Harrisburg hires city engineer after year without in-house official

January 4, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

Michael Yeosock

Harrisburg soon will have a new official helming its engineering department and infrastructure projects.

After over a year without an in-house city engineer, the city announced that it has hired Michael Yeosock to fill the position.

After the previous city engineer, Wayne Martin, resigned in November 2021, Lower Paxton Township-based Dawood Engineering filled the position on a temporary basis, since March 2022.

Yeosock has over 30 years of municipal engineering experience. He most recently served in the city of Norwalk, Conn., as principal engineer since 2018, and was the assistant principal engineer before that.

“We are incredibly excited to bring someone in with Michael’s experience to lead Harrisburg’s engineering efforts,” said city Business Administrator Dan Hartman in a statement. “His experience as an engineer in a city with similar issues, not to mention his work on diverse and modern transportation projects and grant writing, made him a slam dunk hire.”

Yeosock will begin as city engineer on Jan. 30. Dawood Engineering will then be used by the city on an as-needed basis for contracted services.

According to the city, during his time in Norwalk, Yeosock facilitated more than $100 million in civil infrastructure projects devoted to improving traffic signals, recreational trails, green infrastructure and streetscapes.

“I am so humbled to have been selected by Mayor [Wanda] Williams to be the next city engineer for the city of Harrisburg,” Yeosock said in a statement. “I look forward to the opportunity to work with the administration, City Council and all stakeholders on future projects like this and Vision Zero that will help make all modes of transportation in Harrisburg more friendly, sustainable, safe and equitable.”

Yeosock is a native of Plains, Pa., in Luzerne County. He earned his bachelor’s degree in engineering of mines from West Virginia University, and carries six different master’s degrees in space resources, legal studies, civil engineering, environmental engineering, construction and engineering management, and mining engineering management.

Yeosock’s top priority in his new role is to improve multimodal infrastructure and livability throughout Harrisburg, according to the city. He will also work to build a stronger partnership with PennDOT and its new secretary, who will be announced and sworn-in once Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro begins his term.

Additionally, he will work to develop an asset management program and determine road paving and bridge rehabilitation needs, the city said.

“I’m very eager to get to work in making Harrisburg an even greater city by making smart choices through an inclusive process,” Yeosock said. “We are going to integrate environmental and resilient thinking which takes advantage of the many grant opportunities now available to municipalities to safeguard and improve on their critical infrastructure.”

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PA Farm show set to return to Harrisburg this weekend, officials expect a strong turnout

January 3, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

PA Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding (left) shares details of the 2023 Farm Show.

State officials are saddling up for this year’s PA Farm Show, which they say will be in “full force mode” after several years of pandemic-induced changes.

On Tuesday, Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding announced the details of the 107^th show, set to take place Jan. 7 to 14 in Harrisburg.

“It is wonderful to be back in the complex for the 107th Farm Show,” Redding said, during a press event. “We are anxious to host this show and bring everybody back together again.”

The past two years of the annual agricultural event were impacted heavily by the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 farm show was held virtually, and attendance at the 2022 event was down by 44% compared to previous years, according to farm show Executive Director Sharon Myers.

However, Myers expects this year’s attendance to be back to pre-pandemic levels.

“We are confident that this year will be back to normal or almost back to normal,” she said.

The theme for the 2023 PA Farm Show is “Rooted in Progress,” emphasizing the history of agriculture in the commonwealth.

A display at the Farm Show

As always, the show will include plenty of food, vendors, animal competitions and exhibits and educational presentations.

New this year are a sustainable home gardening exhibit, a sunflower exhibit and an exhibit honoring the state’s veterans and the role that the farm show complex played in World War II. Additionally, there will be unique events like goat yoga, a llama and alpaca costume contest and the “Moo U” station, which will explain the technology behind dairy farming. Dogs will also have their chance to shine during “Meet the Breeds” presentations during the week.

In one change, there will be no poultry included at the event due to an avian influenza crisis, Redding explained.

Favorite Farm Show treats will be found in the food court, as always. In December, the PA Dairymen’s Association announced that it would serve up a new orange cream milkshake flavor at this year’s farm show to celebrate 70 years of the iconic shakes.

Starting on Saturday, the PA Dairymen’s Association will serve its iconic Farm Show milkshakes.

“It’ll be eight days of fun,” Redding said. “It’s a chance for us to honor and celebrate agriculture in the state as a major economic enterprise, but it’s also a place of education, it’s a place of food, and it’s a place of relationships and rekindling those relationships.”

The Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center is located at 2300 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg. For more information on the 2023 PA Farm Show, visit their website.

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Incumbents Pries, Saylor announce election bids for Dauphin County commissioner

January 2, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda

Dauphin County commissioners George Hartwick, Mike Pries and Chad Saylor (file photo)

Dauphin County’s two Republican commissioners have announced their intention to run for re-election.

