Harrisburg City Council passes bill to create police advisory committee

November 10, 2020 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

Screenshot from the virtual council meeting.

After months of debate, Harrisburg City Council has approved creating a new citizen’s body that will focus on police accountability.

At a virtual council meeting on Tuesday night, council approved Bill 8, which establishes a Citizen’s Law Enforcement Advisory Committee to review actions of the Harrisburg Police Bureau.

After hearing hundreds of public comments and then making amendments to the bill over nearly five months, council voted in favor of it, six to one. Council President Wanda Williams did not support the bill.

“I am in full support that there needs to be a process to reform,” Williams said. “But we cannot weaken the very system that protects us.”

What began as a proposed board to improve relations between the bureau and city residents was modified, since June, to reflect some community members’ desire to have a check on police.

Through lengthy meetings and public hearings, residents continuously asked that the board be given more power and independence. Council granted administrative subpoena powers and removed the requirement that board members participate in a police ride-along and undergo police academy training.

For some, the changes weren’t enough as council was unable to grant everything they asked for. For example, some residents advocated for changing the advisory board to a review board. City Solicitor Neil Grover said that Harrisburg doesn’t have the authority to do that.

“I demand the mayor and City Council create a community review board with punitive power,” said one public comment from a resident.

In the end, the bill passed and now will move to Mayor Eric Papenfuse’s desk to be signed. At a community town hall in July, Papenfuse said that he would sign the bill in whatever form council passed it.

In other council news, Papenfuse announced Tuesday that Deborah Sibbering was hired as the new diversity officer for the city, a position he said he’s been looking to fill for a while. Sibbering said she has a background in human resources and local government.

“I can use my skills to benefit the city as a whole,” she said.

To watch past Harrisburg City Council meetings, visit the city’s YouTube channel.

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Harrisburg University to hold pre-bid meeting for building contractors

November 10, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

An aerial rendering of the HU academic building (center) in downtown Harrisburg

Harrisburg University will hold a virtual meeting for potential contractors on Wednesday, as it moves towards beginning construction on its 11-story academic building.

At the meeting, firms will be advised of bidding opportunities associated with the construction of the core and shell portions of the $100 million Health Science Center planned for S. 3rd and Chestnut streets in downtown Harrisburg.

During the city approval process earlier this year, HU vowed to hold pre-bid meetings especially to improve opportunities for small and diverse businesses locally to participate in the project.

HU originally had planned a 30-plus-story building, but scaled back the project due to escalating costs and after the cancellation of a planned hotel and restaurant portion of the project.

The university cleared the site last year, but the work on the building itself has not yet begun. According to HU, completion is expected in 2023.

The pre-bid meeting with contractor Whiting-Turner and the McNees, Wallace & Nurick law firm will begin at 4 p.m. via Microsoft Teams and can be accessed at this link.

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Bob’s Art Blog: Bill and Russ’s Excellent Adventures; “La Petite” at the Art Association

November 9, 2020 | by Bob MacGinnes

A glass piece by Ona Magaro

Does life imitate art or is it the other way around?

You may have thought for a second I made an error in the title’s characters names, and given the popularity that “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventures” have garnered over the course of three films, you may say, “what gives?” The blog is not about those two “dudes of distinction?”

Hollywood hyperbole aside, the Harrisburg version actually includes adventures but the characters here are Bill and Russ, genial gentlemen about town. In their 27-year partnership, they have shared a penchant for glass objet’s d’art as their metier of choice and are passionate about collecting it in all its myriad forms. For some, the attraction may be coins, stamps, Pez dispensers, Fiesta Ware, you name it. If it can be categorically classified, it is a collection. In our admiration of beauty, whatever the form may be, one can develop a “love of” and from afar, bask in its glow. This may become crystal clear.

Present day finds Bill retired from the communications industry, having served as a field analyst for a major player over many years. Now, he fills his days preparing gourmet meals and maintaining order in their home. Russ is a claims supervisor, able to split his week between the office and working from the house. Bread-making has become his creative outlet with scheduling kitchen duties as fun, shared time together.

Over their nearly three decades together, the “souvenirs” that catch their eyes hold a certain luster. Sometimes, it’s the way the rays of the sun catch a prism of light; for others, the variety of colors or the way the object is formed with a distinct personality by its shape. No matter the piece, there is a story that brings it into their universe, often the journey taken to discover it or the memory attached. Not every adventure yields treasure, but the ones that do hold a deeper meaning. For what is a treasure without sentiment? Just a lofty, lovely, lonely work of art.

