Over half a million people downtown?

Estimating the numbers...

In an article recently published by the Journal Gazette, it was reported that Memorial Stadium currently brings in close to 250,000 attendees per season, and that number could be increased to nearly 300,000 per season with the move downtown.

It was also reported that the Geneaology department of the Main Library brings in about 100,000 people per year, and they're hoping to increase that number to nearly 150,000 people with their move downtown.

With those given numbers, as well as taking into consideration the other projects involved in the Harrison Square project, that could equal out to a rise of 1,718 people more downtown per day for recreational activites (baseball, shopping, library) than what we have now. Now, also take into consideration that these estimates are mid-range, with the high end nearing 2,000.

So, looking at the upside of things, this could equal out to 730,000 more people downtown over the course of a year than the amount of people downtown now per year for recreational activities. That is a major rise, as compared to the fewer-than-one thousand downtown for recreational activities per day today.

So ultimately, the Harrison Square project could generate much more income than some have said, some saying it would be a total flop and end up costing more than it would be making.

Also, the numbers could be somewhat higher, considering that the hotel, and other downtown developement, was excluded from the estimates. There are already small boutiques and shops apparent in the main core, and a new mexican eatery is to open soon on Columbia Street.

So in all, these numbers possibly could be reaching the 800,000-900,000 mark once the Harrison Square project is completed.

If you ask me, a rise of 800,000 people seems like a pretty large number to me. And surely that would generate somewhat of an income.

Now, the disadvantages:

As also stated in the article, the number of cars that pass the library's current location as compared to the expanded location are significantly lower. Given the figures that were in the article, I estimated it to be about 15,500 cars less. That is a major difference, but you also have to take into consideration that Renaissance Square is in a busier part of downtown. Therefore, it's going to have more traffic. And there is also a much higher percentage rate of cars going to the library passing their original location than the percentage of cars going to the library passing their temporary location.

So in all, it balances out for the most part, and shouldn't have too much of an effect on the library's overall performance. It's location may even help it out some, since traffic in that area isn't as heavy and they now provide people with free underground parking (although when I went on a tour through the library about a year ago, the underground parking garage did seem fairly small, but reasonable).

Money money money...

The cost of the Library expansion and baseball stadium alone adds up to be about $114.1 million. Thats a fairly hefty pricetag for two projects out of the many listed in the Harrison Square project. However, with the estimated influx of nearly 800,000 people downtown, things will likely balance out there could likely be a small surplus from the overall project.


Article with Memorial Stadium information:
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/fortwayne/16534540.htm

Article with Library information:
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/fortwayne/news/special_packages/library/16489935.htm