On Monday, commission Chair Mike Pries and Commissioner Chad Saylor said they would seek their party’s nomination for four-year terms.

In a joint statement, the pair pointed to an 18-year run without an increase in the county portion of the property tax.

“While 18 years without a tax increase sounds good, it didn’t happen easily,” Pries stated. “It took teamwork with our county row officers and dedicated employees and holding firm to controlled spending and fiscal responsibility.”

Pries, of Derry Township, has served as a county commissioner since 2010. Saylor, of Lower Paxton Township, has served since June 2021, appointed to his seat following the retirement of long-time commissioner Jeff Haste.

The three-member board currently consists of Republicans Pries and Saylor and Democrat George Hartwick.

In their joint announcement, Pries and Saylor also cited as accomplishments their support for small businesses during the pandemic, their preservation of farmland in the county and the county’s investments in emergency services and infrastructure.

“We never stop looking for ways to make Dauphin County a better place to live, work and raise a family,” said Saylor, in the statement. “We focus on public safety, infrastructure and open spaces to improve the quality of life for everyone.”

Pennsylvania’s primary election is slated for May 16.

For more information, visit www.priesandsaylor.com.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

December 30, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Members of the local bicycling community place a ghost bike along S. Cameron Street, near Paxton Street, where a bicyclist was fatally struck Tuesday.

Happy New Year to all of our readers! It’s been another great year with lots of news in the Harrisburg area. Catch our final stories of 2022, below, before the strawberry drops at midnight! Then, ring in the New Year by reading our new January issue of the magazine.

A bicyclist was struck and killed by a truck near the intersection of S. Cameron and Paxton streets, our online story reported. Shortly after, members of the bicycling community placed a ghost bike at the site of the incident to honor the victim.

TheBurg has a new leadership team, we announced in our January issue of the magazine. Find out what has changed, here.

Carl Shuman, a retired Harrisburg attorney, introduces kids to Jewish values with his series of books, “Torah Time Travel,” our magazine story reported. Through his stories, he seeks to bring ancient Bible tales to life for young people.

Harrisburg and PennDOT officials addressed the many recent pedestrian and bicyclist deaths on S. Cameron Street, our online story reported. According to PennDOT officials, the roadway will undergo safety upgrades as part of the I-83 widening project.

Harrisburg restaurateur Brian Fertenbaugh plans to open a Mediterranean-style restaurant on the west shore, at the current location of Cork & Fork Osteria, our online story reported. Fertenbaugh runs Café Fresco Center City and Level 2 nightclub in downtown Harrisburg.

New Year’s Eve will be celebrated in Harrisburg with the traditional strawberry drop and fireworks at midnight, our online story reported. The festivities will return to N. 2^nd Street and include a “Countdown to Kid-Night.”

Our Year in Review showcases the top 10 most popular web stories of 2022. Find out what you, our readers, clicked on the most this year.

PennDOT announced that the public may now view plans for a road construction project on Derry Street, which will span Swatara Township, Paxtang Borough and Harrisburg, our online story reported. Proposed work includes milling and overlay of the existing pavement and sidewalk and crosswalk improvements, among other changes.

Sara Bozich has you covered with New Year’s weekend plans. Find all of the local festivities, here.

The Top 10 news stories of 2022 include road construction projects, a return to semi-normal and new local leadership, according to our editor. What else made his list? Click here to find out.

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Harrisburg restaurateur plans west shore dining concept, slated to open in 2023

December 30, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

The new restaurant will open in the current home of Cork & Fork Osteria.

A Harrisburg restaurateur is bringing his talents across the river, opening a new Mediterranean-style restaurant on the west shore in 2023.

On Friday, Brian Fertenbaugh said that he, with his wife, Jen, plan to open a restaurant in the current location of Cork & Fork Osteria in Hampden Township.

“There are a lot of chain restaurants on the west shore and not enough good independent restaurants,” said Fertenbaugh, when reached by telephone. “We want to bring something better.”

Currently, Fertenbaugh runs both Café Fresco Center City and the Level 2 nightclub, which he will continue to own and operate. But he added that he’s been wanting to open a west shore restaurant for some time.

“I was born and raised on the west shore and know it really well,” he said.

Cork & Fork Osteria’s owners are selling the business to Fertenbaugh in a deal that will close on Dec. 31, according to the principals. The Osteria has operated at 4434 Carlisle Pike since 2016.

After taking ownership, Fertenbaugh said that he’d like to make some updates to the space and open up in the spring. The new restaurant will feature a “modern Mediterranean” menu with dishes featuring Italian, Spanish, Greek and possibly Middle Eastern flavors, along with a full cocktail menu, he said.

“This will be a totally new concept,” Fertenbaugh stressed. “I’m not bringing Café Fresco to the west shore.”

Cork & Fork downtown is not changing owners, and all Osteria gift cards will be honored at the downtown location, according to their ownership group.

