The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

November 20, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Conley Gittens

Members of The Bridge held a ground-breaking ceremony on Thursday.

It’s looking like a sunny weekend ahead, so get out and enjoy the weather! If you missed any news this past week, we have all our stories listed and linked below.

The “Black is Beautiful Expo” will take place in the Crowne Plaza on Friday and Saturday. The event will showcase over 40 local minority-owned businesses, our online story reports.

The Bridge Ecovillage held a ground-breaking ceremony on Thursday to celebrate moving closer to construction. They plan to begin work in spring 2021, our reporting found.

Capital Region Water proposed a small increase to its drinking water and wastewater rates for 2021, our online story reported. The new stormwater fee will remain the same.

Cocoa Creek Chocolates recently opened a new location in Camp Hill. Our magazine story tells how Owner Diane Krulac evolved into the chocolatier she is now.

COVID-19 infection rates continued to surge in Pennsylvania over the past week. The average new case count is nearing 6,000 per day, our reporting found.

Fosterthefoodie showcases 11 local flavors for food lovers in her Holiday Gift Guide. Make the foodies in your life happy while supporting local small businesses!

Harrisburg officials held a press conference to address the rash of recent shootings in the city, our online story reported. Police Commissioner Thomas Carter asked the community to work alongside the police if they want to see change.

The Harrisburg Police Bureau may see 12 new positions for “community service aides” to assist police and improve relations with the community. Mayor Eric Papenfuse said anyone from a recent high school graduate to a retiree could apply, our online story reported. The plan must be approved first by City Council as part of the 2021 municipal budget.

The Harrisburg School District announced it will postpone winter sports due to the pandemic, our online story reported. As COVID cases continue to spike, Acting Superintendent Chris Celmer worried student-athletes would be unsafe.

The Harrisburg School District partnered with Capital BlueCross to provide Thanksgiving meals for district families experiencing homelessness. Volunteers distributed over 200 meals to 50 families on Wednesday, our online story reported.

Harrisburg University added The Englewood in Hershey as another of its live music locations, our reporting found. This expands HU’s reach outside of Harrisburg.

Karen Hendricks shares her experience running 50 races for 50 causes while she was 50 years old, in our magazine story. Karen reflects on the races that helped her ease heartbreak and forge friendships, all while meeting inspiring people along the way.

Sara Bozich has your list of fun things to do this weekend in the Harrisburg area. Grab some takeout from a local restaurant or enjoy walking around at 3^rd in The Burg.

Walnut and Chestnut streets will see substantial changes in the coming years, including added bike lanes, parking and sidewalk enhancements. The East-West Multimodal Connection Project aims to improve safety and multimodal access downtown, our online story reported.

Our wine columnist Steve Juliana has the perfect wines to pair with your Thanksgiving feast. Red or white wine goes perfectly with a turkey, so try out a few new flavors this holiday.

Do you receive TheBurg Daily, our daily digest of news and events delivered right to your email inbox? If not, sign up here!

Support quality local journalism. Join Friends of TheBurg today!

New COVID-19 cases, fatalities rise sharply in PA, locally over past week

November 20, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

COVID-19 cases and tests in PA, over time. Source: PA Department of Health

COVID-19 infection rates continued to surge over the past week in Pennsylvania, with the average new case count nearing 6,000 per day.

Since last Friday, the commonwealth recorded an average of 5,914 newly diagnosed cases per day, according to the state Department of Health.

This compares to an average of 4,348 new daily cases last week, and 2,633, 2,134, 1,641 and 1,397 new cases per day for the prior four weeks, respectively. This week’s totals are the highest new-case counts in PA since the pandemic began in March.

The department also reports that testing has increased substantially over this time (see chart).

