Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

September 15, 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 your weekend planning
Top Weekend Recs
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
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For something new: SoMa Sips tonight and tomorrow (also 3rd in the Burg) welcome Nomad Distilling and Shy Bear Brewing. On Saturday, it’s Camp Hill’s Harvest Hop. Plus, it’s Harrisburg Restaurant Week.

Worth noting: BIG changes are coming in this space! Check out my private Facebook community, Cheers Harrisburg to get the first peeks.

Things on my agenda this weekend: See above.

For your weekend planning

WIN a chance to party with me at the Nathaniel Rateliff concert next week!
Market on Market now open in Camp Hill
Best Fall 2022 Getaways — it’s not too late!
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.

Things to Do in Harrisburg + Central PA | Weekend Roundup | Sara Bozich

Top Weekend Recs

Details for September in SoMa Harrisburg, starting tonight
It’s Harrisburg Restaurant Week! Where are you going?
Visit downtown Camp Hill on Saturday for Harvest Hop!
Submit your events for the Weekend Roundup

What are you doing this weekend around Harrisburg? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

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Home prices rose, sales dipped, in August in greater Harrisburg area

September 14, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

A house for sale in Harrisburg

Sales slowed in August but prices continued to climb in the latest report on previously owned homes.

For the three-county region, 734 homes sold last month, versus 810 in August 2021, but the median sales price rose to $260,000 from $235,500 in the year-ago period, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

In Dauphin County, 341 houses sold compared to 376 in August 2021, while the median sales price increased to $230,000 from $216,000, GHAR said.

Cumberland County totaled 358 home sales versus 380 the prior August, as the median price rose to $300,000 versus $265,000 last year, according to GHAR.

In Perry County, 38 houses sold, a drop of three, as the median price fell to $202,450, compared to $230,000 in August 2021, GHAR said.

Houses sold relatively quickly in August, as the “average days on the market” dropped to 14 days versus 17 days the prior year, according to GHAR.

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Community Comment: Celebrating Latino Tourism in PA for Hispanic Heritage Month

September 14, 2022 | by George Fernandez

George Fernandez

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 through Oct. 15), it’s important we pause to recognize the major contributions of the Latino community to Pennsylvania’s economy. Latinos make up 18.4 percent of the US population and 17.3 percent of the US labor force, which is expected to rise at least 30 percent by 2060. Nationally, the spending of this demographic amounts to around $870 billion in consumer expenditure annually.

The point of shining a light on these numbers is to demonstrate that our Latino population is deserving of recognition and celebration for the growth it drives within and beyond Pennsylvania’s borders. This demographic is the largest minority market in the U.S. and continues to expand briskly. In 2020, Latino buying power in the U.S. reached $1.9 trillion, which is larger than the GDP of Italy and only slightly smaller than the GDP of France.

Right here in Pennsylvania, the Latino community is our fastest growing population, accounting for more than 50% of the Commonwealth’s growth in the last two decades. According to the most recent census, Pennsylvania is now ranked #1 for the largest Latino population.

Latino Connection is proud to call Pennsylvania – and Dauphin County – home. One of our most recent community partnerships allows us to show that pride in a unique way as we work with Visit Hershey & Harrisburg (VHH) to power a new initiative designed to better reach prospective travelers in the Latino communities. This includes Pennsylvania as well as neighboring markets like New York and Maryland. As Dauphin County’s official Destination Marketing Organization, VHH drives local economic impact through tourism. Dauphin County’s tourism assets are many, with the sweet attractions of Hershey and the buzzing streets of the Capital City coming together to offer an exciting getaway destination for the Latino community.

In our partnership with VHH, we are reaching the Latino community with a message that amplifies all the things to do, see, taste, and experience in the Dauphin County. In 2019, 211 million U.S. and international visitors spent a combined total of $46 billion in Pennsylvania alone. The Latino traveler unquestionably contributes to impactful spending. Whether it is from our Latino residents who live, work, and play in PA and here in Dauphin County, or visitors coming in from other states and countries, this plays a major role in fueling growth in just about every other aspect of our local and regional economy.

As we work alongside VHH to support the tourism organization’s commitment to initiatives that promote diversity, equity and inclusion, we encourage our local residents and community leaders to not only take notice of the impact that these tourism-related efforts have on regional economic growth, but also to take pride in welcoming all guests of diverse cultures and backgrounds to the region.

