Harrisburg Swears In Police
Soon, Harrisburg will have nearly a dozen new police officers on its streets.
Last month, the Harrisburg Police Bureau swore in 11 officers, one of its largest classes of new officers in recent years.
“On this day, we welcome 11 new officers into our family, the greatest police force in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” said Mayor Wanda Williams at the swearing-in ceremony held at Whitaker Center.
After a months-long selection process, 10 of the officers began training last month at HACC’s police academy, followed by in-house training with the bureau. According to Police Commissioner Thomas Carter, the training process may take about a year to complete. One officer has already completed police academy training and will move straight to in-house training.
With the new hires, the bureau’s complement of sworn and civilian officers includes about 160 people.
Among the new officers is Daniel Donovan, 64, who came to the bureau as a retiree, following a 34-year career as an attorney with the U.S. Navy’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps and U.S. Department of Defense.
During the pandemic, Donovan saw the struggle that police departments were facing in terms of recruiting officers and wanted to step up to the plate, he said.
“I thought, my health is still good, my children have grown, I have a few good years left to serve, and I felt that if good people don’t step up and try to help, then the police bureau doesn’t have the manpower it needs,” he said.
Carter said that this attitude was part of the reason the new class was so large compared to past classes. During the pandemic and during nationwide Black Lives Matter protests, fewer people were joining police departments, Carter said. However, he believes the trend is now shifting.
“More and more people are willing to serve,” he said. “People feel that they can make places safer and are willing to do that.”
The newly sworn-in officers include:
- James P. Bard
- Marco G. Benitez-Soto
- Elliot D. Christman
- Sean J. Cigich
- Daniel G. Donovan
- John J. Grant
- Steven C. Gray
- Jared A. Nouzovsky
- Thomas L. Oxenrider
- Evan A. Ramos
- Robert C. Tritch
“I’m so proud of these officers because they have answered the call,” Carter said.
Additionally, bureau officers Travis Banning and Donald Bender were promoted to the rank of corporal. Banning has been with the bureau since 2015 and Bender joined the bureau in 2009 and works in the K-9 Unit.
Apartment Project Gets Approval
A proposed residential building near the new federal courthouse has passed a key milestone as the developer looks to start the apartment project.
Last month, the Harrisburg Planning Commission unanimously approved a land development and lot consolidation plan for the Savoy, a 48-unit apartment building proposed for the 1500-block of N. 6th Street.
A year ago, Harrisburg-based Vice Capital, a firm headed by retired NFL player LeSean McCoy, purchased 1522, 1524 and 1526 N. 6th St., along with several adjoining grassy lots for $575,000. Three blighted buildings currently occupy the site—a 1950s-era commercial building flanked by two 110-year-old houses long used for apartments.
The developer expects to raze the existing structures this month, according to Jonathan Bowser, managing partner of Wormleysburg-based Integrated Development Partners, the project’s general contractor.
“We’re very excited to get started,” Bowser told commission members.
Before construction can begin, the project will need additional city approvals, including final approval by Harrisburg City Council.
During the planning commission meeting, Bowser said that the four-story, 62,370-square-foot building will include a mix of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units ranging in size from 432 to 941 square feet. The $8 million project also includes first-floor commercial space, a 45-space parking lot and a rooftop deck.
Ten of the building’s 48 units will be considered affordable housing, Bowser said.
“This looks like a good project,” said commission chair Joseph Alsberry.
Derry Street Improvements Planned
PennDOT announced last month that the public may now view plans for its Route 3012 (Derry Street) Improvement Project, which will span Swatara Township, Paxtang Borough and Harrisburg.
The road construction will extend from the intersection of Mulberry and Derry streets to the intersection of Rosewood Lane and Derry Street. Proposed work includes milling and overlay of the existing pavement, signage and pavement marking upgrades and sidewalk and crosswalk improvements.
The design specifically addresses the intersections at 21st and Derry streets and Berryhill, 19th and Derry streets with proposed improvements to pedestrian crosswalks and improved school zone signing, as Rowland Intermediate School and Scott Elementary School are both nearby.
PennDOT decided on the recommended improvements after completing a corridor safety study and meeting with local officials, according to the department.
The project is currently in the design phase and construction work is expected to take place in 2024.
Home Sales Down, Prices Up
Home sales fell markedly in December, but prices continued to rise, according to the latest report on sales of previously owned houses.
For the three-county region, sales totaled 528 houses compared to 774 in December 2021, as the median sales price was $250,000 versus $229,900 a year ago, said the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).
In Dauphin County, 274 houses sold, a decline from 385 in the year-ago period, while the median price rose to $225,000 from $205,550, GHAR stated.
Cumberland County had 229 home sales versus 333 the prior December, as the median price increased to $288,900 versus $255,900 a year ago.
