Artist rendering of a skyline view from the Grandstands

I don’t think we’ll soon see a better pitch to revitalize downtown Fort Wayne than the proposed Harrison Square project. So, metaphor intended, I believe we should step into this one and give it a ride.

I’m not old enough to legitimately wax nostalgic about our downtown’s heyday, but I’ve heard plenty of stories about the hustle and bustle and the “real city” feel back when Fort Wayne’s center was both its civic and commercial heart, and people from all around the area came to the city to do business, to shop and dine, and to be entertained.
Of course, Fort Wayne is hardly alone as a mid-size city that suffered a “doughnut effect” during the urban sprawl of recent decades. As land has been developed farther and farther from the center of town, we haven’t backfilled, so to speak, and we’ve been left with a hole in the middle.

That’s not to say, however, that downtown Fort Wayne doesn’t already have many fine attractions, including museums, the Embassy, the Botanical Conservatory, and Headwaters Park. Moreover, the expanded and refurbished Grand Wayne Center and Allen County Library are absolutely beautiful, first-class facilities.

But these facilities are just bits and pieces, and not a real culmination—and catalyst for further growth—that we can achieve with Harrison Square. The project provides a composite of attractions: a ballpark, retail outlets, condos, a hotel, and a new parking facility to serve the entire area. If the project is a success, and I truly believe it will be, more businesses will want to have downtown locations. Success follows success.
I grew up in the heart of Fort Wayne, and I’m proud of my hometown. I think it’s a great place to live, work, and raise a family. I also started my business here, and I was honored when my firm was chosen to lead the first phase at Renaissance Point, a project using a combination of public and private funding to bring a better standard of living and a renewed sense of pride to residents in that part of the inner city.

But just as Renaissance Point wouldn’t be happening as a purely private or purely public endeavor, the same is true for Harrison Square. The good news is that private investors are ready to make a sizable financial commitment to the future of downtown Fort Wayne through this project.

The even better news is that, as the plan stands now, any use of public funds wouldn’t have a negative impact on property taxes. That means that while no money will come out the average citizen’s pocket, residents stand to benefit from an increased tax base, new businesses, new jobs, new attractions—and, of course, a new sense of pride in their city.

I’m aware that the project has its detractors, but no plan ever pleased everyone. We’ve been exploring ways to revitalize the downtown for some time, and I think now is the time to combine commitment with a bit of boldness and make Harrison Square a reality. Let’s begin a new golden age for downtown Fort Wayne by making it a real destination for people from throughout northeast Indiana and beyond.

It’s essential that we revitalize our downtown area because a vibrant core is vital to the longevity of our city. Otherwise, we’re just a loosely linked conglomeration of subdivisions and strip malls, with no sense of community—and no heart.

This pitch is right in our wheelhouse. Let’s not strike out with the bat still resting on our shoulders.

Todd Bauer,
Founder and principal,
ForeSight Consulting LLC

Conceptual site plan