Light installation by Ona Magaro and Ira Cuehlo

The gallery tour began upon entering the foyer of their Harrisburg home. The overhead light installation was created by once local glass artist of renown, Ona Magaro, and Ira Cuehlo, who works majestically with metal. The illumination is an array of fluted multi-colored flowers that light the way in a cascading bouquet floating overhead. Magaro and Cuehlo’s works are museum worthy with artistry that defies description. Bill and Russ have culled their collection of glass art that ranges from ornate stemware to full-blown statuary found on their many trips. Being inveterate world travelers has taken them from the isles of Greece to the Islands of Hawaii, not to mention the great southwest. Favorite closer locales like Rehoboth Beach and the Finger Lakes draw the couple annually. Birthdays, anniversaries and even spur-of-the-moment, “lets-go-here” jaunts have resulted in unusual finds, many when least expected.

Their glass gallery grew out of a shared love of beauty and a fascination with artisanal blown glass. The first piece appropriated came from a gallery in Rehoboth aptly named Panache, French for “style.” The free-form, flower-like glass vessel purchased there is the centerpiece for their dining room table. Visiting Provincetown, Mass., a favorite destination of both, the two met artist Benton Jones, a highly sought after glass sculptor who specializes in recycled fabrications. He used glass from the first aquarium in the United States located in P-town. Out of his reconstituted art came a turquoise sea creature that “crawls” across their coffee table just as it once resided within the aquarium’s exhibit in different form. Another of his works was achieved by using a half sphere of an oceanic weather ball fired in a kiln just so to malleable perfection (pictured). Lastly, on a trip to a remote Hawaiian idyll named Volcano, a treasured piece was found at the 2400 Fahrenheit Gallery, named for the temperature where glass reaches the level to become molten. It was created by artist and owner Michael Mortara, whose creations grace Honolulu’s Contemporary Museum.

The calendar has flipped to November when the holidays take center stage. Entertaining for Bill and Russ this season means scaling back like for so many others. In years past they held an annual cocktail party of “create your own” with them supplying the ingredients. It was a gala their entire neighborhood looked forward to but, for now, it must remain a memory. They will be adhering to the “less is more” ethos for gatherings and keeping them small and intimate. Sound familiar?

The holidays are a time for reflection and for hope. Even in light of the year and its many challenges, there have been bright moments we cling to, the adventures of this journey we call life. For Bill and Russ, glass collecting is just one facet of their lives together, something they appreciate and remember when… On the surface, any collection holds value mainly to the collector. And yet the assemblage of glittering glass holds a fascination for friends and family, too. After all these years, the sparkle has not lost its shine. In fact, it reflects those many memories of their journey. Objects of beauty like glass come and go, but love lasts forever.

La Petite at the AAH

At what age does becoming an artist begin?

The youngest artist I met this year was all of 5 when I caught up with her at the Art Association of Harrisburg for its “La Petite Exhibition” for members only. The exhibit features smaller scaled works of art.

In human form, la petite Estella stood all of 39 inches tall and may very well be the youngest member at the association. She entered a shadow box of two clay figures, male and female, elaborately detailed and dressed in their finest. The couple looked like they were disco dancing underwater, complete with sparkly accessories. In fact, her piece is entitled “Under the Sea.” When I admired her work, she was modest to a fault, resting her head on her mother’s shoulder. Shy and a little embarrassed, she was hesitant to elaborate beyond her smile of appreciation and a polite “thank you.”

Her mother shared that the budding artist also creates and sells clay bead bracelets for kids and adults at the Tiger Eye Coffee Company/Art Gallery in Paxtang, with all proceeds going toward her college fund. Estella artfully blends all the colors used and forms intricate designs in round, cylindrical, oblong shapes, as well as creatures such as turtles and birds for the clay beads. In addition, she paints with wild abandon as well as plays the piano. Just starting kindergarten, this may be an artist to keep your eye on in the years ahead.

The Art Association of Harrisburg welcomes and encourages artists of all ages for membership and classes. For all young and young at heart, “La Petite Exhibition” is now in its final two weeks at the AAH running through Nov. 23, perfect for a 3rd in the Burg night on the town this Nov. 20. While you are there be sure to look for Estella’s shadow box. No snorkeling gear required.

The Art Association of Harrisburg is located at 21 N. Front St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.artassochbg.com.

Tiger Eye Coffee Co. is located at 3418 Derry St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit their Facebook page.

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The Millworks is set to reopen, with new air filtration system, pandemic measures in place

November 9, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

The Millworks in Midtown Harrisburg

There’s a rare ray of light on the Harrisburg restaurant scene, as The Millworks plans to reopen on Wednesday.

