Sunday, February 8, 2015

ASH/DOMO-DEV CITY-SCAPE FLATS - WHAT THEY ARENT TELLING YOU

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https://www.facebook.com/GinaMBurgess/posts/10205694754432961

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http://www.fortwaynereader.com/story.php?uid=2720
scroll down for text; or read at link here


Gina Burgess
January 16 at 9:04pm · Edited ·
DEAR DEMOCRAT MAYOR HENRY AND REPUBLICAN INDIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION PRESIDENT ERIC DODEN -- STOP LYING!!! There is NOT a high demand for housing in Downtown Fort Wayne. If there was The Harrison would be at full occupancy and its not---some units aren't even finished. If there was high demand, there wouldn't be any problem trying to find someone to take Hanning & Beans part of the Ash "Cash & Slash" Brokerage project--which you are having to beg and bribe would be developers of that fiasco with the promise of $10,000. [1] But that's just it--you two "gentlemen" are all about promises. I'm Mayor Henry and I "promise" to move into The Harrison. Look I've put a downpayment and signed a contract at a big ol' press conference. Trust me, this is a good deal and you (unsuspecting Fort Wayne public) should get in on this deal while the deals are good. (Ok, in fairness, that isn't what he explicity said, but that is what was implicitly implied. Otherwise, why do it??) [2] [3]
Folks, here's what Henry and Doden don't want you to know. In May, 2012, Domo Development LLC was created, pursuant to the Indiana Secretary of State. [4] Yes, our Mayor is handing over a $27 million "investment" project to be developed by a "two year old" company. [5] A 2 year old company?? Huh??
But, wait, Domo Development, LLC isn't just any company. No, its true owner is IEDC President Eric Doden. And how do we know this? Because 10 months later, the Indiana State Ethics Commission issued an advisory opinion telling Mr. Doden that his company's plans for development project in downtown Ft. Wayne presented a potential conflict of interest for the President under I.C. 4-2-6-9 if the company was chosen as the developer of the parcel of land in downtown Fort Wayne, the CReED is amended to include the parcel, and CReED tax credits are sought from IEDC. [6]
So, at the very least, Doden is now in a conflict of interest situation....and he knows it?!?!?
But wait, that's not all. Doden messed up his timeline....and folks, I mean, he really screwed the pooch here!! He told the Indiana State Ethics Commission that "....If the RFP is issued, the Partners intend to form a new LLC and respond to the RFP...." (See page of the ISEC Advisory linked below) But the LLC that Doden and his "partners" formed was Domo Development, LLC. It was formed May 30, 2012. The ISEC Advisory opinion is dated March, 2013. The news is just breaking about the next biggest and greatest "downtown economic development" "investment" since the Ash "Cash & Slash" Brokerage project (January, 2015), the report is that Cityscape Flats is being awarded to Domo Development, LLC. This means that at some point after May 20, 2012 and before January, 2015, the City sent out a RFP for the Cityscape Flats project, received one or more proposals, selected the "best" "proposal" (wink, wink, elbow nudge, smirk), awarded the job and then made the award public. At some point between March, 2013 and the submission of the responding proposal to the City's RFP, Doden and "partners" were supposed to form a new LLC. Since Domo Development, LLC was formed before March, 2013 and the job has publically been awarded to Domo Development, LLC as of January, 2015---someone forgot to form a new LLC. Oops!!
Folks, this is an amazing swweeeeeet deal....for Henry, Doden and fellow cronies. AMAZING!!
First, at the bequest of the Henry administration, Neighborhood Code Enforcement starts issuing various violations in an effort to condemn houses in and around the Harrison Square/Parkview Field area driving down real estate prices.
Next, the Cronies purchase these properties below fair market value.
Next, Henry's brother comes in and starts stripping the abandoned and condemned houses for copper wire and assorted other recyclable metals.
Next, the Henry administration applies for and wins a federal housing grant. The money from that grant is used to tear down old dilapidated housing structures for the purposes of rebuilding and revitalizing the neighborhood. As a caveat to that grant, the City has to run a Housing Discrimination ad campaign--which it has been doing on the radio for some time now.
Next, the Henry administration "buys" the properties from the Cronies at a rate less than fair market value, but at a rate higher than what the houses were originally purchased for by said Cronies. Payment comes from a variety of sources---to muddy the paper trail--but the majority of funds is from the federal grant.
Next, Henry's brother and other Building & Trades contractors beholden to Henry begin demolition, using union workers. Why? We gotta keep these guys happy...a City election is just around the corner, afterall. So these contractors are paid with a variety of funds--again to muddy the paper trail--with the majority of money coming from the federal grant (Btw, I'm betting some monies from Legacy got used here too...remember that odd request this past summer for an additional $5 million for the Ash "Cash & Slash" Brokerage project garage? The housing part fell through, so in theory that garage can now go back to its original size. So where is that $5 million really going?? It wasn't returned back to the Legacy coffers.) So the houses get demolished, Henry's brother gets paid for the demolition job PLUS all the metal recycling there is to get, and the labor union workers get some much needed and much appreciated work.
Next, the real estate gets turned over to Doden's company for "development" and in comes a nice big economic development package from the State, just like the one that happened for the Ash "Cash & Slash" Brokerage project -- Remember how Henry said "...they will use very little new tax money but will use Legacy money, food and beverage tax money plus money from the State to put the financial package together...." [7] (SIDEBAR: Folks, you can't get monies from the State on local projects unless the local government has first made a "substantial" investment in the project. But, then again....how does one define "substantial"??)
Cityscape Flats is likely to follow the same "economic development" program that Harrison Square and Ash "Cash & Slash" Brokerage projects followed, post contract award -- use lots of steel, pipes, bricks, and other products produced/manufactured by or sold from the Cronies and have the appropriate labor unions do the work. This is how you keep your Republican Cronies (big business leadership get revenues from sale of products) and your Democratic Cronies (labor union leadership gets more union dues when more union workers are working and working higher paying jobs) happy, while ensuring yourself some sort of payoff later on down the road. For the Mayor, that initial payoff is as simple as an annual salary that exceeds the Governor of the State of Indiana. For Eric Doden -- an investment that others (federal, state and local taxpayers) have paid for with long term potential earnings from rentals of apartments and sales of condos.
But wait, we are in an election year, so there is more to the "payoff." Labor unions will be kept busy in the Spring and Summer so they will be all fat and happy come Fall, when they will be encouraged to help campaign for the Mayor through call-banking, lit drops and neighborhood canvassing efforts. Also, money going to big business and labor unions will find its way back to the Mayor and all who supported these so-called local economic development projects, such as 6 of the 9 City Councilman whose campaigns are supported by the same people backing Henry.
While all the above is provable, my hunch is also that there is some money from this deal going into Governor Pence's campaign coffers as well. He too is supported financially from the same people supporting Henry and the 6 City Councilmen. Some is also likely to find its way back to Mike Huckabee, another would-be Presidential candidate for 2016. Now, I know some of this may seem absurd---money from Downtown Fort Wayne economic development projects--but remember, both Pence and Huckabee were in town last summer during the ACGOP State convention.
TO ERIC DODEN -- Next time you create a front company, you might want to consider using a more reputable business address---maybe something other than the address of real estate that has been on the market since 2011??? Ooops! But, hey, don't worry--your daddy got you the job of IEDC President through a nice, big fat donation to Pence. I'm sure he'll do it again. wink emoticon
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  • Gina Burgess [1] “….Redevelopment Commission Monday agreed to pay up to $10,000 to each of the firms not selected to succeed Fort Wayne-based Hanning & Bean Enterprises as developer of the residential component of the Ash Skyline Plaza….” http://www.news-sentinel.com/article/2014141219751
    January 16 at 10:26pm · Like · 1
  • Gina Burgess [2] Mayor Henry Puts Money Where His Mouth is in Support of Harrison Square Project: http://www.21alive.com/news/local/14109037.html
    January 16 at 10:40pm · Like · 1
  • Gina Burgess [3] “…Henry and his wife, Cindy, reserved a Harrison Square condo Wednesday with a $1,000 check to Bill Martin of Martin Goldstine Knapke, the real estate firm selling the condos in the city's $125-million-to-$160-million downtown revitalization project…” http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article...



