Work Begins on Broad Street Market
Interior demolition began last month on the Broad Street Market.
Harrisburg started demolition inside the market’s fire-damaged brick building after the city declared the market situation an official emergency, according to Matt Maisel, communications director.
Maisel said that the city decided to declare an emergency in late July, over a year after the initial market fire, having been alerted by a community member that rats were in the building and determining the situation was a health and safety risk.
Harrisburg-based TLC Construction and Renovations will complete the demolition work at a cost of $136,460 to the city.
The demo began on the half of the brick building nearest the courtyard, which was significantly less damaged by the fire. The work includes essentially gutting the building. All shelving, counters and stands will be removed, wall coverings will be stripped to expose the brick. Carpet, flooring and insulation will be removed, as well as light fixtures, bathrooms, signs and all debris.
Most of the debris and interior structures and items will be trashed. Vendors have been allowed to mark anything they have in the building that is worth saving, Maisel said. TLC Construction will salvage all items marked for saving.
The emergency declaration, Maisel said, allows the city to bypass “red tape.” Originally, City Council would have been required to vote on the contractor, but the declaration gets around that.
“The good thing was that the mayor was able to put out an emergency declaration, which was able to bypass a lot of the red tape that usually takes place in this, for some of these smaller inside jobs,” Maisel said.
Maisel said that work is just now beginning on the market due to limited city resources and staff. The opening of the temporary tent was the first priority, he said.
“We are doing the best that we can, as fast as we can, with the limited resources that we have,” he said. “Our facilities team is not large. We can really only handle one job at a time.”
The declaration also covers demo work on the opposite side of the brick building, which suffered significant fire damage. That work will be completed by Lancaster County-based VERSAPRO at a cost of $91,200.
Additionally, the city has selected York County-based CB Construction Services to do framing and carpentry on the courtyard-facing side of the building at a cost of $55,856. The same company will do plumbing work to take out pipes and cap lines in the same side of the building at a cost of $19,895. CB also will perform shoring work, such as covering holes and preventing structure collapse in the more damaged portion of the building for $52,407. Lead window abatement will be handled by Camp Hill-based PCS, at a cost of $35,345.
According to Maisel, the city interviewed interested companies for each job. The city reached out to some, while others contacted the city, submitting a letter of interest.
Harrisburg’s request for proposals for an architect was issued prior to the emergency declaration. Maisel said that the city hopes to hire an architect by mid-fall and have a building design prepared by spring 2025. Reconstruction of the brick building is expected to be complete by winter 2026 or spring 2027, Maisel said.
Harrisburg to Seek Storm Reimbursement
Harrisburg will seek state funding to help cover costs incurred from the cleanup of damage from last month’s severe storm.
According to the city, a tornado caused by remnants of Hurricane Debby touched down in Harrisburg on Aug. 9, damaging 111 properties. The storm wreaked havoc on businesses and residences, with the Bellevue Park neighborhood sustaining the most significant damage.
The National Weather Service later confirmed that an EF-1 tornado, with wind speeds up to 105 mph, tore a 3.5-mile path of destruction from Swatara Township through Harrisburg to Susquehanna Township.
City Communications Director Matt Maisel said that Harrisburg is submitting estimates of the total cost to the city of labor and resources used for the cleanup, in hopes of getting the PA Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) to issue a disaster declaration. The city then will be eligible for state financial assistance.
Harrisburg Fire Bureau Chief Brian Enterline estimated the cost of storm cleanup at about $417,000 total, with debris removal at about $150,000, road repairs at $100,000 and utility repairs, including 34 damaged street lights, at $167,000.
These are costs solely incurred by the city, not costs of damage to property owners, city officials explained.
The city will submit its estimates to Dauphin County, which will then go to the governor’s office and to PEMA to make a decision. Enterline said that PEMA typically covers about 75% of the total cost of the city’s expenses in these cases.
Food Pantry Opens Downtown
A Harrisburg organization hopes that its new service will make a difference when it comes to food insecurity.
Recently, Downtown Daily Bread cut the ribbon on its Renewed Hope Food Pantry, with officials sharing that the service will fill an important need for local families.