Locally, diagnosed cases are now as follows since the pandemic began:

Adams County: 1,636 cases (prior Friday, 1,468)
Cumberland County: 4,017 cases (prior Friday, 3,299)
Dauphin County: 6,637 cases (prior Friday, 5,924)
Franklin County: 3,582 cases (prior Friday, 2,996)
Lancaster County: 13,564 cases (prior Friday, 11,712)
Lebanon County: 4,444 cases (prior Friday, 3,957)
Perry County: 553 cases (prior Friday, 473)
York County: 8,875 cases (prior Friday, 7,869)

Today, the department reported 6,808 newly positive cases throughout Pennsylvania for the past 24 hours ending at midnight.

With today’s update, 295,786 Pennsylvanians have now been diagnosed with the coronavirus, an increase of 41,399 over the past week, according to the health department. Active cases total 99,818. Currently, 2,952 people are hospitalized in PA with coronavirus, compared to 2,196 last Friday.

Statewide, Philadelphia County continues to have the most confirmed cases with 53,494 total cases. Allegheny County ranks second with 22,527 cases, and Montgomery County is third statewide with 18,861 cases.

The health department also reported an additional 465 deaths since last Friday, meaning that 9,689 Pennsylvanians have died from the disease since March. Fatalities totaled 249, 191, 159 and 168 over the prior four weeks, respectively.

Around central PA, COVID-19 fatalities now stand as follows since the pandemic began:

Adams County: 45 deaths (prior Friday, 37)
Cumberland County: 102 deaths (prior Friday, 86)
Dauphin County: 211 deaths (prior Friday, 200)
Franklin County: 91 deaths (prior Friday, 72)
Lancaster County: 504 deaths (prior Friday, 495)
Lebanon County: 95 deaths (prior Friday, 83)
Perry County: 9 deaths (prior Friday, 8)
York County: 233 deaths (prior Friday, 221)

PA nursing homes and personal care facilities have been particularly hard hit by the virus. Of total deaths, 6,179, or 63.8 percent, have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities, according to the health department.

In nursing and personal care homes, there have been 31,148 resident cases of COVID-19, and 6,315 cases among employees, for a total of 37,463 at 1,197 distinct facilities in 63 counties, according to the health department.

In addition, about 13,886 of total cases in PA are in health care workers.

Statewide, 2,944,656 individuals have had coronavirus tests, with 2,648,870 people testing negative, according to the state health department. Last Friday, the state reported that 2,778,371 people had been tested for the virus.

The state reports a total of 5,042,736 PCR tests, which includes many people, such as health care workers, who have been tested more than once.

Of the patients who have tested positive to date, the age breakdown is as follows, according to the health department:

About 1 percent are aged 0-4
Nearly 3 percent are aged 5-12
Nearly 6 percent are aged 13-18
Nearly 13 percent are aged 19-24
Nearly 37 percent are aged 25-49
About 21 percent are aged 50-64
Nearly 20 percent are aged 65 or older

Most of the patients hospitalized are 65 or older, as are most of the reported deaths, according to the state. However, the health department has emphasized that, increasingly, younger people are being diagnosed with COVID-19.

The health department continued to emphasize that Pennsylvanians should do the following:

Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
Clean surfaces frequently.
Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
Wear a mask whenever out of your house.

For more information, visit the PA Department of Health’s COVID-19 website.

Currently, we are providing a COVID-19 update weekly, each Friday, or as breaking news warrants.

Support quality local journalism. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

“Black is Beautiful Expo” to showcase businesses hit hard by COVID

November 20, 2020 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

During the pandemic, Bradley Wainwright has seen local businesses suffer—some more than others.

On Friday and Saturday, he’s holding a business expo to showcase those he believes have been hit disproportionately by COVID—Black-owned businesses.

“The minority business community as a whole has really been struggling during the pandemic,” Wainwright said.

The “Black is Beautiful Expo” will feature over 40 minority-owned businesses at the Crowne Plaza in downtown Harrisburg. The event is free to the public, but registration is required and remains open.

The host of the event is Wainwright’s company “Urban Revolution Marketing & Branding LLC,” which seeks to provide affordable advertising for businesses run by people of color.

The event will also feature speakers like Stefan Hawkins, co-owner of House of Vegans; Talond Luckette, owner of Texas Roadhouse on Union Deposit Road; and Elyse Katrina, owner of La Cultura.