As we kick off Hispanic Heritage Month, let’s celebrate our Latino neighbors and business owners. Let’s celebrate the fact that we live and play in a vibrant, diverse destination that’s ripe with exciting things to do and see. Let’s celebrate the power of the Latino traveler, as we invite the Latino community to visit us not just during this month of celebration, but throughout the year.

Our team at Latino Connection is in the midst of an exciting multi-destination mobile tour touting Hershey and Harrisburg as a family-friendly destination for the Latino traveler. To see (and share!) more about the region’s tourism attractions, trails, and experiences, visit: www.visithersheyharrisburg.org/cultural-experiences/latino.

George Fernandez is founder and president, Latino Connection

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Harrisburg Book Festival to return next month with author appearances, tent sale

September 13, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

The Midtown Scholar Bookstore

An upcoming Harrisburg event may be one to bookmark.

Midtown Scholar Bookstore will host its 10^th annual Harrisburg Book Festival from Oct. 19 to 23, featuring author appearances, a book tent sale and other literary activities.

This year will be the store’s first in-person festival since 2019. The past few year’s events were held virtually, due to the pandemic. The organizers anticipate this year’s festival will have a record turnout, according to Alex Brubaker, director of Midtown Scholar.

Authors from across the country will attend the event for meet and greets, book signings, readings and discussions. National authors include Joshua Prager, Pulitzer Prize finalist and journalist; Peniel E. Joseph, renowned historian; and Ross Gay, award-winning poet. Local authors like Steven Williams and Lauren Castillo, Caldecott Honor-winning children’s illustrator, will attend as well.

The book tent will return with over 20,000 used books for sale at $1, $2 and $3. The sale will take place at 3rd and Verbeke streets, in the grassy lot across the street from Midtown Scholar, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.

Bookworms can also test their knowledge at a “Rooftop Literary Trivia and a Drag Show” at The Millworks on Oct. 19 at 6 p.m. Seating is first come, first served.

For the kids, the store will host “Children’s Day” on Oct. 22, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., featuring face painting, a scavenger hunt and story time, among other activities.

The Midtown Scholar will also unveil its new collectibles building at 1306 N. 3^rd St., right next to the bookstore. The building houses thousands of rare and antiquarian books, vintage ephemera, old postcards, victorian maps and other collectibles. The rare book building will be open Oct. 21 and Oct. 22, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

All events within the festival are free and open to the public.

The Midtown Scholar Bookstore is located at 1302 N. 3^rd St., Harrisburg. For more information on the Harrisburg Book Festival, visit their website.

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Dishing Out Support: Harrisburg Restaurant Week aims to bring customers to the city’s businesses

September 13, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

LaToya Williams and Hauson Green, owners of The Original Hot Dog Factory-Harrisburg (File photo).

Harrisburg, I hope you’re hungry.

Starting on Monday, the city began celebrating Harrisburg Restaurant Week, which runs Sept. 12 to 16 and 19 to 23. The two-week event, hosted by the Downtown Improvement District (DID), spotlights local spots to get a bite to eat.

“The importance of the event is bringing business to all of our great restaurants here in Harrisburg,” said Todd Vander Woude, executive director of the DID. “It gives customers an opportunity to visit restaurants they haven’t been to in a while.”

Numerous Harrisburg businesses will participate in the event, offering special menus.

Restaurants offering specials for one or both weeks include:

Alvaro Bread & Pastry Shoppe
Appalachian Brewing Company
Bacco Pizzeria & Wine Bar
Café Fresco
Carley’s Ristorante & Piano Bar
Crawdaddy’s
Dodge City Steakhouse
El Rancho Restaurante y Pupuseria
El Sol Mexican Restaurant
Federal Taphouse
JB Lovedraft’s MicroPub
MASA Authentic Mexican Cuisine
McGrath’s Irish Pub
The Millworks
The Original Hot Dog Factory
Pastorante
Pepper Pot Jamaican Restaurant
Romano’s Macaroni Grill
Sammy’s Authentic Italian Cuisine
Stock’s on Second
The Sturges Speakeasy
Zachary’s BBQ & Soul

This is the DID’s 14th year holding the event.

According to Vander Woude, restaurant week is the perfect time to visit a favorite spot or try something new.

