William Penn, February 2026
School Closure Plans Move Forward
The Harrisburg School District held a public hearing last month to solicit input over the proposed closure of two middle schools.
Later this year, the district will formally vote on whether to close Rowland Academy and Marshall Academy, both of which it began phasing out a few years ago. (Marshall Academy is not to be confused with Marshall Math and Science Academy, a separate school that remains open.)
The closures are part of a comprehensive district restructure that began in 2023 under then-superintendent Eric Turman.
Designed to conserve resources, the plan was rolled out with the goal of re-creating neighborhood schools at the elementary level, balancing student populations between school buildings, and simplifying its list of facility improvements.
It tapped Camp Curtin (6-8) to be the “flagship” middle school for the district, to be flanked by two additional options: Marshall Math and Science Academy (6-8) and the blended-learning hybrid Cougar Academy (K-12).
The plan was approved by Pennsylvania’s Department of Education and the district’s former receiver in February 2024.
While the district is still following Turman’s plan, it has since gained new leadership. Superintendent Benjamin Henry joined the district in November 2024 and the school board re-gained back its voting power when the district exited state receivership in June 2025.
Last month, board leaders noted that, while the plans to close Rowland and Marshall are well underway, they had never approved it themselves.
“At the time, we weren’t in position to vote as a board,” said board president Roslyn Copeland. “I had a lot of concerns with the reconfiguration.”
WebFX Receives Grant, Plans Expansion
One of Harrisburg’s biggest tech companies is receiving state support as it continues to expand.
State officials joined WebFX at its Front Street headquarters last month to announce plans for expansion, as well as a nearly $1 million grant.
“It’s a big milestone,” said WebFX founder and CEO Bill Craig.
WebFX was awarded $900,000 in PA First and WEDnet grants for the renovation and expansion into the Tracy Mansion, just up the street at 1829 N. Front St.
The company purchased the building several years ago, but construction was put on hold during the pandemic and as WebFX secured funding, according to Craig. The total estimated cost of construction is over $10 million.
The Tracy Mansion has sat vacant for several years, but previously housed Char’s restaurant in part of it.
The new building, which Craig said is slated to be completed in October, will house additional office space, allowing the company to add over 100 more employees to a total of almost 400 currently.
Craig also confirmed that WebFX has purchased the former Tri-County Association for the Blind building at 1800 N. 2nd St. Craig said that the company’s goal would be to renovate and expand into that building in several years as well.
Tracy Mansion will mark WebFX’s fifth building, adding 23,000 square feet of space to the company’s footprint. Craig emphasized his passion for renovating historic city buildings, rather than building new.
“Sometimes, that takes a little extra dollars and extra muscle and things like that to make it happen, but that’s how we try to live our lives here at WebFX,” Craig said.
Projects Receive Preservation Awards
Two downtown Harrisburg re-development projects will receive 2026 Preservation Awards, it was announced last month.
Historic Harrisburg Association has named Walnut Street Commons and the Lowengard as recipients of the annual award that recognizes historic preservation and adaptive reuse.
Harristown Enterprises last year finished redevelopment of Walnut Street Commons, a four-unit attached complex at 104 to 106 Walnut St. Each unit includes two bedrooms and two bathrooms.
A few blocks away, at 210 N. 3rd St., Chris Dawson, Architect, last year completed work on the Lowengard, a building that once housed the original location of Mary Sachs’ department store. The extensive renovation transformed the dilapidated building into mixed-use commercial/residential space that also houses Dawson’s architectural firm.
“Both of these projects exemplify the increasing focus on revitalizing downtown Harrisburg,” said Historic Harrisburg Executive Director David Morrison. “In both cases, they are meeting the demand for downtown residential options while demonstrating the importance of historic preservation to the appearance and the economy of the downtown.”
The awards will be presented Thursday, May 14, at Historic Harrisburg’s 2026 Preservation Celebration and Toast, at Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts.
SONY DSC
Donation for Eden Village
A recent donation will help build housing in Harrisburg for the homeless.
Eden Village Harrisburg announced last month that the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR) awarded the group $75,000 for its tiny home project planned on S. Front Street.
The money will support the construction of one 400-square-foot tiny home for an unhoused person. The organization plans to build 32 tiny homes and a community room and offer long-term housing with rent at about $300 a month.
“We hope that this is the first of many community organizations that believe in Harrisburg and this mission that we can help the chronically unhoused,” said Wendell Hoover, a local realtor and Eden Village Harrisburg board member.
The nonprofit, an offshoot of Springfield, Missouri-based Eden Village, was organized by a group of Harrisburg area friends, many with ties to housing, who wanted to address homelessness. In March, Harrisburg approved plans for Eden Village to build its tiny home community at 1103 S. Front St., near tiny home community Veteran’s Grove and future housing development Tunnel to Towers, two projects aimed at helping homeless veterans.