“There is a lack of equity when it comes to minority-owned businesses,” Wainwright said. “My ultimate hope is we start realizing we can start putting more dollars into minority-owned businesses. That’s the only way we are going to thrive.”

Along with business vendors from human services, food, retail and health industries, there will be food, music, free flu shots provided by Penn State Health and raffles. Masks are mandatory and people’s temperatures will be screened.

McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC is a sponsor of the event, and partners include the Pennsylvania Diversity Coalition, the African American Chamber of Commerce, Penn State Health Hershey Medical Center and UNITE PA.

Wainwright said that he plans on holding another expo in February.

“We’ve been hit really hard, but the minority community is really resilient,” he said. “I definitely think there’s so much potential to grow.”

For more information on the “Black is Beautiful Expo” or to register, visit https://www.blackisbeautifulexpo.com./

Support quality local journalism. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

The Bridge Ecovillage moves forward with plans, prepares for construction spring 2021

November 19, 2020 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

The Bridge principals took shovels in hand at a ground-breaking ceremony on Thursday. Photo courtesy of The Bridge.

Harrisburg is getting closer to seeing an anticipated development project take shape.

On Thursday, members of The Bridge Ecovillage team celebrated a step in the right direction towards construction on their mammoth project to turn Harrisburg’s old Bishop McDevitt High School into an eco-friendly community center.

In October, the school building at 2200 and 2300 Market St. was re-zoned by City Council from an “institutional” zoning designation to “commercial neighborhood,” allowing The Bridge to move forward with their mixed-use plan.

“This was another step to engage the community and keep moving forward,” said Corey Dupree, chief operations officer, of their ground-breaking ceremony on Thursday. “But we are nowhere near done.”

Plans for The Bridge Ecovillage’s 115,000-square-foot building include creating co-working spaces, a large event space, residential units and indoor gardening spaces, among others.

Rendering of The Bridge’s completed building.

Dupree said that the next step is to present their land development plan to City Council for approval, hopefully in January. Following that, they plan to begin light demolition work this winter with construction starting in the spring.

The estimated total cost for the project is around $40 million, Dupree said. He explained that they are still building up their capital, but hope to have public buy-in since the center would be for the community.

Earlier this fall, The Bridge applied for a grant under the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP). Bridge Chief Executive Officer Gary Gilliam Jr. said that they requested $2 million to begin construction, install HVAC and sprinkler systems, do roofing and electrical work, among other tasks.

Dupree said that they are still waiting to find out if they will be awarded the grant.

However, he said that they are still on track with their timeline.

“We are still right on line for our target,” he said. “There’s a lot of work that still needs to be done.”

For more information on The Bridge Ecovillage, visit https://www.thebridgeecovillage.com/.

Support quality local journalism. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Fosterthefoodie’s Holiday Gift Guide: 11 Local Gifts for the Food Lovers on your List!

November 19, 2020 | by Corinne Foster

From wine & pizza to sweets & treats, Fosterthefoodie has curated tasteful options to fit every budget!

The holiday season is just around the corner, and now more than ever, it’s important to shop local and support your favorite small businesses. With these 11 locally made goods, ranging from cider and cannolis to charcuterie and cookies, there’s something for everyone on your list. Trust me; in no time, you’ll have to find a gift for the foodies in your life, and you’ll realize that some of the best presents can come in small (business) packages!

Sweet717

Any candy lover will appreciate a gift basket from Sweet717! Create something special by mixing and matching some of Sweet717’s bestselling treats like the Festive Chocolate Covered Pretzels, Peppermint Dark Chocolate Nonpareils, Peppermint Fluffs, or my favorite – the Handcrafted Peppermint Bark Bars! Whether you’re grabbing a mix of festive treats or a box of their classic fudge, you’ll definitely find something to satisfy a sweet tooth!