“Anything we can do to bring business to our restaurants in the city, we will,” he said.

For more information about Harrisburg Restaurant Week, visit their website.

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Update: Harrisburg’s 2nd Street now will convert to two-way traffic, be completed in early October

September 12, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Construction on a roundabout at N. 2nd and Reily streets.

A major Harrisburg road project again is shifting its timeline as it drives towards completion.

The city announced on Monday that it now expects to convert N. 2^nd Street, from Forster to Division streets, from one-way to two-way traffic in early October.

Originally, Harrisburg planned to switch the section of the roadway from Maclay to Division streets to two-way in June. Later, that date changed to early September, after delays pushed back the timeline. The completion of the rest of the corridor, from Forster to Maclay streets, was planned for mid-fall.

However, now the entire corridor will go two-way at once.

According to Matt Maisel, communications director for the city, the Maclay to Division street portion of the project is largely done, with just some sidewalk caulking and black tar sealing remaining. This will likely be completed this week, he said.

Additionally, the Forster to Maclay street section of the project is ahead of schedule, Maisel said. Because both portions of the road will be finished within weeks of each other, city engineers decided to transition the entire roadway to two-way traffic at once, instead of staggering the switch, Maisel said.

Remaining construction includes side street paving from Forster to Muench streets, which will begin on Sept. 21. Installation of roundabouts at Verbeke, Reily and Kelker streets is on track for completion in the coming weeks, Maisel said.

The N. 2^nd Street conversion broke ground in May 2021 and is part of the city’s Vision Zero plan to eliminate pedestrian fatalities.

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Bob’s Art Blog: Art Hangover, Hanging Art and Turning 100

September 12, 2022 | by Bob MacGinnes

Gallery Walk attendees look on as artist Jonathan Frazier works on a painting at the Riverfront Gallery at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral. Photo credit: Jana MacGinnes

After an exhilarating and, at times, exhausting five hours out on the town downtown, Midtown and all around yesterday for Gallery Walk, the 34^th edition is “the talk.” My partner remarked it was the best kind of an art hangover she had experienced.

The Silver Screen brought some of Tinsel Town to the Burg with the Art Association of Harrisburg (AAH) saluting Hollywood in grand style. Hats off to Carrie Wissler-Thomas, CEO and Rachel O’Connor, curator and, as Ed Sullivan would say, “It was a really big show.” The weather did not dampen any spirits, only adding an air of intrigue to the day.

For two of the prizewinners at the AAH member’s show, the first name needed to be Jeff. Jeff Bye took “Best of Show” award with his grand scale oil painting, “Everett Theater.” His work demonstrated his love for abandoned old movie houses—this one in decay from Boston. Haunting and dreamlike, its memories linger from the past. Jeff Wiles took first place in photography with a nostalgic nod to the drive-ins of yesteryear in his black and white study, “Last Picture Show,” artfully staged and shot for all time.

“Everett Theater,” oil painting by Jeff Bye, won “Best in Show” at the Art Association of Harrisburg exhibit. Photo credit: Jana MacGinnes

The art hangover was helped along by the Gallery Walk impromptu after-party at the Millworks, where many of the artists congregated at the bar. Zack Rudy and Brooke De Marco of Huckle Buckle Boys held court regaling us with a “Tale of Two Cities”—Philadelphia the night before with a story you could not make up and now back in Harrisburg and so glad to be home. Reina “R76” Wooden did a live demonstration outside the Millworks restaurant doors and made it a point to direct the artists to the bar, including Paul Zemaitis of Moonrise Candle Company, who shared, “Foot traffic was steady all day long for Gallery Walk.” Rebecca Adey of Mod Sew Designs paved her way with a big smile and dog tales to melt your heart. Larry Washington, Jr, photographer at large, arrived after getting some great photos at the AAH early in the day. Jonathan Frazier dropped by after his painting demonstration at St. Stephen’s Riverfront Gallery. Larry traded camera tips and quips with Jonathan as the two weighed in on angles and apertures. PD Murray and Tina Barrier share a Zen-like bond with camaraderie to spare. This dynamic duo will be joined by Tami Bitner for the new show featured on the lobby wall opening this Friday for 3^rd in the Burg. Closing out the first hour with a sou’con of devil-may-care bravado, PD imposed on the chef for soup of all things, for which I will be eternally grateful. Thank you, Mr. Murray. Bon vivants out and about added to the ambiance of “Bohemian rhapsody,” reaching a swell of laughter and frivolity. And to all the art-lovers who toured the museums, murals, churches, galleries and restaurants yesterday, you are all winners.