    Henrys put deposit on condo - News-Sentinel.com
    Martin Goldstine Knapke, 2020 E. Washington Blvd.,...
    NEWS-SENTINEL.COM
    January 16 at 10:40pm · Like · 1
  • Gina Burgess [5] “…Domo Development LLC, which is handling the development of the project…” http://www.journalgazette.net/.../Downtown-keeps-growing...



    Downtown keeps growing | Local Stories | Journal Gazette
    A new $27 million residential housing project in...
    JOURNALGAZETTE.NET
    January 16 at 10:41pm · Like · 1
  • Gina Burgess [6] Indiana State Ethics Commission advisory opinion:http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search...
    January 16 at 10:41pm · Like · 1
  • Gina Burgess [7] “….Henry said they will use very little new tax money but will use Legacy money, food and beverage tax money plus money from the State to put the financial package together….” http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article...
    January 16 at 10:42pm · Like · 1
  • Jesus Almanza I got ripped off my property at 1210 fairfield ave. Is there an avenue for remedial.? An anything be done to stop mayor? Can anything b done to stop code enforcement?
    January 16 at 11:12pm · Like
  • Gina Burgess You and I had already privately spoken on the matter Jesus Almanza. I advised you then and will again advise you now, please contact an attorney in the matter. To get you started, here's a link to the law offices of Burt, Blee, Dixon, Sutton & Bloom: http://www.burtblee.com/practice-areas/real-estate/



    Real estate
    Real Estate Lawyers in Fort Wayne, Indiana Skilled representation in all aspects of real estate Real estate...
    BURTBLEE.COM
    January 16 at 11:17pm · Like · 1
  • Derek Foote My local union and myself have and always will support the Democratic Party. Gina I voted via absentee ballot for you when I was working in Idaho. The mayor always asks for our support, but I don't feel as if he supports our cause and interests.
    January 16 at 11:17pm · Like · 1
  • Gina Burgess Derek Foote -- Thank you for your absentee ballot in 2012. I appreciated it then and now.  Unions are not the problem here. Some in union leadership are in a bit too cozy relationship with the Mayor. The Mayor has strayed from his father's principles. Profiteering has come before principle or the people. Many union members feel the same way you do. Local members of the UAW, IBEW and others feel the Democratic Party is shoved down their throats. That's why many end up voting Republican. I'm glad you support the Democrats, even if you can't support the current Mayor. Thank you also for being brave and speaking out like this. There are many others who feel the same as you, but will only confide such things pirvately and confidentially. So truly and sincerely--thank you! 
    January 16 at 11:22pm · Like · 3
  • James A Jim McCoy Jr. With conservative Republicans like Dodge sucking up the tax dollars, who needs liberal Democrats? You have no Republicans in Fort Wayne, certainly no actual fiscal conservatives. By Conservative, what Harper and Doden mean is subsidizing Republicans
    January 16 at 11:47pm · Like · 1
  • Katrina Hutchins James E. Harris - we were just discussing this. Gina lays it all out and really codifies the situation. Enjoy.
    January 17 at 10:46am · Like
  • Jesus Almanza And what will that change?
    January 17 at 10:48am · Like
  • Gina Burgess Katrina Hutchins and James E. Harris -- A LOT of people are talking about this. You guys are in good company. The number of public comments seen above is about 10% of the total commentary on this post in the last 12 hours. Lots of people are angry with this particular deal and are starting to wonder if the Mayor is using the current homeless situation to distract attention from the housing development project getting underway. They are questioning if this is one of the reasons he won't take Jeffery Wayne Landis' Homeless Challenge? Many questioning this are veterans who see the Mayor and City Council's non-accepting of this challenge as a way to continue to get that issue some media air time so that it not only distracts the public but also wastes the time and the resources of people like me who would call out City Council and the Mayor on these shenanigans. These critics raise a very valuable point--that in the end the Mayor gets what he wants, a distraction and the homeless continuing to get evicted.
    January 17 at 11:25am · Like · 2
  • Gina Burgess Btw, to those Veterans--thanks for sharing that group perspective and inviting me in on that conversation. I agree your perspective might be a possibility. As we know in war, its better to mame and wound your enemy than to flat out kill the enemy because it costs more money and resources to heal a wounded soldier than it does to bury a dead soldier. If you are correct in your criticisms--that in the end, the Mayor gets what he wants by first using the homeless as a distraction and then continuing the evictions to get rid of a nuisance---then....??? Honestly, I'm sort of speechless here. That as a political possibility sickens me.
    January 17 at 11:28am · Like
  • Patrick Daniel Read Kickbacks.. just sayin.
    January 17 at 11:35am · Like
  • Mike Anderson As a large residential Landlord in the downtown area, I absolutely assure you that there is a demand for "downtown" housing. It is interesting to note that Every bit of the apartment development has been in The West Central Neighborhood. 

    While I wo    uldn't consider myself THE expert on Fort Wayne Downtown housing, I am AN expert on the subject. For years now, I field weekly calls for the "Friends" or "How I Met Your Mother" style of living. The mixed use apartment with the coffee shop or restaurant on the first floor. This is an extremely sought after space.

    Look at these spaces, and you will see that they are full, and the rents are very aggressive. The old Betty Brite building, the spaces above JK's. Filled with waiting lists. I get calls for these spaces all the time, and I have been getting them for years and years. People moving into the area are shocked and disappointed that these cool, eclectic, historic spaces just don't exist. Mixed use spaces.

    They move into The residential area of West Central west of Van Buren, as that is the best option available. It becomes an 8 block walk to the center of downtown instead of just going downstairs.

    As the "downtown" area of West Central gains housing, they will fill. Unfortunately, the style, layout, and other factors being chosen are not what the market is actually asking for. I do not know who they are designing for, but it is not the population actually seeking this type of housing.

    As to this project. The name is ridiculous, and is the lowest level of in your face marketing. The design will look old and dated within 10 years. The makeup of the building is not the desirable optimum mix that the consumer is actually asking for.

