Harrisburg Passes 2023 Budget
Harrisburg has approved a spending plan for the new year that includes increased investments in public safety and infrastructure.
City Council voted last month in favor of a $74.9 million general fund budget for 2023 that includes no property tax increase. The budget passed 6-1, with council member Shamaine Daniels voting against it.
Harrisburg introduced the budget to council in late November. Before voting to adopt the spending plan, council made small amendments to a few salaries, among other items.
In total, the budget equals $110.4 million, including the general fund budget, the $20 million neighborhood services fund budget and several other separately budgeted areas.
Public safety is an area of focus in this year’s budget, as salaries for city police officers are set to increase by 3.5% and 16 new positions in the bureau will be funded.
Infrastructure improvements are another focus of the budget, including street lighting upgrades and ADA accessibility improvements within the State Street construction project. There are also funds designated for renovations to the MLK City Government Center and the Public Safety building.
Ribbon Cut on Federal Courthouse
After decades of planning and years of construction, local, state and federal officials last month cut the ribbon to officially open the new federal courthouse.
Mayor Wanda Williams, Gov. Tom Wolf and retired Judge Sylvia H. Rambo, for whom the building is named, were all on hand for the debut of the expansive, 243,000-square-foot, $200 million building at Reily and N. 6th streets.
The journey to find a new location for the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania began in the 1990s. The current federal courthouse, located in downtown Harrisburg, was deemed too small and not secure enough, unable to meet federal requirements.
Lengthy site selection and funding processes ensued, and the location was chosen in 2010. The first funds for the project came in 2004, with the remainder flooding in around 2018. The project ceremonially broke ground in June 2018.
“The new courthouse aims to build upon Midtown Harrisburg’s history and sense of community,” Rambo said during the ribbon cutting. “The building and its surrounding landscape will be a civic icon. The courthouse is a powerful symbol of justice and equality.”
Much of the courthouse construction is finished, though officials expect substantial completion this winter. Court personnel are expected to move into the building in the spring.
With its location in Harrisburg, officials stressed the potential impact that the new courthouse will likely have on the city.
“This space was an eyesore, a vacant parking lot, now transformation and redevelopment of this area is underway,” Williams said. “The possibilities are endless, and it starts here today.”
Milestone Reached for MulDer Square
A project to make a Harrisburg neighborhood safer and greener is nearing completion.
Last month, the city announced that road construction in MulDer Square, the area where Mulberry and Derry streets meet, was largely finished.
The project began in July, closing off Mulberry Street, from the Mulberry Street Bridge to Derry Street.
“This is one of the areas that had high fatalities due to accidents, so the point is to slow down any type of negative congestion in the area,” the city’s project manager Percy Bullock said.
According to Bullock, the construction included installing a roundabout at the intersection of Mulberry and Derry streets, making sidewalks ADA-accessible and updating street lighting. Side streets Nectarine and Evergreen were also paved, and Nectarine Street was transformed into a pedestrian-focused green walkway.
Additionally, the city is working on a project to transform the Derry Street cul-de-sac, which was previously a vacant, blighted area, into a linear park and pathway. The park will stretch from Sylvan Terrace to S. Cameron Street and include benches, ADA-accessible features, new trees and landscaping.
The park project will likely reach completion in April or May, according to Bullock.
The MulDer Square Redevelopment Project is part of the city’s Vision Zero initiative to reduce pedestrian fatalities.
Wastewater Rates Rise
Harrisburg utility customers will see their wastewater rates rise in 2023, though drinking water and stormwater rates will be unchanged.
In late November, Capital Region Water (CRW) passed its 2023 budget with new rates for the year.
Under the new rate structure, drinking water rates will be unchanged at $10.34 per 1,000 gallons consumed. Likewise, the stormwater fee will remain the same at $6.15 per month for most residential customers.
The wastewater rate represents the sole increase for next year. For Harrisburg residents, it will rise by 68 cents per 1,000 gallons consumed, from $8.56 to $9.24. That represents an increase of about $2.55 per month for the average residential customer who uses 45,000 gallons annually, according to CRW.