“Last Picture Show” by Jeff Wiles won first prize for photography at the Art Association of Harrisburg exhibit. Photo credit: Jana MacGinnes

Hanging Art at CALC

In the G.B. Stuart Gallery, friendship and painting go hand-in-hand as female artists and age-old compatriots Peg Belcastro and Gail Walden Coleman express different perspectives in the exhibit “Heartscapes and Landscapes.” In her own words, Walden Coleman “follows her heart’s feelings” in her intuitive works reflective of her emotional barometer. Belcastro’s love of lush surroundings one may find in a forest is deeply infused with a painterly point of view, capturing “the landscape with bold exciting colors.” A study in contrast demonstrates once again that opposites attract. Gail’s paintings’ abstractness juxtapose precisely with Belcastro’s panoramic vistas grounded in realism. Instead of creating a dissonance as one might expect, they draw the viewers into two separate worlds—one with open-ended possibilities, the other taken at face value liberally sprinkled with imagination and color. Together or apart, each allows for introspection and reflection. “You’ve got a friend in me…” and them too!

You know you are of a certain age when your doctor recommends a diet high in fiber. So, we were elated to learn of CALC’s newest show, opening Friday, Sept. 23—“(un)Common Threads,” featuring fiber art in all its glory, in the Upstairs Gallery. This will be a contrast and a complement to “Heartscapes and Landscapes” downstairs. Curator “Dr.” Cathy Stone, my new art dietician, has assembled a gallery of textile technicians, highly skilled artisans so adroit at their craft that “magician” might be a more apt description. Weavers, dreamers and practitioners of tradition, transcending timeless tactile interest, bring it full circle to a contemporary cache perfect for the stage of tomorrow. Stone’s coterie of juried artists run the gamut from eco-dying, tapestry weaving, knitting, embroidery, felting, saori weaving and lace-making amongst paper and paint and found materials. All told, 31 pieces made the cut, a mere 40% of the entries submitted. There is no one better qualified to juror those select works than guest artist and felting facilitator par excellence, Erma Yost, a Carlisle resident of renown.

Outstanding examples from East Coast artisans include quilting in its many forms. Holly Cole’s layered organza organdy and cotton fabric are dye-painted, hand-embroidered, drawn and free motion quilted. Meghan Udell employed hand-knitted “Morse code” in her unique manner. Other quilt Quixotes include Linda Syverson and Liz Danish. From central Pennsylvania, Carol Reed, CALC instructor, fiber artist and land art enthusiast, specializes in fiber-mixed natural dyeing. In addition, the only wearable art was created by Jana MacGinnes with a flower fusion tunic via roses adorning the neckline and an encased hem with twisted fabric, much like trailing vines entwining romance and fiber as one, like a garden sonnet that captures beauty’s fleeting fancy. When viewed as a whole, this 30-plus-one collection weaves a dream of aesthetic acclaim where art meets craft in a hushed atmosphere. Listen closely as the works whisper to you.

Turning 100

It took me 50 years to turn 100 in my writing career, starting with Harrisburg Independent Press back in 1972. Never thought I would see 100…not years mind you. But this blog denotes my century mark-plus of art columns for TheBurg, including “The Painted Word” and “Bob’s Art Blog.” After my first 3^rd in the Burg coverage on Charlie Feathers’ show at H*MAC back on St. Patrick’s Day of 2019, I thought, what comes next? In those early days, I had to check in with my editor, Lawrance Binda, regarding topics before I headed out on assignment. Long story short—TheBurg was recently honored for “Distinguished Service to the Arts” for the region for 2022. We were humbled to be included that night at Whitaker Center to see Lawrance and the staff of TheBurg—Lauren Maurer, Kelsey Tatge and art director Megan Caruso–feted by Theatre Harrisburg actors. Here’s to turning 100!

September Art Events

Sept. 16: 3^rd in the Burg events throughout the city
Sept. 17: Hummelstown Arts Festival – 170 juried artists on Main St from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sept. 23: CALC’s dual art show “Heartscapes and Landscapes” and “(un)Common Threads” opening reception 5:30 to 7 p.m.

