It was a busy day in Fort Wayne today.
My day started with the State of the City address by Mayor Tom Henry. Â This was followed by interviews with City Councilman Tim Pape and Republican Mayoral candidates Liz Brown and Paula Hughes. Â A short drive out to IPFW to attend the Brian Bosma press conference which had some interesting information about Charter School legislation making its way through the General Assembly. Â One of the interesting points he made is that the legislation, which I believe he is authoring, will make it possible for Mayors of second class cities, such as Fort Wayne, to set up a Charter School. Â After that press conference, I returned downtown for a chat with City Councilman Tom Smith about a variety of topics including his re-election bid for the 1st District seat.
I have video and photos to post. Â They will be posted possibly later this evening, or early tomorrow morning. My apologies – I’m only a one man show!
Tomorrow is almost as daunting. Â The Redevelopment Commission meets at 3 pm. Â There are four items on the agenda:
Resolution 2011-01 – Ratifying and approving Change Order #1 to a contract with Key Concrete for the Wayne & Barr Streetscape project
Resolution 2011-02 – Approving a contract for professional legal services with Carson Boxberger
Harrison Square Discussion
Resolution 2011-03 Approving a Supplemental Agreement with Hardball Capital, LLC, Fort Wayne Professional Baseball, LLC and Barry Real Estate Companies, Inc.
Mayor Tom Henry alluded to the financial part of the deal that has been struck for the new residential/commercial development in his State of the City address:
It has been tough to be patient as the economic downturn and tight credit market kept the last piece of Harrison Square on hold. But much like the courage and tenacity that it took to realize the new hotel, today it is my good fortune to announce the financing package for The Harrison is nearly complete.
Several Financial institutions have now stepped up for our city. With PNC in the lead, along with Tower Bank, Three Rivers Federal Credit Union and others – the residential and retail component of Harrison Square will soon come to life.
After the Redevelopment Commission meeting, the first Legacy Fort Wayne Task Force meeting starts at 5 pm in the City Council Chambers at the City-County Building and is scheduled to run 1 and a half hours.
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