A bittersweet moment at the new hotel
Posted by Jim Sack in City & County Government, Fort Wayne, Harrison BoondoggleBy Jim Sack
It was a bittersweet moment today for Graham Richard, our former mayor.
Graham stood at the very back of the crowd of 200 or so people, mostly heavy hitters, politicians and affiliates of one downtown organization or another, to watch current Mayor Tom Henry, Redevelopment Director Greg Leatherman and a few others give and take credit for the new hotel adjacent to the ballpark.
It was all Graham’s vision and his name was mentioned once in passing.
So, a couple of representatives of the hotel spoke about the process and about their surprise at seeing so many people turn out to support the opening. Inside there were another 100 or so folk enjoying the new sports bar, milling in the lobby or waiting for a room or wondering what the crowd was all about.
It is a nice hotel. The sports bar is filled with big screen TVs, there are plenty of booths and bar stools and tables. Big smiles abound. It is new, it is clean, it is open and fresh. You might want to come down just to see the place.
A few years back it was just an idea. Most of that area was blighted, really blighted: there were a few houses among the weeds, there were a few parking lots, Belmont Liquors, a nice suburban-look restaurant and more weeds. The houses, for the most part, had seen their best days many years ago.
Mayor Richard had a vision and pushed his staff, including Mr. Leatherman, to make it happen. Obviously, there were bumps along the way, and questionable transactions, but the vision of a ballpark, a hotel, a large parking garage and a condo complex is now 3/4 of the way to realization.
Greg Leatherman was given the greatest credit and, perhaps, the strongest round of applause, deservedly so. The hoteliers credited him with making sure that the project crossed every hurdle. He took a modest bow. The hoteliers complimented the local banks that got on board, because of button-holing by the mayor, and they spoke of the mass that had been created with the huge project nestled among the Grand Wayne, the Embassy, the Lincoln campus, the Library, the Firefighters Museum, the Botanical Conservator and the Federal Building. One fellow emphasized the density, the mass, that had been created as a reason the hotel could go forward. Much applause.
So, now it is up to Mr. Leatherman to make the last piece of the puzzle come to pass, the condo building. He assured me that Barry is making progress, but they still do not have a lead bank around which other lenders can rally. It is different, he said, finding financing for that sort of a building, compared to a hotel, because lenders expect a full portfolio of leases in hand, signed and notarized. It is different also, he lamented, because the easy money that washed all over the place when the project was envisioned is now a fond memory. Bankers are hoarding their money.
Greg added that he was also left out of the loop when Barry flew in the high-level Savannah delegation in mid-August to see the ballpark. Nobody, except Tim Pape, the mayor and another unnamed council member, were privy to the stealth tour. We are digging for that other name. And, Greg said to me before the dedication today that there was not a media campaign to discredit John Shoaff, the principle critic of the project. Things just worked out that way, he said, and I believe him. In the 30-years I have known Greg I know when he is holding back. You will remember Mr. Leatherman was on two radio talk programs and two editorials appeared, both attacking Mr. Shoaff. Seemed like a campaign, but Greg insisted it was not.
So, Barry Realty is the on the spot. The other three legs of the project are complete leaving just a big hole in the ground to mark their languishing promise to the community. It is good that John Shoaff pushes Barry hard and demands the liquidated damages be paid. If nothing more, it is a reminder that we are all paying close attention. The $400k that would result would help the city budget, no doubt.
Leatherman, for his part, fully believes that Barry will make good on their promise and his points to a few leases that are nearly ready to go. He also reminded me that Barry has already put some $6 million into the ball complex and deserves some credit for the entirety of the project.
Meanwhile, at the back of the crowd, in blue jeans and a light shirt, no tie, no suit, loafers, not oxfords, taking it all in with a tired smile was the guy who had the vision and pushed so hard to make it happen. Today, he said to me, would have been his mother’s 92nd birthday. She would have been very proud.
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The Goldstine Bridge??? Do we get paid for the naming rights to that?
Is Andy Udris angling to get a restaurant investment in Savannah?
Although I usually vote Republican, I liked Graham Richard. I think I voted for Linda Buskirk (at least one time), but I doubt whether Southtown Crossing would have happened without Graham Richard. (Perhaps some would argue that Southtown Crossing shouldn't have happened, but I am glad to have it, since I benefit from the Wal-Mart and the Menards.) I think our roads improved under Graham Richard, and probably some other City services too. Too bad Mayor Henry isn't more like his predecessor.
(Concerning Democrats that I like, I like John Shoaff too. That's about it.)
I still believe someone, someday is going to spend time in jail over the items you called
"questionable transactions". It happened in one of the places that was touted when we were going through our ranting back it 2006. Could be wrong, but at this point, don't think so.
And, Jim, what training have you had that enables you to really be able to tell when people are not telling the truth – and how do you audit to see if you have been correct on these "feelings"?
