Home sales slipped, prices rose in May in greater Harrisburg area

June 15, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

A house for sale in Harrisburg

Harrisburg-area home sales dipped, but prices rose sharply in May, according to the most recent report on previously owned houses.

For the three-county region, sales fell to 670 homes last month versus 730 in May 2021, but the median sales price of a house increased to $260,000 from $240,000, according to data from the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

In Dauphin County, sales totaled 320 homes in May, a decrease of 27 units from the year-ago period, while the median price rose to $235,000 from $210,000, GHAR said.

Cumberland County had 322 home sales in May versus 335 a year ago, as the median price jumped to $291,000 from $265,000. In Perry County, 26 houses sold, a drop of seven units, as the median price rose to $243,000 versus $217,000 in May 2021, according to GHAR.

Houses sold relatively quickly in May, as “average days on the market” dropped to 16 days compared to 20 days the prior May, according to GHAR.

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Lyrical Lesson: Harrisburg Police Commissioner works with local rapper to share anti-violence message with youth

June 15, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Loe Badgett

According to Harrisburg rapper Loe Badgett, music has a unique way of getting across a message in a clear and powerful way.

That’s why, when Harrisburg Police Commissioner Thomas Carter reached out to him about creating a song communicating the importance of anti-violence, he was so excited.

“The song came to me very easily because it’s a message that needs to be heard,” Badgett said. “My hope is that people that listen take heed to what I’m saying.”

On Wednesday, the city released the music video for Badgett’s new song, “Break the Cycle,” featuring local singer Alonda Rich. The song tackles the issue of gun violence in the city and encourages positive self-worth, mentorship and education, among other themes.

As part of the police bureau’s efforts to combat gun violence in the city, Carter said that he was looking for a new way to reach the youth with a positive message.

“You have to meet people where they are at,” he said. “If a rap song has a positive message they can relate to, they will listen.”

The music video, filmed at numerous Harrisburg locations, shows Badgett with his young son. The lyrics in his song are filled with messages that he knows he will have to talk about with his son one day. But he also hopes that his song will inspire other parents to share these positive messages with their kids, as well.

“The biggest thing for me was to hold us accountable as adults,” he said. “We always preach to the youth about stopping the violence, but it starts in the house. It starts with us and will trickle down to the youth.”

While the city has already released the music video for “Break the Cycle” on social media, Badgett plans to share the song on music platforms this Friday.

Badgett will also perform the song live at Harrisburg’s Juneteenth Celebration on June 18 outside of the MLK City Government Center downtown.

“I would hope that people would listen to the song and decide to put the guns down,” Carter said. “If it changes one or two people, that’s a good thing.”

To watch the music video for “Break the Cycle,” click here.

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Juicy News: Harrisburg residents to open juice bar in Midtown, promote healthy eating

June 15, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Owners Bryanna and Anthony Graham of Midtown Juice Lab

After Harrisburg residents Bryanna and Anthony Graham got COVID at the beginning of the pandemic, they started looking for natural ways to stay healthy.

Around that time, they were introduced to juicing and started learning about its health benefits.

“If you drink a juice that’s loaded with fruits and vegetables, you can feel lit working in your body,” Anthony said. “It’ll make you feel good throughout the day. You can feel the difference.”

The Grahams hope to share their love for healthy, natural eating at their new Harrisburg shop, Midtown Juice Lab, which they plan to open on June 25.

The juice bar, located at 1426 N. 3^rd St. Suite 130, will set up shop where the former House of Vegans restaurant operated until closing last year.

Bryanna and Anthony previously partnered with John Roman to open Fresh Pressed HBG, a juice bar in downtown Harrisburg. However, the couple wanted to venture out and start their own business.

Midtown Juice Lab will offer a variety of juices, smoothies and acai bowls made with fruits and vegetables. They will also carry a small selection of wraps and avocado toast.

“We really need more healthy options in Harrisburg,” Bryanna said.

According to Anthony, all of the juices can be used as detoxes, and each targets a different area or condition within the body. Some may help with diabetes, high blood pressure or asthma, among other issues. Anthony creates most of the concoctions himself.

For those who might be hesitant to try a juice or smoothie packed with greens, the couple will assure you—you won’t taste the veggies in the drink. It’s actually a great way for people who don’t enjoy vegetables to sneak them into their diet, they explained.

Additionally, all of Midtown Juice Lab’s products will use natural sweeteners, so no sugar, but still sweet, Anthony said.

The Midtown shop will feature limited indoor and outdoor seating. The Grahams hope it’ll be a welcoming community atmosphere.

“We are excited,” Anthony said. “It’s going to be good to do good for the area.”

For more information about Midtown Juice Lab, visit their Instagram page.

