Levon Vojtkofsky, a senior at Snider High School, wants to be an artist some day. It’s a big dream, he knows, but Sunday he felt hopeful he could make it happen.Fort Wayne city officials gave Harrison Square's condominium developers a month to renegotiate their broken contract with the city.
The Fort Wayne Redevelopment Commission issued two letters this week regarding the condominiums, one to Barry Real Estate, the project developer, and one to Hardball Capital, Barry's partner and owner of the Fort Wayne TinCaps.
Barry's agreement with the city required the developer to construct a $14.5 million condominium/retail building by June 1. Construction on the project has yet to begin.
"The city has performed all of its obligations under the agreements. Parkview Field opened on time and is a wonderful addition to downtown Fort Wayne. Now it is time for (Barry Real Estate) to meet its obligation to commence and complete phase one of the residential/retail portion of the project," commission attorney John Wernet wrote to Hardball.
The letter to Barry states the developer needs to provide a schedule that can be met so the agreements can be renegotiated within 30 days. The commission agreed last month to send the letters, but they were released to The Journal Gazette on Friday, only after a public-records request.
Jason Freier, Hardball CEO, said he appreciates the city's willingness to work with him and Barry. Although he said Barry is more involved in the condominium-development details, he said they want to keep the project on track as much as possible.
"The really important thing is the project get completed and it get completed right," Freier said.
Officials from Barry could not be reached for comment Friday afternoon.
The Harrison condominium building is part of the Harrison Square development, which also includes Parkview Field, a parking garage and a Courtyard by Marriott hotel.
Greg Leatherman, city executive director of redevelopment, said the goal of the letters is to prompt Barry and Hardball to present what they believe is a fair way to move forward on the project.
He said they should, at a minimum, provide an updated construction schedule. Design changes, financing information and even monetary concessions to the city are an option.
Trying to recoup money from the developer, however, is not a top priority, Leatherman said.
"It's more important for this project to get under way than anything else," he said.
Barry initially touted the development as a 62-unit, $21 million complex but downsized it to 30 condominiums when demand failed to meet expectations.
The developer, who has since said that apartments might be mixed with condominiums to help fill the building, has been unable to get financing to start the project.
Mayor Tom Henry this week said he understands residents' concerns about the project, but he believes the developers are doing what they can to get started.
"My desire is to try to work with them through this," he said.
Henry said he and his wife are still interested in living in the condominium building, but he would need to see the developer's final plans before committing.
The Courtyard by Marriott development also has yet to finalize financing for construction. But White Lodging, hotel developer, has already begun site work for the hotel, and a financing announcement is expected this month.
Leatherman said Hardball and Barry have confirmed receiving the letters, and they understand the need to follow through on the contract. He expected the developer to respond within 15 days.
