Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

 

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

What you’ll find below:

For something new: Open Stage presents Jesus Christ Superstar at The Forum! All new The Tavern Tasting Series at The Englewood; Peter Rabbit Easter Egg Hunt at Macris Chocolate

Worth noting: Saturday is a full day of St. Paddy’s Day fun in Downtown Harrisburg, including Kegs & Eggs at McGrath’s (opening at 7 a.m.) and JB Lovedraft’s (starting at 10 a.m.); The Lucky Charm 4-Miler (12 p.m.); the Harrisburg St. Patrick’s Day Parade at 2 p.m.; Music and St. Patrick’s-themed parties at Bourbon Street Saloon, Sawyer’s ($1 drinks from 4-6 p.m.), and Nocturnal — plus “St. Pats Battle of the Bands” at Capital City Music Hall.

Things on my agenda this weekend: HBG → FL for Spring Training, baby!

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday


Extras

  1. Get your Plants + Pints tickets before they sell out! $20 benefits Downtown Daily Bread!
  2. Want to share an ‘extra’? Email Sara with interest!

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Harrisburg shares update on Broad Street Market construction, finances

Broad Street Market brick building

The Broad Street Market rebuild continues to slowly progress as Harrisburg stabilizes the shell of the fire-burned brick building.

Harrisburg this week shared an update on construction at the market, which began in September, saying that the project has taken “significant steps forward.”

The city noted that they have “engineer-stamped” grouting and shoring plans that will stabilize the soil and existing building walls to prep for pouring an interior footer and building new walls. Additionally, crews began building a new chiller structure yesterday that will contain the market’s cooling systems. The chiller will be located near the market, next to Millworks.

Rendering provided by the city of Harrisburg.

Also on site, masonry crews are repointing brick walls, electrical crews are installing electrical for lighting and the chiller, and carpenters are framing windows and reinforcing the roof overhang. Contractors are also removing concrete sidewalk on the south side of the market to replace dysfunctional infrastructure.

“These milestones represent meaningful progress and give us a clear and reliable roadmap for moving construction forward,” said Mayor Wanda Williams, in a statement. “We are committed to rebuilding the Broad Street Market with the strength, care, and longevity this historic space deserves.”

Also this week, the city announced that the courtyard between the two market buildings was closed and would remain fenced off for the rest of the project. The courtyard surface and stone benches had been demolished.

Rendering provided by the city of Harrisburg.

At a February Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (ICA) meeting, city Accounting Manager Brian McCutcheon shared that the estimated market rebuild cost totaled $20.8 million. He also provided updated financial information and projections.

As of that meeting, Harrisburg had received $4.9 million from insurance, with $1 million of that allocated to the temporary tent. Another $1.3 came from the Host Municipalities Fee fund and the Capital Projects fund. Another $1.3 in accumulated interest came from the State Grants fund. To fill the large funding gap, Harrisburg in September moved $14.4 million into its general fund, with the hope that not all of that would need to be used, as more insurance money is expected.

McCutcheon has estimated that Harrisburg will get closer to $11.7 million from insurance when it’s all said and done, and another several million from federal CDBG funds. That would bring the amount coming from the general fund closer to $4 million, he estimated.

Initially, the market rebuild was projected to take 18 to 20 months. The city said that it could not share any updates on the timeline as it is dependent on current work. Within the next month, they should have an update, the city said.

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Harrisburg to pay thousands to former public works director who claimed to be unfairly fired

Nate Spriggs during a city press conference announcing him as the new public works director in 2021.

Harrisburg has agreed to pay former Public Works director Nate Spriggs $150,000 to settle a civil rights case in which he accused Mayor Wanda Williams of unfairly firing him.

On Tuesday, Harrisburg federal court judge Jennifer Wilson filed an order dismissing Spriggs’ case against Williams, saying that the parties agreed to settle. City Solicitor Neil Grover told TheBurg Tuesday evening that the settlement amount, which wasn’t made public by the court, would cost Harrisburg $150,000.

The settlement includes no admission of liability, Grover stated.

The settlement came just a month before trial proceedings were set to begin on April 20. On Monday, the parties attended a settlement conference.

Spriggs’ 2022 lawsuit alleged that Williams fired him for refusing to promote her son Dion Dockens, among other allegations.

In a statement issued earlier this evening, Williams said that while she was prepared to take the case to trial, the city’s insurance carrier advised that settlement was the fiscally responsible route to “protect taxpayer resources.”

According to the judge’s order, the parties must act on the settlement within 60 days or either party may file a notice to reinstate the suit.