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Black history, culture to be honored at Harrisburg’s Juneteenth Celebration

June 15, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Mayor Wanda Williams, along with other local officials, announces the Juneteenth Celebration.

Harrisburg will honor freedom and Black culture at a festival this weekend.

The city will hold its first Juneteenth Celebration, in collaboration with Dauphin County, on June 18, featuring music, food trucks, vendors and performers.

“Juneteenth is not only a chance to say it loud—we are Black and we are proud—but we are educating everyone about Black culture and heritage in the city of Harrisburg,” Mayor Wanda Williams said at a press conference on Wednesday.

The holiday, on June 19, commemorates the official end of slavery in the United States.

The celebration will take place in front of the MLK City Government Center downtown from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Food trucks will be on site, along with local vendors and craft artisans. Members of the PA Living History Interpreters Past Players will attend dressed in period clothing. Other entertainment will be provided by youth band FAME Jazz Ensemble and local artist collective The Singer’s Lounge. Harrisburg rapper Loe Badgett will perform his new song, “Break the Cycle,” about stopping gun violence in the city, as well.

To kick off the event, UPMC will get people moving with a 5K walk at 8 a.m., followed by dance and exercise activities. The programming is part of its Healthy Harrisburg initiative aimed at removing barriers to health care. UPMC will also offer blood pressure checks, COVID tests and COVID booster shots.

N. 2^nd Street, from Market to Walnut streets, will be closed to vehicle traffic from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In addition to the city’s festival, Young Professionals of Color-Greater Harrisburg is holding Juneteenth HBG, with events taking place all week.

“Not only is this going to be packed with historical references and the idea of bringing people together around a critically important issue and holiday, and breaking down walls and barriers, but it’s also about having a little fun,” said Dauphin County Commissioner George Hartwick.

For more information about the Juneteenth Celebration, visit the city’s website.

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Harrisburg to use portion of federal COVID-relief funds for public safety building, personnel

June 14, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg City Council’s legislative session on Tuesday

Harrisburg has decided to allocate a portion of its federal COVID relief funds to its public safety departments.

At a legislative session on Tuesday, City Council approved the allotment of about $15.6 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for public safety initiatives and reimbursement for lost revenue during the pandemic.

In total, the city was allotted $47 million in ARPA funding.

Under the bill, $5.5 million will fund the replacement of the HVAC system in the city’s Public Safety Building in downtown Harrisburg. According to Mayor Wanda Williams, the system is antiquated and in need of an upgrade.

“It’s a pricey, but necessary expenditure, as well as a health risk,” she explained at a previous council work session.

Harrisburg will also give $1.2 million in one-time bonuses to uniformed personnel in the Harrisburg Fire Bureau and Bureau of Police. Each staff member will receive a $5,000 bonus.

“The bonuses, I feel, are instrumental because we were considering those at-risk workers during the hardest times of COVID,” said council member Ralph Rodriguez. “If we don’t take care of them, we will continue to lose them.”

Another $8.8 million will be used to reimburse the city for expenses and lost revenue due to the pandemic, which was initially approved as part of the 2022 budget.

Williams announced her proposed plan for the use of the ARPA funds in mid-May, including the items that council approved on Tuesday. Her proposal also includes uses for the remaining funds, such as for an affordable housing initiative and the replacement of the city’s Hall Manor pool with a waterpark. Those projects, among others, will require future approval by council.

“I would really like to hear the full presentation with presence from each of the directors that would be impacted by the mayor’s proposal,” said council President Danielle Bowers. “I would also like to hear from the residents.”

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Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra to offer free summer concerts during July 4th weekend

June 14, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

A past Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra concert at the band shell in Reservoir Park (courtesy HSO)

For Harrisburg-area residents looking for a way to spend the upcoming Independence Day weekend, a musical event is coming their way.

The Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra announced the return of its free Summer Concert Series on Tuesday, which will travel to five local venues from June 30 to July 4.

“We can’t wait to share this uplifting program with our audiences,” said Matthew Herren, executive director of the orchestra. “The HSO Summer Series is a real family favorite, and I am so pleased that we can once again present these fun, free concerts across the region.”

This will be the first summer concert series after a two-year hiatus.

Maestro Stuart Malina will lead the orchestra in the outdoor performances, which conclude at Harrisburg’s Reservoir Park on July 4.

