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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Harrisburg legislators say Broad Street Market may miss state funding if council doesn’t select construction manager

May 21, 2024 | by Maddie Gittens

Broad Street Market brick building

Local state legislators are asking Harrisburg City Council to reconsider a recent decision regarding the Broad Street Market, as the city may risk losing state money.

In a letter from Rep. Patty Kim (D-103) and Rep. Dave Madsen (D-104) addressed to council, the Harrisburg-area officials stated that council’s recent decision to reject the city’s selected construction manager for the brick market building rebuild may cost the city potential state funding.

At a meeting last week, five of the seven council members voted against the proposed contract with Alexander, most stating that they felt the city administration’s selection process was inequitable. Council President Danielle Bowers also stated that she was concerned that the selection committee wasn’t diverse.

According Madsen, he and Kim have been part of a Governor’s Working Group to address the market rebuild following a devastating July fire and have been meeting with city and market officials for months. The group has been in negotiations to help get financial aid for the market included in the state’s budget. State support would help fill in the gap between the total project cost and insurance money that Harrisburg has received, he said.

With council’s vote against hiring Alexander Building Construction Co. to oversee the project, the city will need to re-start the RFP process, which could take another four to six months, officials have stated.

The state legislators, in their statement, expressed concern that the delay could push any potential state funding into a following budget cycle, as this budget is expected to pass in June.

When reached by phone, Madsen said that, for legal reasons, the state can’t directly allocate money to the city or the market and has been waiting for a construction manager to join the project to help determine where to allot potential funds.

“From this point of view, we are concerned that the delay in selecting a construction manager now could delay support from the state,” according to Madsen and Kim’s letter. “We implore you to find a way to reconsider the vote or, based on its significance, find a way to expedite a new selection process.”

Since council’s decision, several organizations have also issued statements regarding the vote.

Immediately following the meeting, Mayor Wanda Williams issued a statement calling council’s decision “careless,” Broad Street Market Board Chair Eric Hagarty said that the board was “deeply disappointed,” and the Historic Harrisburg Association (HHA) released a statement expressing concern that the effects of the fire on the historic building “will only worsen over time.”

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Harrisburg’s Artsfest to return this Memorial Day weekend, featuring visual, musical, culinary arts

May 21, 2024 | by Jolie Lloyd

Artsfest 2023

Art, music and food enthusiasts can come together this weekend to enjoy a fun summer kick-off event.

Harrisburg’s annual Artsfest will return to Riverfront Park on Memorial Day weekend, showcasing a variety of art and entertainment.

“Artsfest is the city of Harrisburg’s crown jewel,” Mayor Wanda Williams said at a press conference on Tuesday. “This is our Super Bowl. We have artisans come from all over the country and families from throughout the state and neighboring states to take part in an unbelievable, fun event.”

Artsfest events will run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on May 25 and 26, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 27.

This year’s festival will feature vendors offering a wide variety of art forms such as ceramics, digital art, drawing, fiber, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, sculpture, painting, photography, printmaking and woodworking.

“As a working artist and instructor, this event is really important to the success of my business,” said local artist Michelle Babitts of MAB Handmade Ceramics, at the press conference. “It’s a rare opportunity for me to showcase my artwork in front of thousands of people.”

This year, attendees can contribute to a community art project on City Island. Participants over 10 years old are invited to paint a handmade fish sculpture to be added to a colorful school of 450 fish sculptures. There will be 150 pieces available to paint each of the three days on a first-come, first-served basis.

For younger participants, a variety of activities will be offered at Kidsfest, between Walnut and Market streets, including arts and crafts, musical instruments and a display of art by local students.

Additionally, the Art Association of Harrisburg will join in the festivities throughout the weekend by opening its doors to show four exhibitions.

Artsfest organizers acknowledged that art extends beyond visual medium and will showcase musical and culinary arts as well.

Musical performances include Jazzfest, which will feature jazz music performances throughout the event at a stage near Walnut Street, and The Wednesday Club will hold a concert series at the Art Association of Harrisburg.

Over 25 food trucks will offer their culinary creations to attendees throughout the event, including vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.

“There’s no better way to kick off summer than at Artsfest,” Williams said.