According to Hoover, the Eden Village Harrisburg project is in the environmental assessment stage, and so far, things are looking good. If all goes as planned, contractors will begin clearing the land in several months. Eden Village Harrisburg is also still fundraising for its roughly $5.8 million project, though it hopes that volunteer efforts will reduce the cost.
“The GHAR board is proud to be the first organization to make this commitment to Eden Village Harrisburg. Our members were moved by the vital work being done to address unhoused needs in our community, and we are equally excited to partner not only with Eden Village, but with the greater Harrisburg community and our affiliated partners to make this tiny home a reality,” said Kathleen Ludwig, CEO of GHAR.
Home Sales, Prices Hold Steady
The greater Harrisburg housing market held mostly steady in March, according to the latest report on previously owned homes.
For the three-county region, 446 homes sold compared to 442 in March 2025, as the median sales price climbed to $285,000 versus $275,300, stated the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).
In Dauphin County, 220 houses changed hands in March, a drop from 237 in the year-ago period, while the median sales price increased to $265,000 from $240,000, GHAR said.
Cumberland County had 186 home sales compared to 179 the prior March, as the median sales price was unchanged at $322,250, GHAR stated.
In Perry County, 36 homes sold versus 19 in March 2025, as the median sales price remained unchanged at $234,500, according to GHAR.
The pace of sales slowed in March, as “average days on market” increased to 37 days in March compared to 32 days in March 2025, said GHAR.
So Noted
Antonio Megna last month was hired as Harrisburg’s new business administrator. By a vote of 6-1, City Council approved Megna for the position, which had been vacant for several months following a dispute between council and the administration over the prior officeholder, Sam Sulkosky.
Daniel W. Lufkin last month was named president of HACC, effective June 3. Lufkin most recently served as president of the south campus of Tarrant County College in Fort Worth, Texas. He will replace long-time president, John “Ski” Sygielski, who is retiring after nearly 15 years at the Harrisburg-based college.
Jon Stuckey has been named the ninth president of Messiah University, according to the Mechanicsburg-based college. Stuckey has served as interim president since last July and has been with Messiah since 2000 in a variety of administrator and educator roles.
Madam Rochéle’s Apothecary, a new cocktail-forward lounge, is expected to open this month in downtown Harrisburg at N. 2nd and Locust streets. Owner Justin Browning, who runs several other businesses on the block, said the cocktail bar also will offer small plates, mocktails and Sunday tea.
PA Steam Academy, a Harrisburg charter school, has had its five-year charter renewed by the city school board. PA Steam, located at N. 3rd and Reily streets, opened in 2021 as a K-2 school and now serves students up to the sixth grade.
Rabbittransit this summer plans to roll out a new fare collection system for its Harrisburg fleet, offering users the ability to pay for rides with either physical “RabbitPay” cards or their phone, via a new mobile app. Riders will be able to tap either at orange terminals—located at the fare station just inside buses—to pay.
Shalawn James last month was named the inaugural executive director of the Latino Connection Foundation, bringing more than a decade of nonprofit leadership experience. The Harrisburg-based foundation works to remove barriers and expand opportunities for underserved communities.
Changing Hands
Bailey St., 1251: G. Wicks to Breneman Properties LLC, $73,500
Berryhill St., 1323: R. & T. White to Louis Group LLC, $68,000
Berryhill St., 2106: P. & A. Bates to Gedem LLC, $125,000
Boas St., 233: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to DKH Homes LLC, $120,000
Brookwood St., 2117: Puzzle Properties LLC to T. Sawyers, $170,000
Carnation St., 1712: H. Casado to Dominium Holdings LLC, $66,000
Chestnut St., 1209: J. Fuentes & S. Figueroa to Sky Nova Properties LLC, $60,000
Chestnut St., 1846: Dreams2Reality Services LLC to Dreamland Envision Properties LLC, $130,000
Croyden Rd., 2886: R. & P. Fickes to A. Hare, $120,000