The concert series schedule is as follows:

Thursday, June 30 at 8 p.m.—Lebanon Valley College campus, Annville
Friday, July 1 at 7:30 p.m.—Millerstown Community Park, Perry County
Saturday, July 2 at 8 p.m.—Negley Park, Lemoyne
Sunday, July 3 at 8 p.m.—Dickinson College campus, Carlisle
Monday, July 4 at 7:30 p.m.—Reservoir Park, Harrisburg

The Reservoir Park concert will include a pre-show performance by Diane Wilson Bedford at 6:30 p.m. Community members are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. The event is followed by the city’s July Fourth fireworks show, which can be seen from Riverfront Park, at around 9:15 p.m.

The Harrisburg Symphony plans to open its 2022-23 season at the Forum in October. At each of the summer concerts, the HSO will offer special subscription pricing to both its Masterworks and Capital Blue Cross Pops Series for new subscribers.

For more information about the summer concerts, including alternate locations in the event of inclement weather, visit the orchestra’s website.

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16 apartments headed to Harrisburg, as The Lofts breaks ground in former Salvation Army building

June 14, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

IDP’s Jonathan Bowser and Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams flank a rendering of the layout for The Lofts, joined by other IDP officials and Dauphin County commissioners George Hartwick and Chad Saylor.

In a place where folks once played basketball and held meetings, people soon will be eating, sleeping and simply relaxing.

The Lofts officially broke ground on Tuesday in the former Salvation Army building at Green and Cumberland streets in the heart of residential Midtown Harrisburg.

Harrisburg and Dauphin County officials were on hand to ceremonially inaugurate the project, which is being developed by Wormleysburg-based Integrated Development Partners (IDP).

“Today, we’re celebrating what’s to come here at the Lofts of Midtown and what will become a beautiful addition to an already beautiful neighborhood,” said Mayor Wanda Williams. “Each day, the future is getting brighter for the city of Harrisburg, and we’re looking forward to seeing what’s next.”

Since its founding in 2018, IDP has undertaken several area projects, most notably the mixed-use Steel Works revitalization project in Steelton.

The company first proposed the Lofts in December 2020 as a for-sale condominium project, but since has changed the business model to rental units, according to Managing Partner Jonathan Bowser.

IDP officially bought the 18,500-square-foot, mid-century building last year from the Salvation Army, which relocated in late 2019 to a much larger facility on S. 29^th Street.

The Lofts project includes 16 one- and two-bedroom units, plus 32 parking spaces located in a surface lot across the street.

IDP’s Jonathan Bowser spoke at the ceremonial groundbreaking on Tuesday.

Bowser said that his company called the project “The Lofts” because several units are being built in the former, multi-story Salvation Army gymnasium.

“Those will be two-story lofts, so we’re very, very excited about that,” he said.

Rents will range from about $850 a month to $1,500 a month based upon numbers of bedrooms and the sizes of units, with several apartments meeting the city’s affordable housing guidelines, Bowser said. Units will range in size from about 700 square feet to 1,200 square feet.

He added that interior demolition recently began in the building, with construction expected to follow in several months. He anticipates occupancy in spring 2023.

On Tuesday, Dauphin County commissioners George Hartwick and Chad Saylor were on hand to issue a proclamation declaring June 14, 2022, the “Lofts of Midtown Day” in the county.

“We want to make sure everyone is aware this level of redevelopment is happening throughout the city of Harrisburg,” Williams said. “It’s an incredibly exciting time to be in the city of Harrisburg. We’re turning blight into bright.”

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Harrisburg-area businesses spotlighted, heralded to mark Immigrant Heritage Month

June 14, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Dauphin County Commissioners George Hartwick and Chad Saylor presented a proclamation to several immigrant-owned businesses.

In celebration of Immigrant Heritage Month in June, county officials on Tuesday recognized several immigrant-owned businesses in the greater Harrisburg area.

Dauphin County commissioners, along with a representative from Gov. Tom Wolf’s office, visited Serenity Blue Dialysis Treatment Center and HMC Child Care Services on Linglestown Road in Susquehanna Township.

“For a long time, immigrants have been at the side, not really up front,” said Christine Titih, who organized the event. “This lets the authorities know that the immigrants are out here doing things.”

Titih, founder of the nonprofit Oaks of Central PA, which assists African immigrants, wanted to give local and state officials a chance to meet members of the immigrant-led business community. She also hoped the event would inspire other immigrants to start their own businesses.

Ester Mbaya, owner of Serenity Blue Dialysis Treatment Center, offered tours of her facility, which opened this past winter. Mbaya explained that she decided to open the businesses, having lost her father to kidney disease

“It’s a passion project,” she said.

LaDeshia Maxwell, executive director for the Governor’s Advisory Commission on African American Affairs, attended and explained how representing the African and Caribbean diaspora communities is important to her.

Several other entrepreneurs who attended also shared information about their businesses and the challenges they’ve faced as immigrants

“We put in the work and are part of the economic growth,” Mbaya said. “I feel like it’s about time we got recognized.”