Discounted parking will be offered on City Island and at the Market Square Garage from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., priced at $5 and $10, respectively. City street parking is free on Sunday, May 26 and Monday, May 27. Downtown parking is free after 5 p.m. on weekdays. Attendees can park downtown for free for four hours on Saturday by using the code LUVHBG on the ParkMobile app. Handicapped parking spaces will be available on State Street near Front Street.

To learn more about Artsfest, visit Harrisburg’s website.

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Harrisburg School District superintendent to step down, takes top position at Central Dauphin

May 21, 2024 | by Maddie Gittens

Superintendent Eric Turman. File photo.

Harrisburg School District will begin the search for a new top official.

On Tuesday, the district shared that Superintendent Eric Turman was officially appointed as the superintendent of Central Dauphin School District and will leave Harrisburg.

In a release, Harrisburg School District receiver Dr. Lori Suski congratulated Turman and said that the district would begin looking for a new superintendent.

“I am committed to a very thorough and transparent search process for a new superintendent that will include a considerable amount of employee, parent and community stakeholder input and involvement,” Suski said.

She also noted that she will consider appointing an interim superintendent while the search process takes place.

At the next school board meeting on May 28, Suski expects to have an update on leadership transition plans and the timing of Turman’s transition to Central Dauphin, she said.

Turman’s leaving may also impact the district’s reconfiguration, which is slated to begin this coming school year and involves closing some school buildings, opening others and shifting some grades to new buildings, Suski said. She also plans to have more information about that next week.

“Thank you for your patience and cooperation during this time of transition,” she said. “We are firmly committed to supporting our students and staff and look forward to a positive end to the school year.”

For more information, visit the Harrisburg School District’s website.

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Harrisburg author Steven Williams to celebrate third book release with discussion about creativity, advocacy

May 20, 2024 | by Jolie Lloyd

Steven Williams

A local author will give readers insight into his creative process and heart for advocacy at an upcoming event.

Harrisburg resident Steven Williams recently published a new book, “Skadi and the Geats,” and will celebrate its release at the Midtown Scholar Bookstore on May 24.

State Rep. Patty Kim (D-103) will join Williams to discuss the themes of advocacy incorporated throughout his books and how his own lived experiences shape his writing process.

“Skadi and the Geats” is Williams’ third published fantasy novel in the Prose Edda series, which is Williams’ creative take on classic Norse mythology. In the book, a Viking warrior named Skadi gains sudden fame and learns to depend on others in the face of newfound adversity.

Much of the plot of Williams’ first book, “Skadi,” was inspired by his experience on the Harrisburg School District board of directors, which led him to ask questions of how someone can best engage with their community in a way that focuses on benefiting others. This led Williams to create a character who learns the importance of being an advocate for her community.

“I had to grow as an advocate,” Williams said. “I discovered how you have to incorporate the needs of your entire community into your advocacy.”

Williams is also passionate about celebrating and empowering writers and creators of color.

“I am a Black author and it’s very important for me that people recognize that, but it’s also very important for me that we recognize that what Black folks write about can be a whole host of things,” Williams said.

Williams explained that Black authors are often confined by others’ expectations, and he hopes to help aspiring writers of color to break out of these confines.

“I think people should feel open and willing to engage in whatever creative outlet and then whatever endeavor they choose to and not feel pigeonholed into a particular subject,” Williams said.

The discussion will commence at 7 p.m. after a pre-event gathering at 6 p.m., featuring food and wine. Williams will be available for book signings after the discussion, until 9 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public.

To learn more about Williams and his books, visit his website.

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Paxton Creek rehabilitation project receives federal funding to help reduce flooding

May 20, 2024 | by Maddie Gittens

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey speaks at a press conference next to the Paxton Creek in Harrisburg.

A major Harrisburg waterway restoration project that has been years in the making will take its first step forward.

At a press conference on Monday, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey announced that the federal government awarded the city and Capital Region Water $1.25 million to help mitigate flooding at Paxton Creek.

“This, of course, will save lives and protect the livelihoods of so many citizens here in Dauphin County,” Casey said. “The need to restore the creek was so great that it earned not just one, but two congressionally directed spending grants.”

A “Paxton Creek Master Plan” was first developed by PennDOT in 2018 and laid out changes that would take 133 acres out of the 100-year flood plan and partially remove a couple hundred more acres, also making the area more attractive for redevelopment. The Paxton Creek runs for 6.2 miles from Wildwood Park to the Susquehanna River watershed.