Local, state officials address deaths on Harrisburg roadway, upcoming safety changes

December 29, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

City and state officials address safety upgrades coming to S. Cameron Street in Harrisburg. Pictured (from left): Harrisburg Communications Director Matt Maisel, PennDOT spokesperson Fritzi Schreffler and city Project Manager Percy Bullock.

On Thursday morning, city and state officials stood near the site of a recent fatal accident to discuss safety on the roadway.

Near the intersection on S. Cameron and Paxton streets, on Tuesday evening, a female bicyclist was struck and killed by a truck. This was the latest in a series of pedestrian and bicyclist deaths along the Cameron Street corridor in the last two years.

Harrisburg and PennDOT officials explained that, while there are no new proposals to make changes to the roadway, one long-standing project will aim to make the corridor safer.

PennDOT spokesperson Fritzi Schreffler explained that the department has plans, dating back to 2017, to improve safety on Cameron Street in anticipation of its I-83 widening project.

As PennDOT prepares for its major construction project to widen the highway, officials expect to see increased traffic on Cameron Street. This prompted the plan for upgrades, including improved street lighting, road patching, line repainting, sidewalk improvements and longer pedestrian crossing signals, among other changes.

Schreffler stressed that this project is not in response to the many recent fatalities. However, according to Harrisburg Communications Director Matt Maisel, they will help.

“Every time an accident like this happens, it is a reminder of why we are doing this,” he said.

Schreffler also noted that currently, motorists access the S. 13^th Street interchange by driving through Paxton Street, making the intersection at Cameron Street busy. However, that will also change as part of the highway widening project, when the ramp is relocated.

“It’s safety improvements focused on motorists first, but also on anybody crossing the street, pedestrians, bicyclists,” Schreffler said.

PennDOT expects to begin construction on the corridor, from Berryhill Street to Elmerton Avenue, in the summer, and it will likely take around a year to complete. Construction from Berryhill Street to Sycamore Street is expected to begin the following year.

While some advocates have called for increased bicycle infrastructure, according to PennDOT and the city, adding bike lanes to the road is not in the plan.

“It’s a very busy drag,” said Harrisburg Project Manager Percy Bullock. “It’s too difficult with the businesses and the speed of the road to put bike [lanes] on it.”

In the meantime, while construction takes place, Maisel urged motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists to use the road responsibly. He advised drivers to be aware of their surroundings and speed and encouraged pedestrians and bicyclists to follow safe crossing practices.

“This is a call to action for everyone to be more careful when you are on the road,” he said.

For more information on PennDOT’s I-83 Capital Beltway project, visit their website.

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Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

December 29, 2022 | by Sara Bozich

Plan your weekend with my weekly list of things to do around Harrisburg and central PA! Scroll down or use the menu links to find ideas for your weekend.

What you’ll find:

For something new: Harrisburg Beach Club is hosting the Polar Plunge on New Year’s Day

Worth noting: Urban Churn is releasing its annual Sauerkraut ice cream again in time for the New Year

Things on my agenda this weekend: Tired: NYE plans; Wired: New Year’s Day Open House

For your weekend planning

View my local Restaurant Directory or Local Brewery, Winery, & Cidery Directory
See what else you missed on the blog

Below are options for your weekend.

A Look Ahead

1. HU Presents announces spring 2023 lineup

1. The Best Farmers Markets around Harrisburg

1. Submit your events for the Weekend Roundup

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January Publisher’s Note

December 29, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

Fourteen years ago, on a cold winter’s night, we distributed the first issue of TheBurg.

A lot has changed for us since then, and I’d like to use this month—our anniversary month—to announce another big change.

As the calendar flips to a new year, we have new leadership. Well, more correctly, we have new old leadership.

With the January issue, I am TheBurg’s majority owner and full publisher, an upgrade from minority owner and co-publisher. I’ll also continue as editor, so readers shouldn’t expect any radical departures in our content or operations.

But that’s not the real excitement.

For me, the real excitement is TheBurg’s two new co-owners—our long-time sales director, Lauren Maurer, and equally long-time creative director, Meg Caruso.

For 10 years, Lauren, Meg and I have been “TheBurg team,” and I couldn’t be more thrilled now also to call them my business partners. With this, TheBurg truly has become an employee-owned company.

There’s a good chance you already know these two incredibly talented people. So, if you see them around town, feel free to give a quick “congrats.” But not too long please—we have work to do!

Also, I want to offer my greatest thanks to TheBurg’s former publisher—and my former co-publisher—Alex Hartzler.

A decade ago, Alex saved TheBurg from imminent extinction and then helped us build a sustainable business, a Herculean feat these days for a small, independent publication. Alex has promised to continue offering his wise business counsel, which we certainly will take him up on.

Well, enough of this navel-gazing—I have swag to sell!

Last month, for the first time ever, TheBurg began to offer branded merch—T-shirts and sweatshirts. You can choose from two designs: our logo or a unique, Harrisburg-themed design featuring the Walnut Street Bridge.

