Harrisburg City Council on Tuesday.
Several Harrisburg development projects focused on serving lower-income residents will move forward following a City Council legislative session on Tuesday night.
Council took action to push forth both an affordable housing development for South Harrisburg, as well as a childcare center, the Catherine Hershey School for Early Learning.
Council unanimously voted to approve a lot consolidation and land development plan for “Sycamore Homes,” a 23-unit affordable apartment building planned for the 1400-block of Sycamore Street, near Foose Elementary School. Harrisburg-developer George Fernandez, CEO of Latino Connection, explained that the $3.4 million project will offer high-quality studio units to low-income residents
“What drives us is helping to change what the face of low income looks like,” he said.
Fernandez said that he hopes to begin construction by this fall, with the project completed by fall 2023.
Additionally, council approved a lot consolidation and land development plan for the Catherine Hershey School for Early Learning, which has proposed a childcare facility in Uptown Harrisburg. The site is planned for a 3.44-acre area bounded by Peffer, N. 7th, Muench and N. 6th streets. The childcare center is an arm of the Milton Hershey School and would offer free care to 150 low-income and at-risk children, from 6 weeks to 5 years old.
According to Executive Director Senate Alexander, the school will focus on providing kindergarten readiness programming and family support options.
“I look forward to it,” council member Ausha Green said. “I think it’ll be great for the community.”
The project is expected to be completed in spring 2024. The school will still need to secure street vacations for small roads on the project site.
In other news, council pushed forth a resolution to create “Hot Spot Saturdays,” a summer initiative to encourage residents to participate in six community clean-up events. The city plans to work with organizations and nonprofits that regularly conduct trash cleanups.
The cleanups will take place throughout July, August and September in Harrisburg. There will be more information to come.
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