July News Digest
Harrisburg School District Resumes Local Control
The Harrisburg School District regained local control last month.
Effective June 17, the district exited state receivership, imposed six years ago to provide oversight and direction for the then-distressed district.
Harrisburg has been under state oversight since June 2019, when a Dauphin County judge determined that the Pennsylvania Department of Education would take over the district.
Dr. Janet Samuels was then appointed as the receiver for the district, with Dr. Lori Suski taking her place in 2022, after Samuels resigned. Under receivership, the school board only had the power to levy taxes. The receiver had the sole vote on all other matters.
At the three-year mark, in June 2022, when the receivership was set to expire, the court extended receivership for another three years, until June 2025. At that time, district officials and board members were in favor of remaining under state control, as they made progress toward financial and academic goals.
Now, six years in, the district moved back to board control, with elected board members voting on district matters. PDE Acting Secretary Dr. Carrie Rowe made the decision to end Harrisburg’s receivership, which was announced in early June.
Zoning Change for Apartment Proposal
A project to construct a large apartment building in Midtown that has faced several delays now has taken a step forward.
In late May, Harrisburg City Council approved a zoning change for a swath of land around 320 Reily St., 1511 N. 3rd St. and 329 Harris St., a necessary step before developers can move forward with a proposed 144-unit apartment building.
The zoning modification changed the land from institutional zoning to commercial neighborhood zoning.
The project, proposed by Harrisburg-based GreenWorks Development, originally received zoning variances and special exceptions in 2021, but a land development plan was never filed. Then in February 2024, GreenWorks received new zoning approval, but the Zoning Hearing Board excluded parking relief from the approval.
Currently, the proposed project site is occupied by parking and vacant lots. The area was long zoned institutional as HACC was slated to use the space as part of its Midtown campus in the early 2000s but later abandoned the plan.
The proposed apartment building also would include first-floor commercial space and amenities for residents.
At the meeting, council also made several board appointments.
Council appointed Shea Zwerver, by a vote of 5-2, and Pierre MaCoy, by a vote of 4-3, to serve on the Capital Region Water board. Council also appointed Leon Hueston Sr. and Amechie Walker Sr. to the city’s newly formed Citizen’s Law Enforcement Advisory Board.
Housing Nonprofit Buys Midtown Building
A Harrisburg housing organization plans to expand their mission to include another basic necessity—food.
Last month, Thrive Housing Services told TheBurg that they will open a pay-what-you-can restaurant in Midtown Harrisburg in hopes of addressing local food insecurity and giving youth a place to get work experience.
The nonprofit was gifted the building at 1120 and 1122 N. 3rd St. in March from the former owners of Heartshine, which renovated the property and had also planned to open a pay-what-you-can restaurant, but did not.
Thrive Executive Director Dee Allen said that Thrive paid Heartshine a sum of money to help them dissolve the company in exchange for the building. Allen said that the previous owners requested that Thrive stick with the restaurant concept.
Thrive currently provides housing for young adults experiencing homelessness and has opened and planned several new housing developments recently. This would be their first entry into the food service world, but Allen believes the concept fits with their mission by filling hungry bellies and giving youth job training.
“It’s basically going to be a place where anybody can eat,” she said. “It will be an opportunity to serve the community.”
The building, which sits on two land parcels, will house the restaurant, as well as five apartments for young adults and a drop-in resource center for young people. The center will allow people to get mail, wash clothes and connect with agencies and assistance.
Allen also views the restaurant as a resource for Thrive’s clients, as it gives young people a place to work that will train them and help them build a resume, while being understanding of their life circumstances and struggles.
“A lot of kids don’t have the marketable things that people are looking for,” she said. “Now, we are helping to accommodate them […] so they can successfully transition out of homelessness.”
Additionally, Allen believes that the unique restaurant model will help Thrive serve the community in a new way by providing hot meals and de-stigmatizing food insecurity. Patrons will be seated, given menus to order from and served like any other restaurant, regardless of their income level and ability to pay.
However, she’s hopeful that community members of all economic statuses will come to dine.
According to Allen, the exterior of the building is in decent shape, but the interior of much of the structure is essentially “a shell.” Thrive will need to work to renovate the restaurant and apartment spaces. She estimated that the restaurant may be ready to open in fall 2026.
Home Sales, Prices Steady
The Harrisburg-area housing market held steady in May, as sales and prices were relatively unchanged from a year ago.
For the three-county region, sales totaled 599 homes in May compared to 616 in May 2024, as the median sales price edged up to $290,000 from $284,950, according to the latest sales report from the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).
In Dauphin County, 290 houses sold in May, a drop from 300 a year ago, as the median sales prices dipped to $250,000 from $265,000 in the year-ago period, GHAR said.
