Harristown nears completion of Menaker Apartments in downtown Harrisburg, expects April opening

February 25, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

A model unit at the Menaker Apartments

A Harrisburg developer has set an early spring date to debut its latest apartment project, with pre-leasing expected to begin shortly.

Harristown Enterprises said today that the Menaker Apartments would open for tenants in April. Tours of the model unit have already begun.

“We’re very excited about this project,” said Brad Jones, president and CEO of Harristown. “We believe that potential tenants will love these beautiful new units, some with stunning views, in a landmark Harrisburg building.”

A bedroom in the model unit

Originally constructed in 1906, the building is located on Market Square in Harrisburg. It was built for the Johnston Paper Co., a Harrisburg-based paper products manufacturer, as office and retail space. Most recently, it housed Skarlatos Zonarich, a law firm that since has moved its offices to Strawberry Square.

A bathroom in the model unit

In 2018, Harristown purchased the six-story, 33,809-square-foot building and, last year, began the conversion to an apartment building featuring 28 one- and two-bedroom units. The building interior has been completely renovated for residential use, but the historic exterior has been preserved and restored.

The building is named for Mortimer Menaker, a former chairman of the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority who oversaw a previous renovation in 1977.

At the Menaker Apartments, one bedroom/one bathroom units range in size from 600 to 700 square feet at a monthly rental rate of $1,200, plus electric, according to Harristown. Two-bedroom, 1.5-bath units total about 700 square feet for about $1,400 a month. Two-bed/two-bath apartments exceed 1,000 square feet at $1,595 to $1,625 a month, plus electric, Harristown said.

Each unit in the pet-friendly building features a full-sized washer and dryer and stainless steel appliances, Harristown said.

Exterior of the Menaker Apartments

In addition to the apartments, the building has a 2,000-square-foot, ground-floor space for a future restaurant or retailer.

Harristown’s partners on the project include Select Capital Commercial and Linkbank. Camp Hill-based ByDesign Consultants is the architect, and Mechanicsburg-based Mowery Construction is the general contractor.

In recent years, Harristown has converted numerous empty and underused office buildings to residential use in downtown Harrisburg. In addition, it is renovating an eight-story, century-old commercial building at 112 Market St. into 35 one- and two-bedroom apartments.

The Menaker Apartments is located at 17 S. 2^nd St., Harrisburg. For leasing information, visit www.hbgrealty.net.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

February 25, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Development group Vice Capital purchased this block of N. 6th St. They plan to demolish existing buildings and build a new apartment building.

This week brought lots of stories of new local businesses, development projects and exciting partnerships between organizations. If you missed any of our coverage from this week, or need a new restaurant, brewery or art gallery to check out, look no further.

Chef Nadine Graham has always dreamed of opening her own restaurant, our magazine story reported. While she has operated Porters House in the Broad Street Market for years, she just recently opened her first standalone shop on N. 6th Street in Harrisburg.

Dauphin County awarded its annual gaming grants to local businesses and nonprofits this week, our reporting found. Over $8 million was allocated to local infrastructure, emergency services, health and public safety and public interest projects, among others.

Development group Vice Capital recently purchased a block of N. 6^th Street near the under-construction federal courthouse, our reporting found. The firm plans to build a 40-unit apartment building and startup business workspace for minority entrepreneurs.

The Frederick Douglass Driving Tour is not only educational, but also timely, given that it’s Black History Month. In our magazine story, find ideas for a road trip through Maryland with a focus on Black history.

The Harrisburg School District named a new assistant superintendent, Dr. Marisol Craig, at a board meeting on Tuesday, our online story reported. Craig previously served as the district’s director of virtual learning.

The High Road Brewing Co. taproom recently opened in Mechanicsburg, featuring IPAs, pilsners, lagers, stouts, etc., from a variety of area breweries, our magazine story reported.

Italian Lake is undergoing a dredging process, which will remove built-up sedimentation and waste, our online story reported. According to the city, portions of the lake may be closed off to the public during the two-week operation.

Nyeusi Gallery recently opened in Midtown Harrisburg featuring Black art. In our magazine story, read about how the gallery has become a gathering place for the community.

Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding visited Good Brotha’s Book Café in Harrisburg to discuss food insecurity and racial injustice, our online story reported. Redding said that the department is prioritizing initiatives to increase access to fresh food for urban communities.