Cornerstone Coffeehouse

Buying a gift for a coffee lover in your life? This year, give them something to make them feel close to chipper every morning: a gift basket from Cornerstone Coffeehouse! Nowadays, we have more time than ever to get serious about fresh grinds with the endless hours at home to drink it. So, give that special person in your life who cannot function without their coffee a new roast paired with bakery treats and a mug. Because an hour spent uncaffeinated is an hour wasted!

The Shoppe on Chocolate

We all have a person in our lives that loves to entertain, goes the extra mile for parties and really does it up for any occasion! You know the one: the hostess with the mostest. So, treat that entertainer to something they can help entertain you with this year – like a gift basket from The Shoppe on Chocolate. Gift them with a versatile tray that be can be used to serve drinks or hold food, pair it with some mulling spices to add a nice seasonal flavor to wine or cider and throw in some cheese markers for the finishing touch!

Tröegs Independent Brewing

For the biggest cheese lover on your Christmas list, a cheese sampler is a great way to treat them to their best present yet. This Beer Cheese Sampler from Caputo Brothers Creamery contains cheeses created with beers from Tröegs Independent Brewing – Mad Elf Beer Cheese, Troegentaor Beer Cheese, Perpetual IPA Beer Cheese and Cracked Elf. You can even add on some pepperoni from Salumeria Biellese to help create the perfect cheeseboard for an extra $10! It’s perfect for the beer lover or foodie in your life!

Wyndridge Farm

Raise a glass to celebrate the season with some amazing craft beverages from Wyndridge Farm! Hook up your boozy best pal or your classy coworker with some delicious hard ciders or some seasonal craft beers from Winding Path Brewing Co! Complete the gift with some Wyndrige Farm merchandise like koozies, glasses or clothing! This craft-beer gift will be everything you need to have a truly hoppy Christmas (sorry, I had to!).

Laurcuterie

What’s more impressive than a perfectly crafted charcuterie board? One that is made just for you! The Laurcuterie To-Go Box is perfect for any small gathering, whether you’re attending as a guest or hosting! The box includes a variety of meats, cheeses, produce, dip/spreads, nuts, pickled assortment, dried fruit and crackers, but can be customized just to your liking. This holiday season keep things simple and gift your charcuterie-loving friend one of these ready-to-go boxes!

Knead HBG

Is there anything more amazing than a sizzling pie fresh out of the oven? Look no further than Knead HBG! They now offer DIY Pizza Kits – complete with Pizza Dough, Tomato Sauce, Mozzarella and Parmesan Cheese! For only $5, you can take the delicious goodness of a Knead Pizza to the comfort of your own home. It’s easy to make, cheap to buy, and even better to share with friends! It’s the perfect gift for every pizza lover on your list!

3700 Market Café

Celebrate the season by sharing one-of-a-kind bakery gifts everyone will love. Fill a gift basket with the best treats 3700 Market Café has to offer: mouth-watering brownies, cookies and decadent desserts galore! Comfort food is the fastest way to the heart, and during these unprecedented times, we could all use some holiday spirit! No matter what the holidays look like, 3700 Market Café will make sure there is something delicious to add to your gift list!

Grazery

Incorporating delicacies from Italy, Greece, Morocco and Spain, a Mediterranean gift basket is a healthy introduction to some of the unique flavors from this popular sun-drenched region. Grazery offers a selection of hand-picked Mediterranean pantry items that would be the perfect gift this holiday season! From olive oil, to forest honey and pistachio halva, you’ll find something for everyone’s taste buds! And – Grazery is now offering pre-made gift baskets to make it even easier to shop!

JB Kelly Seafood

Who’s ready for a seafood extravaganza? This may not be the year to take a trip to warmer weather, but why not bring a little bit of vacation into your kitchen with a seafood dinner for two from JB Kelly Seafood! Pick through dozens of offerings and treat your loved one with a meal they won’t forget – and enjoy it from the comfort and convenience of your own home!