Cumberland County had 273 sales in May, a dip of two, while the median sales price increased to $324,900 from $314,900 in May 2024, GHAR stated.
In Perry County, 35 houses sold versus 33 a year ago, as the median sales price dropped to $257,500 from $285,000, according to GHAR.
The pace of home sales was nearly unchanged in May, as “average days on market” dipped to 24 days from 25 days in May 2024, GHAR said.
So Noted
John J. “Ski” Sygielski will extend his tenure as president and CEO of HACC due to the continued search for his replacement. Sygielski was due to retire last month, but now will serve until June 30, 2026, or until his successor is hired, whichever occurs first, according to HACC.
The Lexis Group has acquired RIG Consulting, a Pittsburgh-based construction management and inspection firm. The acquisition bolsters the Lexis Group’s construction inspection division, adding to its capacity for transportation and infrastructure projects, according to the Harrisburg-based company.
Sprocket Mural Works last month undertook its latest project, a number of murals in and around the Hall Manor housing development. Mural subjects were based upon answers to a survey of Hall Manor residents and include themes based upon inspirational people, nature and cultures.
Correction
Photos of mushrooms that ran with the “Foray into Foraging” story in the June issue were mistakenly credited to Debbie Naha-Koretzky. They were taken by Emily Rosmus of the Ned Smith Center. The mushrooms pictured are not edible.
Changing Hands
Allison St., 1519: HBG Rents LLC to Echo PropCo1 LLC, $90,000
Bellevue Rd., 2315: G. Ferkel to M. Will, $365,115
Berryhill St., 1635: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to BAJ Holdings LLC, $95,000
Boas St., 124: R. Schlicker & D. Della Loggia to C. Talbott & B. Dincau, $225,000
Boas St., 233: E. Kepner to Integrity First Home Buyers LLC, $55,000
Boas St., 314: W. James to J. Parker, $169,500
Boas St., 402: McCarty Business LLC to J. Hammond, $213,000
Boas St., 1804: PA Deals LLC to M. Lindor, $89,000
Boas St., 1818: HBG Rents LLC to Echo Propco 1 LLC, $90,000
Briggs St., 2016: B. Rogers to S. Maurer, $62,500
Brookwood St., 2202: GTG Rentals LLC to Naders Property Solutions LLC, $125,000
Christian St., 1181: BST Services to C. Gutierrez, $95,000
Cumberland St., 258: S. Wood to Q. Nguyen, $220,000
Curtin St., 520: Sheaffer & Sheaffer Properties LLC to JR Hellercom LLC, $110,000
Derry St., 1615: B. & S. Aleman to Instant Home Solutions LLC, $57,000
Derry St., 2024: Bertao Family Investments Penn LLC to J7 Properties LLC, $110,000
Duke St., 2435: V. & T. Raskot to S. Rubinstein, $143,000
Emerald St., 615: Sheaffer & Sheaffer Properties LLC to JR Hellercom LLC, $125,000
Graham St., 510: P. George to PKM Enterprise369 LLC, $140,000
Green St., 1920: A. Hanlon to PKM Enterprises369 LLC, $172,500
Green St., 2148: M. Grubb to First Choice Home Buyers LLC, $119,000
Green St., 2330: Sheaffer & Sheaffer Properties LLC to JR Hellercom LLC, $110,000
Hamilton St., 204: F. Pryzbylkowski to D. Showers, $200,000
Holly St., 1941: T. Hardison to M. Lucas, $168,300
Hummel St., 344: M. Metallo to Dallas Property Investments LLC, $76,000
Jefferson St., 2616: N. Lucia to E. Epah, $82,000
Kensington St., 2116: NA Capital Group LLC to 248 S Quince St LLC, $104,500
Logan St., 1733: J. Wagoner to B. & A. Stein, $186,000 (start here)
Logan St., 2155: Sheaffer & Sheaffer Properties LLC to JR Hellercom LLC, $115,000
Logan St., 2159: J. Sheaffer to JR Hellercom LLC, $115,000
Luce St., 2320: J. Zabala to G. Messina, $117,500
Manada St., 1901A: E. Fajardo, N. Faviola & Z. Cobos to S. Marshall & J. Colbert, $145,000
Market St., 319: Market View II LP PMI to VAB Investments LLC, $1,750,000
