Harrison Square Update

It might not look like it now, but soon there will be a Courtyard Marriot located in Harrison Square. The construction includes a plan to connect the old with the new. A sky bridge, much like the one connecting the Embassy Theatre and the Grand Wayne Center will make this all possible. Kelly Updike, the Executive Director of the Embassy Theatre, says “It makes us much more urban and better integrated with a city feel.” The sky bridge will allow visitors to walk from the Marriot to the Embassy Theatre, and right into the Grand Wayne Center. Updike says “You can literally walk from the new hotel at Harrison, and wind your way, and end in Downtown Fort Wayne without getting wet.” The Old Indiana Hotel has been vacant for over 30 years. Funding for the third floor revamp is coming from the city and a grant from the Goldstein Foundation. In addition, they are paying for a new elevator in the old hotel. This elevator is essential in allowing the hotel to open up its vacant rooms to new possibilities. Updike says “The board has created a small visionary committee and looked at a couple different sets of plans. They have been looking at taking two floors and having a ballroom. We have developers come in and ask about restaurant space.” No formal decision has been made on what will fill the space. The Embassy Theatre is looking to get public opinion on the decision. Embassy Theatre officials say the sky bridge will be decorated just as the Embassy is. They will also have a display on the wall featuring the theaters history, Currently the city is in the process of designing the sky bridge. City officials say a design should be ready for the public in the next 60 days.