White House official visits Harrisburg, tours recent affordable housing projects

May 28, 2024 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams and White House Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Tom Perez spoke with Harrisburg homeowner Damon Taylor.

A senior White House official visited Harrisburg on Tuesday to talk up affordable housing.

Tom Perez, director of intergovernmental affairs for President Joe Biden, toured several recent housing developments in the city, while touting the federal government’s efforts to increase housing opportunities across the country.

“Our housing crisis is indeed a crisis,” Perez said, during a press conference outside the recently built affordable houses on the 200-block of Hummel Street. “When you have a roof over your head, you have dignity. That’s what it’s about, and that’s what it’s about for Joe Biden.”

Perez, along with Mayor Wanda Williams and other local officials, toured one of the five Hummel Street homes, which Harrisburg-based Tri-County Housing cut the ribbon on in April. The houses were built to provide homeownership opportunities to lower-income families in the city and used $250,000 from the commonwealth’s share of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to support the project.

“We are inching closer to our goal of making sure anyone in the city who needs an affordable place to live has the ability to rest their head easy at the end of the day,” Williams said.

Additionally, Perez visited homeowner Damon Taylor who lives on the 1500-block of Swatara Street, another house that was built as part of a project by Tri-County Housing for lower-income families.

“It feels great to have something you can call your own,” said Taylor, who has previously experienced homelessness. “I would not be here if it wasn’t for these programs.”

Perez said that the federal government will continue to invest in housing efforts, noting Biden’s proposed measure to give $10,000 tax breaks to first-time homebuyers.

“President Biden will continue to pay very careful attention to the issue of housing and affordability because we know we’ve made much progress, but we also know that we have to finish the job,” Perez said.

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Second council member indicates support for Broad Street Market construction manager, may be enough to flip decision

May 27, 2024 | by Lawrance Binda

The boarded-up brick building of the Broad Street Market

Another Harrisburg City Council member has indicated that he may change his vote in favor of a construction manager to oversee the restoration of the Broad Street Market.

In a statement, Ralph Rodriguez became the second council member on Monday to publicly state that will reconsider his vote from two weeks ago, when council voted 5-2 against the administration’s selection of a construction manager for the burned-out brick market building.

“This project is paramount to our beautiful city’s economic development and tourism,” Rodriguez stated. “For these reasons, I feel comfortable requesting a vote reconsideration on the matter to begin the BSM process.”

Two weeks ago, Rodriguez joined a majority of council to vote against the administration’s choice of Harrisburg-based Alexander Building Construction Co., based on concerns over the city’s selection process. On Monday, he said that those concerns had been alleviated in recent days.

“I did not feel the mayor’s office provided a case worthy of a selection for a project of this size,” he said, in his statement. “In the days since, the mayor’s office has done a much better job of providing the requested materials and explaining why Alexander is the obvious choice for a project of this magnitude.”

Earlier on Monday, council member Crystal Davis said that she would change her vote and agree to hire Alexander as construction manager. Davis and Rodriguez’s “yes” votes would appear to give majority support to Alexander, assuming that council members Ausha Green and Shamaine Daniels continue to vote in the affirmative.

A vote reconsideration is not currently on council’s agenda for Tuesday’s legislative session. However, the issue can be brought up from the floor during the course of the meeting.

The initial vote to hire Alexander failed after several council members said that they believed the administration’s process for selecting a construction manager was not equitable or fair. The administration rejected that assessment, saying that the four firms in the running were judged based on a strict scoring mechanism.

After council’s “no” vote, the administration said that it would need to restart the search process from scratch, which, they stated, would take many months to complete. Already, the market’s brick building has sat untouched—charred, boarded up and largely roofless—for nearly 11 months, since the July 2023 fire, which displaced about two-dozen vendors.

In addition, last week, Harrisburg’s two state House members issued a letter urging council to reconsider its vote, saying that the city would sacrifice potential state funding for the market if a construction manager were not selected before the next state budget cycle.

Like Davis, Rodriguez on Monday stated that he remained committed to ensuring equitable processes for city contracting.

“That does not negate that we will begin serious conversations to ensure everyone has a fair opportunity to do business with the city of Harrisburg,” he said.

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Harrisburg council member declares vote switch, says she’ll support proposed Broad Street Market construction manager

May 27, 2024 | by Lawrance Binda

The Broad Street Market’s brick building

Work to rebuild the burned-out brick building of the Broad Street Market appears to be one vote closer to starting, as a Harrisburg council member has announced a change in her position.