The overall increase for a Harrisburg residential customer is roughly the same as for 2022, when average rates rose by about $2.60 a month.
“It’s a testament to our leadership that we’ve been able to keep rates predictable this year,” said Capital Region Water CEO Charlotte Katzenmoyer. “Even through inflation and supply chain issues, we are focused on finding equitable and responsible ways to repair the aging infrastructure, both seen and unseen.”
Katzenmoyer added that the spending plan commits $58 million to capital projects aimed at reducing combined sewer overflows, addressing localized flooding and runoff, and meeting state and federal clean water requirements.
“This also comes at a time in which we have doubled the investment in our Customer Assistance Program,” she said.
Debt Payment Made
Harrisburg has made a major bond payment, as it eats away at the remainder of its once-mammoth debt load.
In late November, City Council passed a resolution to pay off $12 million of the city’s remaining $20 million in general obligation bond debt. This debt is money that the city owes after defaulting on loans during its financial crisis a decade ago.
“The city and members of this body and everyone involved wants to get the city out from under this debt that we got into,” said council member Westburn Majors. “We really see the light at the end of the tunnel. This agreement […] is a really good step in the right direction.”
While the administration had proposed paying off the remaining debt all at once, council had concerns about spending down such a large amount of Harrisburg’s fund balance.
While Harrisburg will still need to decide when and how to pay off the remaining $8 million of debt, Majors explained that the decision to pay off the $12 million early will save the city millions of dollars that would’ve accrued in interest had it continued with its regular payment schedule.
“We are very happy,” city Business Administrator Dan Hartman said, of the payment. “It’s a step in the right direction.”
Homes Sales Down, Prices Up
Residential sales declined but prices increased in November for the greater Harrisburg area, according to the latest report on previously owned houses.
For the three-county region, home sales totaled 616 units during the month compared to 724 in November 2021, as the median price rose to $255,000 from $231,000, said the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).
In Dauphin County, 279 houses sold, a drop from 371 in the year-ago period, as the median price rose to $219,000 compared to $208,500 last year, GHAR stated.
Cumberland County had 295 home sales, a dip from 299 a year ago, as the median price increased to $300,000 versus $245,000 in November 2021, according to GHAR.
In Perry County, sales fell by eight units to 38 homes, as the median price increased to $239,750 compared to $204,950 in the prior year, GHAR said.
Houses sold relatively quickly, as GHAR reported that the “average days on market” stood at just 17 days compared to 20 in November 2021.
So Noted
Capital Region Water has two new board members: attorney Karen Balaban and state House employee Nathan Davidson. City Council voted down two other proposed appointees, meaning that long-time members Marc Kurowski and Andrew Enders will continue to serve on the five-member board until reappointed or replaced, even though their terms have expired.
Dauphin County will hold its property tax rate steady for an 18th consecutive year. The county commissioners last month passed a $218.8 million general fund budget that maintains the county portion of the property tax at 6.88 mills.
David West last month was confirmed by City Council as the director of Harrisburg’s Public Works Department. West, who previously served in the post, was rehired out of retirement in July.
Fresca Burger & Chicken Shack is slated to open early in 2023 in the Strawberry Square food court. Owner Mina Gabriel plans to offer made-to-order burgers, chicken sandwiches, gyros and falafel wraps, plus a variety of side dishes, including loaded fries and onion rings, as well as all-day breakfast.
Harrisburg City Council this month will begin accepting applications for an open council seat. The application period opens on Jan. 3 and closes on Jan. 13. Applications are available on the city’s website and at city hall. The seat is open as former member Dave Madsen resigned last month after being elected to the state House of Representatives.
Harrisburg School Board last month reappointed Brian Carter as its board president for 2023, while naming Roslyn Copeland as vice president. The board currently lacks the ability to vote on most agenda items, however, as that power remains in the hands of the district’s state-appointed receiver.
Olivia Edwards Rindfuss has been named president of Harrisburg Young Professionals for 2023, replacing 2022 President Jade Honey. The executive board also will include vice presidents Iqbal Singh and Lauren Maurer, Treasurer Peter Megoulas and Secretary Ali McFadden.
