Harrisburg City Council on Tuesday
Harrisburg has taken a significant step forward in its strategy for the Broad Street Market, voting to proceed with a plan for a temporary home for displaced vendors.
City Council voted on Tuesday to authorize the city to move forward with lease agreements related to constructing a temporary structure for market vendors displaced by last month’s devastating fire.
A July fire, caused by a ceiling fan malfunction, heavily damaged much of the market’s brick building. However, city and state officials have pledged to rebuild.
In the meantime, Harrisburg can now move forward with renting a temporary structure to be constructed on a grassy lot across the street from the market, as approved by council. City officials also have said that they plan to lease the land from the Millworks owner, Josh Kesler, at the corner of Verbeke and N. 3rd streets. Council’s vote allows Harrisburg to enter into that agreement, as well.
According to City Solicitor Neil Grover, under that lease, the city will likely only pay for property taxes for the lot while using it.
Council’s approval also gives the city the ability to enter into an agreement with the Broad Street Market Alliance, which runs the operations of the city-owned market buildings, to oversee and manage the temporary structure.
Grover said that he expects that rebuilding the market’s brick building will take around two years.
Additionally, council approved the use of $500,000 in the city’s initial insurance proceeds to assist with fire-related expenses, such as costs to secure the damaged building and for the lease of the temporary market structure.
Council also approved an intergovernmental cooperation agreement with the Harrisburg School District to employ school crossing guards. The program will run as a pilot program for the upcoming academic year and will employ 12 part-time crossing guards. The city will fund 40% of the cost of their salaries and the district will support 60%.
Additionally, council voted in favor of allowing the city to enter into a long-term lease agreement with the school district for the Jackson Lick pool. According to Grover, the last lease agreement with the district expired around a decade ago. Harrisburg must have an up-to-date agreement in order to proceed with a project to renovate the pool using Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development grant money.
If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!
