Greater Harrisburg's Community Magazine

November News Digest

Senior Housing Gets Go-Ahead

An affordable housing development for seniors planned for Harrisburg is free to break ground.

At a recent legislative session, City Council unanimously approved the land development plan for Bethel Village, a 49-unit apartment building for low-income seniors at N. 6th and Herr streets.

“I think this is a win for the community,” said Blane Stoddart of RB Development, one of the partners in the project. “So many people are going to benefit from the building of this building to provide affordable housing for the residents of Harrisburg.”

While many council members voiced support for the mission of creating affordable housing in the city, some did have hesitations about the limited parking.

Officials of the $15 million Bethel Village plan to have only four off-street parking spaces. Council President Wanda Williams expressed concerns about the lack of planned parking for building residents.

Bethel officials have said that they believe a majority of their residents, all low-income and elderly, will not own a car.

The developers also have letters of intent with Tabernacle Baptist Church for the future use of 15 surface parking spaces and with the state Department of General Services for use of 10 spots.

Williams noted that using the church and DGS parking lots will require senior residents to walk uphill and across busy streets, something she saw as a safety hazard.

“I want to make sure everything is right for the senior citizens,” she said.

However, in the end, with reassurance from Stoddart that they would increase their safety measures, Williams voiced her support for the project.

“I’m excited for this because I know the city needs this,” she said.

 

Building Design Approved

A new, mixed-use building in downtown Harrisburg received its first city approval last month, despite some lingering concerns over its contemporary design.

By a 3-1 tally, the Harrisburg Architectural Review Board (HARB) voted to approve a five-story residential and retail structure at 512-514 N. 2nd St. that includes an exterior of brick, glass and metal.

Currently, two long-empty, neglected buildings occupy the site. Under the plan by developer Derek Dilks, they would be razed and a new, 5,000-square-foot structure would be built consisting of first-floor retail space and seven apartments on four floors above.

“I think it’s great to see more projects that are going to improve the city and turn a couple of dilapidated buildings into occupied, new construction,” said architect Chris Dawson, following the meeting.

At a prior meeting, several HARB members questioned the modern aesthetic of the design, saying that it stood in stark contrast with the streetscape, which largely consists of century-plus-old brick buildings.

However, at last month’s meeting, a majority seemed satisfied overall with the project design.

HARB member Kali Tennis stated that cities need a blend of historic and modern architecture, with buildings not mimicking older styles but reflecting the times in which they’re constructed.

“My personal opinion is that it both blends and distinguishes itself,” she said, of the building design. “Our job is to thoughtfully look at a proposal like this and think about it in the context of the whole city.”

The project now needs to go through the city’s land development process.

 

Fire Bureau Announces Hires, Awards

The Harrisburg Fire Bureau last month held its annual awards ceremony and announced new hires for the department.

Three new firefighters, Dylan Landuyt, Johnathon Felty and Codie Schaffner, officially joined the bureau. The swearing-in of these firefighters brings the bureau to a full complement of 90 personnel, Chief Brian Enterline said.

In addition to the swearing-in ceremony, the following awards and recognitions were given to firefighters in the bureau:

Award of Bravery—Kyle Paul

Award of Merit—Capt. Aldo Morelli, James Grundon, Zachary Miller, Patrick Giberson, John Peskie, Battalion Chief Jason Lloyd

Unit Citation—Lt. William Skinner, Nathaniel Barbolish, Justin Zimmerman, Michael Stender, Lt. Jeffrey Miller, Jared Day, Thomas Propst, Joseph Kuhn, Battalion Chief Brian Bastinelli, David Gilkey, Shane Conrad, Lt. Robert Lohin, Brandon Trygar, Jamie Kleckner, Thomas Cucchiara

CPR Save—Jared Day, Lt. Corey Stone, William Junkin, Shane Conrad, David Aguayo, Johnathan Little, Thomas Cucchiara, Austin Howard, Capt. Charles Zavrel, Richard Brocius, Nicholas Hurst, Lt. Brian Yonkin, Marty Henderson, Glenn Raudensky

Bureau members of the Pennsylvania Task Force 1 also received National Deployment Awards for assisting throughout the country. They were recognized for assisting at the presidential inauguration, during Hurricane Ida and at the collapse of the Champlain Towers in Florida.

One firefighter, Brent Hill, received a National Deployment Award for supporting the National Interagency Fire Center during California’s wildfire season.

