Say Bye To The Best Block In All Of Downtown
Posted by Jeff Pruitt - 7/30/08 @ 10:29 pm - Filed Under City Council, Featured, Local Politics
What a depressing bit of news:
The city of Fort Wayne is starting the process of reorienting Calhoun Street to handle two-way traffic downtown. The proposal will allow north-south traffic between Washington Boulevard and Berry Street.
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the plan would widen the roadway from 24 feet to 34 feet.
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The anticipated cost for the project, using local funds, is $1.47 million.
We’re going to take the most pedestrian friendly and quaint block in all of downtown and gut it - Brilliant! We’ve been through this before so I’ll just quote from my previous post as the same arguments still apply:
Calhoun is the most pedestrian friendly street in all of downtown - especially between Berry & Wayne. The city, and the JG, wants to screw that up by widening it which would certainly cause some of the trees to go away and also put parking along one side of the street. And why? Because their other decisions to build buildings across major streets have screwed up things so badly they don’t think they have a choice. Notice a pattern here?
The previous council had already approved this work so I’m not sure the new council even gets a say. The only reason the work was delayed was because bids came in higher than the $2.4 million estimate. Now they claim it will only cost $1.5 million - that must be a massive decrease in scope considering the increase in cost of building materials.
I really can’t believe the city is going to screw this block up. I must say it’s extraordinarily frustrating monitoring the decisions of local government. This is yet another poor decision by the Henry administration…
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28 Responses to “Say Bye To The Best Block In All Of Downtown”
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Are you kidding? Budget shortfall and we spend this to “fix” the most beautiful block in the downtown? Let’s get real. Fix potholes, hire police officers and fire fighters, get the commercial building code in place, and stop the nonsense.
In the 1980’s we narrowed it and made it a “bus only” plaza, then a “pedestrian only” plaza if I remember correctly.
In the estimation of city govt. back then, it was going to stimulate downtown growth….it didn’t.
How much will it cost us to leave it alone?
That is truely sad. This section of Calhoun Street is currently the only area that looks like we should eventually want all of downtown to look. They should be emulating it, not destroying it.
In the 1980’s we narrowed it and made it a “bus only” plaza, then a “pedestrian only” plaza if I remember correctly.
Yep. Sad that I remember both of these changes :).
sigh
Calhoun has always been a big darn deal to the citizens of FW. Some of you who have never taken the time to look through some of the pictures held in CONTENTdm - really should. There you can get an idea of how much the street has changed over time.
And here’s one of my favorite postcards of the area
Oh - say - if Fort Wayne is looking to spend more random amounts of dollars (and it doesn’t even need to be millions), I’ve got an entire wish list of things. Send the holder of the money my way ;).
my guess is that it will not look anything like the original design:
http://www.mkmdesign.com/projects/worksinprogress/
Typical of Ft. Waste, I mean WAYNE…so damn typical!
We must remember…
1. Those who win elections become “instant experts” on anything.
2. We must move all those thousands of baseball fans in and out of the downtown quickly so they can get to food and shopping.
My god, do you guys live your entire life with such cynicism and negativity?. If you have such a dire and horrible view of your city then move to LIMA or something.
Actually Calhoun was narrowed and made one way in the mid 1980’s in order to get a $3MM grant from the federal mass transit authority. The street was in an advanced stage of decay and would have cost taxpayers millions to rejuvenate. The grant was to help mass transportation {buses}. Coupled with it was the construction of two bus terminals, one of which still stands on Superior St. Money from the parking garage on Calhoun was directed to PTC to help also. We also put public money into sculpture to decorated the area. There was some considerable debate about changing the 2 way flow of traffic, but it worked for many years. But times do change!
Win,
Didn’t the request to make it one-way come from Norwest Bank (now Wells Fargo)? They weren’t going to move into that corner unless it was changed to one-way in order to make access into the parking garage easier for their employees.
Here’s a brief from a 1992 JG story:
On a serious note - is there a traffic problem downtown - and by opening up that street to two way traffic, that takes care of the problem?
Kristina,
The city has closed off two separate North-South corridors by constructing buildings where the streets were. I know this might sound rather odd but it’s true.
Now they want screw up Calhoun to make up for these previous decisions.
What I want to know is how many wrongs does it take to make a right?
The grant for Calhoun improvement reguired that it only be open for buses. That was it’s status for many years. In the 90’s car traffic was again allowed and any grant penalty period had expired. I do not know what Well’s Fargo ask for.
It was also purposely narrowed from 4 lanes to the present 2 at the construction time to lend an ambiance and neighboorhood feeling. This was in part to help the development of the housing project.
I’m pretty sure this is something that Dan Carmody really pushed to have happen when he was here. Perhaps the guys at WGDT have some insight, or perhaps Dan will post for us his reasons why.