Philadelphia author Kareem Rosser visited Harrisburg on Thursday for a book signing and virtual discussion, our online story reported. In his book, “Crossing the Line: A Fearless Team of Brothers and the Sport that Changed Their Lives Forever,” Rosser shares his story of growing up in the inner city of Philadelphia and becoming a national polo champion.

Sara Bozich has lots of fun on tap for this weekend in Harrisburg. In her Weekend Roundup, find local events, restaurants, and entertainment.

UPMC and Harrisburg University announced a partnership to address the national shortage of nurses, our online story reported. They will open the UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing at UPMC Harrisburg, which will feature an accelerated, 16-month degree program for registered nurses.

Wendy Allen has dedicated her entire career to painting one subject: Abraham Lincoln. The artist has painted the former president over 500 times, in different colors, angles and styles, according to our magazine story.

Wrestling has been hot in central Pennsylvania for years, with District III fielding strong representation in the state tournament each year, our magazine story reported. A newer phenomenon, however, is that high school wrestlers now have a way to turn their success into longer careers through Mixed Martial Arts.

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Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

February 24, 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
Like this content?

For something new: Perhaps some Leprechauns & Lagers?

(Still) Worth noting: Check out my private Facebook community, Cheers Harrisburg. You can join the convo here.

Things on my agenda this weekend: After a (very) busy last weekend, staying close to home. Lunch at Broad Street Market, maybe brunch or dinner out?

Don’t forget to support your local brewery! Click here to find one near you.

For your weekend planning

What is sip @ soma anyway?
Oh, and a little breakdown on SoMa Harrisburg
View our local Restaurant Directory
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

Dining at The Circular at The Hotel Hershey
High Road Brewing will open in Camp Hill this summer
Submit your events for the Weekend Roundup

COVID-19 Disclaimer: Masking and social distancing policies may vary per business, venue, and event. All events are subject to change. Please be considerate, follow the rules, and be nice. And tip extra!

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

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Philadelphia author, national polo champion to visit Good Brotha’s Book Café

February 23, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Kareem Rosser

Traveling from one Pennsylvania city to another, a Philadelphia author will visit Harrisburg to share his inspiring true story.

On Thursday, Author Kareem Rosser will sign books at Good Brotha’s Book Café and participate in a free Zoom webinar with the Dauphin County Library System.

His book, “Crossing the Line: A Fearless Team of Brothers and the Sport that Changed Their Lives Forever,” shares his story of growing up in the inner city of Philadelphia and becoming a national polo champion. It details how, at 8 years old, he and his brothers discovered the Work to Ride program in a Fairmont Park stable near his West Philadelphia home. The program teaches inner-city children to ride and play polo, and stresses academics. Participants are connected with college students who volunteer as tutors.

Rosser is a financial analyst in Philadelphia and serves on the Work to Ride board.

The event is a collaboration between the library and David Dix, co-founder and CEO of Luminous Strategies, the largest African American-owned lobbying firm in the state.

The book signing event will take place from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Good Brotha’s Book Café, 1419 N. 3^rd St., Harrisburg.

The free Zoom discussion will be live-streamed from 7 to 8 p.m.

The library will also hold a virtual discussion with Rosser for Steelton-Highspire students.

For more information and to register for the Zoom event, visit www.dcls.org/adultevents.

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Dauphin County awards annual gaming grants, “most comprehensive list yet”

February 23, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Dauphin County Commissioners at a legislative session on Wednesday

A long list of Harrisburg businesses and nonprofits are set to receive millions of annual gaming grant dollars.

On Wednesday, the Dauphin County Commissioners approved the allocation of over $8 million to local projects funded each year by the county’s share of revenue from Hollywood Casino at Penn National.

The money largely supported infrastructure, emergency services, health and public safety, and public interest projects, among others, across Dauphin County, East Hanover Township and several contiguous municipalities.