What a great way to celebrate our new ownership—or just demonstrate your love of TheBurg and of Harrisburg. Please visit our website if you’d like to make a purchase.

With that sales pitch complete, I present you our January issue. Happy New Year, everyone!

Lawrance Binda
Publisher/Editor

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10 Little Stories: Our editor offers his top Harrisburg news of 2022

December 29, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

The holidays are behind us, the calendar has flipped to a new year, and you know what that means—my annual top-10 list of Harrisburg news stories.

OK, maybe you don’t know that, but it has been a tradition in this column for over a decade.

So, have a seat, pour that last glass of eggnog before its sell-by date, and read through what I consider some of the top local news items of the past year.

10. Book Building

In 2019, on a sweltering August day, I stood at the corner of N. Front and Walnut streets as Dauphin County Library System officials announced an ambitious plan. They would buy the historic Haldeman Haly house next door, connect it to the existing McCormick Riverfront Library and renovate both buildings. The problem? They would need to raise about $3.5 million to make it happen. Three years later, mission accomplished. In October, DCLS unveiled the renovated, expanded library with new rooms, new spaces and a renewed vision for the future. As I’ve stated in past years, I like to begin this annual list on a positive note, and this was certainly positive news in Harrisburg over the past year.

9. Full House

When it comes to politics, we tend to stay in our lane here at TheBurg, focusing on city elections. However, in 2022, we extended that lane a bit to include state government races following a favorable redistricting for Harrisburg. The city now has two state Assembly members, an increase of one, with a third member based just over the city line in Susquehanna Township. I find this significant for several reasons. Sure, it gives Harrisburg greater representation in the statehouse, which is welcome. But it also demonstrates the rising political power of our urban area, as well as its quickly increasing diversity. Moreover, Harrisburg-centric legislative districts now include much of the metro area, offering more common ground between city and suburbs. We can only hope this marks the beginning of the end for the ridiculous, counter-productive, tired old west/east shore divide.

8. Pie in the Eye

Having grown up just outside New York, I consider myself something of a pizza snob. So, when I moved here, I was unimpressed by the offerings. Then came Knead, which I thought was even better than the pizza of my childhood. So, I happily feasted, especially with the snug slice shop located just across the street from my office. Then, one summer day, Knead’s dozen or so workers announced a plan to unionize; the business swiftly closed. Like many of our readers, I had never heard before of a corner pizza shop unionizing. In my New Jersey hometown, pizza joints were everywhere, each one seemingly run by some middle-aged guy named Tony and his two blockhead sons. Anyway, in the end, there were no winners in this sad saga. With the business shut, everyone lost: the owners, the employees, the customers and the city.

7. Fund Times

For nearly a year, residents awaited a plan for Harrisburg’s $47 million bounty, the city’s share of money from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. Then it came, in part. In June, City Council approved an administration plan to allot about $15.6 for a new HVAC system for the public safety building, for fire and police bonuses, and to reimburse the city for pandemic-related expenses. The administration has stated that it would like to use the rest for a waterpark at Hall Manor and for an affordable housing initiative. These proposals, though, have yet to be publicly detailed, teeing up a potential top news story for 2023. In late October, the city got more good news on the funding front. The commonwealth selected Harrisburg to receive a $13 million federal grant to upgrade several parks and convert the aging Jackson Lick pool to a spray park. That’s no play money.

6. Mending Bridges

Harrisburg is a river city, and that means bridges—lots of them. In 2022, PennDOT offered continual fodder for bridge drama. Early in the year, it released a proposal to rehab the Market Street Bridge, only to significantly change it a few months later to include an unsightly utility bridge. It also made public a plan to rehab the Maclay Street Bridge. But perhaps the biggest bridge news was PennDOT’s own-goal as it lost a court challenge to toll the South Bridge. Separately, the Harrisburg Area Transportation Study issued its four-year improvement plan, which includes transforming the long-dormant CAT bridge for bicycles and pedestrians. The Walnut Street Bridge also is set for rehab work, though I argued, in this space, for rebuilding the truss bridge’s western span, which was destroyed in a devastating January storm 27 years ago.

5. Apartment Block

Nearly every year, I include a “dog that didn’t bark” story on this list. In other words, something was expected to happen, but it didn’t. For 2022, that honor goes to the many large building projects that have been proposed, even approved over the last few years, but still haven’t broken ground. Residential projects along and near the Reily Street corridor top that list, though the inventory of drawing-board buildings touches most Harrisburg neighborhoods. Notably, the soon-to-be-surplus Federal Building went from auction block to opulent rehab plan and back to auction block, all within 11 months. Fortunately, it wasn’t all deflating news on the development front. Projects like the Menaker apartments, Midtown Lofts, Harrisburg University’s health sciences building and the new federal courthouse all either were completed or neared completion in 2022. Nonetheless, residents can be forgiven if they treat the next grand building proposal with a healthy dose of skepticism.

