New Parking Rates Go into Effect
The first of Harrisburg’s new parking meters went live last month, doubling street parking rates through much of downtown.
Street parking in the heart of downtown Harrisburg now costs $3 an hour, or 75 cents for every 15 minutes. In addition, enforcement hours have been extended to Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The 40 new meters accept credit cards, meaning parkers, for the first time, do not have to manually feed the meters with change.
The new parking rates were agreed to as part of the long-term lease of the city’s parking system to Standard Parking. Outsourcing the parking system was a key part of the city’s financial recovery plan, which helped rid Harrisburg of its overwhelming debt load and, if revenue projections are met, should provide additional annual funds to the city.
Standard Parking still must install new meters in several locations, including in Midtown Harrisburg, where metered parking also will be extended up N. 3rd Street to around Reily Street.
Water Rate Hike Effective
The Harrisburg Authority last month began implementing its new rate structure that includes a 27 percent hike in combined water and sewer rates.
As a result, authority customers experienced an increase in their utility bills last month. Most customers saw their bills go up by under $15 per month, said the authority.
The rate hike will help ensure the long-term health of Harrisburg’s drinking water, wastewater and storm water systems, said Executive Director Shannon Williams, who added that, even with the increase, water rates are among the lowest in the region.
Brewery Headed to Midtown
A brewery is headed to the heart of Midtown Harrisburg, as Alter Ego Brewing Co. last month received the OK to open a brewhouse at the rear of Midtown Cinema.
The city’s Zoning Hearing Board unanimously approved a special exception to permit the brewery and brew pub to operate in a residential zone.
Several dozen supporters—and some opponents—gathered in City Council chambers to voice their opinions. Supporters testified that the brewhouse would play an important role in continuing the revitalization of the area, while opponents cited possible traffic, noise, odor and parking issues.
Owners Theo and Brandalynn Armstrong expect to begin to build out the space at 250 Reily St. in May. If the renovation goes as planned—and assuming Alter Ego is granted its liquor license—the brewery should begin to serve customers around October.
When completed, the beer-making operation will take up about half of the 3,500-square-foot space, which is owned by Lift Development LLC. The other half will include a bar, tables and a small stage, which will be confined to acoustic acts and small bands.
In addition to serving their own beer in mugs and growlers (no bottles), Alter Ego will offer local Pennsylvania wines and a limited menu focused on small plates and finger foods. No spirits will be served.
Hours are expected to be Wednesday to Friday, 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Stadium to Undergo Upgrade
Harrisburg plans to undertake a major upgrade to the Skyline Sports Complex to significantly improve the soccer facility used by the Harrisburg City Islanders and youth soccer groups.
Mayor Eric Papenfuse last month said the project will double the seating capacity at the city-owned facility to 4,500. It also will create a new entrance plaza, install a new scoreboard and build new restrooms, locker rooms and a concession area.
No city funds will be used for the $14 million project on City Island, said Papenfuse. Instead, private funds will be pursued, in addition to a possible state matching grant, said Islanders President Eric Pettis, who expects work to be finished in 2016.
The upgrades will allow greater use of the venue, including for concerts, youth sports and other events, said Papenfuse.
More Downtown Housing Planned
Another downtown office building is going residential, as the 19-century Walnut Court building is slated to become a 21-unit apartment building.
The Harrisburg Zoning Hearing Board last month agreed to waive the parking requirements for the conversion by 210 Walnut LLC, which is made up of the partners of WCI Partners LP. City Council still must OK the land use plan for the project.
The developers plan to convert the four-story, 21,600-square-foot building into 15 one-bedroom units, three two-bedroom units and three lofts. Rents will range from $900 to $1,350 per month.
The building has housed many businesses throughout the years, including, most recently, the law firm of Keefer, Wood, Allen & Rahal, which relocated up the block. The women’s clothing store, The Plum, also long-occupied the large retail space at Walnut and N. Court streets. It has moved next door to Locust and N. Court streets.
The building will retain two commercial spaces. The first is the snug storefront at 206 Walnut St. that long has housed Alden, a men’s haberdashery. The second, at the corner, will probably house a restaurant, said Butcher.
Flood Insurance Hikes Rolled Back
Congress last month passed legislation watering down key elements of the Biggert-Waters Act, which had threatened to dramatically raise the cost of flood insurance.