Caputo Brothers Creamery

If you’re lucky, you have someone in your life who loves to bake. One super delicious and interactive gift is this DIY Cannoli Kit from Caputo Brothers Creamery! The kit comes with a 1lb. pastry bag of their housemade cannoli filling, made with their fresh ricotta, lightly sweetened, along with 12 mini cannoli shells. Think of it as a gift for them (and a gift for you)!

Stay tuned throughout the month on Fosterthefoodie for more info on each local business! And – if you make a purchase, make sure to say you found your present on Fosterthefoodie’s Holiday Gift Guide!

Fosterthefoodie is a food and drink blogger promoting the best dishes and drinks in Central PA for under $15. In less than two years, Fosterthefoodie has developed over 80 local partnerships and gained over 4,100 followers to become a top influencer in the Harrisburg region. Follow her on Instagram and Facebook!

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

November 19, 2020 | by Sara Bozich

If for some reason you need things to do this weekend around Harrisburg and central PA, we have some below. Recommended: virtual or outdoor events only.

Things on my agenda this weekend: Cooking and projects and cleaning.

For goodness sakes, stay home! ICYMI, you must now wear a mask when you’re around anyone who doesn’t live with you, indoors or out. Yes. Please order takeout, shop locally online, call places, and get information. Try to stay in as much as possible, and when out, please just be patient, calm, and abide by guidelines. Wash your damn hands.

For your weekend planning:

The perfect gift for your favorite home cook.
Order your Thanksgiving Dinner Takeout
Check off some items safely from our Fall Bucket List.
Passionate about Pa. food? Support PA Eats on Friday during the Extra Give.
See what else you missed on the blog.

Below are ample options for your weekend. Moving forward, virtual and takeout-type events will be highlighted at the top of each day’s list.

Are you on the email list?

Top Weekend Recs

Pre-order your Turkey from RG Hummer
Grab delicious local cheese from Revittle Market
Drink PA cider! Ploughman Cider delivers to your door.
Tattered Flag ships beer and spirits faster than Prime! Two words: Canned. Cocktails.
Watch Poured in PA: The Series
Shop online with Meeka Fine Jewelry.

COVID-19 Disclaimer: As always, please click through the links or call ahead to get the most up-to-date information about venues and/or events below. It should also go without saying, but I’ll say it — Mask up, 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.

Harrisburg School District provides Thanksgiving meals for homeless families

November 18, 2020 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

Capital BlueCross employees and Harrisburg School District administrators unbox Thanksgiving meals at Marshall Math Science Academy.

Thanksgiving is coming early for some Harrisburg School District families.

On Wednesday, the district distributed over 200 Thanksgiving meals to 50 district families that are experiencing homelessness or displacement.

“We have had an increasing need for food in the school district,” said Marianne Peters, director of student services. “Food insecurity is a real concern.”

The district serves around 500 displaced and homeless families, according to Peters.

She added that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, more families have faced difficulties including homelessness and food insecurity.

The meals were donated by Capital BlueCross and Capital BlueCross Connect.

“We are very engaged with the community,” said Juan Maldonado, senior outreach coordinator for the CHIP program at Capital BlueCross. “We are very conscious about giving back to the community.”

Thanksgiving meals include turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, vegetables and pumpkin pie. District administrators, counselors and social workers are delivering the meals.

Families were chosen by school counselors to receive meals based on their need.

Throughout the pandemic, the school district has been providing meals for families. Since August, they have offered breakfast, lunch and dinner grab-and-go meals two days a week for students and parents.

They have also expanded the program to include all schools as pick-up locations to increase access for families, said public relations coordinator Kirsten Keys. She is worried that, as the weather continues to get colder, it will be harder for families to make it to the meal pick-ups.

This Thanksgiving meal distribution is one way the district hopes to make things easier for families during a challenging time.

“It really warms my heart,” Peters said.

For more information about the Harrisburg School District, visit www.hbgsd.k12.pa.us/.

Support quality local journalism. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

CRW proposes small increases in water, waste fees; makes plans for 2021

November 17, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

Capital Region Water works to repair a water main earlier this year in downtown Harrisburg.

Capital Region Water is proposing small increases to its drinking water and wastewater rates for 2021, while keeping the stormwater fee unchanged.