Muench St., 411: Figueroa Enterprises LLC to PACC Homes and Development LLC, $100,000
Mulberry St., 1815: S. Swayze to A. Garcia & J. Cortijo, $148,000
Mulberry St., 1945: House Cash LLC to C. Little, $167,000
Naudain St., 1632: I. Colon to M. Martinez, $65,000
Nectarine St., 348: Amnesty Realty Group LLC to BZDEL Global Investment LLC, $128,000
N. 3rd St., 1101: A. Blaylok to J. Kyle, $215,000
N. 3rd St., 1105: W. & D. Henninger to S. Angelopoulos & N. Isaykin, $230,000
N. 3rd St., 1721: J. Lloyd to A. Joseph, $249,000
N. 3rd St., 3217: P. & J. Carnathan to Cummings Real Estate LLC, $450,000
N. 4th St., 1432: Keystone Brothers Investment LLC to Titania Real Estate LLC, $90,000
N. 4th St., 2410: K. Moulds to A. Poyrazli, $143,000
N. 5th St., 2218: C. Shokes to Echo Propco1 LLC, $100,000
N. 5th St., 2429: J. Sheaffer to JR Hellercom LLC, $115,000
N. 5th St., 2430: KDR Investments LLC to Lehav Properties LLC, $95,000
N. 6th St., 2517: A. Spence to TKO Rental LLC, $145,000
N. 6th St., 2728: J. Sheaffer to JR Hellercom LLC, $110,000
N. 7th St., 2103: RMP Real Estate II LLC to Lorfax1 LLC, $1,105,000
N. 7th St., 2244: DAP III LP to Willow Mill Commercial 7th LLC, $2,600,000
N. 15th St., 1304: PKM Enterrpises369 LLC to G. Cuff, $167,999
N. 16th St., 704: D. Bailey & N. Hassel to G. & E. Suryn, $279,900
N. 17th St., 708: R. Kent to J. & D. Zapata, $200,000
N. 17th St., 1208: A. Pherribo to Faith Walk Homes LLC, $65,000
Peffer St., 325: JR Hellercom LLC to Core 4 Investing LLC, $75,000
Peffer St., 433: E. Williams & J. Lawson to A. Bouhach, $105,000
Penn St., 1101: R. Thompson to N. Lam, $202,000
Penn St., 1622: V. Kauffman to R. Fraleigh & D. Ray, $242,000
Penn St., 2122: JR Hellercom LLC to Core 4 Investing LLC, $75,000
Prince St., 709: F. Boyle to First Daughters LLC, $107,000
Reel St., 2451: J. Pearsall to E. Epah, $76,500
Reel St., 2710: D&F Realty Holdings LP to 535 Curtin LLC, $120,000
Reily St., 335: H. Bailor to J. Meck, $188,000
Revere St., 1715: Renovestate LLC to A. Pichardo, $210,000
Ross St., 616: BCR 2 Properties LLC to Echo Propco 1 LLC, $75,000
Rudy Rd., 1833: CBMB Global Real Estate LLC to Normans Realty Services Inc., $50,000
Rudy Rd., 1913: R&LS Living Proof LLC to T Wy Enterprise LLC, $70,000
Schuylkill St., 522: J. & B. Readinger to Z. Mammadov, $173,500
Seneca St., 618: J. & M. Sheaffer to JR Hellercom LLC, $125,000
S. 13th St., 1516: B. Arias to W. Sis, $155,000
S. 15th St., 29: Sunnyside RE Enterprises LLC to L. Lapp, $195,000
S. 17th St., 831: S&P Property Holdings LLC to Echo Propco LLC, $275,000
S. 17th St., 1116: A. Clerk to AKS Real Estate Group LLC, $110,000
S. 19th St., 523: U. Doub to P and F Estate Investment LLC, $80,000
S. 20th St., 222: F. Ramirez to Future View Restoration Co, $113,000
S. 21st St., 100: R. Stewart to C. & C. Pfister, $349,900
Susquehanna St., 1626: A. Henry & A. Escarcega to L. Gangai, $220,000
Susquehanna St., 2124: J. Sheaffer to JR Hellercom LLC, $115,000
Swatara St., 1205: R. & P. Noss to A. Walker, $109,900
Taylor Blvd., 56: K. Bowman to S. Howard, $273,000
Verbeke St., 1419: I. Anderson to Fourvision Consulting LLC, $80,000
Walnut St., 1209: G. Bond to E. Inoa, $145,000
Walnut St., 1220: J. White to C. Morris, $149,000
Walnut St., 1908: C. Wise to H. Tejada, $140,000
Whitehall St., 1925: W. & D. Hodgkiss to K. Sekera, $207,000
Wiconisco St., 624: J. Sheaffer to JR Hellercom LLC, $80,000
Woodbine St., 317: Sheaffer & Sheaffer Properties LLC to JR Hellercom LLC, $115,000
Zarker St., 1462: A. Rollocks to RKE Investments LLC, $50,000
Zarker St., 2045: B. Williams to G&W Rentals LLC, $110,000
Harrisburg property sales, May 2025, greater than $50,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.
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