I actually do think it has some benefit and can be done without damaging what is already there. I happen to like that block as well. That said, I have doubts that benefits will outweigh the expense.
That said, I respect Dan and his experience a lot, so I really would like to know what his reasoning was on this.
Kristina;
Those are some awesome photos. The CONTENTdm ones are the best. It allows you to zoom in twice, and the details you can see are amazing. As to your question about traffic downtown, no there currently is no problem. But this will probably create one.
Mr Green Jeans;
We are not critical of Fort Wayne, but rather of the public officials who are making bad decisions for it. To be cynical about what these people are doing is legitimate and it shows that we are just as concerned about Fort Wayne as those who agree with our “leaders”. In fact, compared to those who just follow blindly, I would say that our questions and suggestions show we are even more concerned.
In your comment, you didn’t even address the real issue. Do you think Calhoun should remain as is, or should it be changed? Instead, you simply complained about us complaining.
Jeff;
I had heard that one of our President’s (F.D.R or Truman, I believe) did not like to make left turns because of some type of superstition. He would often have his drivers make a series of right turns to get to the correct destination. I don’t know if there’s any truth to this rumor, but it does answer your question. If you turn left by mistake three times, you will end upo in the right place. So it’s true that two wrongs don’t make a right, but apparently three will.
Win,
Appreciate the background - thanks.
Barranda,
I also recall that Carmody was a supporter of this project. I have a lot of respect for him, and we agreed on many issues, although I must say this wasn’t one of them.
But if he’s reading I’d love to hear his thoughts…
Changing one way streets to two way traffic and adding more on street parking were tactics I supported to make downtown more conducive to storefront businesses.
Despite its verdant lushness Calhoun Street hasn’t been a very good storefront location for decades.
The recent loss of Downtown Cards and Gifts and a tattoo parlor are recent examples.
Two way traffic increases retail exposure especially to mid block storefronts and on street parking no matter how limited improves the perception of the availability of convenient parking. (Think Thirsty Camel for example)
Further, two way traffic and on street parking are the best methods of slowing vehicular traffic down and making downtown more pedestrian friendly.
Changing Calhoun, Wayne, and Berry to two way configuration, adding parking to those streets, and converting one travel lane on Clinton and Washington Blvd. to parking were all part of the original package.
One council member thought I was crazy for suggesting converting Clinton traffic lane conversion to parking.
Wayne and Berry were converted to one ways at a time when downtown employment and employment in the historic core was 4 times what it is today.
One ways carry higher levels of traffic at greater speeds they are no longer needed except for the paired one ways that serve as community wide arterials. (Washington/Jefferson and Clinton/Lafayette).
Those paired one ways flare from three lanes to four or five lanes and then back to three lanes and provide some of the greatest pedestrian danger Ive seen in cities the size of Fort Wayne. The tragic death of a long time downtown worker in February 2007 is a prime example.
The city took out a lane on Clinton from Superior Street to the rail viaduct to improve the pedestrian crossing to Headwaters - why not extend that to Washington Blvd and improve on street parking for those using Friemann Square or for possible first floor tenants in the old journal gazette bldg or the Anthony Wayne Bldg?
Getting around downtown specially for newcomers is not easy because of the one ways and because of street closures for the Grand Wayne, Library, and much earlier the City County Building.
Business owners south of downtown especially on Calhoun feel cut off from traffic flow that is the lifeblood of business. We got the same feedback from business owners on Harrison north of the Grand Wayne.
Calhoun Street is one of the best visual blocks downtown and it seems counter intuitive to change it but it does not work very well for storefront uses.
The trees are much loved and it will be a stark change when they are replaced with new trees but make no mistake - they are at the end of their life expectancy.
Urban street trees planted in small concrete boxes last about thirty years and two different arborists inspected those trees and recommended replacement because of their failing health.
Making downtown more conducive to storefront development and occupancy remains its greatest challenge. It’s the canary in the coal mine.
Dan,
I’m skeptical re: if you build it, they will come.
If you don’t mind, I have a couple of questions.
How much open space - which is retail in nature - is right there on Calhoun? It seems that everything keeps on getting converted to office space.
Are there businesses lined up to move into the area once the road is widened?
What businesses are being targeted to move in to the area?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Dan.
Has anything downtown been “good storefront”? That block of Calhoun seems to have done ok in relation to everywhere else. It has three thriving restaurants, a jewelry store and a health club.
Also, there’s just no way a tattoo parlor works in downtown Fort Wayne. I don’t care if the streets are one-way or two-way…
“The proposal will allow north-south traffic between Washington Boulevard and Berry Street.”
Isn’t that what the Clinton/Calhoun combo does? Do we REALLY need the two way street? Especially, when we’ve got such a shortfall.
This is not an example of build it and they will come. Successful growth of storefront businesses will require a systemic approach - there is no one thing that will fix the problem.
Downtown Fort Wayne is clean attractive and viable.