Officials toured the two neighboring businesses and attendees participated in a roundtable discussion on owning businesses.

Titih said that she hopes the event opened the door for better communication and collaboration between the immigrant community and elected officials.

“Immigrants have made up the threads of America,” Commissioner George Hartwick said. “The idea of hardworking individuals that have come here to be able to establish a family, make ties and figure out a way to follow and chase a dream is something that has been the backbone of this country.”

Serenity Blue Dialysis Treatment Center and HMC Child Care Services are located at 2405 Linglestown Rd., Harrisburg.

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State moves to keep Harrisburg School District in receivership for 3 more years, pending court approval

June 13, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

The Harrisburg School District Administration Building

The Harrisburg School District seems likely to remain under state receivership for several more years.

The state-appointed receivership period is set to expire this Friday, June 17. However, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has filed a petition for an extension of the receivership for another three years.

PDE filed the petition with the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas in late May. The court is expected to make a decision by Friday.

According to the document, PDE requests the reappointment of Dr. Lori Suski, the current receiver of the district, to serve until June 17, 2025.

Suski was appointed as the receiver in January, following the departure of Dr. Janet Samuels who served in the role since the beginning of the three-year receivership period in June 2019. The court originally placed the district under state control due to its failure to meet 2016 Financial Recovery Plan goals.

Suski confirmed that she was aware of the filed petition by the Department of Education. No objections to the petition were filed as of Monday.

Dr. Lori Suski, receiver for the Harrisburg School District

The document states that while “the District has made initial progress toward financial and academic recovery,” the district’s long-term recovery still needs work to improve financial health and academics. The department said that the receiver is “mid-stream” in many of her current initiatives to meet goals outlined in the district’s 2021 Amended Financial Recovery Plan.

According to the petition, the district has improved its financial status—PDE noting the proposed 2022-23 balanced budget, with a possible budget surplus. It also outlined the district’s development of a K-12 math and English language arts standards-aligned curriculum and the hiring of several top officials in the district, such as Superintendent Eric Turman.

However, PDE has a number of items that it wants the district to address before exiting receivership. This includes continuing to develop a five-year financial projection and facility utilization plan, improving student PSSA and Keystone Exam scores and making progress with graduation rates and attendance goals, among other objectives.

While under receivership, the Harrisburg School Board is essentially stripped of all authority, except for the power to vote on the district’s annual taxing proposal.

Jim Thompson, a district board director, told TheBurg that he supports the petition of extension for the receivership. According to Thompson, the board isn’t prepared to resume control and needs “professional development” before he feels confident that they can do so.

“I’m completely supportive of the extension,” he said. “The current plan has no specific element to prepare the board for local control.”

Thompson said that he felt confident in Suski’s abilities as the receiver, but would hope to see more student performance goals achieved in the coming years than in the past three.

“In the next three years we will need to really scrutinize what we are doing and if it’s working,” he said.

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2022 Tour de Belt breaks records for riders, money raised

June 13, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

Bike riders cross the finish line at the Tour de Belt. Photo: Capital Area Greenbelt Association

Local bicyclists showed up in force for the 2022 Tour de Belt, breaking records for both attendance and money raised.

According to the Capital Area Greenbelt Association, nearly 1,200 people made the 20-mile loop around the Greenbelt on June 5, raising $59,425.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with the results of this year’s Tour de Belt and Finish Line Fest,” said Neelam Zaver, CAGA board member and Tour de Belt committee chair. “We’re so grateful to all those who contributed to the effort—from bike participants, to sponsors, to community volunteers—and made it such a fun and successful event!”

The ride started at the HACC campus in Harrisburg, looping around picturesque natural areas, parks, and open areas through Harrisburg, Paxtang, Penbrook and Susquehanna and Swatara townships. It ended at Commonwealth Charter Academy, where the first-ever Finish Line Fest offered live music and entertainment, food trucks and other fun activities.

The funds raised will support improvements and maintenance of the Greenbelt, according to CAGA. In 2021, the budget for these efforts surpassed $7 million and included increased safety of trail crossings at intersections, newly paved sections of the trail, and completion of the new Fort Hunter connection.

In all, the 2022 Tour de Belt event had 41 sponsors, including tops sponsors LCSWMA, Faulkner Subaru Harrisburg, Highmark Blue Shield and Penn State Health.

“Work to support the Greenbelt doesn’t stop now that Tour de Belt and Finish Line Fest are over—it’s a year-round effort by dedicated volunteers to care for and improve this important community resource,” said CAGA Board President Mike Shaull. “We encourage any local businesses, organizations, or individuals interested in getting involved to visit caga.org reach out to us at [email protected] for more information.”

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