Please note: This was originally posted on this website on
March 28, 2007. That was before many details, including the
MOUs, were released. Some of
the ideas in this perspective are wrong, but remember, this was
before the public had much of the information now available. I
had the opportunity to speak with Deputy Mayor Mark Becker about many of
my concerns and questions on April 25, 2007, the day after the City
Council vote on the finance resolutions.
Read the interview here.
One of audience members asked about a Whole Foods Grocery in the
project. While I think the question too restrictive in asking
only about a specific type of grocery store, the idea in general
wasn’t given a thoughtful answer. Instead, it was pointed out
that for the project to attract a grocery anchor store, something
like 12,000 to 14,000 rooftops would be needed. But that view is
too narrow in terms of thinking only about the project’s
residents. Anyone who lives in the downtown area knows, there is
nothing but the Kroger’s on Spy Run Avenue, a small store on Wells
Street and another south on Fairfield Avenue to shop without
having to drive a considerable distance. If in doubt, ask
yourself where those “rooftops” currently go. Food is a basic
necessity and one which people look for before clothing and other
items.
What sort of retail
operations are expected – clothing, specialty shops or general
merchandise? What will be the mix of retail stores and
restaurants? Frankly, I don’t mind driving a distance for clothing
because I only do it once in a while. Food is something I shop
for every week, if not several times a week. The downtown and
specifically that area
in particular have the fast-food angle
covered. There is room for sit-down eateries even with the
Firehouse Café and Hilton Hotel Restaurant in
walking distance and the Oyster Bar a bit farther out. So it
would seem that a grocery store would be a necessity – as long as
it’s not another Wal-Mart! Lack of a downtown grocery store is
almost always mentioned when people talk about downtown. Besides, the
steady stream of daily visitors drawn to a grocery store would
certainly justify taking a harder look at this option – especially
if this project is less about Baseball and more about
drawing people downtown. Realistically a grocery store may not be a
good fit with this project. But when talking about
attracting more people to live downtown, it's a necessary part and
needs to be addressed at some point.
One of the biggest concerns however with this project is the neighborhood
that borders it. For whatever reasons, property owners along
Ewing have let the houses deteriorate. My impression is that the
neighborhood is mostly rental properties with few landowners
actually living there. It is not a downtown neighborhood that I
particularly feel safe in, especially after dark. Now, you are
ripping out the eastern side to be populated with all new
structures and infrastructure while leaving one of the city’s
darker areas exposed. Will the city offer grants and or
incentives to improve properties in the area? Will property
owners clean up the area even with the offer of financial
assistance? Or will they in anticipation of increased property
values, let them deteriorate further?
At the City Council meeting on March 27th, Councilman Don
Schmidt said that he feels the city shouldn’t be spending public
money to duplicate existing amenities. The park aspect would
duplicate Headwater’s Park while meeting rooms in the stadium
itself are already provided by the Grand Wayne Center, Main
Library Branch and Hilton Hotel, not to mention the Embassy
Theatre facility. He also questioned whether the Coliseum
would be able to recoup losses from parking, concessions and lease
payments it currently receives. And as to the housing
aspect, he asks if the condominiums should be built elsewhere?
Along the riverfront, perhaps? He pointed out that the city
has never gone out and asked for proposals to build condominiums.
In the March 14th meeting at the library, it was mentioned
the condos would sell for $180,000 to $300,000 and that in other
cities, the units sell out within a short time of being offered.
I feel that everyone agrees there is a demand, or will be one once
this project is built, for
downtown housing.
But will those kinds of prices prove too prohibitive or
optimistic? Will they transition the neighborhood and project
into a more upscale exclusive entity? Remember what is on the
west side of Ewing Street and the downtown area in general. The other question here is if the
units do not sell at those prices, would the developers consider
building cheaper to allow units to be built in a price range more
affordable/desirable to potential residents?
In closing, let me say that I
support this project. It would be a shame if
this opportunity were simply skipped over because of vagaries or
the unknown outcomes or over-contemplation. This cannot go the way
of the Anthony Wayne Parkway, the proposed multi-use sports
facility – in about the same area as a matter of fact – or the
Kroc complex of a couple of years ago. (This last example wasn’t
realized because of a foundation decision beyond the city’s
control.)
However, the lack of details about anything past phase I and major changes in the
conceptual site plans support those who f
eel this project is only
about Baseball. Again, it’s acknowledged that the devil is in the details and the agreements are now being hammered out. We have to
take it on faith – which is not easy for such a conservative city
as Fort Wayne. There is not going to be silver bullet that will
magically revitalize downtown. If there were, we would have found
it by now with all the money, studies and community time put into
this topic. Letting this opportunity pass easily into the night
will do a huge disservice to the downtown efforts. As was stated
in some of the meetings – name another activity that will draw
300,000 plus to downtown. I have concerns about the previously
mentioned aspects of the project, but I have to agree with
Councilman Pape, "Can we say no to this?"
