The Harrison Square development took another step forward today with the start of demolition work. The first phase of work includes the demolition of Belmont Beverage and Palace Restaurant sites on South Harrison Street.

Martin Services Systems is the contractor for the demolition of the Harrison Square site. The cost of the project is $637,000. Demolition work will be done in five phases. The projected completion date is October 1.

Earlier this week, the Fort Wayne Redevelopment Commission approved the definitive agreements for Harrison Square. The Fort Wayne City Plan Commission approved zoning map amendments for certain properties within the Harrison Square development to be rezoned to commercial status. Fort Wayne City Council approved a bond financing lease for certain land and public improvements between the Fort Wayne Redevelopment Authority and the Fort Wayne Redevelopment Commission.

Next steps for Harrison Square

*August: A working group will convene to consider design, financing and historical issues relating to a walkway that is proposed to connect the Courtyard by Marriott and the Grand Wayne Center via the Indiana Hotel.

*August: Harrison Square bond financing will be considered by the Local Government Tax Control Board and the Department of Local Government Finance at the state government level. Final approval could come this fall.

*August: City Plan Commission will consider approving the primary development plan for Harrison Square. The Plan Commission is the sole entity responsible for approving the development plan.

*August: City Council will consider zoning map amendments, which were approved by the Plan Commission earlier this week, as well as street vacations.

Construction on Harrison Square is anticipated to begin this fall.