The City has posted a letter sent by Mayor Tom Henry to Fort Wayne Redevelopment Commission president Christopher Guerin, dated today:
Mayor Henry’s Letter to the Fort Wayne Redevelopment Commission
May 9, 2011
Dear Mr. Guerin:
The work we have done together over the last decade is transforming downtown Fort Wayne and strengthening our community. The performance numbers and the increasing city center activity are an outstanding testament to our community’s efforts and commitment.
Parkview Field is bringing over a half million people downtown annually to enjoy TinCaps’ games and a host of other events at this popular landmark. The Courtyard by Marriott hotel, together with other downtown lodging, is already attracting larger events to the Grand Wayne Center, spurring our tourism and hospitality industry. In just the past few months, we’ve seen the proof in five major convention wins. Additionally, new business investments, longer restaurant hours, higher attendance at Headwaters Park and other downtown festivals, a thriving cultural district and more vitality in the heart of the community further validate our endeavors.
Not only is Harrison Square a new community gathering place, it also symbolizes our new energy and collective ability to invest in ourselves and realize a dream.
The successful completion of nearly all of Harrison Square in the midst of extremely difficult economic times has made us eager to see the final piece of this already exceptional project come to fruition. It is clear, however, with the passing of the developer’s expected early-May groundbreaking deadline, that an update on The Harrison and the work underway are essential.
Therefore, I request that the Fort Wayne Redevelopment Commission ask Barry Real Estate to report to you and the entire community the status of this project no later than May 31, 2011.
Sincerely yours,
Tom Henry
Mayor