Polyclinic campus. Pennmark’s proposed phase one of an adaptive reuse project includes renovating the building on the left. The additional two buildings will be renovated in future phases.
Two adaptive reuse projects were up for discussion at a Harrisburg City Council meeting on Monday.
Council weighed developments that would turn the former Polyclinic Hospital building Uptown and a building that previously housed government offices downtown into apartments.
First up was a proposal by Pennmark Harrisburg Holdings, an affiliate of Montgomery County-based Pennmark Management Company, to transform the building that historically housed the Polyclinic Hospital at 2601 N. 3rd St.
Pennmark’s land development plan on Monday was for phase one of their three-phase proposal for the sprawling campus, which includes three buildings totaling over 271,000 square feet. The overall project would include creating 250 to 300 apartment units and commercial space.
Phase one, which council heard plans for, targets the northernmost building on the property, which formerly housed nurses’ quarters and more recently offices, according to Greg Hallquist of Pennmark. The developer would build out 96 market-rate units, including studios, one-, two- and three-bedrooms. The proposal also includes first-floor commercial space.
Council approved a zoning change for the entire property, from institutional to commercial, in July.
A few council members expressed concern over the affordability of the units, and whether or not Harrisburg residents who are lower income would be able to afford them.
“It still is a little high,” said council member Jocelyn Rawls. “I’m just trying to think about who could afford it.”
Council member Crystal Davis said that she saw the market-rate units as being affordable for local professionals.
Pennmark has already hosted five public meetings with the community and plans to host more to solicit feedback on the proposal.
333 Market Street
Next up, council heard a proposal from Harristown Development Corp. to renovate 333 Market Street, a 22-story building downtown that previously housed state government offices. Harristown has proposed renovating floors 11 through 19, which are currently vacant, and creating 81 one- and two-bedroom apartments.
Brad Jones, CEO of Harristown, said that he was searching for an organization to master lease the units and provide senior housing, similar to the company’s project at 112 Market St.
Like the Pennmark proposal, council members were worried about affordability for lower-income seniors, especially those on a fixed income.
Jones said that the costs of the units would be up to the organization that will eventually hold the master lease.
“The whole thing should be affordable because it’s seniors,” said council President Danielle Hill.
Hill and others also were concerned that seniors wouldn’t feel comfortable living on the high-up floors.
Jones noted that the building has five elevators and a freight elevator.
“This building is almost overly served by elevators,” he said.
Council is slated to vote on the projects at its next legislative session.
If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!