    The mantra in Fort Wayne seems to be "but it is better than before", which somehow justifies everything.
    January 17 at 11:57am · Like · 5
  • Debbie McEntee Quite a smear there, in the white washing, this time. smh. Thank you for making things even more obvious. You are good, Gina. I'd back in a heartbeat!
    January 17 at 12:24pm · Like · 1
  • Dennis Exner thank you for accepting my friend request a few minuets ago. to begin, i should be upfront about a couple of things. first, i am a career carpenter and member of carpenter's local #232. second, this post showed up on my news feed page and i was unable to comment until you accepted me.( --oops, i hit enter to start a new paragraph and posted before i meant to). to continue:____________ the reason i'm writing is to address a number of blatant inaccuracies in your post regarding labor. 1) mayor henry's brother owns henry elect. and is a non-union contractor, he is decidely, actively, anti-union. his workers are NOT members of orginized labor. 2) union workers do not get paid more on some projects as compared to others, -period. 3) unlike consulting contracts or those with architects, etc. the building contracts are bid. they have to win the project with the lowest bid. the implication that it's otherwise when public dollars are involved on a large project is something i challange you to explain. i just read your message to me touting your 'organized labor' creds. i have to wonder --if you are as impartial as you claim, then why the slanted innuendo regarding unions in the post? "fat and happy", etc., etc.? it's as if your view has been oblivious to the background you describe and instead informed primarily by watching johnny friendly in 'on the waterfront' as for the city council members you say labor is supportive of, thats another bit of mis-information you are taking some liberties with. perpetuating stereotype based, inaccurate suspicions among those that read what you write and aren't in a position to know otherwise is a disservice to everyone, including yourself...
    January 17 at 1:26pm · Edited · Like · 1
  • Gina Burgess Mike Anderson -- Thank you for your commentary. You say you are a large residential Landlord "in the downtown area." Which part?  I agree with many of the points you make. Their is a love affair with the older architect. I've helped Landlords out in the past filling their residencies and concur that many people, especially Millenials, are looking for is the "Friends" or "How I Met Your Mother" style of living, which can be found only in the older buildings and, in particular, West Central. I also agree that what is being constructed is not at all conducive to the current market demand downtown, which is why so much of The Harrison is still available despite what the public is being told. I still maintain that there is not a demand for Downtown housing---I will admit, however, that there is a demand for high quality older architect a la "Friends", especially those that meet the demands for today's technology users (i.e. electrical infrastructure), and at reasonable....REASONABLE....rates. Just like the housing on "Friends" is perceived to be.  As to the design and layout--they don't have the consumer in mind as you have already pointed out. They are focusing on how to use the most steel, the most bricks, etc. When you have a chance, visit the downtown library, the Grand Wayne Center, Parkview Field, Public Safety Academy, and even the more "private" "investments" like the new Parkview North campus. Look at the architecture. What do you see? Big open (empty) cavernous spaces, lots of steel beams, lots of bricks. Why? Because the people that manufacture those building resources are the same ones funding the campaigns of one Mayor, two Commissioners, 6 out of 9 Fort Wayne City Councilmen, etc. Do you see the pattern? Who controls whom?
    January 17 at 12:28pm · Like
  • Ed Rose Gina Burgess outstanding piece! I think near the end was a little stretch to say Pence and Huck benefitted directly from these projects going forward but up to that point I fully agree, not shocked or surprised in the least.
    Any money government has is     not free or not from taxpayers, every penny is from from taxpayers in one or other form. As soon as I hear an elected person say such tells me the money is going to enrich a few and not the masses. What is more saddening the collage educated media follow along like sheep, with no questions! 
    Good work Gina, the taxpayers need to open there eyes, along with the City Council members because they approve much of this with a rubber stamp.
    January 17 at 12:33pm · Like
  • Gina Burgess Dennis Exner -- Thank you for sending the request.  Since you are new to my page, let me share some things that you may not be aware of. I'm a registered Democrat. My mother is a second-generation union-Democrat. My father is a second-generation Republican soldier. My maternal grandfather was a Republican union worker. I am a centrist--that is I'm fiscally conservative and socially responsible. Some people call me socially reasonable and I'll accept that too.  I am not a union-basher. However, I do feel that too many union leaders are a lil to cozy with the current Henry administration--to the detriment of the rank-and-file members of the unions. I am not a Democrat basher--though sometimes it may seem so here. I am a Democrat, but I am not a "Henry Democrat." I don't agree with City Council's elimination of collective bargaining rights because they said they were doing it for cost savings, but never actually offered any numbers estimating or proving the savings. I am also against the elimination of collective bargaining for non-public safety workers as it eliminated a "poison pill" protection that would have made privatizing our water utilities more difficult. As a Democrat, I ran for office in 2012 and garnered enough votes to be listed as one of the Top 10 Vote Getting Democrats for the Last 10 Years. I lost my race in 2012. In 2014 the Dem Party leadership told me they would put me on the ballot. I was unable to put myself on the ballot due to a conflict of interest that would not end until after the filing deadline. I was lied to. In 2014, I worked on the successful Vote NO to Single County Executive. During that time, I had the opportunity to work with many rank-and-file members of the UAW, IBEW and others. I share all of this not for the sake of promoting myself, but rather so that you and other rank-and-file union members have a better understanding of who I am.
    January 17 at 12:40pm · Like
  • Jeffery Wayne Landis with him turning down this challenge.im not giving up.its funny tom acts like he hasnt heard about it.im reality he knows about it.he could give me on the media a answer.
    January 17 at 1:05pm · Like
  • Gina Burgess Ed Rose -- Thank you for the compliment. Coming from someone like you, it is well appreciated.  I do not expect anyone to agree with me about the funding of Pence and Huckabee's campaigns. But if you look at their past campaign finance reports, you will see both are funded by the same group of people funding all these local economic development projects---especially under the guise of the Northeast Indiana PAC for Better Government, the Indiana Manufacturers Association and others. These entities are all pretty much run by one guy and his circle of friends. I understand why that one guy would want either Pence or Huckabee in office--both have strong anti-EPA records and this one guy would kill for a cap-and-trade break among other things. What I don't understand, personally, is why these guys are funding Henry or Harper and their rather ineffective vision for our local community? With each election cycle, the campaigns get more expensive for starters. But in the case of Henry and Harper (or Henry 2.0) -- their vision is to continue dumping economic development dollars into one small part of Fort Wayne. Why are they dumping millions after millions in Downtown on ineffective roundabouts and artsy-farsty steel-structured bike racks when that money could be evenly distributed around all 6 city council districts? Why is everyone, but Geoff Paddock, authorizing nearly 5x the investment in the 5th District (downtown) than in their own Districts (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th)? Why are John Crawford and other at-large members of Council not putting a stop to the unequal distribution of investment spending among the 6 districts? If I was in that "old boys club", I'd wake up, take a few steps back and say...maybe its time to shop for new candidates with new visions? Candidates who would be less expensive to run, who would act legally, ethically and socially-responsibly and in doing so would spread the investment around in a way that would benefit everyone in our City. If I were one of these guys, I would see that opportunity as a potential for even more materials purchased and even more labor utilized and quite possibly a simultaneous decrease in local taxes. Now, how would all that be possible?? By cutting the unnecessary wasteful spending.
    January 17 at 1:08pm · Like · 2
  • Gina Burgess Jeffery Wayne Landis -- You misunderstand.  No one has officially turned down the challenge, except may Russ Jehl. The Mayor hasn't turned down the challenge, but he hasn't accepted the challenge either. What the Veterans are saying is that as long as Henry and City Council members don't accept the challenge, it acts a a catalyst for people like you to continue to draw attention to the homeless, which takes attention away from the $27 million housing development project and it acts as a catalyst for people like me to focus my efforts on trying to solve that problem instead of focusing on drawing attention to the backroom deals that lead to such housing development. In other words, the homeless and those who would advocate for the homeless are being used. This means, by the next open mic night at City Council (Jan. 27th), all City Council members need to be formally asked by individuals in their districts to take the challenge, just like Michelle Hill did with Russ Jehl, and not leave until a "Yes" or "No" answer is gotten. And if a "Yes" answer is given, then not leaving until that Councilman gives a specific date and time frame. Also, a letter should be written to Henry that contains a specific deadline for him to respond. If he chooses to not respond by that deadline, then that non-response will be taken as a "No" and be a matter of public record.
    January 17 at 1:14pm · Like
  • Dennis Exner please re-read my original comment as it was unfinished when first posted. but a second question: a couple times now you've used the phrase "a lil too cozy" when describing the leaders of orginized labor's access to the mayor. the implication is clear, but i have to wonder, to what end? the contracts to firms using orginized labor are competitively bid.... do you have evidence to the contrary?? --please enlighten us...
    January 17 at 1:44pm · Like