Harrisburg-based projects that received grant money include:

Dauphin County Library System: $100,000 for integration of historic property into main library (McCormick Riverfront Library)
Breaking the Chainz: $50,000 for repairing an apartment building for displaced families working with Dauphin County Children & Youth
Bethel Village Association LLC: $75,000 for constructing a 49-unit affordable rental community (conditioned on full funding)
Camp Curtin YMCA: $50,000 for Phase II of Cornerstone Uptown Project-rehab of 6^th Street homes (conditioned on PHARE grant)
Catholic Charities: $13,000 for Saint Samuel Center upgrades-door replacement
Civic Club of Harrisburg: $14,500 for restoration of Overlook Mansion
Community Aid: $45,000 for debt relief for Harrisburg facility
Downtown Daily Bread: $20,000 for emergency shelter/meals
Ecumenical Community of Harrisburg: $35,000 for installing swipe card security system on exterior doors
Fox’s Wash & Go: $75,000 for purchasing new washer/dryer equipment
Gamut Theatre: $30,000 for debt reduction on building renovations
GreenWorks Development: $50,000 for mixed-use redevelopment project in Midtown Harrisburg (conditioned upon matching funds obtained after 3/1/22 and no future grant application submission for soft costs, only for construction)
Harrisburg Riverboat Society: $75,000 for repairing/refurbishing the pride of the Susquehanna (conditioned on full funding)
Harrisburg University of Science & Technology: $50,000 for HUE Festival for E-sports
Historic Harrisburg Association: $75,000 for installing new HVAC system
Homeland Center: $35,000 for installing interior security equipment
Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church: $32,500 for restoration and repair of church facility (conditioned on match)
The National Civil War Museum: $15,000 for reduction of long-term debt
The Nativity School: $40,000 for completion of Phase III renovation project
Penn State University-Harrisburg: $50,000 for Phase III of innovation park planning project
Keystone Human Services: $75,000 for Capital Area Head Start outdoor education space
RB Development: $150,000 for Cornish Heights 30-unit, mixed-income housing in Allison Hill (conditioned on full funding/city funding)
The Salvation Army: $60,000 for service and worship center facility renovation project
Shalom House: $25,000 for two-phase church conversion project with elevator installation
Stephen’s Episcopal School: $35,000 for Phase III of security upgrades-install intercom system
Summit Terrace Neighborhood Association: $10,000 for upgrading/revitalizing community building and funding technology upgrades
Community Action Commission d/b/a Tri-County Community Action: $75,000 for installing sprinkler system at cyber school learning academy
Veteran’s Outreach of Pennsylvania: $50,000 for construction of tiny homes community (conditioned upon obtaining matching funds within one year)
Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts: $50,000 for debt reduction for laser projector
PA STEAM Academy charter school: $12,850 for comprehensive literacy program

“I think this is the most comprehensive list to date,” said Commission Chair Mike Pries at the legislative session. “The big winners are the municipalities.”

Last year, the county awarded $6.2 million in grants to local projects.

The Hollywood Casino at Penn National’s gross terminal revenue increased in 2020, from $120 million to $176 million. A surge in iGaming (online gambling) helped boost the amount of received funds.

This year’s projects will provide an estimated $43.8 million in additional investment related to the funded projects and over 13,524 jobs will be created or maintained in conjunction with the projects, according to the county.

The following is a complete list of the projects that will receive gaming grant funding this year:

Host & Contiguous

East Hanover Township: ($700,000 Grantville Vol. Fire Co. fire hose and nozzles, improvements to East Hanover Township community park, annual road maintenance and repair)
South Hanover Township: ($300,000 municipal complex debt reduction)
West Hanover Township: ($300,000 debt reduction on new fire station)
Derry Township: ($157,070 police and public works radios, $100,000 Hershey Volunteer Fire Co.—radio replacement, $75,000 Derry Township School District—Safe School renovation project, 50,000 Cocoa Packs—food and supplies, $75,000 Linlo Governor Crossing, LLC—traffic and roadway improvements for mixed-use commercial business park)
Middle Paxton Township ($124,000 Potato Valley Road debt service for DCIB loan, $70,000 installation of elevator at municipal building, $55,000 Dauphin Middle Paxton Fire—debt service on emergency response vehicle)