 

Downtown Tasting Rooms Debut

Last April, downtown Harrisburg lost Sip@SoMa, a rotating, limited-engagement brewery concept on S. 3rd Street.

This was actually good news, as Swatara Township-based Boneshire Brew Works opened a permanent tasting room in the space.

But now Sip@SoMa is back—times two.

Last month, Harristown Enterprises debuted a new Sip@SoMa just a few doors down from the original location. In addition, it plans to open another tasting room on the street, Sip@17, which will cater to small-group gatherings and tastings.

Both locations will feature products from a rotating lineup of Pennsylvania brewers, vintners and distillers, in limited engagements.

“Harristown is thrilled to add these two new tasting rooms to this thriving neighborhood,” said Brad Jones, president and CEO of Harristown. “These two new tasting rooms will add to the vibrancy of this block and create a destination tasting row for the SoMa neighborhood.”

Located at 23 S. 3rd St., the new Sip@SoMa is larger than the original location at about 1,000 square feet, plus a 600-square-foot patio in the back, which together seats about 40 customers. The industrial-style design also features a small bar and performance stage.

Sip@17, located at 17 S. 3rd St., is a smaller space of about 600 square feet. It is intended mostly for special, more intimate events, such as wine tastings.

Sara Bozich will be responsible for booking vendors and promotion.

Longer term, Harristown’s plan for the two spaces is the same as for the original Sip@SoMa, now occupied by Boneshire—to lease them permanently and turn S. 3rd Street into a “tasting row,” according to the company.

“Harristown intends to offer these spaces for lease eventually and will be looking to build additional tap rooms in the neighborhood at other storefronts it owns,” Jones said.

 

New LGBTQ History Markers

The LGBT Center of Central PA’s History Project last month unveiled two state historical markers in downtown Harrisburg that honor local LGBTQ history.

The plaques, one at N. 3rd and North streets and the other at 205 State St., tell the stories of past Pennsylvania Gov. Milton J. Shapp and Richard Schlegel, a pioneering gay activist, respectively.

“People look to these historical markers as a window into our state history,” said Barry Loveland, chair of the LGBT History Project. “It’s really rewarding to know that finally some of this history will get recognized.”

These are the first historical markers for LGBTQ history in the commonwealth outside of Philadelphia, Loveland said.

The LGBT History Project started in 2012, and since then, Loveland and others have uncovered and documented many stories from LGBTQ history. Shapp and Schlegel’s stories were two that had huge impacts in central PA and nationally, Loveland explained.

In 1974, Shapp met with activist Mark Segal, which is believed to be the first meeting of a sitting governor with a gay activist. Shapp later appointed a task force to study and advise him on improving public policy for LGBTQ people, Loveland said.

Schlegel began working for the PA Department of Highways in 1963. He became active in the Janus Society, one of the first LGBTQ organizations in the state, and established a central PA chapter in 1964. The group met at Schlegel’s apartment at 205 State St., Loveland said. Schlegel was investigated for his involvement in gay activism and fired from his state job, later setting up a foundation to benefit LGBTQ organizations.

Loveland said that he was surprised to learn of Shapp’s advocacy for the LGBTQ community.

“He’s not particularly known for gay rights accomplishments,” he said. “That’s something we were surprised by. Shapp was really ahead of his time.”

 

Street Renamed to Honor Black History

A downtown Harrisburg street will get a new name to recognize Black history in the city.

At a legislative session last month, City Council unanimously approved a resolution to designate a section of Walnut Street as T. Morris Chester Way.

“I think it’s important that we recognize and highlight the contributions of African Americans in the city of Harrisburg and what we’ve done to improve Harrisburg despite the odds,” council member Westburn Majors said.

The idea was brought to council by the IIPT Harrisburg Peace Promenade, which is responsible for the recent installation of the Commonwealth Monument at N. 4th and Walnut streets.

According to the Commonwealth Monument Project, Chester was a prominent figure in Harrisburg history during the 1860s. He was a lawyer, soldier and the only Black war correspondent during the Civil War. He also is recognized as one of the bronze figures in the Commonwealth Monument.

Walnut Street will keep its name, but, from Commonwealth Avenue to Front Street, it will gain T. Morris Chester Way as a second name. This will allow addresses to remain the same and avoid confusion, city Engineer Wayne Martin explained.

