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Council backs $47.8M theater rehabilitation and 10-year abatement request amid public objections
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Summary
The council approved a resolution to designate the former Scottish Rite/City Theater block as an economic revitalization area, advancing a proposed $47.8 million rehabilitation by CEREC Enterprises and related abatement valued at about $2.5 million over 10 years, despite public comments opposing tax incentives for wealthy investors.
The Fort Wayne Common Council approved a confirming resolution to designate the former Scottish Rite Performing Arts Theater and the Henry G. Olds House as an economic revitalization area to support a large-scale rehabilitation proposed by CEREC Enterprises and partners.
Andrea Robinson (Economic Development) described Suite Real Estate/City Theater LLC’s request for designation to preserve, rehabilitate and update the historic performing arts center and the Henry G. Olds House. Nancy Towns of CEREC Enterprises told the council the project has an updated total cost of about $47,800,000. Towns outlined required structural, mechanical and ADA upgrades, said the project would reduce seating from about 1,900 to roughly 1,600–1,700 to meet modern booking practices, and estimated an abatement request of approximately $2.5 million over a 10-year period.
Public comment included two speakers who opposed large tax incentives for wealthy developers: Dalton Takarczyk said he was "of the opinion that we should not be giving such a large handout" and cited an estimated $5,500,000 loss in potential tax revenue; Kate Connor said she "do[es] not appreciate that we are giving him a tax handout" and urged private contribution instead. Council members pressed on hidden environmental and remediation costs, the capital stack (including a $5,000,000 CIB commitment), and whether the project would require ongoing city cash. Towns and other presenters said the ask did not include direct city cash and that the developer would front public-improvement costs and seek reimbursement through TIF over time.
Council members praised the project's historic preservation value and potential to catalyze downtown activity while acknowledging the public's concerns about incentives. The finance committee recorded a due-pass recommendation for R260220 and the council recorded final passage as part of the set of economic revitalization resolutions with eight members in favor and one against.
The resolution authorizes the designation under Indiana Code 6-1.1-12.1; specific sale terms and certain capital-stack details (for example, exact reimbursements and long-term repayment schedules) were described as not finalized on the record.