  • Gina Burgess Dennis Exner -- You asked a lot…a LOT…of questions, good question. This is me responding to both of your previous two posts above to the best of my abilities. Again, you have asked a lot of great questions and I want to commend you for that. Regrettably that makes this post incredibly long (sorry everyone else), but I will try to break it up as I can, as follows: QUESTION 1 – PART 1: Yes, I am aware that Henry has many brothers, that his brothers own many entrepreneurial ventures, and that these ventures do not use all union workers and that the ones that do use union workers do not use union workers all the time. Generally speaking, in years when there is a municipal election taking place more union workers are utilized than during other election periods. Your assertion that Henry’s brothers’ workers are not union workers is both correct and incorrect depending on which brother, which entity, and which time of the year. The Henry family, collectively, owns C. Henry Steel, Henry Electric, Midwest Pipes, Earth First, etc as well as an assortment of neighborhood bars. They also sit on various boards and commissions of governmental agencies, non-profits/”Trusts”, and banks, such as Tower Financial Group. This past election year, as collective bargaining was on the chopping block here in Fort Wayne, the Henry family was hosting a campaign fundraiser for Marlin Stutzman along with Associated Builders & Contractors. (Did you ever wonder why Mayor Tom Henry never used an executive order to try to override City Council’s vote on the elimination of collective bargaining?) ((CONTINUED BELOW))
    January 17 at 4:42pm · Like
  • Gina Burgess Dennis Exner -- QUESTION 1 – PART 2: You state that “union workers do not get paid more on some projects as compared to others”, but that is incorrect. For example, UAW has a multi-tiered pay scale depending on whether you are a union worker, non-union worker (yes GM has some non-union workers), temporary worker, permanent hire worker, which shift (1st, 2nd, 3rd), supervisory or non-supervisory, Tier 1 contract, Tier 2 contract, are certified as a Skilled Trades worker, etc. This same multi-tiered pay scale applies to construction sites that utilize both union workers and non-union workers (although non-union workers are typically brought in under the pretense of being “temporary” or and independent contractor) and even local government workers, such as the Mechanical Engineering department. Granted that one is a lil less obvious as more lucrative paying jobs often get “outsourced” under the guise of the department not having the right “talent” or enough “time” available. Most of the outsourcing goes to companies like, DLZ and other Henry campaign contributors. Now having said all of that—and providing examples of multi-tiered pay scales—back in the day, that is not how it used to be. Union workers all had one pay rate and all job sites were either union or non-unions, but the reality is that those days are gone. Frankly, even from the most conservative Republican perspective, I never really understood the supposed “need” for “Right to Work” legislation. Savvy companies had already figured out that you can split union workers and turn them against each other by coming up with a reason to pay half the work force a higher wage and half the work force a lower wage. Those with higher wages get used to the higher wages and become fearful of losing that higher wage. Meanwhile those with lower wages desire the higher wages and grow resentful that those union brothers and sisters with higher wages aren’t fighting the fight to make sure that union workers and union wages are unified. The corporation not only gets to pay half its workforce less, which keeps costs down and stabilized even though the other half of the workforce gets paid more—but the Corporation is no longer the “bad guy” that union workers can rally against as a unified unit, leaving some lower paid union workers wondering why they are paying union dues or what their dues are going for? Seriously, “Right to Work” legislation was the biggest waste of legislators time and taxpayer dollars and all involved should be spanked. ((CONTINUED BELOW))
    January 17 at 4:43pm · Like
  • Gina Burgess Dennis Exner -- QUESTION 1 – PART 3: Yes, you are correct. State law requires a bidding process that construction work generally has to go to the lowest bidder. There are exceptions to that rule based on quality and a few other things, but generally that is the rule. You state that I am making the implication that where Cityscape Flats is confirmed that protocol wasn’t following. That is not what I have stated. What I have done is pointed out a timeline that suggests that the decision was made for Domo Development, LLC to get the bid to develop Cityscape Flats before the City issued a RFP (Request for Proposal) and that it might have gone totally unnoticed had Eric Doden not screwed up the timeline by first trying to cover his arse in seeking an advisory opinion from the Indiana State Ethics Commission and then by failing to create a new LLC AFTER the RFP process was opened and before he and his partners submitted their bid as Domo Development, LLC. You see, the issue has to do with timing, not the bid itself. Having said that, however, have you ever noticed how many bids are awarded because they are the lowest bidder and then half way through the project the developer says “oops, this is going to be more expensive than I first thought”? My favorite example of this is the elevator repair in the then-new Citizens Square. The Mayor hid the “under-budget-have-to-spend-more-to-finish-the-job” expense until right after he was re-elected in 2011. The same thing is going to happen with the $100- to $150-million sewer tunnel project. If we actually get that project done for that price, it will be the least expensive sewer tunnel project on the planet…the planet!! (Btw, that is not an exaggeration. Most sewage tunnels cost in the neighborhood of a half a billion in US dollars. Indy’s sewage tunnel, which was originally supposed to cost $150 million, ended up costing them $300 million. As a result, the water utility became privatized. Water quality dropped and water prices increased. The private utility wanted a rate hike of 15% to 20%, however the Indiana Regulatory Commission stepped in and said that the rate could only…ONLY…be hiked up to 10%.) Often times, the “lowest bid” (wink, wink, elbow nudge, smirk) is really only the half the price. Honestly, I wish we could clawback some of the money that spent on the “lowest” bid, which almost always ends up being one of the highest bids when the project is all said and done. ((CONTINUED BELOW))
    January 17 at 4:44pm · Like
  • Gina Burgess Dennis Exner -- QUESTION 1 – PART ___ (unnumbered): You stated “….if you are as impartial as you claim, then why the slanted innuendo regarding unions in the post? ‘fat and happy’, etc., etc.?....” You are a first-time reader and therefore you do not know me or my writing style yet. My “fat and happy” commentary was not directed at the unions, especially the rank-and-file members. My commentary was a sarcastic reference to how the Mayor awards good-paying projects to these guys in a timely manner for political gain for himself and others political beings who are financially supported by the same people who financially support the Mayor. ((CONTINUED BELOW))
    January 17 at 4:45pm · Edited · Like
  • Gina Burgess Dennis Exner -- QUESTION 2 (second comment post): You said “…..a couple times now you've used the phrase la lil too cozy’ when describing the leaders of organized labor's access to the mayor. The implication is clear, but I have to wonder, to what end? The contracts to firms using organized labor are competitively bid. Do you have evidence to the contrary??...” First, any evidence I share publically on facebook is evidence that is readily available to the public. On any given day, I receive 100+ private messages, emails, texts, or phone calls, usually from people wanting to share information—privately and confidentially. I never share that kind of information until I have another independent source that can confirm the original information I’ve received, and even then I usually don’t share until I also have a third public record source. I do this more to protect the confidentiality and privacy of those who share information, but I have to admit that it also has helped to protect my credibility on such matters. Ironically, most of this information comes from people who are not “facebook friends.” These information providers value their privacy and confidentiality so much that they don’t want others to know that they are even communicating with me. (Btw, special thanks and acknowledgement has to go out to the ACGOP Chair for starting that trend in 2012. To date, having people unfriend me or nor friend me to avoid your watchful eye has been very helpful—sincerely, thank you!) Second, to your question of “to what end is union labor leadership in a ‘lil too cozy with the Mayor’ [relationship]”—I don’t really have an answer. That’s because I am more in tune with the rank-and-file union members than I am with their leadership. However, this past summer, I did find it odd that some of the biggest names in local union leadership were glaringly absent during City Council’s decision to eliminate collective bargaining. With regards to” the contracts to firms using union labor being competitively bid and evidence to the contrary—please see my response to QUESTION 1 – PART 3 above.
    January 17 at 4:45pm · Like
  • Ed Rose Gina Burgess I don't disagree with the fact these few people directly and indirectly support via PACS both the governor and/or presidential candidates. My point was those candidates aren't tied to the garbage going on within the city. I don't want to detract from your post but just a point not to include those who odds and so far available information are not involved in this mess or would know about it.
    Keep on digging, I'm sure there is more out there that just hasn't escaped the formally known smoke filled back rooms of politics!
    January 17 at 5:05pm · Like · 1
  • Gina Burgess Thanks Ed Rose! Hey, just as a matter of clarification---I'm not the one "digging" anymore. People in our community are coming forward with their eyes wide open instead of their eyes wide shut. I can't tell you how proud or how inspired I am by everyone right now. Its a good thing when people ask questions, especially critical questions. This is a city that saved itself once....and right now, I am so optimistic that it can save itself again. I'm so looking forward to a brand new day. 
    January 17 at 5:16pm · Like
  • Charlotte A. Weybright As a resident of West Central for 20 years now and a past president of the Association, I follow what happens in my neighborhood. While my comment doesn't address the overall topic, I am curious as to the property Jesus mentioned at 1210 Fairfield, which is in West Central. His name does not appear in the records on PATI. 