Other Awards

Berrysburg Municipal Authority: $34,000 for debt service for sewage treatment plant system project
Conewago Township: $90,000 for construction of two pickleball courts
Court Administration for Magisterial Districts: $175,000 for debt reduction on construction of new MDJ facilities
Dauphin County Court Appointed Special Advocates: $50,000 for operations-equipment, recruiting and training
Dauphin County Crisis Response Team: $153,000 for acquiring a mobile command center (conditioned upon exhausting all standard funding sources first)
Dauphin County General Authority: $141,200 for golf course irrigation system debt payment
Dauphin County Library System: $100,000 for integration of historic property into main library (McCormick Riverfront Library)
Dauphin County Parks & Recreation Department: $150,000 for Fort Hunter Park—design/construct inclusive playground (conditioned on full funding)
Dauphin County Sheriff’s Office: $50,000 for debt reduction on portable/mobile radios
Elizabethville Borough: $72,000 for Reliance Hose Co. No. 1—replace self-contained breathing apparatus
Gratz Fire Company/Lykens Township: $72,000 for replacing self-contained breathing apparatus
Halifax Borough: $100,000 for upgrading Deppen Park restrooms
Halifax Swim Club: $42,200 for construction pavilion
Halifax Township: $100,000 for Fort Halifax Park improvement at railroad crossing
Hummelstown Borough: $59,960 for debt reduction on municipal building
Hummelstown Borough: $40,000 for Bullfrog Valley Stream restoration project
Hummelstown Chemical Fire Co.: $50,000 for replacing ladder truck
Jackson Township/Fisherville Fire Co.: $37,000 for debt service of fire station addition construction
Londonderry Township: $150,000 for final component of water/sewer extension project
Lower Paxton Township/Parks & Rec. Department: $150,000 for master plan and renovations to Brightbill Park
Lower Swatara Township: $122,000 for annual DCIB loan/PennVEST repayments
Lower Swatara Township Vol. Fire Department: $75,000 for debt reduction on pumper/tanker
Lower Swatara Lions Club: $25,000 for refurbishing kitchen/bathrooms and repairing roof/windows
Lykens Borough/Lykens Borough Authority: $100,000 for Phase II of water system improvements
Liberty Hose Co. No 2/Lykens Borough: $30,000 for replacing 15 sets of turnout gear
Middletown Swim Club: $10,000 for repairs/upgrades to pool facility
Middletown Volunteer Fire Department: $75,000 for debt reduction on pumper truck
Millersburg Area School District: $25,000 for security and accessibility upgrades
Penbrook Borough: $40,000 for Little Valley Park revitalization—ADA accessible, and $100,000 for debt reduction on Asylum Run Sewer Project
Citizen’s Fire Co. No. 1 of Penbrook: $25,000 for debt reduction on 2021 Pierce fire engine
Reed Township/Duncannon Vol. Fire Co. No. 1: $46,000 for debt reduction for aerial unit and radio replacement
Royalton Borough: $150,000 for debt reduction on 2020 roadway/drainage project
Steelton Borough: $75,000 for construction of Brickyard Community Park
Steelton Volunteer Fire Dept.: $17,585 for purchasing radio equipment and saw
Steelton-Highspire School District: $75,000 for revitalizing War Memorial Field for community use
Susquehanna Township: $150,000 for playground rehab project and public safety radios
Susquehanna High School Baseball Team: $7,500 for field safety improvements
Swatara Township: $179,800 for Bishop Park pickleball courts/pavilion project
Washington Township: $75,000 for municipal building improvements
Wiconisco Fire Engine Co. No. 1: $33,000 for debt reduction on new fire rescue vehicle
Williamstown Borough: $83,875 for purchasing 2021 F-550 truck with spreader and plow
Williamston Borough/American Legion Post 239: $26,000 for renovations to restrooms and install air conditioning
3Actrical Productions LLC: $75,000 for marketing initiative “Film Dauphin County” (conditioned on full funding)
Affordable Housing Assoc. of Dauphin County: $60,000 for purchasing and installing back-up generator at Cherry Orchard Place
Breaking the Chainz: $50,000 for repairing an apartment building for displaced families working with Dauphin County Children & Youth
Bethel Village Association LLC: $75,000 for constructing a 49-unit affordable rental community (conditioned on full funding)
Camp Curtin YMCA: $50,000 for Phase II of Cornerstone Uptown Project-rehab of 6^th Street homes (conditioned on PHARE grant)
Campbell Associates: $75,000 for Lykens Cottages—constructing four to eight cottages (conditioned on full funding)
Catholic Charities: $13,000 for Saint Samuel Center upgrades-door replacement
