Construction began last month on a large-scale rehabilitation of Cumberland Court, the sprawling apartment complex next to the Broad Street Market in Harrisburg.
Nick Bouquet, development associate for Maine-based Evergreen Housing Partners, said the company is investing an average of $40,000 in each of the complex’s 108 units.
Interior improvements will include new kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, heating/cooling systems, windows and lighting in each unit. The complex’s exterior will receive new outside lighting and improved security system and a new roof.
Bouquet said the company also plans to build a community center, which will include community space, a policing center, a computer center and new management offices.
“We are undertaking a substantial interior and exterior renovation that will modernize the units so that everything the tenants see and touch will be new to the unit,” said Bouquet, who added that privately held Evergreen will be long-term holder of the property, which will continue to serve lower-income residents.
Renovations on the complex, built in 1975, should be complete by year-end, he said.
Evergreen brought the brick, garden-style complex in December for $3 million from long-time owner Cumberland Court Associates.
The company specializes in acquiring, improving and managing properties for low- and moderate-income residents. Locally, it owns the Rutherford Park Townhouses in Hummelstown and the Garden Court Apartments in Lancaster.
Cumberland Court is bordered by Capital, Verbeke, Herr and N. 6th streets.
N. 7th Street Project Begins with Detours
The long-promised upgrade of N. 7th Street in Harrisburg has begun, according to the city.
On Feb. 28, crews closed the southbound lane of N. 7th Street between Reily and Maclay streets for a major project that includes widening the street from two to four lanes.
The project also will add sidewalks, upgrade sewer and water lines and install antique-style lighting and benches. The intersection at N. 7th and Maclay streets also will be upgraded.
Construction is expected to take about a year. Until then, N. 7th Street traffic will be detoured onto N. 6th Street.
The $5.5 million road project is funded mostly with state and federal funds, allowing easier access to the Capitol complex and the proposed federal courthouse at N. 6th and Reily streets.
First National Takes Space on State & 2nd
The regional headquarters of a major bank will occupy most of the remaining available space in the prominent new office building under construction at N. 2nd and State streets in Harrisburg.
First National Bank of Pennsylvania, the largest affiliate of F.N.B. Corp., will take up the entire first floor of the building, as well as much of the second floor, said project developer WCI Partners. The first floor will be a full-service bank branch, while the second floor will become the bank’s regional headquarters, which is re-locating from Susquehanna Township. About 40 employees will work in the bank’s new Harrisburg location.
“We are excited to establish our regional headquarters in what we consider to be the number one new location in downtown Harrisburg,” said Lloyd Lamm, regional banking executive for the bank’s 15-county Capital Region.
WCI has already signed up the law firm of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney as anchor tenant for the building. The firm will occupy the upper three floors of the five-story building upon its completion, expected in July.
Including the law firm and the bank, about 110 employees are expected to work in the building.
“Anytime we can bring companies into downtown, it’s good for our business and good for the city because it generates revenue as well as solid employment opportunities,” said J. Alex Hartzler, WCI managing partner.