    I am wondering if he has the wrong address? The City isn't buying houses on the west side of Fairfield. That house was put on the Blight Elimination Program but, as far as I know, it is not being bought by the City.
    January 17 at 6:06pm · Like
  • Charlotte A. Weybright Whether or not I agree with some of the projects, I think it is important to be accurate. As Mike Anderson noted, housing in West Central and downtown is in demand. I have a friend moving back from Rochester, New York, and she tried for weeks to get her name put on the list for Randall Lofts - to no avail. They have a long waiting list.

    The new project, City Scape, is not realistic. The paper says the range will be $800 to $1400 per month. That is a lot of money and will be a stretch for many potential residents.
    January 17 at 6:15pm · Like · 1
  • Ed Rose Charlotte when I saw the name of the previous owner of the property the city purchased 4 months latter struck a deal. Arlene & Stewart Lewis are farmers from LaOtto. Yet they purchase Fort Wayne property and close the deal in 4 months with the city. Strange, at the least!
    January 17 at 7:04pm · Edited · Like · 1
  • Ed Rose I don't know of many investors, without inside information, could buy a piece a property ( with all the fees and charges) in these low values and be worth while selling it four months later.
    I would guess the City had a list of target properties for up     to a year before they had the money to purchase them. A person has to wonder how many people had access to this list so they could snag properties up and then sell them to the city at a profit enough to justify buying them in the first place.
    January 17 at 7:04pm · Like · 1
  • Dennis Exner truly, thank you for taking the time to reply. i will admit i am mostly unfamiliar with what your positions are on various issues. again though, what motivated me to respond to your post in the first place was my concern that many readers will accept your implications as accurate in the context they were presented. that is; starting with the paragraph that begins " next henry's brother and other building and trade contractors beholden to henry begin demolition, using union workers. why? -we gotta keep these guys happy" over the next few paragraphs you continue to imply undue union influence and referance the current ash brokreage project as an example. i don't pretend to know all of the endeavors of the extended henry family but i DO know that henry electric is the major player among them construction wise, and is as anti union as a contractor can be. -to your replies: question 1) part1 ~if any henry related entities are signatory to a local, i'd like to know which ones and how many they employ. further, to the extent henry elect utilizes union workers, it's only on rare occasions when he's unable to adequately man the jobs with his actual employees. to try and say there's a connection to election cycles is complete folly. 1) part 2 ~as to differing pay scales on a construction site; the understanding an uninformed reader would have gotten from your statement "(labor union leadership gets more union dues when more union workers are working and working higher paying jobs)" is simply not true. a jorneyman carpenter, electrician, etc. makes the same houly wage regardless of the particular site or project they're on within the juristdictional contract of the given local.. to refer to the tierd wage consessions of the u.a.w. is not relevant to anyone on the ash brokerage site for example, or any other construction site in the area. -perhaps you'er thinking of prevailing wage? that is a negotiated average of union and non-union workers wages on a project using earmarked public funds that stipulate a minimum per respective trade. this gives non-union workers a raise while they are on that project but leaves union workers unaffected. and no, the non-union workers pay no dues at any time. 1) part 3 regarding the awarding of contracts; i actually wasn't referring to the cityscapes flats or domo development at all. the point was to respond to the repeated 'lil too cozy' description between labor leaders and the mayor's office. readers will take away a 'quid pro quo' arrangement and believe labor is flexing it's muscle to secure jobs, when in fact no such avenue exists. 1) part__ unnumbered ~ not directed at the rank and file!? seriously, go back and read the quip with fresh eyes. "labor unions will all be kept busy in the spring and summer so they will be fat and happy come fall, when..." you reply that this was directed at the mayor? -no thats not how you wrote it. -and his ability to award good paying projects? i can't speak to what happens regarding consultants, developers, investors,etc., but with contracts involving labor, the avenue just isn't there if he wanted to or not. so please stop blurring the two. question 2) ~a lil too cozy, to what end? -i'll accept your answer "i don't really have an answer" ____ i do apologize for the hostile tone if thats how it comes accross. clearly, i don't know you. i just have heard so much anti-union misinformation for so long that i have to say enough! ..and shame on me if i don't bother to speak up and at least TRY and set the record at least a little straighter as i see it. sincerely, thank you for the oppertuninty to address an issue that is important to me..
    January 17 at 7:31pm · Edited · Like · 1
  • Charlotte A. Weybright Ed - That property - 1210 Fairfield - was not targeted by the City. The entity that owned it and then transferred it to Equitypoint is a county organization - the Allen County Community Development Corporation, better known as the ACCDC. 

    I have deal    t with them personally when I was president of West Central. If a house goes to ACCDC it means it didn't sell in a foreclosure run by the sheriff's department or a tax sale. The ACCDC is the last stop for unwanted houses and empty lots. Buyers can stop in and buy a property for the price of the back taxes. if you click on the link below, you can see a list of tax sale properties - most are empty lots.

    West Central, as a nonprofit, bought a house on Fulton several years ago for a really good price. We found an investor, and he rehabbed it and now rents it out. 