Civic Club of Harrisburg: $14,500 for restoration of Overlook Mansion
Colonial Park Fire Co. No. 1: $36,000 for new electronic sign for public safety messages
Community Aid: $45,000 for debt relief for Harrisburg facility
D&H Distributing: $25,000 for reimbursement for Flex-Forward Employment Program
Driven From Within/Next Level Preparation LLC: $8,700 for support for after school programs, youth tutoring, college tours and classes (no salaries)
Downtown Daily Bread: $20,000 for emergency shelter/meals
Ecumenical Community of Harrisburg: $35,000 for installing swipe card security system on exterior doors
Fox’s Wash & Go: $75,000 for purchasing new washer/dryer equipment
Friends of Midland Cemetery: $25,000 for restoring/preserving cemetary
Gamut Theatre: $30,000 for debt reduction on building renovations
Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania: $65,000 for Camp Small Valley—construction of two yurt platforms
Greenworks Development: $50,000 for mixed-use redevelopment project in Midtown Harrisburg (conditioned upon matching funds obtained after 3/1/22 and no future grant application submission for soft costs, only for construction)
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Harrisburg Area: $75,000 for home construction in Steelton Borough
Hamilton Health Center: $130,000 for creating satellite medical office in Steelton Borough
Harrisburg Riverboat Society: $75,000 for repairing/refurbishing the pride of the Susquehanna (conditioned on full funding)
Harrisburg University of Science & Technology: $50,000 for HUE Festival for E-sports
Hawthorne SPE: $75,000 for development of Susquehanna Union Green
Heroes Fund, Inc.: $75,000 for construction of welcome building with accessible restrooms and concessions
Hidden Still: $75,000 for construction of restaurant/distillery/tasting room/tour area
H.I.S. Ministry: $43,000 for providing behavioral health services to men/fathers in a permanent location and transportation
Historic Harrisburg Association: $75,000 for installing new HVAC system
Homeland Center: $35,000 for installing interior security equipment
Hospice of Central PA: $20,000 for family bereavement and training room renovations
Keystone Human Services: $75,000 for Capital Area Head Start outdoor education space
Koons Memorial Park Swim Club: $30,000 for relocating and replacing diving board
Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church: $32,500 for restoration and repair of church facility (conditioned on match)
The National Civil War Museum: $15,000 for reduction of long-term debt
National Coalition of 100 Black Women: $15,000 for funding for “Together, We Rise! Empowering and Educating Women and Girls for Success” project
The Nativity School: $40,000 for completion of Phase III renovation project
Panther Ram Foundation: $50,000 for CDSD Nutripacks
Partnership for Hope: $15,000 for purchasing two vans (conditioned on full funding)
Penn Colonial Swim Club: $10,000 for repairing/replacing waste water disposal system
Penn State University-Harrisburg: $50,000 for Phase III of innovation park planning project
Phase 4 Learning: $42,000 for van acquisition and equipment upgrade
Pop’s House: $15,000 for debt reduction on property at 316-318 Carlisle St.
The Program, It’s About Change: $75,000 for debt reduction on Phase II renovations of 16-bed transitional housing facility
RB Development: $150,000 for Cornish Heights 30-unit, mixed-income housing in Allison Hill (conditioned on full funding/city funding)
The Salvation Army: $60,000 for service and worship center facility renovation project
SCOPE: $26,000 for free mobile clinic operated by Penn State Medical students
Shalom House: $25,000 for two-phase church conversion project with elevator installation
Stephen’s Episcopal School: $35,000 for Phase III of security upgrades-install intercom system
Summit Terrace Neighborhood Association: $10,000 for upgrading/revitalizing community building and funding technology upgrades
Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority: $22,000 for purchasing fire dept. equipment and turnout gear
Community Action Commission d/b/a Tri-County Community Action: $75,000 for installing sprinkler system at cyber school learning academy
Veteran’s Outreach of Pennsylvania: $50,000 for construction of tiny homes community (conditioned upon obtaining matching funds within one year)
Vision Resources: $15,000 for purchasing a used forklift
Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts: $50,000 for debt reduction for laser projector
WITF, Inc.: $100,000 for upgrading primary broadcasting tower
PA STEAM Academy charter school: $12,850 for comprehensive literacy program