Lenwood Sloan of the Peace Promenade and executive director of the Monument Project said that the name “would concretize our designation as a national heritage site.” It will help create a pathway that connects several of the group’s African American history memorial sites, which include the Commonwealth Monument and the Bethel Heritage Trail, which commemorates the Bethel AME church in Harrisburg, he said.

 

Home Prices Up, Sales Dip

Harrisburg-area home prices continued a months-long climb while sales dipped in September, according to the most recent report on existing home sales.

For the month, 757 houses sold in the three-county region compared to 812 in September 2020, but the median sales price surged to $231,000 from $204,200 last year, said the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

In Dauphin County, 356 homes sold for a median price of $205,000 in September, versus 370 homes at $178,000 last year, GHAR stated.

In Cumberland County, 347 houses sold, a drop of 21 units from last year, as the median price climbed to $255,000 compared to $226,250 in September 2020.

Perry County saw sales of 34 houses for a median price of $217,450. Last September, 51 houses sold at a median price of $180,000, according to GHAR.

Houses were selling more quickly than last year, as the “average days on the market” dropped to 20 days versus 33 days the prior September, GHAR stated.


So Noted

Andrea Britt last month was named 2021 New Librarian of the Year by the Pennsylvania Library Association. Britt has served for the past three years as the STEM librarian at Penn State Harrisburg Library.

Autumn Cooper and Anthony Burnett last month were named the first two appointees to Harrisburg’s Citizen Law Enforcement Advisory Board, which will be focused on police accountability. The mayoral nominees must be approved by council, which also must make five of its own board appointments.

Capital Region Water last month opened its customer service center for walk-in customers at its new location at 3003 N. Front St., Harrisburg. CRW also was recently featured as a community “anchor institution” for the Harrisburg area, according to a U.S. Department of Environmental Protection report titled, “Water Utilities as Anchor Institutions.” The piece highlights CRW’s programs and efforts to assist lower-income residents.

Elvis Solivan was hired last month as Harrisburg’s new business development/LERTA administrator. Solivan has experience in affordable housing, workforce development, government affairs and customer services, according to the city. He previously served as a regional senior advisor at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and as a communications specialist at the Philadelphia Parking Authority.

Kelly A. Gollick last month was named the new executive director of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Harrisburg, replacing Mark Totaro, who retired in July after serving in the post for 18 years. Gollick previously served as executive director of CONTACT Helpline in Harrisburg.

Lorien Reese Mahay last month began as the new executive director of Theatre Harrisburg, responsible for the day-to-day operations of one of the country’s oldest community theaters. Mahay has over a decade of experience in theater management, education and development, including as associate director for the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science, based in Stony Brook, N.Y., according to the theater.

Nate Spriggs is the new director of Harrisburg’s Public Works Department. Spriggs worked for Harrisburg for 22 years before leaving in 2017 to become public works director for Susquehanna Township. He replaces Dave West, who is retiring at the end of the year, and, before that, Aaron Johnson, who retired in March.

TheBurg was named “News Organization of the Year” last month, an annual honor from the PA NewsMedia Association Foundation. TheBurg won first-place in the “weekly” category, while another Harrisburg-area newspaper, PennLive/The Patriot News, took first in the “multi-day” category. In all, 120 news organizations competed for the honors, according to the foundation.

Changing Hands

Adrian St., 2450: J. Alicea to R. Mondesi, $120,000

Adrian St., 2467: L. Locke to Alliance Estates LLC, $82,000

Bartine St., 925: Federal National Mortgage Association to A. Bryce, $41,000

Berryhill St., 1243: M. Seif to TKO Properties LLC, $38,000

Berryhill St., 2443: T. Yanich to K. Murphy, $69,900

Boas St., 124: A. Masser & A. Byrne to R. Schlicker & D. Della Loggia, $162,000

Boas St., 213: L. & S. Godinez to Z. Woodward, $190,000

Brookwood St., 2456: D. Stockley to Alliance Estates LLC, $80,000

Brookwood St., 2460: G. Trout to C. Mellinger, $96,500

Calder St., 109: Peter J. Lawson Trust to B. Smith, $163,500

Calder St., 319: J. Rivera to T. Russ, $113,000

Cumberland St., 107: T. Shovlin to C. & J. Askin, $160,000

Cumberland St., 212: N&R Group to E. Vera, $220,000

Cumberland St., 257 & 259: CPenn Patriot Properties Midtown II LLC to N&R Properties, $340,000