Cumberland St., 109: L. Beyer & C. Affeldt to C. & J. Askin, $170,000
Cumberland St., 1719: S. & S. Lalic to S. Ndlovu, $199,900
Derry St., 1153: H. Watarai to Premium Property Investing Corp., $116,500
Emerald St., 409: J. Tribue to JK Realty & Home Repair LLC, $140,000
Grand St., 924: N. McClure to M. O’Meara, $171,000
Green St., 1316: Harrisburg Dream Homes LLC to J. Lapkowicz, $135,000
Green St., 1525: First Choice Home Buyers LLC to E. Shelly, $130,000
Green St., 2013: C. Palmer to B. & L. Bonnema, $309,900
Green St., 2232: Blue Trust Investments LLC to Rosaruth Properties LLC, $91,000
James St., 1315: S., J. & N. Kindler to R. Schlenker, $155,000
Jefferson St., 2651: R. & D. Requa to Breneman Properties LLC, $95,000
Liberty St., 1401: J. Vasquez & Y. Ledesma to O. Fana, $150,000
Logan St., 2037: NMC Investments LLC to PA Investment by ADM LLC, $165,000
Maclay St., 320: T. Griese to Vivaanu Spaces LLC, $170,000
Market St., 1248: C. Munoz to ARG Realty Solutions LLC, $135,000
Melrose St., 700: B. Messina to F. Mendez, $113,500
Muench St., 215: T. & S. Wisyanski to M. Soondar, $214,900
Naudain St., 1617: Sunrise River Investments LLC to B. Uppal, $132,000
Naudain St., 1619: Goods Creekside Properties LLC to J. Hans, $136,000
N. 2nd St., 401: Harrisburg Heritage Coworking LLC to Halden Horizons Group LLC, $588,000
N. 2nd St., 1617: A. Bartlett to Capital Key Properties LLC, $300,000
N. 2nd St., 1800: Shree Krishna Foundation to Harrisburg Development Group LLC, $1,030,000
N. 2nd St., 2447: M. DePhilip & J. Reed to B. Peoples, $230,000
N. 3rd St., 1312: Qui Zhen LLC to Silverstone Enterprises LLC, $285,000
N. 4th St., 1326: DKH Homes LLC to W. Rogers, $205,000
N. 4th St., 2254: A. Jackson to Grace Home Fixers LLC, $52,850
N. 5th St., 2234: Maco Properties LLC to Skyzoom LLC, $115,000
N. 5th St., 2236: D&F Realty Holdings LP to R. Sanchez, $81,334
N. 6th St., 1412: N. Smeal & R. Strella to J. Fry, $210,000
N. 6th St., 1720: 1720 N 6th St PA LLC to T. Smith, $225,000
N. 13th St., 115: Harrisburg Home Investment LLC to A&O Burgos Realty Investments LLC, $151,500
N. 15th St., 1403: Triple S Real Estate LLC to 1403 North 15th LLC, $140,000
N. 16th St., 1115: Y. Green to Grid Investments LLC, $57,000
N. 18th St., 84: A. Lantz to Clearsky Property Rentals LLC, $150,000
N. 18th St., 86: J. Lapp to MJ Property Rentals LLC, $140,000
N. 18th St., 802: B. Nevid to Breneman Properties LLC, $105,000
N. 19th St., 43: 3J Homes Living to A. Castillo, $80,000
Park St., 1616: C. Geary to M. Ovalles & G. de Espinal, $175,000
Parkside Lane, 2924: Top Cash Paid LLC to Sunrise River Investments Inc., $185,000
Penn St., 1702: T. Todd to R. DiMaulo, $230,000
Penn St., 1914: S. & J. Sturgis to J. Reichwein & J. Harris, $222,000
Pine St., 210, Unit 5A: Bell Atlantic of Pennsylvania Inc. to AT&T Enterprises LLC, $1,450,000
Reel St., 2414: C. Woods to J. Monegro & B. Casilla, $168,500
Regina St., 1505: Leos Property Care LLC to Northern Cardinalland Company LLC, $125,000
Regina St., 1600: Sky Resort Rentals LLC to 716 Walnut LLC, $540,000
Rolleston St., 1218: A. Grant to UVI Real Estate LLC, $137,000
Rudy Rd., 1951: J. Shaulis to VisionLoop Realty LLC, $50,000
Rudy Rd., 2488: 2020 Real Estate Ventures LLC to G. Rosado, $160,000
Seneca St., 652: M. Perez to UVI Real Estate LLC, $150,000
S. 13th St., 1530: First Choice Home Buyers LLC to P. Campbell, $160,000
S. 15th St., 24: W. White to R. Mata, $144,000
S. 15th St., 545: D. Miller to D. Fisher, $130,000
S. 16th St., 544: J. Shaulis to VisionLoop Realty LLC, $50,000
S. 18th St., 1149: P. Spagnolo to E. Nugra & I. Morocho, $170,000
S. 19th St., 229: M. Reyes to J. Hans, $135,000
S. 23rd St., 519: L. & P. Gurung to S. Ubiera, $235,000
S. Cameron St., 443: F. & D. Miller to Golden Trail LLC, $335,000
Spencer St., 1820: JKC Properties LLC to J Sang Storage LLC, $84,000
State St., 1923: HBG Rents LLC to Pichardos Realty LLC, $250,000
Susquehanna St., 2136: Embass Investments Pennsylvania LLC to P. Zuniga, $167,500
Swatara St., 1939: M. Florentino to D. Pimentel, $145,000
Swatara St., 2031: S. & A. Flores to E. Ayala & N. Vogt, $127,000
Vernon St., 1353: R. Blust to Manning Holdings LLC, $125,000
Yale St., 224: D. Juggins to C. Sanchez & J. De Alcantara, $125,900
Harrisburg property sales, March 2026, greater than $50,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.
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