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Burg Review: Settle in for slow-burn suspense with Theatre Harrisburg’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”

September 10, 2022 | by Gina Napoli

In the spirit of early American Gothic folklore, Theatre Harrisburg opens its 97^th season with David Ramón Zayas’ adaptation of Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” a slow-burn suspense—a tall campfire tale made all the spookier because of its real New England setting along the Hudson River.

Sleepy Hollow’s superstitious townspeople personify the village as its own character in the story, an old-fashioned place where people co-exist uneasily with the spirit world. Set in 1790, Sleepy Hollow is a hidden place on the way to nowhere else. Travelers can’t get there by accident, and they tend not to leave, even when they die.

This production opens with mood-setting elements so thoroughly eerie, slowly unfolding and seeping their way into your bones: rolling fog, howling wind, shifty up-lighting on bare trees, hints of sage tingeing the air, and oddly synchronized hooded figures (Witte Wievens, Julia Toyer, Tessa Eberlein, and Francesca Amendolia) singing hauntingly. By the time we hear The Elder (Michael Greenwald), we suspect his voice is too soothing to be a reliable narrator.

The audience is thrust into Sleepy Hollow through Ichabod Crane’s (Trystin Bailey) eyes, walking in unfamiliar woods to his new post as the town’s schoolmaster. Everyone Ichabod meets along his journey and during his tenure fills his impressionable mind with other haunted legends, further infusing the time and place with menace.

To bring those stories to life, Widow Knickerbocker (Amber Mann), Baltus Van Tassel (Jeff Wasileski), Mrs. Van Tassel (Lisa Leone Dickerson), and Mrs. Van Ripper (Gerren Wagner) use unnervingly skilled storytelling, complete with scant lighting cutting through mist and shadows just dim enough for our eyes to strain at faceless and headless figures appearing throughout the theater from all sides. Nervous imagination fills in what we can’t see, questioning what we believe.

There’s only one non-believer in Sleepy Hollow: Diedrich Knickerbocker (Douglas Wann), a sensible young student who is saving money to leave someday. When he goes missing, everyone except Crane is positive that the spirit of a Hessian soldier, the Headless Horseman, took the boy. With the boy gone—however he went—Crane’s only lifeline to sensibility left Sleepy Hollow with him.

Bailey perfectly interprets the increasingly vulnerable Crane as skittish, sweaty and swoony over his voice student, Katrina Van Tassel (Laila Keadan). Keadan flirts and sings sweetly while a volatile love triangle forms with the brutish Abraham “Brom Bones” Van Brunt (Brennen Dickerson), who shines in retelling his dramatic account of his first-hand meeting with the Headless Horseman.

It’s at the Van Tassel’s annual harvest party where the audience, as invited guests, are treated to period parlor games, synchronized dancing, and a heated brawl in the Horseman’s Woods between Bailey and Brennen Dickerson. Who won? What happened to our hero Ichabod Crane? Those answers weave themselves in to the tapestry of local legend.

Why has “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” endured over the centuries? Director Jeff Luttermoser suggests that we have made a larger connection with the story as part of the human experience.

“At some point, we all become stories that other people tell, and those stories are the ghosts of us…our beliefs and superstitions, our memories of those we loved and lost, and the tales we pass down within our families and communities,” he said.

With no one to fact-check in 1790, we may never know whether Washington Irving employed the old writer’s trick of copying names from tombstones to make them sound authentic, or how true to the story (or to actual life) his characters were. Even when written down, folklore grows with every interpretation.

After the curtain fell, my mother (and major character in my own story) leaned over to me and said, “Now we have to go outside to our cars.” Her eyes widened. “In the dark.”

I did. Quickly. Then I sped my car home to jump under my covers.

“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” runs through Sept. 18 at the Krevsky Center, 513 Hurlock St., Harrisburg. For more information on show times and tickets, visit www.theatreharrisburg.com.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

September 9, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams and Police Commissioner Thomas Carter swore in seven new officers at Whitaker Center on Wednesday.

We want to thank all of our supporters who attended out first annual Friends of TheBurg Bash on Thursday. The party was a hit! Make sure you don’t miss next year’s event and become a Friend of TheBurg today. As always, all of our news coverage from the week is listed below.