Derry St., 1127: Medallo Real Estate LLC to K. Purnell, $47,000

Derry St., 1240: S. Akhter to G. Olivo, $195,000

Derry St., 1632: M. Wijaya to K. Gonzalez, $50,000

Derry St., 1950: Next Generation TC Parvez Akhter IRA to SPG Capital LLC, $50,000

Division St., 650 & 2997 Jefferson St.: D. Walker Jr. & J. Alwine to 650 670 Division Street Ventures LLC, $650,000

Elm St., 1714: Tridents Partners LLC to SRC Capital LLC, $34,000

Emerald St., 247: M. Bekelja to W. Correa & E. Rose, $115,000

Emerald St., 248: C., A., & K. Thompson to M. Nolan, $136,250

Emerald St., 520: J. Perkins to R. Feiler & B. Braun, $60,000

Emerald St., 635: Great Row LLC to C. Arango, $61,000

Forster St., 1912: PA Deals LLC to Neidlinger Enterprises LLC, $49,900

Fulton St., 1713: M. Fagan to C. & R. Ellis, $170,900

Geary St., 610: CPenn Patriot Properties LLC & Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to Parfait Real Estate LLC, $119,995

Green St., 711: R. Coldren to S. Patrick, $190,000

Green St., 1122 & 1210 and 1114 Penn St.: Salvation Army Inc. to High Pointe Apartments LLC, $658,200

Green St., 1711: B. Rockwell & N. Gurley to B. Foster, $231,000

Green St., 2235: V., D. & J. Brown to P. Thomas, $115,000

Green St., 2316: U&N Properties to Dolly Properties LLC, $40,000

Hale Ave., 414: D. Wilson to I. Yolov, $65,000

Hale Ave., 415: J. & J. Fickett to B. Fickett, $70,000

Herr St., 119: J. Cooper to Fratelli Property Investments LLC, $142,000

Herr St., 1500: R. Welborn to C. & T. Stephens, $120,000

Herr St., 1507: P. Akhter to SPG Capital LLC, $57,000

James St., 1327: S. & D. Noto to K. Lupold, $110,000

Jefferson St., 2999: J&S Estates LLC to D&F Realty Holdings LP, $345,000

Kensington St., 2227: B. & L. Nguyen to KCA Holdings LLC, $60,000

Liberty St., 1343: HBGRE LLC to SRC Capital LLC, $36,000

Liberty St., 1406: PI Capital LLC to SNB Real Estate Solutions LLC, $75,000

Logan St., 1938: P. Abel & R. Rolan to SPG Capital LLC, $74,000

Maclay St., 236: D. Lee to Bebe LLC, $289,000

Maclay St., 401 & 407: Trinity Church of God to Viva Iglesia Manatial de Agua, $100,000

