Task Force Recommends Uses for William Penn
The William Penn building should be preserved and returned to educational use, says a task force formed to suggest a path forward for the blighted structure.
In late January, Harrisburg School District officials heard recommendations from the 25-member task force, the culmination of several months of meetings that included presentations from groups interested in redeveloping the property.
The task force of residents, local officials and community members was formed in September as a way for the district to gather input on the fate of William Penn. Several months earlier, Receiver Dr. Lori Suski approved the demolition of the building, but halted that plan after public opposition.
After wrapping up its meetings, the task force made its final suggestions to Suski, advocating for retaining and strategically utilizing the property.
The task force’s top recommendation was to use William Penn to house a career and technical education program for district students, shared Sheila Dow-Ford, a facilitator for the task force.
“They want to see a skilled workforce,” Dow-Ford said. “Everyone wants viable employment for each and every student in Harrisburg as a goal. There must be career pathways.”
This could include training students for healthcare careers, as well as for first responder careers, as the group weighed a proposal from the Harrisburg Fire Bureau to create an emergency services and public education facility.
Additionally, the task force favored ideas like creating affordable housing for seniors and using outdoor space for sports fields for students.
The task force crafted its recommendations after hearing a handful of proposals from local businesses and organizations. The group ultimately did not recommend such suggestions as constructing a sports arena, an outpatient medical facility and market-rate housing.
In the end, Suski will need to make a decision on what to do with the building and how the district will financially support any construction project.
Bike Share Plans for New Season
Harrisburg’s bike share program is readying for a new riding season with upgrades and additional bike locations.
SusqueCycle, which stations rental bikes around the Harrisburg area, will return in April with bikes in Midtown, downtown, Allison Hill and City Island, according to Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, which administers the program.
“We want to thank all our participants and sponsors for the program’s success in 2023, and we eagerly look forward to the bikes returning in April,” said Steve Deck, TCRPC executive director.
In the coming months, SusqueCycle plans to add two bike stations in Harrisburg at the TransitPark lot at 10th and Market streets and at Commonwealth and North streets.
According to Deck, they will also make “sleeker, more modern” upgrades to bikes. TCRPC also plans to gather better location information to observe rider routes and plan for future expansions.
Additional improvements are dependent on ridership revenue and on the program obtaining more sponsorships, Deck said.
SusqueCycle, which is operated by Michigan-based Tandem Mobility, allows users to rent bikes by paying as they go or by purchasing an annual membership through the Movatic app.
In 2023, its second year, the program grew in popularity, as people took over 2,300 SusqueCycle rides, attracting everyone from commuters to tourists, Deck said.
Approvals for Apartment Projects
A proposal to construct a large apartment building in Midtown Harrisburg has taken a step forward again, over two years since it was first proposed.
At a meeting last month, the Harrisburg Planning Commission voted in favor of zoning variance and special exception relief for a proposed 144-unit building at 320 Reily St., moving the project forward for further approvals.
The proposal received variance and special exception approval from the Zoning Hearing Board in October 2021, but the developer, Harrisburg-based GreenWorks Development, never subsequently filed a land development plan so the relief was revoked, according to Geoffrey Knight, the city’s planning director. Therefore, GreenWorks was required to start the approval process again.
The plan also has changed slightly, knocking the number of units down to 144 from 155 and reducing first-floor commercial space from 3,000 square feet to 2,590 square feet.
Additionally, GreenWorks originally proposed only 86 off-street parking spaces, but now plans to include 160, using space at 1511 N. 3rd St. and 1530 N. 4th St. The developer nonetheless is requesting parking relief, as city code requires 191 spaces for a project of this scale.
The proposed project site is currently a surface parking lot. The project will need eventual approval from Harrisburg City Council in order to start.
Additionally, last month, the planning board heard a proposal for a four-story, 36-unit senior apartment building on land bounded by N. 4th, Clinton, Logan and Harris streets.
The board voted in favor of the land development plan, the consolidation of 19 lots on the project site, and the vacation of several grocer’s alleys on the property.
The project, proposed by developer Midtown Redevelopment LLC, would also include two first-floor commercial units, 30 first-floor interior parking spaces and 12 outdoor, on-site parking spots.
Developers will need approval from city council, as well, before they can break ground.
Free Services for Broad Street Market
The Broad Street Market has some extra help managing day-to-day operations.
At a meeting last month, the nonprofit Broad Street Market Alliance board approved a contract with Midtown Property Management, which offered free services to the market.
The Harrisburg-based management company is providing its services to the market at no cost for an initial term of five years, as the market recovers from a devastating fire last July.
According to Justin Heinly, owner of Midtown Property Management, the group will help with rent collection, financial consulting, day-to-day operations and 10 free hours of maintenance work each month.
“I want to be part of the team,” Heinly shared. “We are here to support day-to-day operations from day one.”
Heinly shared that his company may be willing to assume more of the roles of the market’s executive director at any point, if the market’s board wanted that. However, that is not part of the current contract.
Wildflower Coffee Opens
Wildflower Coffee opened last month inside the McCormick Riverfront Library in Harrisburg.
