Few Southwood Park homeowners enhance their front easements, but the owners of 4801 Tacoma Avenue have done just that. What they have done with the park strip between their sidewalk and curb is getting rave reviews and an almost instant Home Award.
John Gevers, co-owner with Gregory Fryzel, didn’t rush his design stage but he did get his plan realized in five short weeks, finishing on May 6th to beat the heat. From the low stacked stone wall to his plant selections, John’s work is top notch. He, like his late father before him, calls himself an amateur landscaper but his innate talent is obvious. Gregory, a retired high school language teacher who has lived in the neighborhood since 1991, was wise to defer to John on the easement project; all he insisted on was the inclusion of a handsome lantern. You can view John’s photos of the project on his Facebook page. He’s a professional photographer as well as a budding landscape designer.
When I asked them both why they like living in Southwood Park I was overwhelmed by great answers. Gregory appreciates that his neighborhood is friendly, peaceful and open to gays. He paraphrased someone who once said “it bespeaks the best of middle America”. He also loves the sense of community in the general area, noting helpful Southgate Kroger employees who sometimes call him “Honey”! John was a bit more pragmatic, being appreciative of the convenient seven minute drive or 15 minute Greenway bike ride to his downtown office on Calhoun. However, he did soften a bit to add how much he appreciated the compliments he received from both neighbors and strangers on his easement project. I’m sure the June Home Award will be just as welcome.
— Pat Thomson
Linda and Dick Morris of 4426 Beaver remember 1966, when 56 kids lived on their block. Linda loves that so many families have raised big families in “small” Southwood Park houses. They raised their own two children in theirs, doing bits of inside remodeling through time. Twenty years ago they added a deck and redid the back garden for their daughter’s wedding. Further back, 45 years ago Helene Foellinger knocked on their door and handed Dick a bunch of metal edging, asking him to install it in his backyard to deter his dirt from ending up on her tennis court. The tennis court and the edging are still there.
For sure Dick and Linda’s home is truly part of the family and its memories. Their front garden is always the picture of meticulous and loving care and last year they added a very inviting and now award winning front entrance … a great spot for future memories perhaps.
—Pat Thomson
We’ll have our huge neighborhood-wide Garage Sales on Saturday June 9th!
Chat with your neighbors. Clear your garage, basement, closets and attic of unwanted items and make a little pocket money. And get out there to gather one-of-a-kind bargains!
The sale will be advertised in both Fort Wayne Newspapers. Association signs will be placed on key corners. If you’re participating, please take down any signs at the end of the day. Thanks!
Another day of sales will be held August 11th.
Sun Academy Withdraws Its Charter School Application
Sun Academy, a potential charter school that had applied to the state to locate at the Summit (the former Taylor campus), has withdrawn its application.
http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20120521%2FNEWS%2F120529943%2F1005
Ambassador Enterprises has purchased the remainder of the former Taylor University-Fort Wayne property.
The property in question is includes the “old” campus on the north side of Rudisill Boulevard. Three buildings remain on the 3.5 acre property: Oakwood Apartments, Bethany Hall, and Schultz Hall.
Bethany and Schultz Halls remain on the Endangered List of local preservation group ARCH because of their important place in the development of this part of town and the important social impact of Fort Wayne Bible College and its successors. A structural expert from Indiana Landmarks toured Schultz Hall and found the building to still be structurally sound following an arson fire in 2005. Founders Memorial Hall was demolished last year to remediate a leaking oil tank.
We hope that Ambassador will be able to find a use for Bethany and Shultz. Since both buildings may still be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, they may also be eligible for federal and state rehabilitation tax credits. Taylor University is a non-profit and wasn’t itself eligible for tax credits. Ambassador is a for-profit philanthropic organization and may be able to take advantage of those tax credits.
Ambassador’s spokesman reported to the media that there are no immediate plans for the property.
If you are a homeowner and in need of a street tree in the public right of way in front of your home, you have until July 16, 2012 to complete a Street Tree Application.
The cost is $75/per tree. The $75 fee may be waived for those households that meet certain size and income requirements. Please refer to the Street Tree Application for those specifications.
Applications can be submitted on-line at http://www.fortwayneparks.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=417&Itemid=586 or by downloading the application and mailing it to:
Lawton Park Maintenance Office Attn: Chad, 1900 North Clinton Fort Wayne, IN 46805.If you have questions, please contact Chad Tinkel at chad.tinkel@cityoffortwayne.org or 260-427-6480.
Mayor Henry Hosts Mayor’s Night In May 21st
City Press Release:
Fort Wayne, Ind. – Mayor Tom Henry will host his second Mayor’s Night In for 2012, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, May 21 at Citizens Square .
Fort Wayne residents are invited to schedule an appointment to meet with Mayor Henry, in his office on the 4th floor, to have an open dialogue about any concerns, comments, feedback or suggestions related to City government or services.
City residents may schedule their 10-minute block of time with Mayor Henry by calling 427-1111. Times are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.
Residents who met with the Mayor during a previous Mayor’s Night In or Mayor’s Night Out event will be placed on a waiting list to give other citizens the opportunity to have their concerns heard.
“Mayor’s Night In provides the citizens of Fort Wayne an excellent opportunity to meet with me and my staff, and to share their issues, concerns and ideas for improvement,” Mayor Henry said. “Open dialogue with the citizens I serve is extremely important. Our combined vision of Fort Wayne is what continues to make our city a great place to live and work.”