“We were getting so many calls from families who just couldn’t make ends meet,” DDB Executive Director Corrie Lingenfelter said. “They [said], ‘What should we pay; should we pay the light bill or get groceries?’ That’s why we’re here because we want you to be able to do both.”
The Harrisburg nonprofit, located on the 200-block of South Street, already provided breakfast, lunch, year-round day shelter, winter overnight shelter, showers, mailboxes and other assistance to those in need. However, Mieshia Jackson, head chef at DDB, said that she came up with the idea to add a pantry to serve clients who may not feel comfortable coming in for hot meals, but need grocery assistance.
“I want everyone to feel that there are services here for everyone,” Jackson said. “They’re able to pick what their family wants. I wanted to make sure there’s food that everyone likes. There are brand names. There’s nutritious things and produce—things that everyone needs for a good, balanced meal.”
The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank will help stock the pantry, which is open Monday through Friday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. DDB is accepting walk-ins for now, but hopes to have an online registration system in the future. Visitors will be able to choose from a selection of food items, with staff assistance.
“I guess it’s not enough that you’re serving over 160 unique people each day meals […] but now, finding a way to serve additional neighbors that are struggling to feed themselves and their family, who maybe aren’t the typical clients you think of who come to Downtown Daily Bread—I’m just in awe,” said Joe Arthur, executive director of the Central PA Food Bank.
Additionally, DDB officials have said that they may be soon expanding to offer year-round overnight shelter, as Harrisburg may provide funding. City officials shared that they plan to give $1 million of the city’s federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to DDB and Christian Churches United of the Tri County Area to support a year-round shelter.
DDB is still in the planning phase for the possible expansion, but hopes to open an overnight shelter this fall, Lingenfelter said.
“Health to Go” Machine Debuts
A new device at UPMC Harrisburg brings healthcare to the community in a unique grab-and-go format.
UPMC and Penn State College of Medicine officially launched a “Health to Go” vending machine, one of the first of its kind in the state, outside its emergency department.
The vending machine, an interactive, touch-screen device, allows 24/7 access to free health items such as naloxone, fentanyl test strips, wound care kits, personal care items and pregnancy tests, among other items.
The machine is one of two smart devices of its kind in the commonwealth that Penn State has deployed, according to officials. Another is located in Reading, and one will soon be stationed in Millersburg.
Penn State officials shared that the project has been in the works for years, but the need for the vending machine became even greater during COVID and as overdose deaths increased.
Products in the vending machine are free and can be accessed by anyone, anonymously. All that is required is to create a username, using a birth year, a color and an animal.
Penn State and UPMC deployed the machine outside its emergency department in June. In the first month, over 100 people accessed more than 500 items, including about 200 hygiene kits, 150 safer sex kits, 75 wound care kits and 60 naloxone kits.
Additionally, the vending machine includes a list of local service providers that offer food, housing and social services, with information on how to contact them.
UPMC and Penn State will also track information about which items are being taken and at what time of day, and when items need to be restocked.
Home Sales, Prices Rise
Home sales and prices both jumped in the Harrisburg area in July, according to the latest report on previously owned houses.
For the three-county region, 608 homes sold versus 517 in July 2023, as the median sales price rose to $286,000 from $264,900, stated the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).
In Dauphin County, sales rose to 293 homes from 245 in the year-ago period, as the median price grew to $280,000 from $235,000, GHAR said.
Cumberland County tallied 281 home sales, an increase from 236 in July 2023, as the median sales price rose to $295,000 from $292,000, according to GHAR.
In Perry County, 32 homes sold, an increase of two, as the median sales price rose to $275,000 from $267,500 last year, GHAR said.
The pace of sales slowed a bit, as “average days on market” increased to 22 days compared to 19 days in July 2023, GHAR stated.
So Noted
Harrisburg City Council has ceremonially renamed Reservoir Drive in Reservoir Park as Destry E. Mangus Way in tribute to a local coach and volunteer who has worked with many Harrisburg youth. The new name will serve as a secondary street name.
Harrisburg University last month announced an agreement with the commonwealth to offer significant tuition discounts for state employees and their dependents, including a 25% discount off the full tuition rate for on-campus graduate programs for employees. For more information, contact the university and visit www.harrisburgu.edu.