At a board meeting last week, CRW presented its budget plans for next year, which includes increases of 2% in the drinking water rate and 3% in the wastewater rate compared to 2020.

The new stormwater fee, which was implemented just last month, would remain the same.

“We work very hard to find ways to keep the rates down while still doing what we need to do and, frankly, exceeding those things,” said board chairperson Marc Kurowski during the two-hour virtual meeting.

The board will vote on the new rates during a virtual meeting on Nov. 24, as well as on CRW’s operating and capital budgets for 2021.

Under the new rates, the drinking water charge would increase from $9.84 to $10.04 per 1,000 gallons. The wastewater rate would increase from $7.99 to $8.23 per 1,000 gallons. The new stormwater fee would remain unchanged at $6.15 per month for most residential customers in Harrisburg.

During the meeting, CEO Charlotte Katzenmoyer described the current year as a challenging one for CRW, given the fallout from the pandemic.

She said that some costs increased, including for more personal protective equipment, while the utility’s revenues fell short by more than $2 million due to decreased water and wastewater use by commercial customers and a three-month delay in implementation of the stormwater fee.

That loss will not immediately be passed on to customers, but will be paid off over time, according to Douglas Keith, CRW’s chief financial officer.

Looking ahead, Keith said that he anticipates similar small increases to drinking water and wastewater rates over the next several years, as CRW tries to keep increases more stable and predictable than in recent years.

CRW had planned to keep the stormwater fee unchanged through 2022. However, because the fee is new, CRW is uncertain about collection rates, which may affect fee decisions after next year, Keith said.

In non-budget news, CRW in 2021 expects to complete the move into its new headquarters at 3003 N. Front St., which was delayed due to the pandemic. Katzenmoyer said that she expects CRW’s new customer service center to open there in the spring.

CRW also has several major capital projects on tap for 2021. These include green infrastructure stormwater projects in the South Allison Hill and Camp Curtin neighborhoods and the ongoing improvement of stormwater collection sewers throughout the city.

In addition, CRW expects to continue improvements to its Front Street interceptor, a century-old wastewater main that runs from Susquehanna Township to the Front Street pump station in Shipoke. That project involves the installation of new pipe liner to reduce leakage, failures and sinkholes.

Last year, CRW completed work in Uptown Harrisburg, which lined 1,765 linear feet of pipe in Riverfront Park from Shamokin to Emerald streets.

The project now will continue farther south, along the Susquehanna River through much of Midtown and downtown Harrisburg, lining another 14,000 linear feet of concrete pipe. Work should begin in late 2021, with a 12- to 18-month construction period anticipated, according to CRW.

For 2021, CRW also hopes to finalize its long-term control plan with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the state Department of Environmental Protection. CRW has been operating under a “partial consent decree” with the agencies pending approval of a long-term plan to reduce the flow of wastewater into Paxton Creek and the Susquehanna River, the result of the city’s antiquated, combined stormwater system.

“Hopefully, during 2021, we’ll be able to return to normal operations, whatever that might be as we move through the next process with the COVID pandemic,” Katzenmoyer said.

Click here to see the full video of the CRW board meeting.

Support quality local journalism. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

City presents Walnut, Chestnut street projects to improve safety, connectivity downtown

November 17, 2020 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

Walnut Street in downtown Harrisburg

City engineers’ wheels are spinning when it comes to travel in Harrisburg.

At a pop-up event in Strawberry Square on Tuesday, City Engineer Wayne Martin and project designers presented their East-West Multimodal Connection Project to improve safety and multi-modal access downtown.

“We want to protect our most vulnerable pedestrians and bicyclists,” Martin said.

Sections of Chestnut and Walnut streets will see substantial construction, adding bike lanes, increased parking and sidewalk enhancements.

Parts of these corridors are listed on Harrisburg’s high injury network and are crash-prone streets, Martin said.

Besides safety reasons, Martin said the project has an economic aspect.