On Monday morning, Crystal Davis stated that she would switch her vote from “no” to “yes” on hiring Harrisburg-based Alexander Building Construction Co. to serve as construction manager for the lengthy project.

“I encourage my fellow council members to join me in voting ‘yes’ at Tuesday’s meeting because it is not fair to the market vendors or the people of Harrisburg to wait any longer to start construction on rebuilding the brick building,” Davis said, in a statement.

Davis’ vote alone is not enough to secure Alexander as project manager, the first step in a rebuilding process expected to take two to three years. Two weeks ago, council rejected the administration’s proposal to hire the company by a 5-2 vote, meaning that one more vote is needed, assuming that council members Ausha Green and Shamaine Daniels reiterate their “yes” votes.

Currently, a revote is not on the agenda for Tuesday’s council meeting, meaning the issue may need to be brought up from the floor during the meeting.

After the “no” vote, the administration said that it would need to restart the search process from scratch, which, they stated, would take many months to complete. Already, the market’s brick building has sat untouched—charred, boarded up and largely roofless—for nearly 11 months, since the July 2023 fire, which displaced about two-dozen vendors.

The prospect of further delay brought widespread criticism of the “no” vote from Mayor Wanda Williams, members of the market’s board of directors and many residents.

“Local small businesses who were displaced by the fire will continue to go on without income and the community members who depended on the market for their groceries in an area otherwise defined as a food desert by the USDA will have to wait even longer now—despite on-the-record admissions by many members of Council that Alexander Building Construction Co. had the most qualified proposal,” said Eric Hagarty, chair of the Broad Street Market Alliance, following the vote.

Moreover, last week, Harrisburg’s two state House members issued a letter urging council to reconsider their vote, saying that the city would sacrifice potential state funding for the market if a construction manager were not selected before the next state budget cycle.

In her statement, Davis said that she also reached the conclusion that the project needs to begin as soon as possible.

“[Vendors] do no deserve to wait any longer,” she said. “The people of Harrisburg do no deserve to wait any longer. Work needs to begin today.”

Davis said that she remains concerned about the fairness of the city’s process for selecting companies hired by Harrisburg.

“We will need to continue to work with Mayor Williams’ administration to continue improving procurement procedures to ensure all companies who want to do business with the city of Harrisburg have a fair and equitable shake,” she said. “I have been assured these vital and hard conversations will continue.”

The construction manager helps to guide the overall project. However, the selection of other key positions, such as general contractor and architect, remains with the city.

Meanwhile, last week, the market’s temporary structure opened across the street from the market, more than 10 months following the fire. It houses eight vendors, including five displaced by last year’s fire.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

May 24, 2024 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

LHACC executive director Gloria Vazquez Merrick and other local officials cut the ribbon on the new center.

We made it to a three-day weekend—that’s something to celebrate! The warm summer weather will make it the perfect time to enjoy the city. If you’re planning on heading to Artsfest, check out our story below for all the details, as well as all of our other reporting from this week.

Artsfest is back in Harrisburg this weekend, featuring artists, entertainment and food, our online story reported. The event will take place in Riverfront Park from Saturday through Monday.

Broad Street Market’s temporary structure opened this week, and the community came out in support, our online story reported. Eight vendors opened in the market, offering everything from produce to meat to sweets.

Harrisburg School District Superintendent Eric Turman was appointed as superintendent of the Central Dauphin School District and will leave Harrisburg, our reporting found. Receiver Dr. Lori Suski said that the district would begin looking for a new superintendent.

Jewish Family Service of Greater Harrisburg will celebrate the 30th anniversary of its adoption and foster care program at an annual luncheon event, our online story reported. The organization hopes to inspire people to consider how they can support and advocate for children in need during the event.

The Latino Hispanic American Community Center (LHACC) cut the ribbon on its new building on Derry Street in Harrisburg, our online story reported. The new center will give the organization additional space to expand its programming.

The LGBT Center cut the ribbon on its new N. Front Street home in Harrisburg, our online story reported. The center will use the space to continue its community programming and support resources.

Local legislators issued a statement this week, saying that the Broad Street Market may lose potential state funding to support efforts to rebuild the fire-damaged brick building, our online story reported. Rep. Dave Madsen and Rep. Patty Kim both urged council to reconsider its rejection of the city’s selected construction manager, which may prolong the rebuild and delay funding.