John J. “Ski” Sygielski, HACC’s president and CEO, will retire effective July 18, 2025, the college announced last month. Sygielski, who joined HACC in July 2011, is the longest-serving president in the college’s history, according to HACC.
Whitaker Center’s “Girls in STEAM” program was awarded a $35,000 grant from Comcast to help the program continue its career exploration opportunities for youth. The grant from Comcast is part of the company’s Project Up, which has allotted $1 billion toward digital equity in communities across the country.
Changing Hands
Adrian St., 2424: C., E. & G. Meredith to Dowling Management Co. LLC, $128,000
Balm St., 116: C. Powell & Habitat for Humanity of Greater HBG Area to 2020 Real Estate Ventures LLC, $50,000
Balm St., 124: D&L Development Group to D. Okuneye, $84,000
Bellevue Rd., 1960: Easy Exit Home Solutions LLC to Narrow Gate Investments LLC, & ABB Investments LLC, $140,000
Bellevue Rd., 2024: SPG Capital LLC to K. Wartluft, $175,000
Berryhill St., 1633: L. Cruz to Mau Properties LLC, $90,000
Berryhill St., 1941: G. Guzman & A. Aquino to N. Tabbasum, $120,000
Berryhill St., 2262: Ink Properties LLC to T. Dieu, $90,000
Boas St., 1815: Normans Realty Service Inc. to C. Dorilas, $138,000
Boas St., 1826: Normans Realty Service Inc. to C. Jones, $100,000
Boas St., 1827: BCR 2 Properties LLC to C. de Jesus, $159,500
Boas St., 1937: EB & ZEE LLC to O. Sayed, $62,500
Capital St., 1208: M. Caylor & A. Shafer to D. & C. Munchel, $200,000
Chestnut St., 1927: A. Garcia to A. Montero, $50,000
Chestnut St., 2208: D. Wolfe to J. & C. Johns, $365,900
Derry St., 1535 & 320 S. 16th St.: D&L Development Group Inc. to 1420 Walnut LLC, $210,000
Derry St., 2423: S. Bello to A. Trigueros, $115,000
Derry St., 2620: E. Fry to E. Ayala & N. Vogt, $95,400
Edgewood Rd., 2307: M. Bailor & S. Yann to A. Ferritto, $265,000
Ellersie St., 2352: Wengs Labor Services LLC to J. Paulino, $168,500
Elm St., 1714: SRC Capital LLC to JKD Real Estate LLC, $65,000
Emerald St., 636: PI Capitol LLC to D. Jones, $144,999
Forster St., 1832: M. Munoz to Nehema LLC, $89,900
Forster St., 1903: Maco Properties LLC to Men of Morals LLC, $105,000
Fulton St., 1421: C. Geary to T. Chazova, $183,000
Graham St., 300: T. Kruger to A. Kruger, $175,000
Graham St., 310: V. Arrington to D. Lucas & J. Feaster, $217,000
Green St., 1322: W. & M. Hammerstein to A. Newman, $215,000
Green St., 1432: J. Vargo to C. Adams, $217,000
Green St., 1947: J. Howett to P. Shaughnessy, $280,000
Green St., 2038: Goldstein Couriers LLC to D. Urrutia, $168,700
Green St., 2432: Stoute Housing LLC to L. Rodriguez & A. Martinez, $250,000
Hale Ave., 300: Hemlock Girl Scout Council to From the Heart Church Ministries of Harrisburg Inc., $750,000
Harris Terr., 2455: T. Dieu & P. Bank to Biyaki Enterprises LLC, $110,000
Harris Terr., 2461: M. Collins to F. Zeray, $120,000
Hoffman St., 3214: Honest Home Solutions LLC to M. Hogancamp, $219,995
Hummel St., 246: Tri County HDC Ltd. to A. Damulak, $128,500
Kensington St., 2266: G. Aponte to P. Thien, $138,000
Lewis St., 319: Feudale Investments LLC to A. Mercedes, $115,000
Logan St., 2233: SR Homes LLC to JKD Real Estate LLC, $89,000
Luce St., 2311: Paramount Sol LLC to S. Merino, $120,000
