To talk about the City of Harrisburg is to talk about a variety of issues, people, places and perceptions.
Some of that talk is tainted with misconceptions, though. Here are a few common myths that I’ve heard said by people both outside and inside of the city.
Myth #1: “You take your life into your own hands if you go to Harrisburg.”
Harrisburg is not that crime-ridden.
Yes, there is crime in the city. Because a city is a greater concentration of people, there are greater opportunities for crimes to be committed. Crime is everywhere; this is unarguable.
However, urban places have urban issues. More people are coming in and out, more people are moving about, and more people are impoverished, economically and morally.
That’s city living. It means to be more alert, aware and prepared. It’s strategy and tactics, such as how to walk, where to venture and what to do should villainy occur.
Anyone who visits the city should have a similar state of consciousness. Street crimes like theft are more likely to happen when someone seems unfamiliar, unsure or vulnerable in some way—that is, lost, alone or intoxicated.
Be aware, and you exponentially minimize your chances of becoming a potential victim.
Homicides, though, are another thing.
The city statistics show that the majority of the most violent incidents happen because of an altercation over some conflict, not necessarily reported or discussed.
The headlines lead because they bleed. Therefore, details are lost, and the real nature of the disputes isn’t necessarily conveyed or understood.
While there’s no absolute safety net around any part of the city, it’s fair to say that where and when this brutality occurs is not where and when most residents and visitors frequent.
Myth #2: “Harrisburg isn’t a real city.”
Despite the scorn, Harrisburg is a city, a real city. Not only do the city’s charter and the state define it so, but Harrisburg also has many attributes of a city—multiple neighborhoods, a variety of people, several centers of business, and access to miscellaneous services and utilities. Harrisburg has tall buildings, traffic, public transit, schools, colleges, churches of various faiths and denominations, stadiums, museums, concert halls, art galleries, restaurants and a multitude of organizations, clubs and groups.
Yet, one of the most significant characteristics of Harrisburg that designates it a city is that it’s always evolving.
From the time it was first settled by John Harris through the turn of the 20th century and City Beautiful, surviving Agnes, up our current time of uncertainty and potential—Harrisburg’s dynamics are myriad with people always coming and going.
It has stood a long test of time and deserves to be called a city.
We should all appreciate and seriously seize the opportunities that come from being in a city, that come from having such a concentration of people in an area. It means a plethora of cultures, languages, faces and random conversations. It’s potential for variety and choice without standards or exclusiveness.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, “Call it a city and it’ll act like a city.”
Myth #3: “Midtown gets better city services than other neighborhoods.”
As far as many long-time residents are concerned, Midtown is basically the area around the Broad Street Market in what is considered “historic Midtown.” However, per the city’s map, Midtown is the district that spans from Forster to Maclay streets and Front to N. 7th streets.
Traveling this entire area, you’ll see that there is indeed retail, restaurants, building rehabilitation and new development.
But you’ll also see indications of the broken infrastructure and neglect that plagues the entire city—potholes, broken streetlights, overgrowth, blight, illegal dumpsites and destitution.
Along with these problems, there are frustrated residents who share the same issues and concerns as other residents who live throughout the city. Everyone is dealing with a long-deficient government that’s financially strapped and lacking resources.
And, just like other parts of the city, several Midtown residents are doing what they can to take care of their blocks because no one can really count on city services to fix things right now. At least not quickly.
Myth #4: “There is nothing good about Allison Hill.”
First and foremost, Allison Hill is a big place. It’s comprised of three main sections—North, Central and South Allison Hill. Each of those sections is broken up into smaller neighborhoods, too.
Like Midtown and Uptown, there are quiet streets and troubled spots. The most challenged section of Allison Hill is South Allison Hill, which has a reputation for high poverty and high crime. According to a 2009 Dickinson College student study, its reputation is undeserved. Statistics show it’s not as impoverished or unsafe as many people think. South Allison Hill’s greatest virtue is its diversity, but its greatest handicap is its lack of retail and economic development.
There are still spots worth visiting, including Matango’s Candies on Catherine Street and the Stone Soup Library a few blocks away.
There are a multitude of urban gardens and murals throughout Allison Hill. There’s Reservoir Park, the Harrisburg Cemetery, Mexico Taco Lindo, the Hilltop Restaurant, PM Bistro and the Manna Café on Sundays. There is the secondhand furniture store on State Street, the Harrisburg Doll Museum, Joshua Farm and the Bethesda Mission Youth Center. There are beautiful churches, small ethnic groceries and some of the best views of the city.
Without a doubt, Allison Hill is in need of improvements, but it’s a beautiful place.
Myth #5: “Harrisburg will never get better.”
If someone truly believes this place will never get better, then they’re missing out on the renaissance, reconstruction and collaboration that are happening here.
More people are working together than ever before, and that’s the key. They’re crossing entrenched divides and establishing new ways of doing things. It’s the one significant component that trumps previous attempts and takes out the naysayers.
The fact is Harrisburg will get better. It already is.
Tara Leo Auchey is creator and editor of today’s the day Harrisburg. www.todaysthedayhbg.com