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Case dismissed as Harrisburg mayor and former public works director agree to settle employment dispute

Sylvia H. Rambo U.S. Courthouse

Just one month before a scheduled trial, a former public works director agreed to settle with Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams after accusing her of unfairly firing him.

On Tuesday, Harrisburg federal court judge Jennifer Wilson filed an order dismissing the civil rights case. According to the document, the parties have agreed to resolve the case by settlement.

The update comes after a Monday settlement conference.

In 2022, Nate Spriggs, a former public works director, sued Williams, saying that she fired him for refusing to promote her son Dion Dockens, among other allegations.

Nate Spriggs during a city press conference announcing him as the new public works director in 2021.

The trial process was set to begin April 20.

In a statement on Tuesday, Williams said that she was prepared to take the case to trial and defend her actions, but was advised by the city’s insurance carrier that settlement was the “most fiscally responsible” course of action.

“While I stood ready to present the facts in a courtroom, I respect the guidance provided to protect taxpayer resources,” Williams said. “At the end of the day, my responsibility is to the residents of Harrisburg, and that includes making prudent financial decisions.”

According to the judge’s order, the parties must act on the settlement within 60 days or either party may file a notice to reinstate the suit.

Williams’ attorney, West Chester-based David MacMain, declined to comment on the settlement at this time. Spriggs’s attorney Marc Weinstein could not immediately be reached.

The terms of the settlement were not made public.

“I am glad to have this matter behind us so we can remain focused on the work that
truly matters—strengthening our neighborhoods, supporting our residents, and
continuing the progress we have made across Harrisburg,” Williams said. “Our
administration will not be sidetracked by matters that take attention away from serving
the people of this city.”

TheBurg will update this story when more information is available.

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State presents Harrisburg organizations with funds to kickstart downtown revitalization

State Sen. Patty Kim, along with city, state and local officials, shared updates on downtown revitalization efforts on Tuesday.

Plans to revitalize downtown Harrisburg got a boost of funding from the state on Tuesday.

Pennsylvania lawmakers announced two state grants to support downtown safety and improvement planning, at a press conference in Strawberry Square.

The Capital Region Economic Development Corporation (CREDC) was awarded $350,000 to begin early implementation improvement projects, one of the first steps in its planning process. Additionally, the state gave $75,000 to the Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District (DID) to extend its safety measures during evenings and weekends downtown.

“This type of investment, this type of planning is really, really important,” said Deputy Secretary of the state Department of Community and Economic Development Rick Vilello. “The governor isn’t the most patient person. So, we have to start delivering quickly and get stuff done.”

Currently, the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC, along with other stakeholders and the city, are working with Pennsylvania Downtown Center (PDC) to develop a plan to address downtown, which has struggled post-COVID.

Ryan Unger, president of the chamber, said that the chamber is currently finishing up a public survey process, interviewing stakeholders, conducting focus groups and will soon be hosting community forums. All of the data collected will inform PDC’s plan for downtown, he said.

The $350,000 from the state will help kickstart initial projects, like surveying N. 2nd Street for eventual streetscape upgrades or paying for estimates for office-to-residential conversions.

The money will serve as an “accelerant,” Unger said, that will help planning get done quicker and more efficiently.

The chamber also previously received $50,000 from the Harrisburg Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (ICA) for bringing the PDC on board.

“These investments build on the collective momentum and consensus we have been building over the last few months,” said state Sen. Patty Kim.

(From left) Rep. Dave Madsen (D-104), DID Director Todd Vander Woude and Sen. Patty Kim.

Additionally, the $75,000 given to the DID will help cover the costs for police presence downtown, allowing them to extend from four hours of evening coverage to five, said DID Executive Director Todd Vander Woude. DID pays off-duty police for a walking detail downtown to focus on a “community policing effort,” he said.

“The purpose of this is really a police presence and visibility for downtown Harrisburg,” he said. “These officers will walk around, do business checks, answer any questions from customers, visitors, residents.”

Unger said that he believes there will be opportunities to partner with the state in future planning phases, as the governor has expressed support for revitalization.

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Broad Street Market courtyard closes during construction; surrounding streets stay closed

Fences surround the Broad Street Market courtyard.

Harrisburg has closed the Broad Street Market courtyard and will keep several roads around the market blocked off as construction continues.

The city shared the news on social media on Monday, as part of the ongoing work to restore the fire-damaged brick building of the market.

The courtyard between the stone and brick buildings will be closed for the duration of the project due to safety concerns, the city stated. Construction on the brick building began in September 2025 and was projected to take 18-20 months.

The city has removed the courtyard pavers and benches.