The late Bob Goldstine was one of the leaders in saving the Embassy years ago. He continued to donate to the Embassy from his personal wealth to restore the massive pipe organ and other parts of the interior. I believe the bridge honors his memory. There may also be a foundation in his honor that continues to fund projects in Fort Wayne.
As for Andy, I think he is still trying to figure out why we do not have a large and flourishing German restaurant here. He comes from Lithuanian stock and loves the heavy cuisine that makes farmers wanna take on the day.
Don't forget that Pape's law firm Carson Boxberger is the attorney for the Redevelopment Commission.
Thank you, EdE. John Wernet is the attorney who advises Mr. Guerin. The Savannah story noted "council members," so I am still trying to determine who the other or others were. Tim is the only one who so far has fessed up. The only two not accounted for – Bender and Hines – list me on the scheisse lists, so I have not heard from them or from the reporter in Georgia who was following the story down there. It is becoming more and more apparent that Hardball is throwing knuckle balls to officials here. Councilman Smith, when learning of their efforts to build in Savannah, commented that that means they, Hardball, should have enough money to complete their obligation here.
Jim:
Hand 'em ALL a weed-whacker and let them clean up that VACANT area that's SUPPOSSED to be those CONDOS we were going to see there.
Sorry, did I say that OUT LOUD?
Really, the city outta make something positive out of the space, a basketball court, a bocci ball (plaza?), a picnic space, a place for the beautiful people to see and be seen, perhaps a plaza honoring lawyers, a large plaque with the Constitution, a concrete pad with a map of Fort Wayne painted on it, a garden or annuals in the hopes that next year it will grow condos. Something other than an eyesore.
Jim,
It's bocce ball, (yeah, an Italian had to tell you that). A couple of years ago, Palazzo di Bocce opened in Michigan near my mother's place. This would be a great addition to the downtown area.
Video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kQLKElpKdE&fe…
Jim:
You have some great ideas there…damn shame the general PUBLIC is better prepared to do something with an eyesore than those who created it (and are paid for BY that general public).
Kudos.
BTW, San DIego has formal BOCCE BALL courts…in a few of their parks…VERY nice.
But you actually have to WAIT to get a chance to play!
It's THAT busy, and all those senior Italians are pretty tough cookies, and can play their wrinkles off, I'll tell 'ya!
Bob G., Greg reads the column, so perhaps he will propose a temporary solution. The problem is that Hardball might start building at any time and waste all the work that might go into giving some charm to that hole.
I would think that, at the very least, Hardball/Barry Real Estate should have paid (or been fined) the $10,000 that Mr. Leatherman spent putting in a 'temporary' asphalt walkway since the only reason it was needed was because the project had not been timely completed. When asked about this, Mr. Leatherman said that, technically, the city still owned the property so that was why ten thousand city (our tax) dollars were spent on that project. While I understand and appreciate that distinction, a fine for just two days of the $5,000/day penalty would have covered the expense and, ultimately, the people responsible (Hardball/Barry Real Estate) would have reimbursed the city for the expense it incurred.
I pushed Greg on that, too. He answered me with reserve in his voice and a sideways glance. I like Greg a lot. I want him to be successful, but the city should, without any more delay, demand payment. Take a look at Barry's web site, http://www.barrycompanies.com/ and you will see that they have, or should have, the means to pay for the damages they have caused to the city of Fort Wayne. They made the promise, signed the bottom line and have enjoyed their part of the spoils. They should immediately fulfill their obligations and Tom Henry is remiss in not doing what is right. It is a business deal. With that money they could subsidize another year of the failing Safety Academy behind Walmart. With that money they could afford a dozen projects that are gathering dust. If the cap is $450k, or thereabouts, well, that is substantial and could be put to good use. If there is not cap, as I have also be told, then we will soon see whether Barry has the financial strength to complete this project at all, or whether they are on very thin financial ice, at which point we want to make sure we are not on the same small patch with them.
Sorry,why would you want to throw more money at a failing ill-conceived,safety academy.It is a redundant service offered at many places throughout the state designed and thought out by non public safety hacks.Which is the reason it is failing.Graham Richard simply built a pyramid to himself.
I noted that with a bit of cynicism. Sorry I was not clear enough.
Clear,my bad
Seems the Redevelopment Commission, Christopher Guerin, at the helm, finally decided to act on the Harrison yesterday. A letter will be sent to Hardball/Barry informing them of the city's determination they are in default. Credit should be given first and foremost to John Shoaff, councilman-at-large, for making this an issue and calling repeatedly for action, despite personal attacks. There is a story in the JG this AM that gives not credit or mention to Mr. Shoaff which causes one to wonder if that was intentional, but rather makes the matter sound as if the administration, through, somber deliberation, arrived at this on their own. You might remember that a scant two weeks ago the administration, backed by Mr. Guerin, argued against what Shoaff had long called for and what they finally did yesterday.