1/05/2009

There's some good news and some bad news

Delays encircle Harrison Square
Ballpark remains on schedule, but financing eludes other parts


First the bad news:

Construction has yet to start on the two major private pieces of the $130 million development, and the national economic collapse has made it extremely difficult for the hotel and condominium projects to secure financing to build.

The Harrison condo/retail project has been downsized, and its developers are examining what size project would work in Fort Wayne. While the builders of the Courtyard by Marriott have obtained a building permit, they don’t have the money to construct the hotel, despite numerous public subsidies.

Now, the good news:

Hungry contractors supplied low bids, allowing the stadium construction to come in under budget – meaning extra perks can be added.

Parkview Health committed $3 million over 10 years to name the venue Parkview Field.

And ticket sales, according to the team’s general manager, have exceeded expectations.

Then, there's a timeline and everything for the three main projects. Parkview Field's looks like this:

Feb. 1 : TinCaps General Manager Mike Nutter said the team’s administrative staff plans to move into Parkview Field, as phone and other services should be in place.

Feb. 24 : Individual game tickets go on sale for all TinCaps games. Nutter said all the usual methods to acquire tickets – in person, by phone and online – will be possible on this day. The TinCaps have already sold nearly 1,600 season tickets, Nutter said.

March : Nutter said the staff hopes to offer public tours to people interested in seeing the near-completed stadium. Other public and private events at the stadium this month are possible.

April 16 : Opening Day at Parkview Field. The TinCaps open their home season against the Dayton Dragons at 7:05 p.m. A large to-do is expected, including fireworks.

To-do? People still say that? I was expecting something like hullabaloo or shindig.

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