    I, or anyone, can buy a house at a tax sale for the amount of back taxes and some fees that are charged for the process. You have to really be on the lookout for tax sale properties. I watch for houses all the time, and many of them once they go to a tax sale are very inexpensive.

    http://www.accdc.us/



    Home Page
    Check out http://accdc.us! The ACCDC is a not-for-profit corporation for Allen County, in Fort Wayne, Indiana that...
    ACCDC.US
    January 17 at 8:35pm · Like · 2
  • Charlotte A. Weybright Also, if you want to track tax sale properties, here is the link.

    http://www.allencounty.us/property-tax-division.../tax-sale



    Tax Sale
    Official site government site. Features county services, departments, officials and includes event calendar and...
    ALLENCOUNTY.US|BY SUPER USER
    January 17 at 8:43pm · Like · 1
  • Ed Rose Charlotte, what I'm missing why would a person own it for only 4 months?
    January 17 at 9:14pm · Like
  • Justin Kuhnle Ed there are a few reasons for that. If you want i can post later as I'm just getting back from a family get together
    January 17 at 9:32pm · Like
  • Ed Rose Justin, I would like that. Thanks
    January 17 at 9:51pm · Like
  • Chris Crawford They tried this when I was a kid when they built Midtowne Crossing and no one would buy the extremely expensive condos there. I think most of them still sit empty. Housing in Fort Wayne is cheap compared to most parts of the US. You can buy a decent house in a decent neighborhood for $90,000 here, and you can buy a HUGE house in a fancy neighborhood for $300,000. Why would someone spend the huge sums demanded for downtown apartments when they can buy a house with a big yard for half the price?
    January 17 at 10:28pm · Like · 1
  • Charlotte A. Weybright Ed - a paper trail should always exist, and it will allow tracking of property transfers. Tracking can sometimes be more difficult when it involves a governmental entity, but I have usually been able to track - just a matter of how much time one wants to spend.

    The house we have been discussing was transferred from Donald Matthews on August 8, 1991, to Stewart and Arlene Lewis. According to the Allen County Recorder's Office, Mr. Matthews had a power of attorney. I can only speculate, but typically a power of attorney comes in when someone is unable to manage his or her affairs. The owner from whom the power of attorney was given was Marguerite Miller. 

    Stewart and Arlene Lewis owned the property for 20 years, and, by 2010, they were almost $6200 in arrears, again this is public information on the PATI site. After a set period of time, a property goes to a tax sale if the taxes cannot be paid, and this is what happened to their property. Since the property was then transferred to the ACCDC, it means it didn't sell at the tax sale. 

    Thus, Stewart and Arlene didn't hold the property for just that three months - they owned it for a lengthy period of time and then, for tax issues, had to transfer it to the ACCDC. 

    ACCDC will hold properties until someone buys them or perhaps they are demolished. It looks like Equitypoint came in and bought the property - maybe for speculation purposes because of the development around Parkview Field. 

    I know many of us in West Central were extremely concerned that the City would want to take out the west and east sides of Fairfield for development, but they stopped with the east side. Now, with the potential pretty much gone for the west side, any speculators are stuck. Equitypoint can either improve the property and rent out apartments in it or sell it. What I have heard is that they are rehabbing it.

    I hope this explains the status of 1210 Fairfield. In this case, the City was not involved in any of the transactions.
    January 18 at 5:42am · Edited · Like
  • Charlotte A. Weybright Chris - on the issue of housing. Fort Wayne does have fair priced housing is some areas. What is being missed is the difference between the push to construct new as opposed to rehabbing older and often historic buildings.

    You give Midtowne as an exa    mple; however, I pulled information from Midtowne. It shows that there are no rental units at this time and only one unit for sale. The Randall Lofts was recently completed, and it had a waiting list long ago. I have a friend moving back from Rochester, New York, and she was told the waiting list was lengthy - she gave up. 

    The targeted groups for downtown and close-in urban neighborhoods are the Millennials who are just starting out and the Boomers who want to move back into the city. Their needs do not focus on a house with a large yard. Millennnials often have not started a family and Boomers are downsizing. Living facilities like the Randall Lofts are in high demand as are the quaint apartments in the upper floors of old historic buildings that have now come back into favor.

    Today is not years ago. The demographics of urban cores across the country are changing. My overriding concern is the rush to demolish without considering restoring older houses or structures. Yes, many of them have been allowed to deteriorate to the point of no return, but many also could be brought back by investing in them instead of throwing up new construction time after time.

    http://www.realamericallc.com/.../prope.../Randall-Lofts.asp
    January 18 at 5:38am · Like
  • Ed Rose I guess when I see date of transfer next to their name is when it WAS transferred TO THEM.
    January 18 at 11:05am · Like
  • Justin Kuhnle I have more to write when I'm home in a couple hours but the waiting lists mentioned are not highly accurate because names are frequently kept on the lists even after they've secured residence. It's not just Fort Wayne that happens in and I'm not saying the numbers are staged per se
    January 18 at 11:21am · Like
  • Ed Rose Renter waiting lists are a moving target for any apartment complex at cap. The little yellow retirement apartments has a waiting list for most of their complex. But depending if people can move now is how deep the list is. Some may yet to sale their home, they may have signed a new lease at old apartment that may have 2-11 months to go, one of them in recovering from a hospital stay. The point is the number on the waiting list is real but those that can move within 30 days or less at a certain date reduces the list. But the demand is still real!
    January 18 at 11:37am · Like
  • Charlotte A. Weybright Ed - the date beside a name is when they transferred the property. In the case of the Lewises, they received the property in 1991 from Donald Matthews, who was the grantor. They owned it for 20 years and then transferred it to the ACCDC in April 2011. ACCDC then transferred the property in July 2011 to Equitypoint. Equitypoint still owns the property.

    In a chain of title, there will be a grantor and a grantee. The grantor transfers and the grantee receives. Sellers and buyers will hold both roles at some point in the chain.
    January 18 at 11:39am · Like
  • Gina Burgess Ed Rose, Charlotte A. Weybright, Justin Kuhnle and others -- I’m a lil concerned that we are confusing demand for low-cost affordable housing for the demand of housing in Downtown. Randall Lofts has 44 units, ranging in rent from $250 to $700. How many monthly rentals do you know that start at $250? Eden Green apartments are Section 8 and start at about $100/month. Carmel-based RealAmerica Development has received $600,000 in federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program 3 dollars and is also getting Low-Income Housing Tax Credits through the Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority. In other words, the lower rental rates are subsidized allowing more and more of the units to be rented for $250 to $350 and make up a certain percentage of all available rentals to qualify for these state and federal financial packages. Also, by making more of this housing available at a lesser amount, the “architects” of all this “downtown development” can say….”Look, we have a housing demand. Just look at the waiting list for Randall Flats alone!” Never mind the low, subsidized rentals rates. With all due respect to everyone here, there will ALWAYS be a demand for lower cost housing. Let’s not confuse that demand with “demand for Downtown housing.” If there was such a demand, many units would not be available in The Harrison and all units would be finished (i.e. drywall put up on walls and ceilings, electrical fixtures and beams not showing, etc). Also, look at the amount of Downtown housing that is currently available: Midtowne Crossing @ 112 W. Washington Blvd (Units #216, 223 and #334); West Berry Apartments @ 530 W Berry (Units #306, #310, #506, #910, and #1003); Worthington Manor @ 432 E Wayne (Unit #56); Jackson Manor @ 835 W Wayne Street (#202 and #205); Garrison Flats @ 733 W Wayne Street (Unit #201), plus however many units are actually available at The Harrison, the 14 units currently available at Three Rivers Apartments, and any other “apartments or condos” I’ve missed. Note, that this list doesn’t include any of the duplexes, triplexes or quadplexes surrounding the current DID district. Travel Wells Street, Spy Run Ave., Jefferson, Washington, Clinton, etc How many houses do you see for sale? For rent? Abandoned? Being torn down? The current market of affordable housing has to be gutted first to create a true demand for higher priced housing. Ironically, that is exactly one of the goals/benefits of the Cityscape Flats project. Again, please, let’s not confuse the demand for low-cost affordable housing with the demand for Downtown housing. They are NOT one and the same.
    January 18 at 11:43am · Like
  • Charlotte A. Weybright Gina - I respectfully disagree. Demand for downtown housing can be affordable as that is defined or it can be higher cost. Either way, the demand is housing downtown. I do agree that the higher demand is probably along the lines of housing such as Randall Lofts, but it is still demand. Whether it subsidized is a collateral issue and should not be used to argue that downtown housing is not in demand. 

