Proposed apartment project site (file photo)
A project to construct a large apartment building in Midtown has faced several delays and setbacks, but took a step forward on Tuesday.
Harrisburg City Council approved a zoning change for a swath of land around 320 Reily St., 1511 N. 3rd St. and 329 Harris St., a necessary step before developers can move forward with a proposed 144-unit apartment building.
The zoning modification changes the land from institutional zoning to commercial neighborhood zoning.
The project, proposed by Harrisburg-based GreenWorks Development, originally received zoning variances and special exceptions in 2021, but a land development plan was never filed. Then in February 2024, GreenWorks received new zoning approval, but the Zoning Hearing Board excluded parking relief from the approval.
Currently, the proposed project site is occupied by parking and vacant lots. The area was long zoned institutional as HACC was slated to use the space as part of its Midtown campus in the early 2000s, but later abandoned the plan.
The proposed apartment building also would include first-floor commercial space and amenities for residents.
Also on Tuesday, council made several board appointments.
Council appointed Shea Zwerver, by a vote of 5-2, and Pierre MaCoy, by a vote of 4-3, to serve on the Capital Region Water board.
Several council members voted against the appointments, saying that they seemed qualified, but they wanted to give other community members a chance to volunteer for the board. They cited the fact that Zwerver currently works part-time for the city’s forestry program and that MaCoy sits on the Harrisburg Parking Authority board.
“I do believe that there should be more opportunity for other residents who have extensive backgrounds in the same field, in the same area, that would be assets to the board of directors of Capital Region Water, and offer some diversity within the board,” council President Danielle (Bowers) Hill said.
Zwerver will serve a term until 2027 and MaCoy will fill a seat until 2028. They will fill one vacant board seat and replace board member Nate Davidson, who resigned on Tuesday. Davidson (D-103) also serves as a member of Harrisburg’s state legislative delegation.
Council also appointed Leon Hueston Sr. and Amechie Walker Sr. to the city’s newly formed Citizen’s Law Enforcement Advisory Board.
In other business, council approved a professional services agreement with Batta Environmental Associates to provide environmental and geotechnical consultant services on the Hall Manor Aquatic Facility project. The project will use funds made available to the city under the federal American Rescue Plan Act to replace and upgrade the Hall Manor pool.
Finally, council approved a grant application to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program for up to $5 million to make safety improvements along Division Street.
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