4. Semi-Normal

2022 will go down as the year that our nation returned to normal, more or less. Despite a rough start to the year, most Americans—and I’ll say most Harrisburgers—eagerly embraced their old ways once the winter COVID surge abated. Restaurants fully reopened, entertainment venues were packed, and nearly everyone stashed away their masks. Nonetheless, pandemic fallout continued. Businesses had customers again, but they often lacked the inventory, supplies and employees to serve them. Downtown Harrisburg, in particular, continued to suffer from a dearth of state and other workers who never fully returned to the office, leading to numerous business closings. For this reporter, this was some of the worst local news since the rumored demise of the legendary Harrisburg beaver.

3. Stately Stall

Each spring, flowers bloom, robins return, and road construction crews begin pounding, digging and paving. This past year was no different, except that the crews started and soon stopped on one project—the redesign of State Street in Allison Hill. A long-planned project to narrow the street, add bike lanes and improve safety caused some residents to complain that the new road would force them to move their parked cars twice daily along the street. The biking community pushed back, advocating for the project and the bike lanes. Other project supporters argued that the parking situation shouldn’t have been a surprise—that it had been presented over and over during many public meetings. In April, the city administration issued a cease-and-desist order and, in June, unveiled a revision that would eliminate the bike lanes and retain the parking. That plan added more safety features, such as textured crosswalks, but didn’t narrow the roadway, a key part of the original plan to make the wide, dangerous street safer for pedestrians.

2. New at the Top

The first week of 2022 held one of the biggest stories of the year—the swearing-in of Harrisburg’s 39th mayor, Wanda Williams. A change in administrations always elicits concern for what lies ahead. What will the new mayor mean in terms of policies, priorities, procedures? In my view, the new administration started off strong with a seasoned team of managers to lead government operations. It then built upon the main strength of its predecessor with continued sound fiscal policy, while repairing frayed relations with the county, the state and other entities. It was adept in providing core services, completing the vital 2nd Street project and—huge kudos—in securing grant money. For 2023, I’m interested to learn the details of the administration’s pending affordable housing plan and, importantly, to see if it can bring down 2022’s distressingly high homicide rate.

1. 2nd to None

Back in 1956, Harrisburg—egged on by the commonwealth—turned several local streets into high-speed mini-highways. Overnight, once-quiet roads became noisy and dangerous, and the city became far less livable. Properties along and near these routes lost value, and many once-lovely houses fell into disrepair. Harrisburg’s urban fabric was shredded for the benefit of commuters, who raced along these roads each night to their suburban homes. Sixty-six years later, in 2022, Harrisburg took a huge step in righting this historic wrong. Much of N. 2nd Street was re-designed, and the road was returned to two-way traffic. The impact was immediate and profound: fewer cars, less speed, less noise and a much safer street. In short, the road was given back to the city and its people. I now hope that this successful project offers proof of concept for slimming and slowing down the city’s other urban highways, including Forster Street, Front Street and the downtown stretch of 2nd Street.

So, there you have it. Another newsy year in the books and a fresh one just started.

Raise that last glass of nog, and let me propose a toast. Here’s to a great 2023 to our readers and to all the wonderful things this community can accomplish in the coming year.

Lawrance Binda is publisher/editor of TheBurg.

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January News Digest

December 29, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg Passes 2023 Budget

Harrisburg has approved a spending plan for the new year that includes increased investments in public safety and infrastructure.

City Council voted last month in favor of a $74.9 million general fund budget for 2023 that includes no property tax increase. The budget passed 6-1, with council member Shamaine Daniels voting against it.

Harrisburg introduced the budget to council in late November. Before voting to adopt the spending plan, council made small amendments to a few salaries, among other items.

In total, the budget equals $110.4 million, including the general fund budget, the $20 million neighborhood services fund budget and several other separately budgeted areas.

Public safety is an area of focus in this year’s budget, as salaries for city police officers are set to increase by 3.5% and 16 new positions in the bureau will be funded.

Infrastructure improvements are another focus of the budget, including street lighting upgrades and ADA accessibility improvements within the State Street construction project. There are also funds designated for renovations to the MLK City Government Center and the Public Safety building.

Ribbon Cut on Federal Courthouse

After decades of planning and years of construction, local, state and federal officials last month cut the ribbon to officially open the new federal courthouse.

Mayor Wanda Williams, Gov. Tom Wolf and retired Judge Sylvia H. Rambo, for whom the building is named, were all on hand for the debut of the expansive, 243,000-square-foot, $200 million building at Reily and N. 6th streets.

The journey to find a new location for the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania began in the 1990s. The current federal courthouse, located in downtown Harrisburg, was deemed too small and not secure enough, unable to meet federal requirements.