The federal funding announced on Monday includes two grants–$500,000 in funding for CRW and $750,000 for the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority.

The project includes two major pieces. One project is the de-channelization, widening the creek to allow it to hold a greater water volume and restoring it to its natural course. Additionally, the Paxton Creek interceptor, which runs parallel to the creek and conveys combined sewage from over half of the city and surrounding townships, needs to be replaced as it is over 120 years old and severely compromised.

Paxton Creek

The de-channelization project is estimated to cost over $100 million and the interceptor replacement will likely cost $25 million, according to Charlotte Katzenmoyer, CEO of CRW.

The $1.25 million represents only a drop in the bucket of the total project cost, Mayor Wanda Williams noted, but it represents a start.

With the federal funding, CRW and the city can begin preliminary engineering and design work for the Paxton Creek project.

“All told, this is going to be 1% of what could be a $100 million project when its all said and done, but that 1% may be the most important because it gets us off the ground,” Williams said. “I would like everyone to picture a Cameron Street corridor that is open to more affordable housing, business development and residential revitalization.”

And while this funding may help get the project started, Casey said that there’s a possibility for more federal assistance down the road.

“We’re not done advocating for more funding,” he said. “We want to use every possible federal resource that we can turn to.”

Katzenmoyer explained that CRW is required to replace the Paxton Creek interceptor by 2026, as part of a partial consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

The Paxton Creek project is part of CRW’s City Beautiful H2O Program Plan, the organization’s long-term plan to fulfill requirements of the consent decree and to control its combined sewer overflow into the Susquehanna River and Paxton Creek.

Overall, CRW’s City Beautiful plan is estimated to cost $450 million and includes creating a retention treatment basin, using green infrastructure and separating stormwater and domestic sewage conveyance, among other initiatives.

For more information about the Paxton Creek project, visit Capital Region Water’s website.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

May 17, 2024 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Ghost bikes were displayed at the Capitol to honor those killed while cycling.

Our reporting this week covered everything from Broad Street Market news to theater reviews to summer fun and community initiatives. Make sure you didn’t miss any of it, by catching up, below.

Bob’s Art Blog discussed 3rd in the Burg and the initiatives to bring new life to the monthly event. He spotlighted several galleries and exhibits that will be open on Friday.

The Broad Street Market rebuild may be delayed by several months, as Harrisburg City Council this week rejected the city’s selected construction manager for the project, our reporting found. Council members shared that they felt the selection process was inequitable.

Cyclists killed while riding in Pa. were honored this week with a special Ride of Silence in Harrisburg and a bike display at the state Capitol, our online story reported.

Dauphin County honored several law enforcement officials and community leaders at a ceremony this week, our online story reported. Awardees were recognized for acts of bravery and service.

Harrisburg School District Superintendent Eric Turman announced that he may leave his position, our online story reported. Turman shared that he is the finalist to be the superintendent of the Central Dauphin School District.

Homeowners in Harrisburg can apply for city assistance with essential home repairs, our online story reported. The city will use $5 million of its federal COVID-relief funds to help lower-income and elderly residents.

Moviate Film Festival will return to Harrisburg’s Midtown Cinema this weekend, our online story reported. The fest will highlight avant-garde and documentary films.

Open Stage’s “What the Constitution Means to Me,” will inspire, challenge you and leave you with much to talk about after the show. Click here to read our review.

Our publisher called on Harrisburg City Council to reconsider its decision to reject the city’s selected construction manager for the Broad Street Market, in an editorial. The decision, he said, will delay the market restoration process, hurting the community and vendors.

The Pride of the Susquehanna will remain docked for the next several weeks, delaying the start of its 2024 sailing season, our online story reported. The riverboat is in need of an essential repair to comply with safety regulations.

Sara Bozich has found all the best Harrisburg area events to spice up your weekend and listed them, here.

SoMa block parties will return to downtown Harrisburg for the summer, starting in May, our online story reported. Additionally, SoMa Fest will take place in June, featuring wine, beer and spirits.

Volunteers worked on Monday to clean up a portion of the Camp Curtin neighborhood, our online story reported. The community members hoped that their efforts would deter crime and blight in the area, which has seen an uptick in both.

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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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