2nd Street in downtown Harrisburg
State and local officials are combining forces to fund and lead a planning effort designed to help revitalize downtown Harrisburg.
On Friday, the area’s legislative delegation announced that it will seek state funding to help craft a comprehensive revitalization plan for the downtown.
“We will be working to secure state resources in exchange for a continued unified process at the local level,” said state Sen. Patty Kim (D-15), in a statement. “This is our capital city, and its residents deserve a downtown we can all be proud of.”
The legislators will work alongside the city, the state-appointed Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority and the Capital Region Economic Development Corp. (CREDC), which will spearhead the effort.
“It’s time to embrace this opportunity to reimagine a thriving downtown,” said Ryan Unger, president of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC. “We are grateful to our state legislators for their trust and confidence in the Chamber & CREDC to help lead this vital effort.”
In recent years, Harrisburg’s downtown has suffered as state and other office employees, who once supported the local economy, work remotely following the pandemic. This has led to office vacancies, reduced property and sales tax revenue and the closure of small businesses.
According to Unger, a steering committee and CREDC will guide the drafting of a comprehensive plan to create a long-term strategy, with the goals of improving infrastructure, boosting safety and making downtown vibrant again. Unger expects the plan to be drafted this year with implementation beginning next year, depending on funding.
The partnership is inspired by the broad-based coalition employed to develop the “Downtown Pittsburgh Revitalization Plan,” which leveraged $62.6 million in state support and nearly $600 million in new investments.
“Like Pittsburgh, we will look to a broad cross-section of stakeholders including elected officials, corporate leaders, private developers, nonprofits, community leaders, residents, artists and local business owners,” Unger said. “The business community is motivated by this locally unprecedented partnership, and we are ready to get to work.”
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