Lengthy site selection and funding processes ensued, and the location was chosen in 2010. The first funds for the project came in 2004, with the remainder flooding in around 2018. The project ceremonially broke ground in June 2018.

“The new courthouse aims to build upon Midtown Harrisburg’s history and sense of community,” Rambo said during the ribbon cutting. “The building and its surrounding landscape will be a civic icon. The courthouse is a powerful symbol of justice and equality.”

Much of the courthouse construction is finished, though officials expect substantial completion this winter. Court personnel are expected to move into the building in the spring.

With its location in Harrisburg, officials stressed the potential impact that the new courthouse will likely have on the city.

“This space was an eyesore, a vacant parking lot, now transformation and redevelopment of this area is underway,” Williams said. “The possibilities are endless, and it starts here today.”

Milestone Reached for MulDer Square

A project to make a Harrisburg neighborhood safer and greener is nearing completion.

Last month, the city announced that road construction in MulDer Square, the area where Mulberry and Derry streets meet, was largely finished.

The project began in July, closing off Mulberry Street, from the Mulberry Street Bridge to Derry Street.

“This is one of the areas that had high fatalities due to accidents, so the point is to slow down any type of negative congestion in the area,” the city’s project manager Percy Bullock said.

According to Bullock, the construction included installing a roundabout at the intersection of Mulberry and Derry streets, making sidewalks ADA-accessible and updating street lighting. Side streets Nectarine and Evergreen were also paved, and Nectarine Street was transformed into a pedestrian-focused green walkway.

Additionally, the city is working on a project to transform the Derry Street cul-de-sac, which was previously a vacant, blighted area, into a linear park and pathway. The park will stretch from Sylvan Terrace to S. Cameron Street and include benches, ADA-accessible features, new trees and landscaping.

The park project will likely reach completion in April or May, according to Bullock.

The MulDer Square Redevelopment Project is part of the city’s Vision Zero initiative to reduce pedestrian fatalities.

Wastewater Rates Rise

Harrisburg utility customers will see their wastewater rates rise in 2023, though drinking water and stormwater rates will be unchanged.

In late November, Capital Region Water (CRW) passed its 2023 budget with new rates for the year.

Under the new rate structure, drinking water rates will be unchanged at $10.34 per 1,000 gallons consumed. Likewise, the stormwater fee will remain the same at $6.15 per month for most residential customers.

The wastewater rate represents the sole increase for next year. For Harrisburg residents, it will rise by 68 cents per 1,000 gallons consumed, from $8.56 to $9.24. That represents an increase of about $2.55 per month for the average residential customer who uses 45,000 gallons annually, according to CRW.

The overall increase for a Harrisburg residential customer is roughly the same as for 2022, when average rates rose by about $2.60 a month.

“It’s a testament to our leadership that we’ve been able to keep rates predictable this year,” said Capital Region Water CEO Charlotte Katzenmoyer. “Even through inflation and supply chain issues, we are focused on finding equitable and responsible ways to repair the aging infrastructure, both seen and unseen.”

Katzenmoyer added that the spending plan commits $58 million to capital projects aimed at reducing combined sewer overflows, addressing localized flooding and runoff, and meeting state and federal clean water requirements.

“This also comes at a time in which we have doubled the investment in our Customer Assistance Program,” she said.

Debt Payment Made

Harrisburg has made a major bond payment, as it eats away at the remainder of its once-mammoth debt load.

In late November, City Council passed a resolution to pay off $12 million of the city’s remaining $20 million in general obligation bond debt. This debt is money that the city owes after defaulting on loans during its financial crisis a decade ago.

“The city and members of this body and everyone involved wants to get the city out from under this debt that we got into,” said council member Westburn Majors. “We really see the light at the end of the tunnel. This agreement […] is a really good step in the right direction.”

While the administration had proposed paying off the remaining debt all at once, council had concerns about spending down such a large amount of Harrisburg’s fund balance.

While Harrisburg will still need to decide when and how to pay off the remaining $8 million of debt, Majors explained that the decision to pay off the $12 million early will save the city millions of dollars that would’ve accrued in interest had it continued with its regular payment schedule.

“We are very happy,” city Business Administrator Dan Hartman said, of the payment. “It’s a step in the right direction.”

Homes Sales Down, Prices Up

Residential sales declined but prices increased in November for the greater Harrisburg area, according to the latest report on previously owned houses.

For the three-county region, home sales totaled 616 units during the month compared to 724 in November 2021, as the median price rose to $255,000 from $231,000, said the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

In Dauphin County, 279 houses sold, a drop from 371 in the year-ago period, as the median price rose to $219,000 compared to $208,500 last year, GHAR stated.

Cumberland County had 295 home sales, a dip from 299 a year ago, as the median price increased to $300,000 versus $245,000 in November 2021, according to GHAR.

In Perry County, sales fell by eight units to 38 homes, as the median price increased to $239,750 compared to $204,950 in the prior year, GHAR said.