Owner Josh Kesler said that the Midtown restaurant, brewery and art space would reopen for the first time since early July.

“We are doing our best to give our customers the full dining experience and a sense of normalcy in this strange time,’’ Kesler said. “As we go into the holiday season, brunches and gatherings are important, and we want to support those traditions safely.’’

The Millworks closed in March, along with many other businesses, after the COVID-19 pandemic struck. It reopened in June only to close again on July 8 after a worker tested positive for the virus.

Since then, The Millworks has invested some $10,000 in a new HVAC filtration system that removes airborne pathogens, Kesler said. Patrons also will have their temperatures taken at the door, staff will wear facemasks, and tables have been spaced apart to ensure greater distancing.

Kesler said that he is putting into practice some of the measures currently in place at The Watershed Pub, a new restaurant he opened last month in Camp Hill.

“We’ve learned a lot over the past couple months about how to protect our staff and customers,’’ Kesler said. “The Millworks is such a large space, we can seat the current maximum of 50 percent and still exceed the state’s social distance guidelines.’’

The re-opening of the 24,000-square-foot Millworks will put about 50 staff members back to work, Kesler said.

The Millworks’ reopening is a rare bright spot in an otherwise bleak year for Harrisburg’s once vibrant and growing restaurant scene. Last week, Bricco, a pioneer of fine dining downtown, announced it would close on Nov. 21 after 14 years, saying that the pandemic made it impossible to continue in business.

“This has been a tough year, and I think it is important that friends and family have a way to get together in a safe, responsible way,’’ Kesler said. “We are committed to providing that experience at both The Millworks and The Watershed Pub.”

The Millworks is located at 340 Verbeke St., Harrisburg. For more information, call 717-695-4888 or visit www.TheMillworksHarrisburg.com. Due to pandemic-related seating restrictions, reservations are highly recommended.

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Boutique fitness center set to open in downtown Harrisburg

November 9, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

The outside entrance to Fit on Market

Downtown Harrisburg has a new place to break a sweat, as a fitness center is slated to open this month.

Fit on Market opens this week in Strawberry Square as a “boutique” fitness center, according to building owner Harristown Enterprises.

“We are very excited to have a fantastic new downtown fitness facility to serve both our workforce and residential populations here in the city,” said Brad Jones, Harristown’s president and CEO.

Strawberry Square’s previous fitness studio, Fitness U, closed in June.

Fit on Market is located in another area of Strawberry Square, on the Market Street side, and is accessible both from inside and outside, allowing members to enter the facility even when the building isn’t open.

Fit on Market will offer new, state-of-the-art Matrix cardio and strength training equipment, in addition to newly constructed locker and shower facilities. Harristown has installed bipolar ionization equipment to continuously disinfect the air and surfaces, Jones said.

A line of treadmills awaits users at Fit on Market.

According to Harristown, memberships are limited in number and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost is $45 per month, billed quarterly.

The facility will be unstaffed, but safety systems will be in place to protect members, including connections to on-site security and emergency responders, as well as personal safety devices that can be used while working out, according to Harristown.

Members will be issued their own access cards to allow entry to Fit on Market during facility hours, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.

Fit on Market is located in Strawberry Square and at 312 Market St., Harrisburg. For more information, call 717-255-1021 or visit www.fitonmarket.com.

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Dueling rallies, tense moments as Trump, Biden supporters face each other down at PA Capitol

November 7, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

Capitol police stand between pro-Biden and pro-Trump groups on the PA Capitol steps.

Worlds—and worldviews—collided today at the PA Capitol in Harrisburg, as supporters of the two presidential claimants held competing rallies, with police keeping the sides apart.

The day began peaceably and even joyfully around noon, after the Associated Press called Pennsylvania for Democrat Joe Biden, putting him over the 270-electoral-vote threshold to claim the presidency.

That call turned a pre-planned “Count Every Vote” rally into a celebration, and a party atmosphere broke out on the Capitol steps, with dancing, singing and chanting, on the sunny, unseasonably warm November day. The crowd waved “Biden/Harris,” rainbow and Black Lives Matter signs and flags, with almost everyone wearing a mask.

“We’re just so happy,” exclaimed Jennifer Davis of Lancaster County, who had just finished a line dance on the steps. “We’ve been waiting four years for this.”

The pro-Biden “Count Every Vote” rally

It didn’t take long, though, for the mood to shift.