    Affordable housing is being built in several areas of Fort Wayne. If cities and towns apply for certain types of federal funding, they are required to provide for a certain amount of "affordable" housing units. I was involved with Real America to offer our neighborhood support when they first began their planning. I was West Central president at that time. 

    Also, if one drives around West Central, you will see very few "for rent" signs or "for sale" signs - regardless of the season. The apartments in West Central go fairly quickly. We also have very few abandoned houses in the north part of the neighborhood - Jefferson and north. I work with our housing stock constantly, and I am familiar with what we have available. 

    The bulk of deteriorating or vacant housing in West Central is in Area 5, south of the tracks to Taylor. These are the houses that have been placed on the BEP list.
    January 18 at 12:02pm · Like · 1
  • Charlotte A. Weybright What irritates me more than anything is the haphazard way in which the City approaches housing and housing projects. The City needed to spend $400,000 of NSP funds or lose it last year, so they quickly came into West Central with absolutely no contact with our neighborhood association and those of us who know the neighborhood.

    When one person - Rex Wells and his company or companies - owns four of the eight properties purchased, then I find that troubling. At a subsequent meeting, I asked how the City selected these properties. The answer was unbelievable. We were told that a couple of people went out in the winter last year when snow was on the ground and looked for houses that didn't have any footprints going in or out. What a line.
    January 18 at 12:16pm · Edited · Like · 1
  • Gina Burgess Charlotte A. Weybright -- Its ok that we disagree, especially when its respectful.  I do see your perspective and can agree to a point. However, at the end of the day, its all about economics. What are people willing to buy? If suddenly, there was low cost housing in the style of Randall Lofts elsewhere in the City and that housing opportunity were marketed in the same style as Randall Lofts, then the "demand" for housing would decrease in Downtown and increase in the area of that housing opportunity. I agree that Millenials just starting out don't need or want a house with a yard. They want to be near fun and excitement. I agree that Boomers are foregoing the burdens of home ownership (i.e. yard upkeep, snow removal, etc) for the conveniences of condo living and they too want to be near fun and excitement. But that fun and excitement can be created anywhere. Affordable housing can be created anywhere. West Central is an anomoly in all the best and right ways and you guys should be commended for that. You have created a perfect blend of community there. Housing near the core of West Central is very much in demand and you are right--that housing goes fast. Who wouldn't want to live there?!  But housing further away from the core, that near Taylor and that near the Bloomingdale neighborhood border does have a higher turn-over of rentals and thus, more rental availability. West Central is one compoment of Dowtown and in my very sincere opinion, the one part that got things right. But, alas, it is only one part and the rest of Downtown is NOT being modeled after West Central. Yes, at one point, a row of brownstone houses were proposed, but they would have lacked that certain something special that West Central has developed. You can't grow community with dollars. And at the end of the day, after economics (you can't buy if you don't have enough money), I think that is what people are starting to want. A community--small, personable--the kind where everyone knows your name or at least says offers a warm and friendly Hello. The kind where you can plant gardens, share the harvest, borrow a cup of sugar, and come together...just because. West Central has that in spades. 
    January 18 at 12:20pm · Like · 1
  • Ed Rose Charlotte, I'm with you that demand is demand! Upscale demand is always softer then average to lower. Upscale requires higher income and fewer people make that then the average to lower. Just look at homes for sale and their days on the market. The higher you get the longer on the market.
    With the recent report out showing Indiana has a lower unemployment rate the problem is jobs created are lower then ones that left wage wide.
    I can believe government employee thinking no foot steps in the snow would target vacant unwanted homes! That is so lame of an idea to use.
    Gina, rental is seldom at 100%. I've been told that rates of 90-95% is consider good. I could write a long list that was given to me but there is nothing surprising in it.
    As for some streets you mentioned that have vacant apartments is not surprising from the noise, illegal activities, conditions of the units, and to the people that already live there. I can find the same vacancies on many small towns with only one or two main streets.
    January 18 at 12:43pm · Like · 1
  • Justin Kuhnle Ed, sorry I'm finally getting a chance to answer. As some have pointed out in earlier posts begins to answer your "why would anyone hold for 4 months" question. The point of contention is how closely aligned "investors" are with government officials. I believe this is also the distinction Gina was trying to point out (Gina, correct me if I'm wrong there.) A great amount of information is out there and leaked before approval is ever given. Why leak the information you ask? Well, for the same reason people hold onto property for short periods of time, such as the case with residence. I agree Charlotte on the demand issue. I was not going to get into that, but I'll do it very briefly.
    January 18 at 12:47pm · Like
  • Justin Kuhnle There is a difference in demand and I look at demand as an umbrella. Under the umbrella, there is: low-cost demand, high-standard demand, affordable demand, etc. All these are out there and collectively, point to a housing demand. Here is where I disagree. When the City began "developing" downtown, that created an artificial demand, pulling businesses from other areas of Fort Wayne and, directly, pulling more people downtown. In the process, what I've found with government is officials of government have an agenda, and know what's happening before it's announced. It's that where the "leak" I mentioned above. Those that are in the "in" know about what's coming down the pike, and move to advance on property they know will come up for bid. In some areas outside of Fort Wayne, I know of these investors buying up on the speck, sometimes advancing money on people that are falling short, create a foreclosure, then proceed to buy on a short. Also I know of issues where problems are created from an environmental angle, and with creating new ordinances, advance "city utility" parcels and thus pull homeowners into following the ordinance or losing their home.
    January 18 at 12:53pm · Like
  • Charlotte A. Weybright Justin - just to clarify - the 1210 Fairfield was not held by the Lewises for a short period of time due to speculation. I tracked the property and posted its history. They bought the property in 1991 but were forced into a tax sale and subsequent transfer to the ACCDC. The Lewises were $6200 behind in taxes. It went to a tax sale - a forced sale. 

    Now, as to Equitypoint, their purchase may have been to speculate. But, I think they lose on that one because the City has stopped at the north side of Brackenridge and the east side of Fairfield. We are hoping that the City comes over no farther.
    January 18 at 12:53pm · Like
  • Justin Kuhnle I wasn't referring directly to that property or any property directly. I was speaking from an overall problem in manners in which property is retained. The tax sale you mention is similar to what I've seen with investors using a money advantage to force some from their homes. Again, not pointing to any property directly.
    January 18 at 12:55pm · Like
  • Charlotte A. Weybright The influx to urban cores is a nationwide trend. I have lived long enough to have witnessed the demise of urban cores by the "white flight" to the suburbs that has occurred over the years since "Brown v. Board." Young adults have not lived through that mass migration, but as someone who grew up watching this trend, it was painful to see the slow deterioration of urban cores. 
    ____________________

    white flight - an occurrence in which many white people move out of a city as more and more people of other races move in
    ____________________

    http://www.usatoday.com/.../census-cities-metro.../6863219/

    That trend to the suburbs is now turning toward moving back to the urban cores of cities. And, personally, it is about time. The core of a city holds its history. One does not find magnificent historical structures in Aboite, Cherry Hill, Chestnut Hills, etc.