Bro2Go, a Harrisburg nonprofit, received a $5,000 donation from Access Insurance Agency, which serves the commonwealth, our online story reported. With help from the community, the organization has a chance to double the grant.

The Broad Street Market in Harrisburg is searching for a new executive director, and our editor has some thoughts on the role. It may be a much more difficult job than it seems, he says.

TheBurg Podcast for September dives deeper into our recent magazine articles. Featured this month are the stories of a growing local basketball league, a runner whose life was saved by strangers and a nurse who has volunteered at the Harrisburg Marathon for 15 years.

Concerts are in full swing this September with a little something for every music taste. In our Musical Notes column, find out what bands and artists are headed our way.

Gallery Walk is happening this weekend in Harrisburg, our magazine story reported. Art museums and galleries around the city will open their doors to visitors to showcase local and national artwork.

The Harrisburg Independent Press covered many major city events in the 1970s, our magazine story reported. It’s been 50 years since the paper’s founding, but former reporters keep coming back to their time in the city.

Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams moved to appoint three new Capital Region Water (CRW) board members, replacing three current directors, our online story reported. At a City Council meeting, CRW Board Chair Marc Kurowski clashed with the mayor over her decision to reappoint a majority of the board at once.

The Harrisburg Police Bureau swore in seven new officers on Wednesday, our online story reported. Speakers at the ceremony touched on the important, yet difficult role the new hires were stepping into.

The “Harvest Moon Womxn of Folk Festival,” will spotlight women-led bands and female artists on Sept. 10, our online story reported. Eight local and national musicians will perform at the Moon Dancer Winery in Wrightsville.

A mission team from Trinity UMC in Lickdale, Pa., traveled to Mayfield, Ky. to help build houses after a devastating tornado. Read about the group’s experience lending a hand, in our online story.

Narcisse Theatre began its season with classic tragic play, “Antigone,” a commentary on contemporary politics. The show runs through Saturday at Italian Lake Park in Harrisburg. Find out what to expect, here.

When runner Dennis Reardon collapsed during the Harrisburg Marathon Relay, runners and nurses jumped into action. In our magazine story, read about how the teamwork of strangers saved Reardon’s life.

Sara Bozich has a packed list of fun events happening in and around Harrisburg this weekend. Take a look, here.

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Harrisburg makes final payment on bond spanning 25 years, hopes to be debt free by year’s end

September 9, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg’s MLK City Government Center

Harrisburg is getting closer to paying off its once-staggering debt load, following a milestone payment on Friday.

The city made an $8.4 million installment, its final payment, on general obligation bonds dating back 25 years.

This payment to the Debt Service Fund at the Bank of New York Mellon was the last of $125.6 million debt, including interest, on 1997 series D and F bonds initiated under the administration of former Harrisburg Mayor Steve Reed.

“I can’t say enough about the work done by our financial team to get the City of Harrisburg one step closer to being entirely debt free. This is a major, celebratory moment for all of us,” said Mayor Wanda Williams, in a statement.

Since 1998, the city spent money out of its annual general appropriations budget to pay off this debt. Without the debt payments, Harrisburg will have around $8 million additionally each year that does not need to go towards servicing that debt, according to the city. That money, the administration says, now can go towards city services.

“This is a great day for the City of Harrisburg,” said City Controller Charlie DeBrunner. “Rather than putting debt payments off any longer, and incurring any more interest, we’re proactively managing our outstanding debt. We are headed towards structural security in our budget for the first time in decades.”

Harrisburg still has about $20 million remaining in general obligation bond debt to pay off to bond insurer Ambac Assurance Corp. According to DeBrunner, the city’s goal is to pay off that debt by the end of the year.

“It is a goal for the entire city to enter 2023 without any debt,” he said. “We have a few additional items we need to take care of, but after today, we can finally start to see some real positive results for the city, and the cash flow is going to be phenomenal.”

According to Matt Maisel, the city communications director, at the end of July, the city had $40.7 million in reserve funds in the bank.

“This is the moment I’ve been waiting on since I was first elected to City Council and we started restructuring this debt,” Williams said. “People told us we’d never be able to get the city out of debt. To think we’re now in a surplus, this was always my goal for the people of Harrisburg.”

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