Image from Microsoft Virtual Earth

Members OK deal to sell Scottish Rite, shrine site
Link (JG)

“Hanning & Bean Enterprises Inc. has made an offer to purchase the Scottish Rite Center and the neighboring Mizpah Shrine building, Mizpah Shrine’s leader said Thursday. The two buildings sit on West Berry Street, bordered by Ewing Street and Fairfield Avenue.

Mizpah Shrine’s members voted to accept the offer Wednesday, Potentate Larry Chapel said. He declined to disclose the price.”

[...]

“Chapel declined to say how Hanning & Bean intends to use the building, referring comment on that issue to the firm. The way Hanning & Bean presented the offer would allow the firm to transfer ownership to another business, he said.

Visitors touring downtown often point out the Scottish Rite’s zigzag-patterned brick façade, said Angie Quinn, executive director of preservation group ARCH Inc. The building hosts theater productions, wedding receptions and other events.

The auditorium, which opened in 1928, is a historic part of the downtown landscape, Quinn said.”

[...]

“The service organization, which raises money for children’s orthopedic and burn hospitals, would like to move to a single-story structure to accommodate its aging membership, he said. The group also wants the new location to be more accessible to members who live throughout the region. While the Shriners look for a new home, Chapel said they hope to rent their current space from Hanning & Bean.

The property has “been the heart of downtown for a long time,” Chapel said, “and as far as we know it will continue to be a part of downtown.””

Hanning & Bean buying Scottish Rite, Shrine properties
Link (GFWBW)

“The purchase would include the Scottish Rite auditorium at 431 W. Berry St., the parking lot across the street, the Mizpah Shrine headquarters at Berry and Ewing streets and that organization’s building along Main Street. No buildings are expected to be torn down as a result of the sale.”

[...]

“Allen County property-tax records state the appraised value of the Shrine’s land and building, at 407 W. Berry St., was $588,400 in March 2007. The Scottish Rite auditorium, at 431 W. Berry St., had an appraised value of $2.3 million the same year. The appraised values were used for property-tax purposes, but both buildings were exempt from property taxes.

Chapel said Shrine members expect to talk with Bean about leasing at least a portion of the building while the group searches for a new home. Chapel said the Shrine could remain at its downtown location for another year or two.”

[...]

“Historic preservation group ARCH has placed the properties on its endangered list because they are for sale and their use could change. The entire block is part of the city’s historic district in the West Central neighborhood.”

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A bit of clout for condo sales
But why did it take so long to make brokerage change?
Link (NS)

“But the hiring of Coldwell Banker Roth Wehrly Graber as the condo project’s real estate brokerage is troubling precisely because it was so sensible. With sales languishing – I first reported problems four months ago – why did it take until now for supposedly savvy people to do something as obvious as including the condos on real estate Multiple Listing Services, exposing the project to a wider audience and giving thousands of Realtors an incentive to sell the condos by qualifying for a commission?

It’s true that the Fort Wayne Area Association of Realtors didn’t allow MLS listings for projects on which work has not yet begun until Roth Wehrly requested it. But Karan Flick, the association’s CEO, said the condos’ previous broker, Martin Goldstine Knapke, never requested the change, which Flick said was approved this week “to promote the community.” Martin is a Fort Wayne company known mostly for commercial and industrial real estate; Roth Wehrly handles mostly residential projects – which, of course, condos are.”

[...]

“Leatherman may have unwittingly illustrated the marketers’ dilemma when he pointed out how the condos’ MLS listings will more effectively reach “people coming into Fort Wayne from other cities where they have seen projects like this.”

In other words, it is not unusual in many other places to pay a lot of money for a relatively small townhouse or condo nestled between shops, restaurants and athletic facilities. The bustle and commotion is an accepted – even anticipated – way of life.

But not yet in Fort Wayne, apparently, despite the city’s much-touted studies purporting to show a pent-up demand for downtown housing.

And even though Irwin said plenty of interest has been expressed in the project’s commercial space, Leatherman noted uncertainty over a construction date cannot help but complicate negotiations with would-be tenants.”

• More On New Harrison Push
• From Council
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The first game at the Harrison Square ballpark occurs:

Thursday, April 16, 2009 @ 7 PM

Verbatim Press Release from the Fort Wayne Wizards:

Fort Wayne, IN – The date and time of Opening Day for Fort Wayne’s professional baseball team has officially been determined. The hot dogs will be cooked, the cotton candy spun and the grills will be fired up when the team opens their home Midwest League schedule on Thursday, April 16th, 2009. Game time for the first game has been set as 7:00pm EST.

As construction of the Ballpark at Harrison Square continues on schedule, the anticipation of Opening Day has escalated. “We have been looking forward to April 2009 as the opening month of the first season downtown,” said Mike Nutter, General Manager. “We are excited to be able to officially put a date and time on when the first game will be played in that new ballpark. It’s hard to believe how far the construction has come since the groundbreaking and it will be fun to watch how quickly things come together in the coming months.”

While the specifics of Opening Day ceremonies have not been announced, the team is excited about what the future holds and what the possibilities will be.

“We plan on kicking off the first game, home stand and season downtown in style. We have had tremendous support and encouragement from our new neighbors downtown and we are excited about the possibilities that those relationships bring to the table, “ stated Michael Limmer, Assistant General Manager. “There’s a lot of work to be done between now and April 16th, but having a date to focus on is important for our staff. We have 224 days to get everything ready in order to play ball. We couldn’t be more excited.”

More information on the 2009 schedule will be released when the remainder of dates, times and promotional events have been finalized by the front office staff.

For more information on season tickets, group outings or corporate partnerships for the Ballpark at Harrison Square contact the team at (260) 482-6400.

• Last Call For New Wiz Kids Name
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Harrison condo sales 20 shy of start point
Developer trims home prices, switches real estate companies
Link (JG)

“Sluggish sales have forced The Harrison developer to offer discounted condominium prices and kick off a new marketing campaign.

Jim Irwin, project manager for Barry Real Estate, said that as of Tuesday only 10 of the 62 condominiums in The Harrison were sold. Barry is developing the high-end condo/retail complex as part of the larger Harrison Square downtown development.

Irwin said at least 20 more condo sales are needed for the company to break ground on the project, and several initiatives are under way to help boost sales.

One of those initiatives is offering discounts on The Harrison condominium prices, which Barry officials previously said ranged from $149,000 to $349,000.”

[...]

“John Bellio, Coldwell broker, owner and president of sales, said he planned to promote the project through the Homes magazine, the company’s Web site and listing The Harrison on three multiple listing services in northern Indiana that reach more than 2,500 real estate agents.”

[...]

“Leatherman said the city also supported the change in pricing for the condominiums. He said it was unfair to blame the slow sales exclusively on the poor economy, but it has played a part.”

• New Harrison Marketing Push Launches
• Harrison To Stay Condos
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