In Perry County, sales dropped to 21 units from 46, as the median price went up to $206,500 compared to $190,500 in December 2021.
The pace of home sales was nearly unchanged at 22 “average days on market” compared to 21 days the prior December.
So Noted
Brian Fertenbaugh plans to open a new restaurant on the west shore, at the location of the former Cork & Fork Osteria in Hampden Township. Fertenbaugh, who owns Café Fresco Center City in Harrisburg, said that the new restaurant will offer Mediterranean-style cuisine, with an anticipated springtime debut.
Chelstan Anderson has been named the new executive director of the East Shore YMCA. He has been with the Harrisburg Area YMCA’s Northern Dauphin Branch since 2007 and has served as executive director since 2017.
Dauphin County commissioners Mike Pries and Chad Saylor last month announced their intention to run for re-election. The Republicans will seek their party’s nomination during the May 16 primary election.
Lovedraft’s Express is opening in the stone building of the Broad Street Market. The market location features J.B. Lovedraft’s burgers, a popular item at its downtown pub, plus beer from its west shore brewery.
Michael Yeosock last month was named Harrisburg’s new city engineer. The city had been without a full-time engineer for over a year, with those responsibilities outsourced to Lower Paxton Township-based Dawood Engineering.
Tamara Boutique opened last month at 17 S. 3rd St. in Harrisburg. From the storefront, owner Tamara Robinson-Grant offers a variety of women’s clothing and accessories to complement her online presence.
Changing Hands
Argyle St., 41: Neidlinger Enterprises LLC to E. Samuels, $110,000
Argyle St., 43: Neidlinger Enterprises LLC to E. Samuels, $110,000
Barkley Lane, 2514: Kirsch & Burns LLC to Wengs Labor Services LLC, $50,802
Bellevue Rd., 2007: T. & C. Brown and C. Britton to SPG Capital LLC, $62,000
Berryhill St., 1637: E. Hunter to A&K Investment Partnership LLC, $40,000
Berryhill St., 2453: P. Steele to V. Marsico, $95,000
Briarcliff Rd., 201: Fulton Bank NA to R. Montgomery, $245,000
Briggs St., 1504: Neidlinger Enterprises LLC to J. Chappel, $139,900
Briggs St., 1925: C. Forney to Y. Martinus, $75,000
Brookwood St., 1935: M. Myers to Two Three Two Investments LLC, $50,000
Chestnut St., 1947: R. & L. Goldberg to L. De Jimenez, $65,000
Cumberland St., 120: Berlin Group LLC to W. Rowe, $210,000
Derry St., 2453: K. Ribble to L. Brown & C. Bennett, $59,000
Emerald St., 220: HBG Rents LLC to K. Vance, $215,000
Emerald St., 623: R. & B. Crawford to SPG Capital LLC, $50,000
Fulton St., 1621: R. & F. Hamid to W. Falls, $199,900
Geary St., 620: G. Neff c/o City Limits Realty to R. Almonte, $69,900
Green St., 1409: R. Rammouni to Aljo Properties LLC, $66,000
Green St., 2008: H. Greer to M. & M. Akins, $255,000
Green St., 3114: G. & K. Sipe to M. Trujillo, $45,000
Green St., 3240: M. Sangrey to M. & S. Charles, $161,500
Hamilton St., 277: J. Feldman to M. Teles, $180,000
Hamilton St., 332: 332 Hamilton LLC to K. Dubina, $198,900
Hamilton St., 501½: 88314 LLC to J. & C. Stout, $100,000
Harris St., 224: M. Goldberg to B. Durant & V. Jones, $295,000
Herr St., 315: P. Shaughnessy to C. Day, $185,000
Herr St., 411: Thiemann Family Trust to A. Aguilar, $160,000
Hudson St., 1135: H. Harlan to EBM Real Estate Holdings, $43,000
Hunter St., 1607: B. Balkcom to S. Scott, $69,000
Jefferson St., 2715: Neidlinger Enterprises LLC to E. Samuels, $117,400
Jefferson St., 2717: Neidlinger Enterprises LLC to E. Samuels, $117,400
Kelker St., 203: J. Flamagan to Silverstone Enterprises LLC, $56,000
Kensington St., 2300: C. Small to B. Sium, $93,000
Lexington St., 2639: S. Naranjo & M. Picon to M. Villarino, $139,900
Lexington St., 2710: First Choice Home Buyers LLC to R. Veras, $139,900