PA Dairymen’s Association last month announced a special flavor to celebrate 70 years of Farm Show milkshakes: orange cream. You can grab one at the 2023 PA Farm Show, which runs Jan. 7 to Jan. 14.
SkarlatosZonarich last month announced the addition of Harvey Abramson, Esq., as Of Counsel, bringing 40 years of legal experience to the Harrisburg firm. Harvey will join the firm’s Elder Law, Estate Administration and Estate Planning Department.
Changing Hands
Adrian St., 2242: M. Moyer to C. Feliz & E. Suero, $98,000
Benton St., 704: PA Deals LLC to J. Marrero, $69,950
Berryhill St., 1101: J. Garcia to D&F Realty Holdings LP, $200,000
Berryhill St., 1417: NA Capital Group LLC to J. Alvarez, $55,000
Berryhill St., 1423: NA Capital Group LLC to R. Pena, $55,000
Berryhill St., 2479: P. & M. Myers to K. Dieu, $110,000
Bigelow Ct., 5: A. Blount to VAB Investments LLC, $80,900
Calder St., 104: M. Freeman to T. Green, $160,000
Capital St., 1228: S. Moore to M. Whipple, $205,000
Christian St., 1183: D. Vasquez & J. Paulino to Y. Martinus, $40,000
Division St., 501: G. Neff to EBM Real Estate Holdings LLC, $68,000
Edward St., 104: R., A. & S. Boyer to E. Chattah & Y. Guhl, $80,000
Emerald St., 409: 2 Sons Mechanical LLC to J. Tribue, $108,000
Forster St., 416: ITSM1 Inc. to M. Caylor & A. Shafer, $260,000
Geary St., 609: R. Dunbar to Balaci Properties LLC, $81,500
Geary St., 628: F. Ruiz to O. Rivera, $90,000
Green St., 1102: E. Kramer to C. Frey, $260,000
Green St., 1110: M. Schiavo to M. Siddique & N. Taraska, $207,500
Hamilton St., 208: K. West to Calder Street Development LLC, $225,000
Herr St., 1726: Gold Key Properties LLC to A. Otero, $128,000
Hoerner St., 140: A. & L. Maiga to Hamar Constructions Inc., $80,000
Howard St., 1347: H. Hidalgo to Val de Vie Estate Investment LLC, $160,000
Hummel St., 331: A. Hidalgo to E. Clemente & C. De Rojas, $53,000
James St., 1329: I. Mallouli to A. Hoffman & D. Payakmaloeng, $163,000
Kensington St., 2320: J. Cramer to A. & T. Hancock, $95,000
Kensington St., 2327: Lansanah Home Services Group LLC to R. Rodriguez & A. Matos, $130,000
Lenox St., 2000: B. & K. Ramper to KRP Limited, $57,000
Logan St., 2206: PA Deals LLC to Balaci Properties LLC, $87,000
Market St., 1827: Henry & Sons Property 2 LLC to Baker Property Services LLC, $83,000
Market St., 2006: C. Queeley to Willow Mill Realty Holdings LLC, $49,000
May St., 916: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to K. Laubach, $124,995
Nagle St., 112: J. Weaver to D. McLaughlin, $147,000
Naudain St., 1429: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to P. Sanchez, $59,995
Naudain St., 1436: J. Palmer to Integrity First Home Buyers LLC, $65,111
N. 2nd St., 513: Cricket Real Estate Enterprises LLC to Fernandez Investments LLC, $350,000
N. 2nd St., 1931: S., R. & S. Coslow to A. Spagnoli, $169,000
N. 2nd St., 2421: T. Weishaar to S. King, $275,000
N. 2nd St., 2441: J. Ryan to D. Mouzon, $115,000
N. 3rd St., 1101: D. Carroll to A. Blaylok, $200,000
N. 3rd St., 2301: Capital Tax Collection Bureau to Healing Center International Inc., $100,000