The U.S. Senate and House both passed bills that will roll back hikes that, in many cases, would have increased federal flood insurance premiums by more than three-fold. In addition, many property owners now will be allowed to pass on below-market rates to people who buy their homes.
As of press time, the legislation was waiting action by President Barack Obama. The White House has indicated he will sign it.
Warfel Snags National Award
Warfel Construction last month received national recognition with a first-place award for its work on the new office building at N. 2nd and State streets in Harrisburg.
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), a leading construction trades organization, honored East Petersburg, Pa.-based Warfel with the first place Eagle Award in the category of commercial property, $5 to $10 million.
“The Excellence in Construction awards program is the industry’s leading competition, developed to honor innovative, high-quality merit shop construction projects,” according to ABC.
The project was selected from entries submitted from across the nation and judged first in terms of complexity, attractiveness, workmanship, innovation, safety, cost and completion time.
WCI Partners developed and owns the building. Major tenants include the Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney law firm and First National Bank of Pennsylvania.
New Bishop Installed
Most Rev. Ronald W. Gainer was installed last month as the 11th Catholic bishop of Harrisburg at a Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral.
A native of Pottsville, Pa., Gainer was ordained in 1973 and previously served as bishop of Lexington, Ky.
He succeeds Bishop Joseph P. McFadden, who died last May.
Changing Hands: February Property Sales
Brookwood St., 2451: Fannie Mae to C. Wise & L. Stone, $41,000
Chestnut St., 2044: W. Bohn Jr. to M. Catania, $81,900
Chestnut St., 2304: M. & T. Bosak to M. & K. Johnson, $189,500
Duke St., 2622: J. Pierce to PI Capitol LLC, $51,031
Hale Ave., 377: H. & K. Le to I. Yolov, $49,000
Hale Ave., 412: Fannie Mae to T. Tran, $36,000
Herr St., 226: M. Kurowski to V. Wills & R. Moore, $160,000
Meadowlark Pl., 3028: C. Capitani to K. Clark, $73,000
North St., 244: S. Touloumes & J. Nye to E&S Properties LLC, $37,000
N. 2nd St., 511: C. Longyear to L. Eyler, $240,000
N. 2nd St., 1605: Freddie Mac to NR Group LLC, $42,000
N. 3rd St., 906 & 912: 3rd Street LLC to Nish Properties LLC, $285,000
N. 3rd St., 925: AIM Holdings LLC, CL Holdings LLC & Lam & Cheng Properties to 921 Home LLC, $715,000
N. 3rd St., 1724: G. DiCioccio to Y. Farzana, $91,500
N. 3rd St., 2103: WEC 97A 11 Investment Trust to Rite Partners LLC, $985,366
N. 3rd St., 3017: Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. Trustee to J. Crossett & M. Hochstetler, $80,000
N. 3rd St., 3221: Freddie Mac to PA Deals LLC, $39,250
N. 4th St., 1723: P. Laudermilch to R. Brock, $130,000
N. 14th St., 210: R. Rammouni & W. Othman to FBTB Group LLC, $48,900
N. 15th St., 1340: PA Deals LLC to MidAtlantic IRA LLC & James Yeager IRA, $56,500
N. Front St., 1525, Unit 409: P. Krantz to M. Anderson, $189,150
Penn St., 1338, 1340 & 1342: P. Sowers-Alton to T. Hanley & J. O’Neill, $36,000
Pennwood Rd., 3141: J. & P. Sandrock to C. Giba, $75,000
Rose St., 933: Rose Street Associates to F.A. Clark, $150,000
Rudy Rd., 2323: Fannie Mae to O. Saleh, $61,000
Rudy Rd., 2400: A. & J. Erby to Secretary of Housing & Urban Development, $156,008
Seneca St., 540: K. McCauley to E. Jefferies, $59,000
S. 13th St., 127 & 1304 Derry St.: S. Pak to Mount Pleasant Laundromat LLC, $1.2 million
S. 13th St., 301: 301 South 13th Street LLC to Skynet 301 LP, $360,000
State St., 1522: E. Stoute to C. Evans, $75,000
Susquehanna St., 1909: WCI Partners LP to L. Marven III, $149,900
Sycamore St., 1525: J. Moyer to P. Pham & T. Nguyen, $63,000
Valley Rd., 2300: E. & J. Schweikert to M. & R. Lewis, $208,000
Woodbine St., 245: J. & J. Nagy to J. & M. Harris, $52,800
Harrisburg property sales for February 2014, greater than $30,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.