Owner Lucila Khan and her husband Jalal opened the shop on the library’s second floor, in the space that briefly housed Good Brotha’s Book Café.
Khan, who previously worked at the library, said that she became interested in opening her own business when she saw that the library was looking for a new vendor to fill the café space.
“It’s a dream job, running a coffee shop at a library,” said Khan, an Argentina native who lives in Harrisburg.
Home Sales Down, Prices Up
Harrisburg-area home sales dipped but prices were higher in January, according to the latest report on previously owned houses.
For the three-county area, sales totaled 358 houses versus 389 in January 2023, as the median sales price rose to $258,000 from $245,000, said the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).
In Dauphin County, 187 homes sold, an increase of one, as the median sales price climbed to $229,900 compared to $204,000 in the year-ago period, GHAR stated.
Cumberland County had 146 home sales, down from 174, but the median sales price increased to $297,450 versus $290,000 the prior January, according to GHAR.
In Perry County, 24 homes sold, a decrease of three, as the median price rose to $263,450 compared to $191,000 in January 2023, GHAR said.
Houses sold a bit faster than last year, as the “average days on market” stood at 31 days in January versus 34 days in the year-ago period.
So Noted
Ami Zumkhawala has been named the new chief operating officer for Harrisburg-based Hamilton Health Center. Previously, Zumkhawala served as managing director at the Northridge Consulting Group, a national management consulting firm.
Brittany Boyd-Chisolm last month was named chief executive officer for the Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania, according to the Harrisburg-based disability and support services organization. Prior, she served several years as an administrator in the homecare field.
Harrisburg Area Food Pantry last month cut the ribbon on its new location at the Camp Curtin YMCA on N. 6th St. The pantry, formerly called the Ecumenical Food Pantry, relocated from Messiah Lutheran Church in Harrisburg.
Heyy Healthy, an alternative health provider, debuted last month at 3950 Tecport Dr. in Susquehanna Township. The company offers “advanced red light therapy” as a tool to help treat and prevent various health conditions, according to the company.
Kenny Young, a veteran Harrisburg police officer, has been sworn in as deputy chief of the Harrisburg Police Bureau, replacing Dennis Sorensen, who retired after 32 years with the department. In addition, longtime officer Tom McGarrity was promoted from lieutenant to captain.
Kyle Snyder was appointed last month as president of Penn State Health’s Hampden and Holy Spirit medical centers. Snyder joined Penn State Health in 2020 and has served as interim president of the two medical centers since last July.
Nauman Smith law firm last month merged into Cohen Seglias, expanding that firm’s Harrisburg office. Five Nauman Smith attorneys and their administrative staff joined Cohen Seglias effective Feb. 1. In addition, senior partner Spencer G. Nauman, Jr. retired after more than 62 years with the firm. Founded 153 years ago, Nauman Smith was Harrisburg’s oldest law firm.
Tanis Monroy last month resigned his position as executive director of the Broad Street Market in Harrisburg. Monroy cited health reasons for his departure, and the market board stated it would begin a search for a new day-to-day administrator.
Tymia Q. Green last month was named the new executive director of Shalom House, a Harrisburg-based nonprofit that provides shelter and support services to women. In this role, she will provide strategic leadership, program development and collaborative partnerships, according to the organization.
Changing Hands
Adrian St., 2427: L. Shultz to K. Weldeghebrial, $106,000
Berryhill St., 2424: Pcons Investments to JR Phoenix Investing LLC, $110,000
Boas St., 1812: Cooperwink LLC to MAT Holdings LLC, $85,000
Chestnut St., 1961: D. Trustey to Normans Realty Service Inc., $80,000
Crescent St., 310: C. Patel to M. Olano, $55,000
Crescent St., 404: HE Pressley Properties LLC to KTG Holdings LLC, $102,000
Derry St., 1603½: M. & W. Gomez to N. & D. Williams, $200,000
Derry St., 1954: Malesic Group Inc. to E. & K. Burri, $110,000
Derry St., 2105: Evans Property Rentals LLC to Planet Properties & Investments LLC, $70,000
Derry St., 2107: Evans Property Rentals LLC to Planet Properties & Investments LLC, $70,000
Emerald St., 520: R. Feiler to First Choice Home Buyers LLC, $71,000
