Harrison2

Bridge firm hired

The Fort Wayne Redevelopment Commission Monday gave preliminary approval for the city to hire MSKTD to design the walkway bridge between the Courtyard by Marriott and the Embassy Theatre. While no contract was signed at the meeting, the commission unanimously approved paying the local firm $29,500 for the work on the proposed $300,000 bridge.

The entire walkway project is estimated to cost $1.8 million, which also includes work on the inside of the Embassy. The walkway was a requirement for the Courtyard developers to build downtown, as it will provided covered access to the Embassy, which has covered access to Grand Wayne Center.

The commission is expected to approve a formal contract next month.

Late opening

The delayed opening of the Courtyard by Marriott got a bit of an explanation at Monday’s Fort Wayne Redevelopment Commission meeting. The hotel was originally to open in fall 2009, but now is expected to be complete by March 2010.

Greg Leatherman, redevelopment executive director, said the delay was mostly caused by a two month wait to complete plans for the connecting walkway between the hotel and Embassy Theatre. That delay meant the hotel would open in the winter, which didn’t make business sense for the company, as that is their slowest time, Leatherman said. Therefore, it will open the following spring, which is permitted in the hotel developer’s contract with the city.

Leatherman said the good news is a meeting with the hotel developers last week relieved any concerns about the project, as its designs are being integrated into the greater project.