Market St., 1907: J. Alvarado to H. Johnson, $155,000

Market St., 2203: J. Hunter to D. De La Rosa, $189,900

Midland Rd., 2317: J. Jordan to M. & P. Sweeney, $261,000

Muench St., 318: P. Sisemore & K. Hugo to V. Adams, $124,900

Mulberry St., 1823: Mid Penn Bank to H. Ali, $43,500

Mulberry St., 1848: Kirsch & Burns LLC to Quality Rentals LLC, $70,000

Mulberry St., 2002: C. Keester to H. Saldana, $87,000

North St., 1936: Y. Smith to Neidlinger Enterprises LLC, $30,000

N. 2nd St., 224: Nicholas E. Dunphy Jr. Trust to A. Sidhu, $210,000

N. 2nd St., 1718: 1718 Realty Associates to Harrisburg Redevelopment Group LLC, $330,000

N. 2nd St., 1807: D. Keech to PDI Properties LLC, $98,500

N. 2nd St., 2138: R. Nagy to S. & J. Toole, $125,000

N. 2nd St., 2527: K. & D. Maltzie to J. Sutter, $270,000

N. 2nd St., 2711: V. & A. Montgomery to N. Corado, $282,000

N. 4th St., 1426: 2013 M&M Real Estate Fund LLC to E. Drum, $89,900

N. 5th St., 1632: T. Kenenitz Jr. to A. Rasheed, $175,000

N. 5th St., 1738: M. Meads to A. Brown, $185,100

N. 5th St., 2744: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC & R. Rudy to C. Peterson, $60,000

N. 6th St., 2450: D. & A. Semancik to D. Aibangbee, $122,500

N. 6th St., 2633: CPenn Patriot Properties Midtown LLC to Dreams2Reality Services LLC, $50,000

N. 6th St., 2703: G. & J. Rhiel to J. De Grullon, $46,000

N. 6th St., 2915: N. Frazier to J. Brubaker, $150,000

N. 14th St., 1211: F. Burgos to T. & F. Jenkins, $115,000

N. 15th St., 1329: 2013 M&M Real Estate Fund LLC to E. Drum, $69,900

N. 16th St., 618: C. & E. Henderson to C. Henderson & S. Ranson, $130,000

N. 16th St., 1002: D. Wilson to L. Deane, $71,000

N. 17th St., 52: Akilis Realty LLC to Akilys Real Estate LLC, $30,000

N. 17th St., 92: H. Pitt to ZM Penn Group LLC, $38,000

N. 17th St., 1105: R. & L. Overton to S. Simmons Sr., $55,000

N. 18th St., 905: M. Johnson to K. Mills Jr., $125,000

N. Front St., 1631: Front & Hamilton Streets Associates to PASA Sustainable Agriculture, $750,000

N. Summit St., 45: Evolution Properties LLC to N. & J. Hoover, $37,500

Paxton St., 1801: TNT Properties LLC to MMLM Realty LLC, $170,000

Peffer St., 230: Keystone Brothers Investments LLC to D. Tepper & E. Lowe, $190,000

Peffer St., 272: J. Bush to L. Kirkwood & H. Sindelar, $163,800

Penn St., 913: J. Robinette to A. Wooditch, $143,000

Penn St., 1915: J. Bankard to A. Birkhimer, $171,000

Penn St., 2117: TKO Rental Properties LLC to Sound Community Solutions, $60,000

Penn St., 2320: J. Compton to R. McCullough, $120,000

Pennwood St., 3200A: Husky Assets LLC & Ron Gensil LLC to Men of Morals LLC, $45,000

Race St., 552: A. & H. Appleberry to C. Martinez, $185,000

Radnor St., 403: TKO Rental Properties LLC to O. McCadney, $131,000

Revere St., 1715: S. Wallace to PA Deals LLC, $65,000

Rudy Rd., 1919: A. Ross to J. Kimble, $106,000

Rudy Rd., 2478: M. Murphy to J. George, $82,000

Rumson Dr., 2965: T. Jones to K. Jackson, $115,000

Showers St., 606: N. Jones to T. Buehler, $185,000

S. 13th St., 445: R. & T. Smolsky to S. & T. Jefferson, $100,000

S. 15th St., 27: Notable Investments LLC to SRC Capital LLC, $36,000

S. 18th St., 15: Gilligan Realty LLC to L. Rivas, $45,000

S. 18th St., 1100: S. Savage to J. & I. Lusan, $128,000

S. 19th St., 10: J. Gritten to SNB Real Estate Solutions LLC, $80,000

S. 19th St., 1201: D. Greene to R. Rodriguez & C. Ross, $160,000

S. 20th St., 1200: G&H Holdings to R. Yussif & S. Alhassan, $220,000

S. 25th St., 704: E. & P. Southard to S. & M. Mejia, $120,000

S. 25th St., 734: SPG Capital to J. Pichardo, $81,000

S. Front St., 549: J. Benjestorf to Raas Properties LLC, $359,900

S. River St., 313: K. Mahoney to K. Grant, $119,900

State St., 211: SREG H LLC to State Capital Property Holdings LLC, $318,500

State St., 231, Unit 603: LUX 1 LP to Kreit Group LLC, $150,500

Susquehanna St., 2246: Harrisburg Mini Storage LLC to SJL Rentals LLC, $251,000

Swatara St., 1314: Peter & Rose Abel Properties LLC to D. Boyle, $43,000

Swatara St., 1937: R. Purdy to K. Watson, $115,000

Verbeke St., 1325: Care Properties LLC to K. Brunner, $87,600

Walnut St., 403: Get Rich Early Associates & R. Heaney to J. Charles Realty LLC, $575,000

Wayne St., 1400: W. Owens & L. Razo to S. Saxton, $170,000

Harrisburg property sales for September 2021, greater than $30,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

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