Harrison Square - Ripped Off By The Embassy

If someone tells me White Leasing Services (WLS) was driving force for the walkway through the Embassy (via the Indiana Hotel) I am going to laugh. It just does not add up to timing, need, or being a development stopper!

So who does it make a show stopper for? The Embassy, is the who!


It was sated this walkway request came as a shocker and that WLS demanded it at the last minute! A first year architect will tell you that getting into, and out of building is one of the first concerns with a new building design. WLS has a crack group of people who would have put the walkway out front if it had been an issue. It served them no good to hide or delay letting the city know it was a "deal breaker!"

Visit their site and see if you think this is a company that would miss a "show stopping" walkway? Would they risk the the entire deal over a walkway that would be nice, but in the real world, only add a frill?

http://www.whitelodging.com/



It looks like the Embassy has a shopping list of things they want to "allow" the walkway to be attached to their building. The list includes parking area for semi trailers, a second stairway in the Indiana Hotel, new elevator shafts, build storage rooms for the Embassy, add security and maintenance upkeep. These Embassy board claims they are only seeking something fair for use of run down portion of a building they have failed to use for twenty plus years. I don't think so!


LET THE FIRST SHOE DROP:


If the Embassy Internet site is correct the Board of Directors presents some interesting names and the connection to Harrison Square.

Jan Wilheim is the Board President and works at 1st Source Bank. Being the Embassy Board President and Harrison Square being built across the street, one would think she would be on top of the project. Apparently not!


Pat Murphy is the Board Vice President and works at Barrett & McNagny law firm. Barrett & McNagny does a great deal of legal work for the City of Fort Wayne. Again being a leader for the Embassy and Harrison Square being build across the street that Murphy would be on top of the project. Apparently not!

Keitha J. Wesner is a board member and appears to be married to Steve Wesner. Is this is the same Steve Wesner that works for Martin/Goldstine/Knapke real estate? The very real estate company trying to market parts of Harrison Square. In doing so they wold know what is going on and pass it on to his wife. I guess not!

NOW THE OTHER SHOE:

We have one Mr. Greg Leathermen. The name Leathermen should be known by most people within the redevelopment arena of Fort Wayne. He is the city's Director of Redevelopment. Oh, he is also the city's lead person on Harrison Square. Oh, I almost forgot, is he the same active member of The Embassy Board of Directors? Interesting!

Now what does The Embassy Board get?

Allowing for the connection to the Indiana Hotel the people attending the events at the Embassy will have a new closed passage way to additional enclosed parking. Which makes the Embassy more appealing to people to attend events when it is raining, snowing, or just plain cold.


The Embassy receives both elevators and a stairway to use as their own. Their Embassy patrons get to use the elevators from the first floor up to the walkway. They can also use the stairways, if they wish. The Embassy additionally gains nice new elevators to move items they wish to store on the upper floors.

The Embassy has a shortage of storage rooms. They currently use old run down rooms of the now empty Indiana Hotel for storage. Many of theses so called storage rooms have no working lights, electrical outlets, or HVAC.


The city is offering to build them new storage rooms with lights, outlets, and one would guess hooked to a decent heating and cooling system. Of course they would need to meet building code. Hardly any of the unused portion of the building comes close to meeting any code. The cost of this could skyrocket.

With the added feature of the city paying for the security for the walkway and part of the building will result in higher daily operational costs for Harrison Square. The Embassy gets a windfall of additional free security and free cleaning to parts of the building forever.


The Embassy has never had downtown parking for the semi trucks that bring in the gear for concerts and shows. The trucks would block part of Jefferson and unload. After unloading, the truck drivers would have to fine some lot to park.

The city is proposing to rip up a nice little park to the east of the Embassy building to provide them truck parking space. Of course the city will maintain the parking lot for them.

Now I am not the sharpest tack in the box, but I know when I am being had. This is MAJOR LEAGUE CON GAME, IN A MINOR LEAGUE CITY!

Piling On

This would have been an acceptable deal if was closer to 50-50. However, going behind the backs of the general public and piling on a project that is already a potential financial nightmare is wrong. I do not look at one of you, or your companies as good corporate citizens.

For the people from the Embassy to try to pull this on the very people, other foundations, and companies that have donated millions of dollars to you it is a shame!