Houses sold relatively quickly, as GHAR reported that the “average days on market” stood at just 17 days compared to 20 in November 2021.

So Noted

Capital Region Water has two new board members: attorney Karen Balaban and state House employee Nathan Davidson. City Council voted down two other proposed appointees, meaning that long-time members Marc Kurowski and Andrew Enders will continue to serve on the five-member board until reappointed or replaced, even though their terms have expired.

Dauphin County will hold its property tax rate steady for an 18th consecutive year. The county commissioners last month passed a $218.8 million general fund budget that maintains the county portion of the property tax at 6.88 mills.

David West last month was confirmed by City Council as the director of Harrisburg’s Public Works Department. West, who previously served in the post, was rehired out of retirement in July.

Fresca Burger & Chicken Shack is slated to open early in 2023 in the Strawberry Square food court. Owner Mina Gabriel plans to offer made-to-order burgers, chicken sandwiches, gyros and falafel wraps, plus a variety of side dishes, including loaded fries and onion rings, as well as all-day breakfast.

Harrisburg City Council this month will begin accepting applications for an open council seat. The application period opens on Jan. 3 and closes on Jan. 13. Applications are available on the city’s website and at city hall. The seat is open as former member Dave Madsen resigned last month after being elected to the state House of Representatives.

Harrisburg School Board last month reappointed Brian Carter as its board president for 2023, while naming Roslyn Copeland as vice president. The board currently lacks the ability to vote on most agenda items, however, as that power remains in the hands of the district’s state-appointed receiver.

Olivia Edwards Rindfuss has been named president of Harrisburg Young Professionals for 2023, replacing 2022 President Jade Honey. The executive board also will include vice presidents Iqbal Singh and Lauren Maurer, Treasurer Peter Megoulas and Secretary Ali McFadden.

PA Dairymen’s Association last month announced a special flavor to celebrate 70 years of Farm Show milkshakes: orange cream. You can grab one at the 2023 PA Farm Show, which runs Jan. 7 to Jan. 14.

SkarlatosZonarich last month announced the addition of Harvey Abramson, Esq., as Of Counsel, bringing 40 years of legal experience to the Harrisburg firm. Harvey will join the firm’s Elder Law, Estate Administration and Estate Planning Department.

Changing Hands

Adrian St., 2242: M. Moyer to C. Feliz & E. Suero, $98,000

Benton St., 704: PA Deals LLC to J. Marrero, $69,950

Berryhill St., 1101: J. Garcia to D&F Realty Holdings LP, $200,000

Berryhill St., 1417: NA Capital Group LLC to J. Alvarez, $55,000

Berryhill St., 1423: NA Capital Group LLC to R. Pena, $55,000

Berryhill St., 2479: P. & M. Myers to K. Dieu, $110,000

Bigelow Ct., 5: A. Blount to VAB Investments LLC, $80,900

Calder St., 104: M. Freeman to T. Green, $160,000

Capital St., 1228: S. Moore to M. Whipple, $205,000

Christian St., 1183: D. Vasquez & J. Paulino to Y. Martinus, $40,000

Division St., 501: G. Neff to EBM Real Estate Holdings LLC, $68,000

Edward St., 104: R., A. & S. Boyer to E. Chattah & Y. Guhl, $80,000

Emerald St., 409: 2 Sons Mechanical LLC to J. Tribue, $108,000

Forster St., 416: ITSM1 Inc. to M. Caylor & A. Shafer, $260,000

Geary St., 609: R. Dunbar to Balaci Properties LLC, $81,500

Geary St., 628: F. Ruiz to O. Rivera, $90,000

Green St., 1102: E. Kramer to C. Frey, $260,000

Green St., 1110: M. Schiavo to M. Siddique & N. Taraska, $207,500

Hamilton St., 208: K. West to Calder Street Development LLC, $225,000

Herr St., 1726: Gold Key Properties LLC to A. Otero, $128,000

Hoerner St., 140: A. & L. Maiga to Hamar Constructions Inc., $80,000

Howard St., 1347: H. Hidalgo to Val de Vie Estate Investment LLC, $160,000

Hummel St., 331: A. Hidalgo to E. Clemente & C. De Rojas, $53,000

James St., 1329: I. Mallouli to A. Hoffman & D. Payakmaloeng, $163,000

Kensington St., 2320: J. Cramer to A. & T. Hancock, $95,000

Kensington St., 2327: Lansanah Home Services Group LLC to R. Rodriguez & A. Matos, $130,000

Lenox St., 2000: B. & K. Ramper to KRP Limited, $57,000

Logan St., 2206: PA Deals LLC to Balaci Properties LLC, $87,000

Market St., 1827: Henry & Sons Property 2 LLC to Baker Property Services LLC, $83,000

Market St., 2006: C. Queeley to Willow Mill Realty Holdings LLC, $49,000

May St., 916: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to K. Laubach, $124,995