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UPMC, Harrisburg University launch accelerated program to address nursing shortage

February 23, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg University in downtown Harrisburg

A new, Harrisburg-based program aims to help solve one of today’s greatest healthcare challenges—a critical shortage of nurses.

UPMC and Harrisburg University this week jointly announced the opening of the UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing at UPMC Harrisburg, which will feature an accelerated, 16-month degree program for registered nurses.

“There is a critical shortage of nurses in our region, and we are happy to partner with Harrisburg University to help fill that need,” said Philip Guarneschelli, president of UPMC in Central Pa., in a statement. “It’s an ideal program for students who want to start an exciting career in nursing as soon as possible.”

The school expects to welcome up to 200 students for its inaugural class, slated to start in August at Strawberry Square in downtown Harrisburg.

First-year students will take non-nursing courses at Harrisburg University, nursing courses from UPMC faculty and complete over 900 hours of clinical rotations at UPMC Harrisburg and other regional UPMC facilities. Once students graduate and pass the RN licensing examination, they will be positioned to earn their bachelor’s degree in nursing from Harrisburg University while maintaining full-time employment, according to UPMC.

“This further strengthens the university’s commitment to the latest technology, state-of-the-art resources, academic support and a learning environment that will facilitate the training of well-prepared 21^st-century nursing graduates who can confront today’s unpredictable health care challenges,” said Dr. Eric Darr, HU president.

According to UPMC, scholarship and grant opportunities may be available, and UPMC offers a tuition reimbursement program for employees to continue their education, including undergraduate and graduate degrees in nursing. UPMC officials stated that they also offer a work-study program so that eligible students can work around their class schedule at UPMC while earning their degree.

“Nurses are an essential component of our health care system, and we value our partnerships with the universities and colleges who are helping meet these and other important health care staffing needs,” Guarneschelli said.

Registration for the UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing at UPMC Harrisburg is now open. Limited faculty positions are also still available. For more information, visit UPMC.com/ShadysideSchoolOfNursing.

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Harrisburg School District names new assistant superintendent, announces return to in-person board meetings

February 22, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg School District Administration building

The Harrisburg School District has seen a lot of recent change in leadership, and on Tuesday, a few new officials were appointed.

Leading her first school board meeting as the district’s new court-appointed receiver, Dr. Lori Suski approved Dr. Marisol Craig as assistant superintendent of schools.

Craig previously served as the district’s director of virtual learning.

In her new role, Craig will serve as second-in-command to Superintendent Dr. Eric Turman, who took his position in July. Her term of appointment begins on Feb. 23 and extends through June 2026 at an annual salary of $151,000.

Suski was chosen in January by the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas to take the place of Dr. Janet Samuels, who resigned her post.

Also on Tuesday, Suski approved Kevin Deane as the new assistant principal of Harrisburg High School-John Harris Campus. Deane takes the position that was left empty by Michelle Felton who was promoted to principal of John Harris in August.

Also, earlier this year, Dr. Marcia Stokes took the role of business administrator for the district.

In other news, next month, the district will hold its first in-person school board meeting after two years of virtual gatherings due to the pandemic. The next meeting will be held on March 21.

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

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PA Secretary of Agriculture, Good Brotha’s Book Café discuss food insecurity, racial injustice

February 22, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

From left: Stephon Fitzpatrick, executive director of the PA Commission for Agriculture Education Excellence, Stefan Hawkins, owner of Good Brotha’s Book Cafe and Russell Redding, state secretary of agriculture

Sometimes, the most meaningful conversations are held around the table, over food.

That was true on Tuesday, as Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding visited Good Brotha’s Book Café in Harrisburg for a discussion on race and food accessibility.

“The Department of Agriculture has legitimate responsibilities with food insecurity,” Redding said. “Who has access to food? And do they have it not just through charity? But, who actually gets the chance to grow it, to farm, to improve their own diet?”

According to Redding, the department is prioritizing these types of conversations to listen and to learn how they can assist with food accessibility.

Stefan Hawkins, owner of Good Brotha’s, said that he didn’t always have fresh food on the table at home growing up. However, as an adult, he became a vegan and has seen the benefits of healthy eating in his life.

But he realizes that, for his Harrisburg community at large, especially for people of color, accessing fresh food isn’t always easy.

“That’s one of my biggest advocacies is getting fresh vegetables, fresh fruit and fresh produce to the younger generation coming up and educating them on the importance of eating healthy, and, maybe one day, farming for yourself,” Hawkins said.

Redding noted how few Black farmers there are in Pennsylvania.

“I think there’s a real opportunity for this exchange between the farm community and urban centers and folks who share a passion around food,” he said.

Redding mentioned a few specific areas where he hopes to make improvements in the department, including having more conversations around race relations and food. Additionally, he hopes to find ways to encourage families to take advantage of the department’s Farmers Market Nutrition Program for WIC recipients and seniors. Redding is also interested in starting a “farm to school” educational program for local districts.

For Hawkins, education is especially important. It’s a big part of his coffee shop, which sells books by Black authors and about Black culture to promote literacy. He’s also passionate about providing education around health and food.