Forster St., 1847: Tender Loving Care Healthcare Services to D. Henderson, $58,000
Fulton St., 1422: M. Evans to D. Zeigler, $170,000
Green St., 807: H. Wehry to V. & A. Jones, $274,500
Green St., 2432: Mr. Wright Properties LLC to Stoute Housing LLC, $80,000
Hamilton St., 422: SRM Rentals LLC to T. Brandon, $105,000
Herr St., 1334, 1340: Sangrey Properties LLC to Kawity Capital LLC, $350,000
Herr St., 1406: Cooperwink LLC to Savvy Beyond Enterprise LLC, $65,000
Herr St., 1500: Herr Street Trust to M. Lewis, $225,000
Holly St., 1826: D. & W. Bruner to D. Warren, $120,000
Jefferson St., 2242: N. & J. Hoover to Homewise LLC, $65,000
Jefferson St., 2244: N. & J. Hoover to Homewise LLC, $64,000
Jefferson St., 2246: N. & J. Hoover to Homewise LLC, $64,000
Jefferson St., 2514: N. & J. Hoover to Homewise LLC, $64,000
Kensington St., 2123: Cooperwink LLC to 248 S Quince St LLC, $90,000
Kensington St., 2230: Murphy Rentals Incorporated to TM Murphy Properties LLC, $70,000
Kensington St., 2254: Equity Trust Co. Custodian Ray Dunkle IRA to Harrisburg Rentals LLC, $80,000
Kensington St., 2256: M. Mardula to IUGNAP Investments LLC, $70,000
Kensington St., 2360: L. Dyson to G&W Rentals LLC, $91,200
Kensington St., 2435: A. & M. Padua to G. Chambers & R. Ervin, $79,000
Lenox St., 1912: C. Saterstad to A. Rosario & S. Castillo, $70,000
Maclay St., 335: Bill Culwell Enterprises Inc. to E. & D. Tomlinson, $121,000
Maclay St., 1037: P2N2 LLC to Eastern First LLC, $194,000
Manada St., 1913: M. Rodriguez to M. Woolfork & S. Beatty, $177,000
Market St., 1228: Upscale Properties LLC to J. Bonilla & L. Velasco, $235,000
Market St., 1738: G. Ajakaye to JACB LLC, $195,000
Muench St., 404: G. & L. Neff to 248 S. Quince St LLC, $75,000
Muench St., 411: P. & R. Dixon to Figueroa Enterprises LLC, $70,000
Naudain St., 1428: R. Rammouni to Steve Etienne Service LLC, $71,500
Naudain St., 1638: A&K Investments Partnership LLC to Y. Alrosan & A. Hariri, $135,000
North St., 215: C. & M. Schenck to J Beck Properties LLC, $50,000
North St., 1851: Tester Ridge PA LLC to First Choice Home Buyers LLC, $149,000
N. 2nd St., 2023: WCI Partners LP to MBS Solutions Real Estate LLC, $575,000
N. 2nd St., 3021: C. & T. Hines to D. Doziar, $200,000
N. 3rd St., 1116: Capozzi & Ehring Realty LLC to Green Scapes Investments LLC, $450,000
N. 3rd St., 1600: Fratelli Property Investments LLC to M. Hunsberger & J. Hartman, $270,500
N. 3rd St., 2304: FD Harrisburg Holdings LLC to Almonte Harrisburg LLC, $2,400,000
N. 3rd St., 3100: M. Clark to R. Kilby, $196,000
N. 3rd St., 3317: C. Moore to F. & C. Burton, $290,000
N. 4th St., 2647: SPG Capital LLC to J. Alfaro, $157,000
N. 4th St., 3115: E. & K. Kauffman to C. Hocker, $80,000
N. 5th St., 2211: First Choice Home Buyers LLC to D. Broncano, $50,000
N. 12th St., 29: ILL Holdings LLC to Ali Al LLC, $75,000
N. 16th St., 918: R. Martin to Upscale Properties LLC, $50,000
N. 18th St., 34: D. Boyle to M. Perez & M. Lauriano, $62,500
N. Cameron St., 1603: 1603 Cameron Associates LP to Tunis Express LLC, $1,600,000
N. Front St., 2705: MBS Solutions Real Estate LLC to EI 2709 North Front Street LLC & G. Cipriano
Park St., 1847: LMG Enterprises LLC to Val de Vie Estate Investments LLC, $55,000
Paxton St., 140 & 406 River St.: Above Da Rim LLC to 140 Paxton LLC, $240,000
Penn St., 2349: Best By LLC to Vernon St Apartments LLC, $225,000
Pennwood Rd., 3120: C. Brubaker to J. Hill, $173,000
Pennwood Rd., 3160: T. Wylie to J. Stroup, $230,555
Radnor St., 514: Link Investment Properties LLC to A. Hariri & Y. Alrosan, $85,000
Reily St., 208: R. Bulgarelli to Millie 208 LLC, $285,000
S. 13th St., 1440: SPG Capital LLC to K. Kute, $124,900
S. 16th St., 520: First Choice Home Buyers LLC to B. Pasco, $115,000
S. 18th St., 23: Gilligan Realty LLC to Val de Vie Estate Investment LLC, $57,000
S. 19th St., 533 & 535: Best By LLC to PACC Homes & Development LLC, $200,000
S. Front St., 713: E. Kitzman to C. Rue, $230,000
State St., 1828: W. & D. Griffin to Visionary Investments RE LLC, $105,000
Susquehanna St., 1835: C. Blanco to K. Lourde, $137,000
Sycamore St., 1807: Z. Hailu to S. Redding, $122,500
Vernon St., 1315: M. Nichols to E. Marmolejo, $70,000
Walnut St., 1205: L. Palmer to F. & T. Heras, $134,000
Wiconisco St., 409: A. Kreider to Central PA Buyers LLC, $85,000
Zarker St., 1407: A. Reyes & R. Cruz to Zarker AW LLC, $95,000
Harrisburg property sales, January 2024, greater than $50,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.
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