The Courtyard by Marriott at Harrison Square will open to guests six months later than planned, but the city’s redevelopment director said that will not hurt the financing of the public-private development.

The Fort Wayne Redevelopment Commission on Monday approved changes to its contract with White Lodging, the hotel developer, which call for the $20 million-plus, 250-room hotel to be substantially complete by Aug. 15, 2010, and open for business in September. The project was originally scheduled for completion March 1, 2010.

Greg Leatherman, city executive director of redevelopment, said he is pleased the project has begun construction. A ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony will be June 29.

He said the city had discussions with White Lodging about the new start date, and both sides are confident it can be met.

“I think we are being conservative,” Leatherman said.

The construction of the hotel is vital to the financing of Parkview Field, the parking garage and other public expenses because property taxes from the hotel will help pay those debts.

The half-year delay means property taxes on the hotel will be received a year later than expected, and commission member Thom Obergfell said the city needs to take that into account in its spending plans. He said the commission should be cautious in spending property tax money from the Jefferson Pointe special taxing area – which is also helping finance Harrison Square – in case more money is needed to pay off the city’s loans.

Leatherman, however, said the delay won’t hurt the city’s ability to pay for the project. The first year’s tax receipts would be small because of a tax abatement, and the city has time to plan for future years, he said.

Public financing

Leatherman told the commission he will present an account of the public costs of Harrison Square to the City Council today. While he declined to divulge details – commission members did not ask him to – he said they will be happy.

“We are significantly under what we promised to spend,” he said.

Leatherman added that attendance at Parkview Field is up by nearly 1,000 fans per game compared with attendance at Memorial Stadium, and he anticipates that increasing as the summer proceeds.

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