“Pedestrian and bike improvements tend to increase the amount residents stop at retail shops and restaurants,” he said.

The improvements will intersect with the Capital Area Greenbelt, Martin said, making bike travel through the city more efficient. People will be able to move more safely from the Walnut Street pedestrian bridge to Strawberry Square and the state Capitol complex, he said.

The Walnut Street portion of the project will extend from the pedestrian bridge on Front Street to 4^th Street.

Walnut Street concept

Walnut will be re-striped to include an eastbound contraflow bike lane and westbound sharrow markers, which indicate shared bike/vehicle lanes. For easy access from the pedestrian bridge, a bike-only crosswalk will stretch across Front Street.

A raised intersection will be constructed at Walnut and 2nd streets to slow traffic and improve pedestrian visibility. Sidewalks along Walnut Street will also be improved.

Between 3^rd and 4^th streets, Walnut will be widened to include a westbound bike lane in addition to the eastbound lane. There will be parking on both sides of the street, along with a bus stop.

Chestnut Street concept

Chestnut Street additions include re-striping for east and westbound bike lanes. Curbs at the 3^rd Street intersection will be extended to protect cars, and portions of the sidewalk along Chestnut will be reconstructed. A bus loading and unloading area will be added and a raised crosswalk at South Dewberry Street will be built. The Dewberry Street Loop will also be re-striped to include more parking.

The East-West Multimodal Connection Project is part of Harrisburg’s Vision Zero initiative to decrease pedestrian fatalities in the city.

Capital Area Transit, Harristown Enterprises, Harrisburg Housing Authority, the Department of General Services and the Downtown Improvement District collaborated with the city to provide input, Martin said.

The multimodal project is in the preliminary planning phase and construction is expected to begin in 2022.

Costs are expected to be around $1.4 million, and the city already has received $500,000 in grants for the project, said project manager Matt Shinton of Kimley-Horn engineering firm.

Martin is encouraging residents to complete a survey on their website to provide feedback on the project.

“We feel like we got a good collaboration with stakeholders, but ultimately we want residents to comment as well,” he said.

Other Vision Zero projects in the design phase include the “Courthouse Connection” project that will extend a pedestrian and bicyclist friendly corridor on Boyd Street from N. 3^rd to N. 6^th street. Martin said they are waiting on construction funding.

State Street improvements are also in the works to make one of the most dangerous roads on the east coast safer for pedestrians. The project, which includes a major “road diet” to reduce the number of travel lanes is fully funded and looking at a spring construction start, according to Martin.

Plans for 7^th Street feature a roundabout, which will be constructed near the new federal courthouse and a center median with street trees. Martin said that project is currently in the bidding stage.

A 2nd Street project to convert the road from one-way to two-way should be accepting bids by the end of the year, Martin said.

“It’s going to be crazy next year,” he said.

For more information on Vision Zero, visit visionzerohbg.com.

Support quality local journalism. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Harrisburg School District postpones winter sports

November 16, 2020 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

File photo of Acting Superintendent Chris Celmer.

As COVID cases continue to spike, Harrisburg student-athletes are stuck on the sidelines.

Acting Superintendent Chris Celmer announced at a Monday night school board meeting that the district’s winter sports schedule will be postponed.

“We are going to continue to follow the data,” Celmer said. “What’s even more concerning about winter sports is that they are indoors not outdoors.”

Fall sports were also postponed at the beginning of the school year but geared back up in October as COVID cases decreased. However, after a football player contracted the virus, athletics were halted again.

Celmer said that the district wants to see a decrease in virus spread before considering resuming athletics and re-opening schools. The benchmarks include a three-week period of sustained testing positivity rates from 3 to 4% and incidence rates per 100,000 people below a rate of 50 in Dauphin County.

He also said that the district will look to see what the Mid Penn Conference has to say in the near future.

“We are going to continue watching the numbers in the coming weeks,” Celmer said.

For more information, visit https://www.hbgsd.k12.pa.us/.

Support quality local journalism. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

Are you on the email list?

Top Weekend Recs

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like