Logos Academy in Harrisburg shared its plans to expand to include space for additional students and grades. Find out more about the changes they will make in the coming months, here.

The PA Open Air Farmer’s Market is celebrating its 50th anniversary, our magazine story reported. For years, the market has offered produce and handmade goods at the PA Farm Show complex.

Paxton Creek flooding issues in Harrisburg will be addressed through a multi-million-dollar project that was awarded state funding this week, our online story reported. U.S. Senator Bob Casey presented a $1.25 million grant to the city and Capital Region Water at a press conference.

PennDOT announced that it would begin its road safety improvement project on Derry Street in Harrisburg and surrounding municipalities. Find out more on the construction plans in our online story.

Sara Bozich has compiled all of the best events happening in Harrisburg in her Weekend Roundup.

Steven Williams, a Harrisburg author, recently released a new book in his mythological series, our online story reported. The author will host a discussion and book signing event at the Midtown Scholar on Friday.

Winnie Okello, a Harrisburg area resident, recently transitioned into a new role as the Park and Recreation Equity Program specialist for the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, our magazine story reported. The job combines her passions for environmental work, program coordination, service and equity.

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Jewish Family Service in Harrisburg to raise awareness, celebrate adoption, foster care program at event

May 23, 2024 | by Jolie Lloyd

Jewish Family Service

During National Foster Care Awareness Month, a local service provider will spotlight the unique ways it advocates for children.

Jewish Family Service of Greater Harrisburg (JFS) will hold its annual luncheon on Friday, May 31, taking the opportunity to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its adoption and foster care program.

“We want people in the community to know that we do this,” said Steve Schauder, CEO of JFS. “We are looking for prospective families that are interested in learning more about this, and we are looking for people to support our work.”

This year’s event will highlight JFS’s foster and adoption care program and the organization’s work to pair medically fragile children with foster and adoptive families.

Schauder hopes that the event will raise awareness about JFS’s programs, as he feels that much of the community does not know about the work they do, he said.

The luncheon will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Jewish Community Center at 3301 North Front St. In addition to the anniversary of the program, the event will mark JFS’s 60th anniversary.

The theme for the night is “Every Child a Champion” and the keynote address will align with the theme. Alabama-based Auburn University basketball coach Bruce Pearl, who is an advocate for helping children with life-threatening illnesses, will address the crowd.

Rachel Kuhr, chief program officer of JFS, also hopes to bring awareness to just how unique JFS’s work with medically fragile children is.

“Few other agencies are willing to accept children with the kinds of medical needs they have, who we’ve taken into placement,” Kuhr said.

Kuhr and Schauder also want to let community members know that JFS’s services are for the whole community, regardless of religious or ethnic background.

“For us, everything is about getting the community to understand that JFS serves all members of the community,” Schauder said. “While we work based out of our Jewish values, we serve anyone who comes to us for help.”

Schauder described JFS as a social and human service and mental health agency. In addition to foster and adoption care, JFS’s programs include mental health counseling, refugee resettlement, senior services, community assistance services, financial assistance, a food pantry and a meals-on-wheels program.

“There is a Jewish belief that we are all partners in repairing the world. The world can be a broken place and we are here to fix it,” said Schauder. “And that goes for everyone. That is our central value that informs what we do.”

To purchase tickets for the event or learn more about Jewish Family Service, please visit their website.

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Logos Academy in Harrisburg to expand, offering space for more students, grade levels

May 23, 2024 | by Jolie Lloyd

Logos Academy

A Harrisburg school plans to further its educational mission through an expansion project.

Logos Academy, a private, faith-based elementary school in Midtown, will soon begin renovations to add a fifth-grade program and create space to potentially double its student body size.

“It allows us to realize our vision,” said Andy Phillips, founding CEO of Logos Academy. “Our vision is to serve, and these expansions help us to be able to serve well and serve even more kids.”

Logos was founded in 2016 as a free preschool program. Since then, they have added around one grade per year, according to Lauren Bonnema, donor relations specialist for the school.

Currently, the school serves preschool through fourth-grade students, and the expansion will accommodate the addition of a fifth-grade class. Additionally, the added space will allow for the preschool and pre-k programs, which are currently combined, to be separated.

