45PM this evening.

The line as of 3:30PM stretches the length of the Grand Wayne Center's long hallway along Jefferson Boulevard.

The Harrison Demo Unit Completed

Within the offices of Martin Goldstine Knapke, the firm responsible for handling sales of condos at The Harrison has built a demo unit for people to see and touch.

Click the image below for a sneak peek.