Liberty St., 1400, 1402: Gold Key Properties LLC to B. Garcia, $104,000
Market St., 1935: TRYB Investments LLC to L. Bautista, $145,000
Muench St., 638: Bill Culwell Enterprises Inc. to M. Renteria, $120,000
North St., 1614: Carters Clean Up LLC to D. Marcel, $105,000
North St., 1619: K. Mooney to A. Hoskote, $85,000
N. 2nd St., 1223: A. Holt & S. Hayes to G. & E. Elledge, $235,000
N. 2nd St., 2347: M. & I. Barclay to J. & P. Flesher, $300,000
N. 2nd St., 2964: Invariant Real Estate III LLC to Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg, $150,000
N. 2nd St., 3211: K. McRae to M. & S. Ishman, $158,000
N. 4th St., 1622: J. Lightner to N&R Properties LLC, $200,000
N. 4th St., 2442: NA Capital Group LLC to L. DeJesus, $125,000
N. 5th St., 2735: J. Quinnonez to B. Spence, $72,000
N. 6th St., 2136, 2138: Dakar Realty Inc. to Breaking the Chainz Inc., $360,000
N. 6th St., 2642: E. Weaver to Rivas Property Investments LLC, $60,000
N. 6th St., 2941: Asun Star Homes LLC to G. Rubinstein, $188,000
N. 6th St., 3109: D. & M. Hillard to C. & L. Jerry and T. Vrabel, $125,000
N. 15th St., 1525: M. & J. Ravenel to Ourvizion Investments LLC, $50,000
N. 18th St., 716, 718: L. Tanuos to W. Matthews, $114,000
N. 19th St., 45: Equity Trust Co. Custodian M. Gillespie IRA to SNB Real Estate Solutions LLC, $85,000
N. Cameron St., 527, 603, 611, 627; 650 N. 12th St.; 700 Monroe St.: Goodwill Industries to Susquehanna Regional Transportation Authority: $4,850,000
N. Front St., 1525, Unit 612: M. & N. Hameed to M. & J. Vaccaro, $229,900
Peffer St., 264: J. Stemple to S. & R. Gray, $152,500
Penn St., 1512: M. & S. Staub to M. Caru, $237,600
Penn St., 1610: K. Bueti to A. & J. Norris, $215,000
Penn St., 2127: K&M Housing LLC to F. Mateo & A. Nova, $45,000
Penn St., 2219: PA Deal LLC to G. Pluyer, $99,950
Penn St., 2329: J. Alibrio to R. Memmi, $52,500
Race St., 550: Panda Real Estate LLC to A. Thompson, $163,000
Radnor St., 680: K&F Property Investments LLC to Knight Development & Management LLC, $83,500
Reel St., 2402: Gilligan Realty LLC to J. Vazquez, $43,000
Regina St., 1617: J. Linan to F. Escalon, $63,000
Regina St., 1628: JOG Investments LLC to D. Boyle, $58,000
Regina St., 1814: J. Daneurys to BYD Properties LLC, $58,000
Rudy Rd., 1831: B. Sible & Sible Family Trust to M. Freeman, $65,000
Rudy Rd., 1923: T. Bui & H. La to C. & C. Mmuo, $110,000
Rudy Rd., 2401: B. Royster to J. Jones & A. Royster, $180,000
Rumson Dr., 2971: Towd Point Mortgage Trust 2016 4 & Select Portfolio Servicing Inc. to R. Gonzalez & M. Cabrera, $95,000
S. 12th St., 1453, 1455: A. & R. Apa to J. Good, $250,000
S. 13th St., 1412: C. Prieto to A. & A. Koss, $133,000
S. 13th St., 1524: C. Greenwood to E. Guevara, $85,000
S. 15th St., 429: E. & L. Jones to Z. Ali, $63,500
S. 15th St., 526: M. Morton to First Choice Home Buyers LLC, $45,000
S. 15th St., 528: First Choice Home Buyers LLC to D. Boyle, $65,000
S. 20th St., 225: R. King to Lone Pine Real Estate LLC, $75,500
S. 23rd St., 647: J. Mears to J. Grimek, $110,000
S. Cameron Terr., 1515: Keystone Properties Solutions LLC to G. Pluyer, $131,000
S. Front St., 623: A. Yockin to K. & S. Lewis, $179,900
State St., 231, Unit 401: S. Sehar to D. Rowe, $207,000
Swatara St., 2029: L. Huynh to O. & J. Famuyiwa, $145,000
Thompson St., 1239: R. Dixon to Biyaki Enterprises LLC, $40,000
Thompson St., 1614: V. Belliard to 417 Shamokin LLC, $70,000
Vernon St., 1441; 2220 & 2229 Logan St.; 2123 Penn St.: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to J. Awunganyi & R. Fualem, $234,985
Walnut St., 1215: B. Collier to J. & M. Johnson, $42,000
Wyeth St., 1410: T. Bogans to R. Harvey, $113,413
Harrisburg property sales, December 2022, greater than $40,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.
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