Renovation plans include the addition of three lower-level classrooms, updates to the bathrooms and the addition of an ADA-accessible bathroom.

The third- and fourth-grade classes that currently meet upstairs will move to the new basement classrooms, opening space upstairs to house a music and art program.

Logos officials expect the project to take place over the summer and be completed by the fall, making the new spaces ready to use for the 2024-25 academic year.

Once renovations are complete, the academy will have the capacity for around 120 students, possibly doubling the current school size of around 60 students, said Logos Principal Jessie Kauffman.

Although the school is expanding, Kauffman’s goal is to keep class sizes small to follow a trauma-informed structure, she said.

“Having space to keep classes small makes us able to focus on each individual child,” she said. “Because we’re able to have smaller classrooms and provide that consistency and safe foundation, their brains are able to calm down and focus on learning.”

To learn more about Logos Academy, visit their website.

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Vendors welcome customers as Broad Street Market opens temporary structure

May 23, 2024 | by Maddie Gittens

Peach Ridge Produce in the Broad Street Market’s temporary structure

Rebecca Harris held a carton of bright red strawberries Thursday morning as she shopped at Peach Ridge Produce.

“I missed being able to walk and get groceries,” said the 17-year Midtown resident. “My heart was very happy this morning.“

Harris was one of the many shoppers who visited the Broad Street Market’s temporary tent, which opened Thursday morning, about 10 months since the market’s brick building was devastated by a July fire.

Outside, the structure looked much the same as it has in the weeks prior to its opening, but inside, the building buzzed with friendly vendors and excited customers.

Leon Glick, owner of Two Brothers BBQ, said that by 8:45 a.m., he’d had more customers visit his stand in the temporary tent than he was used to seeing at his old brick building spot.

Glick, like many other vendors, has waited and prepped for months to be able to reopen in the structure Harrisburg was creating for displaced brick building vendors, and it was a challenge. The tent opening faced several construction delays. But now, he’s feeling optimistic.

He even pivoted his business when it seemed like there wasn’t going to be a meat vendor in the new space and opened “The Meating Place” in addition to his popular barbecue chicken stand.

“We’re really excited,” he said. “I think it’s a very good opportunity. Our customer base is great.”

Leon Glick

In total, eight vendors are open in the market tent including former brick building vendors, Doggie Delights, Lil’s Pretzels, Peach Ridge Produce, Two Brothers BBQ and Fisher’s Delights. As well as new vendors, Cherished Treasures, Diaspora and Taylor Chip.

“We just really wanted to bring our candy to the Harrisburg area,” said Colette Clark, owner of Cherished Treasures, which sells homemade chocolates and retro candy.

On Thursday, Venus Hawbaker, roamed the market, greeting customers and talking to vendors. Hawbaker joined the market’s board of directors earlier this year and, along with two other board members, has volunteered her time to oversee operations while the market is without an executive director.

After months of work, she was happy to see the community support on opening day.

“It feels really good. To see people showing up at 7:02 on a Thursday, I’m really pleased,” she said. “It’s a relief. These poor vendors have been out of business for 10 months and its been hard on them.”

Shoppers in the Broad Street Market tent

City and market officials have estimated that a rebuild of the market’s brick building may take two to three years or more. The temporary tent will allow a small number of the former brick building vendors, which numbered around two dozen, to operate in the meantime.

Harrisburg communications director Matt Maisel was at the market during the opening and happy to see customers supporting the vendors that “have been so resilient,” he said. However, he noted the “shadow” that the brick building, which is still closed and may face more delays due to a recent decision by city council, casts on the excitement.

At a meeting last week, council voted to reject the city administration’s selected construction manager for the brick building rebuild project, many stating that they felt the selection process was inequitable. The city opposed that claim, and the market, as well as other local officials have spoken in opposition of the decision, which Harrisburg said may delay the rebuild by four to six months.

And while the fire-damaged building continues to sit untouched, people said they, at least, feel grateful for what the temporary tent’s opening represents.

“It makes the multi-year project of the brick building feel a little less daunting,” Hawbaker said. “It feels like we’re finally starting the next chapter of the market.

Christopher Burno has been shopping at the Broad Street Market since childhood and on Thursday, made sure to grab the essentials—subs and chicken.

“It’s really good that they’re open, they did a good job,” Burno said.

For many of the vendors, they’ve missed the customers almost as much as they’ve missed the business, so the re-opening on Thursday was also a reunion of sorts.