Nagle St., 112: J. Weaver to D. McLaughlin, $147,000

Naudain St., 1429: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to P. Sanchez, $59,995

Naudain St., 1436: J. Palmer to Integrity First Home Buyers LLC, $65,111

N. 2nd St., 513: Cricket Real Estate Enterprises LLC to Fernandez Investments LLC, $350,000

N. 2nd St., 1931: S., R. & S. Coslow to A. Spagnoli, $169,000

N. 2nd St., 2421: T. Weishaar to S. King, $275,000

N. 2nd St., 2441: J. Ryan to D. Mouzon, $115,000

N. 3rd St., 1101: D. Carroll to A. Blaylok, $200,000

N. 3rd St., 2301: Capital Tax Collection Bureau to Healing Center International Inc., $100,000

N. 4th St., 2319: Carters Clean Up LLC to Berrospi Properties LLC, $82,500

N. 4th St., 3221: M. Allen to C. Dyer, $132,000

N. 5th St., 1732: R. Nagel to J. Drayton & R. Nelson, $200,000

N. 5th St., 2238: D&F Realty Holdings LP to C. & A. Payano, $66,500

N. 5th St., 2406: R. & G. Kessler to C. Grimm & J. Price, $125,000

N. 6th St., 2521: M. Yablonski to L. Martinez, $115,000

N. 7th St., 2158: T. Karijomenggolo to L. Banks, $113,850

N. 7th St., 2164: M. Howell to K. Morrison, $130,000

N. 12th St., 35: D. Green to C. & R. Guerrier, $60,000

N. 13th St., 144: A. Odunayo to Cooper Hawk LLC, $72,000

N. 16th St., 617: T. Reeves to H. & C. Le, $170,000

N. 16th St., 1215: F. Washington & G. Worrell to R. & R. Loja, $65,000

N. 18th St., 703: Henry & Sons Property 2 LLC to E. Reyes, G. Alexander, V. Tejada & C. Tejada, $83,000

N. Front St., 1525, Unit 213: B. Esworthy to Selenite Real Estate LLC, $115,000

N. Front St., 2417: PA State Corrections Officers Associations to Beautiful Holding LLC & A. Stidfole, $330,000

Park St., 1919: Inoma Properties East Shore LLC to 2020 Real Estate Ventures LLC, $55,000

Paxton St., 1619: C. Barboza to L. Morales, $300,000

Penn St., 1603: M. Miller & D. Smith to Stanton Investments LLC, $170,000

Penn St., 2312: R. & S. George to JRP Transportation LLC, $58,000

Reel St., 2734: JAK Investment Properties LLC to MS AM Properties Inc., $60,000

Regina St., 1834: S. Olmeda to World Energy LLC, $65,000

Rolleston St., 1315, 1411: JWM Associates to Hyperion Capital LLC, $2,100,000

Seneca St., 263: L. Cervantes, T. Astuto & E. Marquez to K. Williams, $133,900

South St., 111: M. & N. Hylind to T. Chandler & D. Jackson, $125,000

S. 12th St., 1504: K. Foster to R. Hussain & H. Tagreed, $70,000

S. 13th St., 1257: Brookside Premier Properties LLC to Coopers Hawk LLC, $42,000

S. 17th St., 314: K. Hugo to GCA & BN Real Estate Holdings LLC, $240,000

S. 19th St., 228: G. Neff to J. Acosta, $63,500

S. 19th St., 1106: M. Murphy to R. Andia, $72,500

S. 23rd St., 612: A. Radon to Shutter Real Estate LLC, $400,000

S. 26th St., 706: F. Guzman to M. Cedeno, $42,000

S. 28th St., 737: S. & J. Rivera to K. Olotu, $130,000

State St., 1500: Stoute Housing Inc. to L. Voong, $204,000

State St., 1620: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to SNB Real Estate Solutions LLC, $109,900

State St., 1934: Wilton Hampshire LLC to SNB Real Estate Solutions LLC, $115,000

Summit St., 160: J. & J. Domenico to PR&J Properties LLC, $60,000

Taylor Blvd., 36: J., J. & P. Straw to LMG Enterprises LLC, $40,000

Verbeke St., 120: LanPro Properties LLC to S. & B. Gill, $180,000

Vernon St., 1535: 37 Estate B. LLC to World Energy LLC, $44,000

Wayne St., 1718: D. Daniel, C. Carey & E. Wilson to C. & T. Zerbe, $149,900

Wyeth St., 1409: H. Swanson to I. Jordan & A. Wooditch, $165,000

Wyeth St., 1418: Ruth E. Graham Trust to R. Martin, $165,000

Zarker St., 1812: J. Santiago to PACC Homes & Development LLC, $55,000

Zarker St., 1944: SR Homes LLC to J. Monegro, $65,000

Harrisburg property sales, November 2022, greater than $40,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

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