Maclay St., 241: E. & C. Onyewu to 3Star Home Care Services LLC, $160,000
Maclay St., 252: KDR Investments LLP to A. Velez, $145,000
Maclay St., 415: V. Shree to R. Bapari, $182,000
Muench St., 278: C. Foley to J. Wadley, $230,000
North St., 1941: D. Eberly to P. Almodovar, $135,000
N. 2nd St., 1617: A. & S. Perry to A. Bartlett, $260,813
N. 2nd St., 2131: C. & K. Potter to J. Anderson, $195,000
N. 2nd St., 2243: R. Chang & A. Eng to Culcay Remodeling Guagua LLC, $290,000
N. 2nd St., 2711: A. & B. Marino to M. & V. Trejo, $347,000
N. 3rd St., 1914: J. Vega to S. & J. Caruso, $150,000
N. 3rd St., 2214A: PD Estate Properties LLC to M. & A. Leiva, $165,000
N. 4th St., 2217: BCR1 LLC to H. Davis, $123,000
N. 4th St., 2451: J. Crossett & M. Hochstetler to J. Holtzman & R. Davis, $120,000
N. 7th St., 2154: A. Bouhach to M. Smith, $135,500
N. 13th St., 100 and 109, 111, 113, 115, 117, 117½ 119 & 119½ Linden St.: G. Radon to Val de Vie Estate Investment LLC, $83,334
N. 15th St., 227: G. Grier to First Choice Home Buyers LLC, $65,000
N. 17th St., 719: E. Jones to P. Jimenez, $103,500
N. 18th St., 50; 1837, 1845 Zarker St.; 528 Emerald St.; 2211 & 2318A N. 4th St.; 2234 Logan St.: Dakar Realty Inc. to Leesuer Estates LLC, $1,130,000
N. 18th St., 720: TPH Asset Management LLC c/o American Heritage Property Management to Jhonleo Home Renovations LLC, $85,000
Orange St., 2304: Sunny Day Real Estate Solutions LLC to D. Dacheux, $114,000
Peffer St., 220 & 222: T. Jones to N. Pandey, $325,000
Penn St., 1608: W. Gelgot & E. Schuchardt to G. Dunigan, $240,000
Penn St., 2144: Oasis Property Investments LLC to E. Jameson, $200,000
Penn St., 2214: M. & C. Maxwell to J. Bellamy, $95,000
Penn St., 2313: SPG Capital LLC to T. Kea, $141,000
Race St., 566: JR Phoenix Investing LLC to Allmond Properties LLC, $292,390
Reel St., 2427: Dee’s Properties LLC to Mau Properties, $65,000
Reel St., 2429: Orellanas Properties to Mau Properties LLC, $55,000
Regina St., 1855: London Management LLC to Mau Properties LLC, $163,000
Revere St., 1715: PA Deals LLC to Renovestate LLC, $100,000
Rudy Rd., 2480: Bank of New York Mellon Trust to 248 S. Quince Street LLC, $88,725
S. 16th St., 11: Httrinh LLC to 3DST LLC, $107,500
S. 17th St., 425: B. Debeljak to Villalona Barbershop LLC, $125,000
S. 18th St., 1208: B. & J. Fazzolari to C. Filcidor, $147,500
S. 25th St., 732: P. Bullock to P. Sawadogo, $157,600
Spencer St., 1843: B. Debeljak to C. White, $135,000
State St., 1723: S. Goodling to K. Higdon, $85,000
State St., 1920: First Choice Home Buyers LLC to Williams & Williams Properties LLC, $82,500
State St., 1922: First Choice Home Buyers LLC to Williams & Williams Properties LLC, $82,500
Susquehanna St., 1833: C. Straub to K. Ryan, $180,000
Swatara St., 2046: T. & A. Wyre to E. & F. Augustin, $141,900
Swatara St., 2140: J. Zabala to V. Saldana, $120,000
Valley Rd., 2301: K. Bard to L. & R. Philbin, $259,000
Verbeke St., 1613: C. Bowman to A. Powell, $55,000
Woodbine St., 340: MJE Properties to Normans Realty Services Inc., $50,000
Harrisburg property sales, July 2024, greater than $50,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.
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