Officials ceremonially broke ground on the Tunnel to Towers project on Thursday.
Dozens of people gathered in south Harrisburg on Thursday to celebrate the beginning of a new residential construction project.
Tunnel to Towers, along with local officials, ceremonially broke ground on their project that will bring housing for homeless veterans to the city.
“The veteran’s village we celebrate today is more than a construction site, it is a commitment, a promise, a symbol of what happens when compassion, patriotism and action all come together,” said Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams. “It will provide safe, stable housing for veterans in need.”
Tunnel to Towers CEO Frank Siller spoke at the ceremony on Thursday.
In November 2024, Harrisburg City Council approved the construction of a 64-unit apartment building and 20 “comfort homes” by New York-based Tunnel to Towers.
The riverfront location along S. Front Street, past the PennDOT building, is the newest location for the organization, which has housing communities across the country.
Tunnel to Towers in Harrisburg is the second project aimed at sheltering the homeless population on the large stretch of formerly vacant land. Veteran’s Outreach of PA cut the ribbon on its Veterans Grove tiny home community in May 2024.
Rendering of Tunnel to Towers in Harrisburg, provided by Tunnel to Towers.
While Veterans Grove provides transitional housing, Tunnel to Towers will provide permanent housing. Gavin Naples, vice president of Tunnel to Towers, said that the organization will work with VOPA to potentially provide housing for veterans who phase out of their programming.
According to officials, Tunnel to Towers will have support services on site, such as job training, financial coaching and case management.
“Our objective is reintegration back into the community,” Naples said.
The $20 million project is expected to take 12 to 14 months to construct. So far, the project site has been cleared and construction will now begin.
A third housing project is slated to be built next to Tunnel to Towers and VOPA. Eden Village’s tiny house community for the homeless was approved by City Council in March.
For more information on Tunnel to Towers, visit their website.
If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!