    The suburbs have expanded and expanded with development out of control. It is time for urban core revitalization. My disagreement is the process by which it is being accomplished and the lack of a vision that supports renovation and sustainable construction and use. Far too many projects are planned based on short-term gain - namely political alliances and funding and economic benefits to those in the "circles of influence." 

    Take a look at a Google view of Allen County. The build out is to the Whitley/Allen County line. Annexations have been put in place to pull in the suburbs. 

    As to businesses being drawn to the downtown, that is not accurate. I am not aware of very many businesses that have pulled up stakes and moved to the core. In fact, some have left. The Ash project is the only one of major consequence that comes to mind.

    The urban core is not suited to large projects like Ash, which ultimately will overwhelm the downtown in a negative way. Most of downtown now is professional office space with very little retail other than restaurants. Buildings are closer together and usually of historic character. The small, quaint businesses are what attract those wishing to downsize or to start out. 

    Other major cities - Fort Wayne is #70 in a list of the top #100 in population - have embraced philosophies and policies of context sensitive solutions and complete streets. But, nooooo, not Fort Wayne. I get tired thinking about all of this, so I am off to run some errands.

    http://www.newurbanism.org/newurbanism/principles.html



    See ya, suburbs: More want to live in the big city
    USA's largest metro areas get the biggest share of...
    USATODAY.COM
    January 18 at 1:23pm · Like · 2
  • Gina Burgess I agree with many of your points, especially the ones in your last comment Charlotte.  However, I still respectfully disagree on the level of current demand for Downtown housing outside of West Central. But...agreement or disagreement....I love the constructive and respectful dialogue you and everyone else has engaged in on this point. Thanks to you all for that!! 
    January 18 at 6:12pm · Like · 2
  • Tom Cook see he not has good as everyone thinks
    January 20 at 12:52pm · Like
  • Charlotte A. Weybright Gina - I am not sure if Mike answered or not - he lives in West Central and has for 20 years. He is also on the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC). He is very familiar with what goes on in our neighborhood and the downtown. Most of his properties are in West Central or the downtown area.

    His family owns the Sheridan Court Apartments.
    January 20 at 2:02pm · Like · 1
  • Gina Burgess Charlotte A. Weybright -- I don't see Mike's comments??  But I would like to know more from him. 
    January 20 at 4:58pm · Edited · Like
  • Gina Burgess Tom Cook -- You wrote "see he not has good as everyone thinks." I don't know which he you are talking about? Nor do I know which point of this thread you are referencing? Please clarify. Thanks.
    January 20 at 4:57pm · Like · 1
  • Sue McMillen Knight Gina thank you for posting this and making everyone aware of what's going on.
    January 20 at 7:09pm · Like · 1
  • Charlotte A. Weybright They were made on January 17th at 11:57 a.m. You even hit the "like" button! 
    January 20 at 7:14pm · Like · 1
  • David Christopher Roach SOMETIMES- Politics is simply having your name on the ballot and waiting for something- scandal; insider trading, sketchy dealings, etc- and being able to say- "vote for ME: ( generically speaking)- im not going to prison; or getting indicted.. IE- just as in Real estate- being in the right place at the right time.-LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION.. 
    Im betting the vacant apts at "THEE Harrison"- are on the noisy street side. who wants to live next to a truck route.. ? and speaking ot- this "city scapes" place- (what a stupid name..unless its just a pie in the sky placeholer- a re-election tactic- )- anyway- who will rent the apts that overlook the RR? a RAIL-FAN who would LOVE the RR Train Noise- maybe?- otherwise- Fuggetetaboutit.. 
    as for your new "friend"- mr Exner- he sounds like a spy; and a troll- and trolls are best "blocked" or deleted; as they work to undermine everything you say or do- not worth the effort. sort of like an annoying BOIL.. 
    As for the rest of the post- well- the "Henry's"- gia quintas ; win moses; karl bandemer; the redevelopment commission; neighborhood code; HANDS; and the rest- including the FWPD- all work hand in glove- as part of a finely tuned soviet style KLEPTOCRATIC REGIME. or to use the other side- well- the Nazis looted everything in europe- banks, art galleries, museums, artifacts- anything that wasnt nailed down; including MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ( HUNDREDS?) OF GOLD TEETH from JEWISH death camp inmates- pulled out with vise grips- before or after death- didnt matter- smelted; and deposited in swiss banks- where they languish today. ditto for ARt looted from Jewish victims as well thre was a recent stash of looted art recovered from Berlin- worth MILLIONS most of the former owners are of course dead. 
    so- if you think this whole post of Ginas sounds like some JAMES BOND VILLAINOUS PLOT- an Ian fleming concocted conspiracy theory - well- these kinds of things happen all the time.. 
    theres a reason there is a term- NO MONEY DOWN GET RICH QUICK OTHER PEOPLES MONEY REAL ESTATE SCHEMES.. Maybe this is the reason Bill Bean hit EJECT? didnt want to go to Federal Prison.. someone needs to present this to the local Dept of Justice. and report it. Attorney general; etc..
    January 20 at 8:41pm · Like
  • David Christopher Roach time to "round up the usual suspects"?
    January 20 at 8:43pm · Like
  • Gina Burgess OMG!! Charlotte A. Weybright--You were talking about Mike Anderson. Well, don't I feel sheepish....LOL!   Yes, I did find his answers very helpful. Like your perspective, I agreed with many of the things he said. Thanks for posting the date and time of his commentary. That was very helpul. Sometimes its tough keepig track of 50+ comments on one or more threads. Doesn't happen often, but when it does...its a doozy. LOL! Thanks again! 
    January 20 at 10:16pm · Like
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Home > Political Animal > Insiders, Corruption, and Jails
Insiders, Corruption, and Jails
Fort Wayne Reader
2015-02-05

Opaque

The Indiana Department of Economic Development had a rotten reputation in the Daniels Administration for keeping secret much of the business it did in the people’s name. So bad was its reputation that an Indy TV station won a prestigious journalism award for reporting on the stonewalling, cronyism, lying, violation of open door laws, baseless self-promotion, and the like.

So, now, years later, the Pence Administration has installed former local candidate for Fort Wayne Mayor Eric Doden as head of the organization and Doden seems to be prospering in the post. The heavily tax-subsidized Cityscape Flats is his project.

A couple years back he asked a state ethics panel for wise council, fearing the obvious conflict of interest from running a development business that would profit from public monies. Apparently, he figured corruption announced was corruption excused. One member of the ethics committee agreed, saying the committee “didn’t want to put Domo (the development company) out of business.”! Hey, what’s a little graft in the name of economic development, hmmm?

So, Doden knew he faced a conflict of interest, but wanted a higher power to bless his corruption. To wit, tried to further insulate himself from obvious charges by taking a leave of absence from Domo. Now, to be clear, that is not selling the company or giving up any profits. Simply, he is deferring profits until he moves out of government. Think 401k/Doden.

Here’s the deal: his company will be given a $7 million dollar incentive package, including free land and a parking garage. Given. In exchange, Doden promises to build 150 apartment units from which he will profit handsomely, thanks to you. Doden will also apply for a local tax abatement. That will enrich him by another million dollars. We can bet that public official Doden, who is the ultimate insider in state government, will find a way to belly up to other troughs, too. Sweet deal for the well-connected. His buddies on council have their rubber stamps at the ready.

According to one local real estate analyst, the subsidies could amount to a $50,000 subsidy (your money) per unit or nearly $10. In most other countries we would call that corruption, but here it is known as economic development.

As for the Henry Administration partnering up with Mr. Doden, the old adage applies that if you sleep with dogs you wake up with fleas. 
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