N. 4th St., 2319: Carters Clean Up LLC to Berrospi Properties LLC, $82,500
N. 4th St., 3221: M. Allen to C. Dyer, $132,000
N. 5th St., 1732: R. Nagel to J. Drayton & R. Nelson, $200,000
N. 5th St., 2238: D&F Realty Holdings LP to C. & A. Payano, $66,500
N. 5th St., 2406: R. & G. Kessler to C. Grimm & J. Price, $125,000
N. 6th St., 2521: M. Yablonski to L. Martinez, $115,000
N. 7th St., 2158: T. Karijomenggolo to L. Banks, $113,850
N. 7th St., 2164: M. Howell to K. Morrison, $130,000
N. 12th St., 35: D. Green to C. & R. Guerrier, $60,000
N. 13th St., 144: A. Odunayo to Cooper Hawk LLC, $72,000
N. 16th St., 617: T. Reeves to H. & C. Le, $170,000
N. 16th St., 1215: F. Washington & G. Worrell to R. & R. Loja, $65,000
N. 18th St., 703: Henry & Sons Property 2 LLC to E. Reyes, G. Alexander, V. Tejada & C. Tejada, $83,000
N. Front St., 1525, Unit 213: B. Esworthy to Selenite Real Estate LLC, $115,000
N. Front St., 2417: PA State Corrections Officers Associations to Beautiful Holding LLC & A. Stidfole, $330,000
Park St., 1919: Inoma Properties East Shore LLC to 2020 Real Estate Ventures LLC, $55,000
Paxton St., 1619: C. Barboza to L. Morales, $300,000
Penn St., 1603: M. Miller & D. Smith to Stanton Investments LLC, $170,000
Penn St., 2312: R. & S. George to JRP Transportation LLC, $58,000
Reel St., 2734: JAK Investment Properties LLC to MS AM Properties Inc., $60,000
Regina St., 1834: S. Olmeda to World Energy LLC, $65,000
Rolleston St., 1315, 1411: JWM Associates to Hyperion Capital LLC, $2,100,000
Seneca St., 263: L. Cervantes, T. Astuto & E. Marquez to K. Williams, $133,900
South St., 111: M. & N. Hylind to T. Chandler & D. Jackson, $125,000
S. 12th St., 1504: K. Foster to R. Hussain & H. Tagreed, $70,000
S. 13th St., 1257: Brookside Premier Properties LLC to Coopers Hawk LLC, $42,000
S. 17th St., 314: K. Hugo to GCA & BN Real Estate Holdings LLC, $240,000
S. 19th St., 228: G. Neff to J. Acosta, $63,500
S. 19th St., 1106: M. Murphy to R. Andia, $72,500
S. 23rd St., 612: A. Radon to Shutter Real Estate LLC, $400,000
S. 26th St., 706: F. Guzman to M. Cedeno, $42,000
S. 28th St., 737: S. & J. Rivera to K. Olotu, $130,000
State St., 1500: Stoute Housing Inc. to L. Voong, $204,000
State St., 1620: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to SNB Real Estate Solutions LLC, $109,900
State St., 1934: Wilton Hampshire LLC to SNB Real Estate Solutions LLC, $115,000
Summit St., 160: J. & J. Domenico to PR&J Properties LLC, $60,000
Taylor Blvd., 36: J., J. & P. Straw to LMG Enterprises LLC, $40,000
Verbeke St., 120: LanPro Properties LLC to S. & B. Gill, $180,000
Vernon St., 1535: 37 Estate B. LLC to World Energy LLC, $44,000
Wayne St., 1718: D. Daniel, C. Carey & E. Wilson to C. & T. Zerbe, $149,900
Wyeth St., 1409: H. Swanson to I. Jordan & A. Wooditch, $165,000
Wyeth St., 1418: Ruth E. Graham Trust to R. Martin, $165,000
Zarker St., 1812: J. Santiago to PACC Homes & Development LLC, $55,000
Zarker St., 1944: SR Homes LLC to J. Monegro, $65,000
Harrisburg property sales, November 2022, greater than $40,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.
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