Additionally, the city will keep the southern part of Verbeke Street, from Capital Street to N. 6th Street, closed for the duration of the project, as well as the small portion of Fulton Street, between the two sections of Verbeke Street.

According to the city, there will also be short-term closures on the northern part of Verbeke Street for utility work. The city will update the street closure map at least 72 hours before scheduled closures.

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St. Patrick’s Day parade, Lucky Charm race return to downtown Harrisburg

st. patrick's day

A past St. Patrick’s Day parade

Harrisburg will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this weekend with a parade downtown.

The Saturday event will start at 2 p.m. and loop from the Market Street Bridge to N. 2nd Street, to North Street to Front Street, before returning to the bridge.

The parade will feature authentic pipe and drum bands, Irish dance groups and local marching bands. The iconic Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, fire trucks, animals and festive floats will also participate.

Todd Vander Woude, executive director of the Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District (DID), which is hosting the event, said the festivities are an opportunity to explore the downtown business district, where local bars, eateries and shops will be open.

“We invite you and your family to join us for a great day downtown,” he said 

The annual Lucky Charm 4-Mile Race will take place before the parade at noon on Saturday. The race begins downtown and runs past the State Capitol, along Front Street and around City Island.

Street closures will be in effect from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the events. 

The Market Square parking garage on 2nd and Chestnut streets will offer $10 parking all day Saturday. Free parking will be available after 5 p.m. in the downtown district.

For more information, visit harrisburgstpatricksdayparade.com

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

“Art in the Wild” installation

It’s been a long week of on-and-off sunshine. Winter just can’t seem to decide if it should stay or go—but we got our first glimpse of spring weather. We hope you got the chance to get outside and enjoy while it was warm!

Our days here at the office have been full of editing stories for next month’s magazine issue and covering the latest around town, including the latest in the lawsuit between City Council and the mayor and the Harrisburg International Airport’s record-breaking travel numbers for 2025.

As always, all weekly coverage is compiled for you below:

Bob’s Art Blog spotlighted two upcoming arts events: the Art Association of Harrisburg’s 100th year celebration and Wildwood Park’s annual “Art in the Wild.” Read more here.

City Council withdrew a contempt motion filed against Mayor Wanda Williams after voting 4-3 to hire the city’s interim director of building and housing development permanently, our online story reported. The contempt motion claimed that Williams had kept the director on staff without council approval in violation of the parties’ settlement terms.

Gamut Theatre’s “King Lear” is a “wild night,” according to our theater reviewer. Get a preview of the play here.

Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors said the Harrisburg-area housing market held steady in February. Both home sales and prices were largely unchanged from a year ago, according to our online story.

Harrisburg International Airport had a record year, according to its top officials. Its plans for growth earned praise at a Dauphin County meeting, according to our online reporting.

Harrisburg school district officials discussed next steps for finding a demolition contractor for William Penn and their lack of interest in extending a current city tax abatement program at their Tuesday meeting.

Our “Family Time” columnist shares tips for raising teenagers in a March magazine story.

PennDOT said construction along Cameron Street may cause delays this weekend. Read more here.

Sara Bozich has compiled the best events of the weekend in her Weekend Roundup, including the Harrisburg Free Store at Broad Street Market. Check out the full list.

Strong Towns hosted a community discussion this week, as part of its ongoing speakers series. Read more in our online story.

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Construction may cause delays along Cameron Street this weekend

Work this weekend will affect traffic on Cameron Street.

Drivers may see construction delays near I-83 in Harrisburg this weekend.

PennDOT announced Thursday that construction crews will install drains and widen roads along Cameron Street between Sycamore Street and Paxton Street on Saturday and Sunday. 

The work will take place between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. both days. During this time all traffic will be routed to the East side of the street.

PennDOT said the work may cause travel delays.

This construction is part of a larger I-83 Capital Beltway Project plan to widen and reconstruct portions of the I-83 roadway, construct overhead bridges at 29th Street and 19th Street, create a new Cameron Street Interchange, and remove the 13th Street interchange.

Other roadway improvements along the Cameron Street, 19th Street and 29th Street corridors will also be made.

The overall project is slated for completion in 2027.

For more information about the I-83 Capital Beltway Project, go to i-83beltway.com.

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Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

What you’ll find below:

For something new: Hershey Social is open! I couldn’t make it to the media preview, but I’ll get there soon!

Worth noting: St. Patrick’s Day parades and parties; Wing Madness 2026 at Boneshire Brew Works all weekend

Things on my agenda this weekend: Bear trip, yoga, solo weekend

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday


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