Yet there seems a yearning for a more successful downtown from many in the community and that means building a more animated, lively downtown by adding retail, residences, and hospitality businesses.
The package of proposals to reduce traffic speeds, add on street parking, and improve traffic circulation was intended as one of many things that need to be done to make downtown more attractive to storefront businesses.
Downtown Fort Wayne is not a good place for such businesses in part because it is not pedestrian friendly and easy to navigate.
It also has few smaller older buildings left which means new construction and higher costs that are a big barrier to small business development.
People confuse lush tree growth and wide sidewalks for good downtown street design. Columbia Street has the best remaining historic character in the Fort but almost no traffic flow because it is one way and its been cut off. That has limited its development.
These street changes were proposed before the current financial shortfalls and whether the investment is still prudent is for those now in charge to decide.
Dan,
I appreciate your comments. You have been very generous with your time considering you are no longer here in Ft. Wayne. Thank you. As always your insight has been very helpful.
I don’t see the downtown revitalized until restraint is placed on subdivision, shopping center, and strip mall construction. Constant and unrestrained leapfrogging of new development work in opposition to revitalizing the downtown.
The goals of the County Plan Commission are not the same as the goals of the City’s planners. Since members of the county plan commission come from the industries that benefit from outward sprawl, restraint is highly unlikely.
Members of the county plan commission have no incentive to curtail outward development, and I don’t seeing them do so. They also don’t seem to know the word “no” when it comes to new construction approval.
In today’s paper, dozens of homes in the urban core are up for foreclosure while new construction out in the county areas is constantly on the horizon.
At the intersection of Carroll Road and Highway 3 (Lima Road), a CVS has been built on the southeast corner, and now, right across the street, on the northeast corner, a Walgreens is going in. This is planning? Drive along Highway 3, and you will see either a CVS or a Walgreens almost every mile.
Another factor that works against the downtown area is the lack of on street parking. The parking garages and parking lots are available, but that will cost anywhere from $3 to $5 just for two or three hours of parking. On street parking is very limited.
The postcard to which Kristina provided a link shows a vibrant downtown with pedestrians going to and fro. But we had retail businesses downtown then. Today downtown has become a center for banks and non-retail offices.
How many times do people come downtown to do banking? With drive-up windows and ATM machines, banking has become virtually a faceless and nameless transaction.
While I think Calhoun Street is a beautiful street no matter which direction traffic is flowing, the issue of two-way or one-way traffic is not the underlying problem.
The problem is that the county’s planning is diametrically opposed to the city’s attempts to revitalize. We have a comprehensive plan, Plan-It Allen, but it is simply a guideline. It is not mandatory as can be seen with the debacle over Cedar Creek.
Let me add one final thing. I live in West Central along the St. Marys River, and I love West Central. I will never leave my home. I love downtown, and I fervently hope that Harrison Square becomes the success many of us are hoping it will become.
But I truly believe that until our sprawl is controlled, the overall goal of revitalizing downtown is doomed to limited success. More focus needs to be placed on in-filling existing housing areas and encouraging restoring older homes through incentives rather than see how many can be torn down.
I would much rather see my tax dollars go for incentives to restore homes than to tax abatements for fast food restaurants.
Well said Charlotte
While big cities have been able to revive their cores despite suburbanization mostly because of congestion (including Atlanta where it now looks as if incomes are going up faster in the city than the suburbs - a first in recent US history).
There are no examples of smaller cities being successful at revitalizing their core without limiting growth at the edge.
Good news is on the way.
Low energy pricing was the foundation for low density dispersed urban development. Higher pricing of energy will reverse the trend despite the lack of controls.
More progressive controls like those in Portland OR can really accelerate the process.
Charlotte,
You make a interesting point that our city office holders whould expand on. Why not offer tax abatements and tax caps on property someone rehabs and LIVES IN.
Consider the following. I purchased an existing home in “X” area of the core of Fort Wayne. It is worth say $25,000 the way it sets. I put in $75,000 to rehab it. The property then is valued at $125,000.
For sake of arguement the house stays at a tax value of $125,000. The first year I would pay taxes on $6,200. Second year $12,400. Followed by $18,600, $24,800. By the fifth year we are back at the $25,000. After that the property starts to generate more tax dollars then it would have been if I had not invested.
Also if the property is improved the value will continue to increase each year and hence the taxes would increase, even if discounted.
If the home is sold before the 20 year abatement is up the tax abatement is GONE. It can not be passed on. Plus if the homes becomes a rental or sold on contract the abatement is gone. It can only be used if the home is LIVED IN by the person that has been granted the abatement.
I am not saying it has to be done this way but it is a little thinking outside of the box in order to rehab core homes.
And I WONDER why they tell us they have NO money for street lights on my street even though the rest of my addition has them. They have even been presented with a signed petition to the need. Our taxes arent cheaper than anyone elses!!