Hawkins said that he hopes to start his own urban garden and plans to eventually start a free food pantry program at Good Brotha’s, as well.

“A lot of times, people don’t want to stand in line to get that bag from the church or get that stuff out of the pantry,” he said. “The inner-city food inadequacies, food insecurities that we don’t speak on, I want to address those head on.”

Redding said that he hopes to have more discussions like these in the future.

“This conversation with the agriculture community about race is a really important conversation,” he said.

Good Brotha’s Book Café is located at 1419 N. 3^rd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit their Facebook page.

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Block of N. 6th Street to become apartments, startup workspace for minority-owned businesses

February 22, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Vice Capital has purchased 1522, 1524 and 1526 N. 6th St., along with attached lots.

A local Black-owned development group has big plans for a block of 6^th Street, near the under-construction federal courthouse.

Earlier this month, development group Vice Capital purchased several properties on the 1500-block of N. 6^th St. with plans to build an apartment building and startup business workspace for minority entrepreneurs.

“With everything going on on 6^th Street, we wanted to make sure that African Americans have a strong presence in the development,” said Ryan Sanders, a partner in Vice Capital.

Along with Sanders, the development group is run by former NFL players LeSean and LeRon McCoy.

Vice Capital purchased three buildings at 1522, 1524 and 1526 N. 6^th St. along with several attached grassy lots for $575,000, according to Sanders. The buildings were previously owned by Dean Carter who operated his business, B Large Sound Effects, at 1524 N. 6^th St. and rented out several apartments within the properties.

According to Sanders, Vice Capital plans to demolish the three buildings and construct a mixed-use building that will include about 40 one, two and three-bedroom apartment units. Sanders said that there will be a mix of market-rate and affordable units.

Vice Capital’s proposed rendering of the building (there is no deli included in the current plan).

The building will also include office space for small businesses, similar to StartUp Harrisburg on N. 3^rd Street, but with a focus on providing space for minority-owned businesses, Sanders said.

This, he said, would allow them to honor both the legacy of the businesses that the Carter family operated on the property for decades and the history of the many Black-owned businesses that once stood in the area.

“It was important for us to keep it within the tradition of African American entrepreneurs on 6^th Street,” Sanders said.

This fits in with Vice Capital’s larger goal to revitalize N. 6^th Street, while recognizing its part in African American history in Harrisburg, Sanders said. The development group is also working to restore the Swallow Mansion on the 1000-block of N. 6th St. A few doors down from that building, Sanders’ other firm, RB Development, plans to construct affordable apartments for seniors.

In addition, Sanders noted the location of the project, near the under-construction federal courthouse, as another reason for their investment.

Vice Capital’s next steps will be to take their plans before the city’s Planning Commission, Zoning Hearing Board and City Council for approvals.

Sanders hopes to break ground at the beginning of 2023.

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Harrisburg dredges Italian Lake, removes build up of “muck”

February 21, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Dredging Italian Lake on Monday

Harrisburg’s Italian Lake may be beautiful on the surface, but what’s at the bottom of the water?

According to David Baker, director of parks, recreation and facilities for the city, there’s lots of debris, trash and “muck” that needs to be removed.

The city began to clean out the south portion of the lake, in a process called “dredging,” on Feb. 17, closing off small areas of the park to the public.

“Every so many years, it’s good practice to remove sediment from bodies of water like Italian Lake,” Baker explained. “This will make the lake cleaner.”

Items like decaying tree leaves, animal byproducts, trash and algae build up in the lake over the years, Baker said. This can reduce oxygen in the water, which can be harmful to fish.

There’s a lot of this build-up in Italian Lake, Baker said. He projected that they will remove around 64,000 cubic feet of sedimentation within the two-week-long process.

To do this, the city is using a large machine that filters out the sediment from the water, sucking it up and collecting it in a large bag. It’s a slow process, Baker said, that will not harm any wildlife living in the lake. All of the waste collected from the lake will be recycled, according to Baker.

“It’s a very green way of doing things,” he said.

Dredging isn’t an inexpensive process, Baker said. Because of the cost required for it, the city can only dredge one section for now. He hopes they can address the rest of the lake eventually, he said.

Baker can’t remember the last time the lake was dredged, but estimated it was at least 15 years ago.

After around two weeks, the full span of the lake will reopen to the public, Baker said. However, much of the park is still accessible during the process.

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