Peter, Paul and Tom

These photos were posted earlier. But, seeing this story I decided to post them again. Not bad for a citizen journalist, huh? Not an exclusive, because they all knew. And we know who they are or do we? Tom, I mean Councilperson, Tom Smith is in good position for being pro downtown development wouldn't you think? But they know this? They know each other. Its the workers the voters who don't come into the city that don't have a clue.



Who benefits? Not the taxpayers, but how about self-interest of elected officials.

The key to selling upper-floor housing is the view: the skyline, the rivers, the expanse,” said District President Dan Carmody, who hopes the forthcoming “Downtown Loft Competition” will whet the public’s supposedly healthy appetite for urban life. A study last year by a New Jersey consultant concluded that up to 3,750 households annually would prefer to live downtown.

Smith thought much the same thing 18 years ago when he spent about $70,000 to buy and remodel the gutted second floor of a 130-year-old brick building just around the corner from the Columbia Street “Landing,” Fort Wayne’s first designated historic district. His example failed to spark a downtown residential renaissance, however. With the exception of 104 condominiums built as part of the city’s Midtown Crossing project in the late 1980s, few apartments or condominiums have been added since – despite a wealth of vacant upper floors.

This summer, however, work will begin converting some of those spaces into apartments, some with outdoor balconies or rooftop decks similar to Smith’s. One of the Downtown Improvement District’s lofts will be developed immediately above Smith’s.

Another will be above 817 S. Calhoun St., and two above 916 S. Calhoun.

Carmody expects each project to cost about $125,000, with the city providing about 40 percent, banks 40 percent and the district 20 percent. Each would be repaid through rental income. Property owners will cover some costs, too, including taxes and insurance.

Loft Competition is what they call this. Wonder who these folks are that gets $125,000 a piece dropped in their collective laps?

And all the property owners has to do is collect the rent and pay taxes and insurance. That's not a bad deal, but who got to bid on such fantastic deals that mines and your tax dollars are paying for. Better yet, I am wondering who sold the businesses to these fellows. Oh believe me, women are not the benefactors of these deals. It's a man world, says the late James Brown. But we know it wouldn't..

Speaking of housewives, honey have you seen the March tax bill in the mail? No, you say. Well, you know why, that Harrison Square Project will have to pass before they are going to let you see those bills. June is when you will see the first installment of your tax bill. By then, you will have kept folks in office and the Harrison Project would be a done deal.

We must pay a lot of taxes. Because we are giving away a little over a half of million dollars to four landlords. We will provide another $57.98 million dollars to a time shared space. We will exempt two landlord from property taxes totaling over $6 million dollars. And the current tax rate used is lower than mines. The projection in the fiscal analyse list a tax rate at 2.62 and mines is 3.4662.

No saving for me, my property value was increased at the same time as the tax rate increase, wiping out the the reduction that was provided by the state. If it happened to me, you can bet your bottom dollar the same has happen to you. Go on go look at that tax bill. Look at it. And just wait untill you get the tax bill in June !! No saving, but the elected official stabilized the amount they could take rather than meeting their budget needs.

Do you now why Fort Wayne is called the dumbest city? We have people working full time to craft lofty lies to rob Peter to give to Paul. Peter may have good ideas, but Paul is too busy making sure the gravy train does not leave him stuck in downtown.