Broad Street Market brick building
Harrisburg has allotted more money towards the Broad Street Market rebuild.
City Council on Tuesday approved increasing the budget for the brick building rebuild after last week’s discussion in which city officials explained unforeseen costs.
Council approved funding about $3.2 million in change orders for the market, which officials said has brought the total project cost from $20.8 million to $23.7 million.
A majority of the change orders came from the collapse of one of the brick building’s walls during construction, and the related foundation and shoring work to stabilize the structure, explained Project Manager Debbie Reihart.
To cover the costs, Harrisburg pulled money from its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) fund and anticipates around $3 million in additional insurance reimbursements.
A few residents during public comment expressed their concern with the city using CDBG funds that could go to grassroots organizations and public infrastructure projects. However, council member Lamont Jones said that the city needs to keep the rebuild project moving and that council is actively trying to work with the mayor.
“We want to make sure that these works get done in our city, so we have to find some type of common ground,” Jones said. “Me personally, I don’t agree with the $23.7 million spend on this one brick building. However, we are in the midst of this, and we cannot stop this project at this moment because it will cost us more and more and more money.”
Also on Tuesday, council approved three grant application submissions for park and roadwork projects.
The largest ask is for the U.S. Department of Transportation for $4.3 million to improve safety on Division Street, from N. 2nd to N. 7th Street. The project would aim to incorporate traffic calming features, crosswalks, traffic signal upgrades, sidewalk and ADA upgrades and bike lanes.
The Division Street project is still in the early stages and has yet to go through the design phase, according to City Engineer Joel Seiders.
The city will also submit a grant request to the PA Department of Community and Economic Development for $250,000 to support the Capital Area Greenbelt Association’s relocation of the Greenbelt in South Harrisburg. The money would support lighting and safety measures.
Finally, the city will request $250,000 from DCED for redesign and upgrades at Vernon Street Park in South Allison Hill.
Council also approved allocating additional money to several grant allocations in the city’s Host Municipalities Fund and General Fund. The following organizations have been named as potential awardees.
- Harrisburg Housing Authority—Summer Youth Program, $200,000
- Pop’s House—July Music Series at Reservoir Park, $25,000
- Civic Club of Harrisburg—City-wide Juneteenth Celebration, $20,000
- Harrisburg Cougar Midget Football Association—youth football and cheerleading programs, $60,000
- Evolve Youth Trades Academy, $25,200
Including these allocations in the budget typically allows the mayor to award up to the designated amount to each organization. However, council amended the resolution designating the funding to include a requirement that each organization make a presentation at a council meeting before funds are released. The amendment also added that any of that money that is not used can be reallocated to other organizations.
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