Jim Kratzat was in attendance today as Mayor Tom Henry and city leaders presented Rick Kinney of Even Keel Productions  with one of 10 commercial facade grants from the City of Fort Wayne for the renovation of the Old Clyde Theatre at Quimby Village.  Rick’s plans are to turn the vacant former movie theatre into a performing arts center, with a recording studio and art gallery.  Thanks to the City for continuing this successful program.  We’re eager to help Rick bring his dreams to fruition!

Groundbreaking ceremonies for two big MSKTD projects recently – Sweetwater’s new office/warehouse addition and Erin’s House for Grieving Children new home.

Sweetwater broke ground on its 110,000 sf expansion on Wednesday, November 14^th.  In attendance for the ceremony were Governor Mitch Daniels, Mayor Tom Henry, city/county officials and economic development staff.   The new addition, a combination of warehouse/office/conference & training space, brings with it 315 full-time positions.   Big thanks to Sweetwater founder and president Chuck Surack on his continuing commitment to the Allen County community.

On Thursday, November 15^th, Erin’s House for Grieving Children broke ground on their new home off St. Joe Center Road next to the new YMCA project.   With a residential/homey atmosphere, the new 14,500 sf facility will include program rooms, a rec room, a craft room, gathering room, and administrative offices and training room.  The site will also include space for a memory garden.   Watch for future opportunities to help support the building project.

what gets you “in the doghouse?”!!!

Ahh yes, only the creative minds at MSKTD could come up with a “Puppy Pub” as our contribution to the “In the doghouse” charity event benefiting Mad Anthony’s Children’s Hope House.

Seriously, a beautiful piece of furniture – a big thanks to the MSKTD team, Wood Technologies and F&M Tile & Terrazzo for their contributions to the design and construction of the Puppy Pub.

In addition to designing their Lutheran campus facility, MSKTD is a longtime supporter of Children’s Hope House, with Jim Kratzat serving on its founding board.

Date of the event is August 30^th 2012.  Additional details can be found here – with a link coming soon that will allow you to view and also place bids on the themed dog houses.  Be sure to check it out!

MSKTD & The Hagerman Group won the 2012 Excellence in Construction Award from the Building Contractors Association of Northeast Indiana in the Renovation under $2.0 mil category for the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo Entrance Renovation.

The project involved renovation of the existing main entry into the Zoo and the construction of a new membership building, stroller barn, stroller concession building, new ticket booths and some new large trellis work.  In addition, some of the walkways were modified and/or rebuilt.  The project was completely funded by donations.

Congrats to all team members, zoo staff and the community for your contributions to this project!

Thanks to all of our friends who “liked” MSKTD’s entry for One Eleven Design’s 2011 Furniture 4 Kids table auction benefiting the FourEver Friends Scholarship fund.  MSKTD’s “Jungle Fever” table and chairs were live auctioned that evening and the winning bid of $700 went to our own Jim Kratzat, who donated the table/chairs to our friends at Erin’s House for Grieving Children.Special thanks to our design team of Amber Kolkman, Joleen Burns, Heather Krebs, Christine Spatt and your carpenter helpers for all of your hard work!Congratulations One Eleven Design on your tenth anniversary and thank you for bringing together the talents of our local design community to support this foundation so close to your hearts.

MSKTD architect Adam Weesner participated in Fort Wayne Community Schools “Principal for a Day” program on Wednesday, October 19th.  Adam was assigned to Northwood Middle School and reports that it was a fun and enlightening day.  He would like to thank Principal Swinford, Assistant Principal Froning, students and staff for their hospitality.Must say, something rubbed off on him.  Adam took attendance at the office on Thursday morning and cited Kratzat for a dress code violation….. 

Keep Indianapolis Beautiful …. check out MSKTD’s donor profile in the latest newsletter.Indy staff Kyle Hardie and Sarah Savage are both actively involved in KIB’s young professional group SOLAR.

Clint Eastwood and Deep Purple have in common?  Thanks to our friends at Business People magazine, we now know.  Read on. 

On February 15^th, Jim Kratzat, MSKTD President and Architect, presented conceptual drawings to the City of Gloucester, Massachusetts for a proposed waterfront development project.   Jim and his wife Linda have a home in Gloucester, where Linda is a seasonal volunteer with Cape Ann Whale Watch.MSKTD’s conceptual plan for the harbor property provides for both public and private development, which will enhance its historic character, respects its neighbors, supports the visitor and business economy and is compatible with the work waterfront.More images can be found on MSKTD’s Facebook page

As part of our ongoing Blue Jean Friday campaign, our “Denim Crew” contributed $195 to Family & Children’s Services of Fort Wayne for the month of January. Family and Children’s Services “promotes and develops healthy relationships in individuals, families and communities so they are empowered to make positive life choices.”  Great job Denim Crew!Upcoming charities include Erin’s House for Grieving Children, Foundation for Fighting Blindness, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, SPCA, Community Harvest Food Bank, and Making Strides/Breast Cancer.And on a daily basis, MSKTD staff and our tenants MAGTECH/Fortune Wireless support Habitat for Humanity by collecting cans; Ronald McDonald House by collecting pop can tabs, and our Christmas Bureau family by selling cookies at our reception desk. That’s right, we assuage our guilt from our unhealthy eating habits by giving to others…