Donnie Farner

“We’re excited and happy to be back in the community with the neighbors,” said Donnie Farner, owner of Doggie Delights.

The Broad Street Market’s temporary structure is open the same hours as the stone market building, on Thursday and Friday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, visit the Broad Street Market’s website.

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Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

May 23, 2024 | by Sara Bozich

Plan your weekend with my weekly list of things to do around Harrisburg and central PA!

What you’ll find ⤵️

For something new: SoMa Block Party series kicks off tonight! Broad Street Market’s “new structure” is open! Worth noting: HU Presents has Frank Turner at XL Live tonight; City of Harrisburg’s ArtsFest all weekend Things on my agenda this weekend: like, see above

For your weekend planning

The first SoMa Block Party of the season is TONIGHT! Rain or Shine! See you there!
A few tix left for Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls with Harrisburg University at XL Live
See what else you missed on the blog

Below are more options for your weekend.

A Look Ahead

Just announced: SoMa Fest (a mega block party) on June 1
Proudly PA! festival returns on June 8 to Fort Hunter Park
You can now sponsor the Weekend Roundup! Ask me how!
Submit your events for the Weekend Roundup

Monday | Memorial Day

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PennDOT to begin safety improvement project on Derry Street in Harrisburg

May 22, 2024 | by Jolie Lloyd

Intersection at Derry, 19th and Berryhill streets in Harrisburg.

PennDOT plans to begin safety improvements on a Harrisburg roadway next week.

A construction project to make Derry Street (Route 3012) safer is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, May 28, and will include a 2.5-mile stretch of road in Harrisburg and surrounding municipalities.

Work will take place at 19th Street and 21st Street intersections, including other construction along the Derry Street corridor, from 13th Street in Harrisburg through Paxtang Borough to Rosewood Lane in Swatara Township.

The safety improvements will include milling, paving, base replacement, signs, pavement markings, ADA ramps, pedestrian facility improvements and other construction.

The $2.5 million project is expected to be completed by Dec. 3. PennDOT first announced the plan in March 2022.

Contractors will begin constructing ADA ramps during daylight hours with minimal traffic impacts anticipated during this part of the project.

Milling and paving on Derry Street is expected to begin around Labor Day. This work will be completed at night with lane restrictions and flagging.

To track road conditions, traffic warnings and speed limit information, PennDOT recommends checking 511PA.

For more information on PennDOT’s active projects, visit their website.

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Harrisburg’s Latino Hispanic American Community Center cuts the ribbon on new space

May 22, 2024 | by Maddie Gittens

LHACC executive director Gloria Vazquez Merrick and other local officials cut the ribbon on the new center.

A longtime hub for Harrisburg’s Latino community has a new home.

The Latino Hispanic American Community Center (LHACC) cut the ribbon on its new building on Derry Street on Wednesday, marking a milestone in its years-long history.

“This building means empowerment,” said Gloria Vazquez Merrick, executive director of LHACC, at the ceremony. “We are ecstatic. We went from two rooms to three floors.”

The center, which was founded in 2009, operated out of a space on the same street until moving into their new building at 1301 Derry St., in October.

With better quality and expanded space, Vazquez Merrick said that the center will now not only be able to help provide help with things like food and clothing needs, but really work to give residents a hand up in creating a better life.

“Now it goes from giving things out to lifting people up,” she said.

At the new building, which was purchased and donated to the center by Harrisburg philanthropist Peggy Grove, LHACC will begin educational courses and classes dedicated to helping people launch businesses. The center will also feature a computer lab for the community.

Youth performers danced at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“Everybody deserves good surroundings. They deserve the ability to be lifted up, and what they are surrounded with and served in is an indication of where we’re going,” Dauphin County Commissioner George Hartwick said.

LHACC’s many programs will continue on, including their LISTO youth program, senior program and Empowering Latina Entrepreneurs classes. The center also provides case management services, immigration support, employment assistance and bilingual services, among many other programs.

According to Vazquez Merrick, the center has helped around 100,000 people since its inception and, just this past year, assisted about 2,400 people across its programs.

“What this means today and means for us now—it means a milestone,” she said.

For more information about the Latino Hispanic American Community Center, visit their website.

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Plan your weekend with my weekly list of things to do around Harrisburg and central PA!

What you’ll find ⤵️

For your weekend planning

A Look Ahead

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Monday | Memorial Day

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