By mid-afternoon, followers of President Donald Trump had assembled for a “Stop the Steal” rally on the other side of the Capitol building. Before hundreds of mostly unmasked Trump supporters around the large fountain, several speakers repeatedly made unproven claims of voter fraud and led attendees in chants of “Lock him up” for Biden and “Four more years” for Trump.

“I’m here because this election is being taken from us,” said John Scott, who had driven to Harrisburg from Maryland. “We can’t allow that to happen.”

The pro-Trump “Stop the Steal” rally in the back of the Capitol

Meanwhile, back around the front of the Capitol building, police blocked off N. 3^rd Street to vehicles.

A smaller, pro-Trump rally had taken root there, with a line of supporters standing at the top of the Capitol steps, a man with a megaphone shouting at a group of pro-Biden supporters on the landing below. After the rally at the rear of the Capitol ended, many people walked around the building, and the pro-Trump group swelled, including both families with children and a line of heavily armed men openly carrying guns.

The Capitol police placed themselves between the two groups, and the atmosphere often grew tense, especially as the man with the megaphone hurled conspiracy theories and insults at Biden, at his supporters and at Democrats in general. They also played pro-Trump songs and what’s become a favorite anthem, the Village People’s “YMCA.”

A group of pro-Trump supporters were heavily armed.

Over the next hour, the armed men left together as a group, and the crowd slowly dispersed from the Capitol steps. After about five hours, the competing rallies and confrontations had petered out.

“They lost, and they’re angry about that, and I understand that,” said Deb, a Biden supporter who only gave her first name. “But eventually they’re going to have to face the hard truth that this election is over.”

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Burg Review: “Poirot Investigates!” a funny, fussy affair from Open Stage

November 7, 2020 | by Gina Napoli

Open Stage blends a cozy mystery, British comedy and French farce with one of Agatha Christie’s oft-repeated and longest-running characters, Hercule Poirot.

Applause goes to Executive Director Stuart Landon (pictured) for two Herculean feats: 1) for adapting Christie’s short story, “The Adventure of the Western Star,” into a seven-scene stage play, injecting lots of silliness and absurdity, and 2) for managing to keep Poirot’s quizzical eyebrow halfway up his forehead for the full hour he portrayed the signature character.

The play opens with a nod to the audience as intelligent and discerning connoisseurs of detective stories—sophisticated puzzlers with superior reasoning powers. Their characterization and compliments made me feel like an aristocratic MENSA member instead of a tired mom watching a YouTube video in my sweatpants on a Thursday night, eating frozen waffles for dinner.

Told mostly through the narration of Capt. Hastings [Chris Gibson], Poirot’s assistant, the play follows the basic recipe for a whodunit and is heavily seasoned with clever repeat gags. Poirot and Hastings investigate the story of a stolen diamond worth 50,000 pounds called “The Western Star.” Through them, we meet the various suspects who are pulling quadruple duty as quick-change costume artists. Rachel Landon and Benny Benamati showcase how versatile their skills are, playing an assortment of male and female archetypes ranging from femme fatales to a farty hotel clerk.

Much of the character-driven subplot of the play is about Poirot’s personality. He is portrayed as a fastidious boor who approaches investigations in an ordered manner with pomposity and arrogance. Christie created Poirot early in her writing career, wrote about him often and later grew to despise him.

The author herself has the opportunity to voice that opinion when presented as a figuratively and literally flat character. Christie appears as a portrait on the wall, voiced with perfect tongue-in-cheek delivery [Rachel Landon]. In fact, the author wrote an essay about how much she didn’t like the very character she created and then over-used in over 50 of her stories.

Because I only spent an hour with Poirot, I rather grew to like Stuart Landon’s rendition of the fussy chap, wearing his tuxedo while sitting in his flat, looking down his snoot at everyone around him. The repeat gag when Poirot rang a bell and someone immediately brought him a three-tiered tea tray full of sandwiches especially made me chortle. (“Chortle” is a snobbish word for “laugh.” I chortle now because I’m so darned posh.)

The melodramatic music and sound effects [composer Nicholas Werner and guitarist Anthony Pierucci] also become personified as characters in the play, and both deserve an honorable mention. The actors and the music interact with each other, producing a mood of that is simultaneously foreboding, off-kilter and funny. Together, they bring life to the show’s many long-running gags and inside jokes.

The play contains the usual number of distractions produced by being locked down into a video format. Any would-be inconsistencies or mistakes are easily chalked up to being an inherent part of the farce.

If I could make one suggestion to improve this play, it would be to add subtitles to the video. The characters’ accents, hailing from various parts of England, were at times just authentically British enough to require closed-captioning.

If you’re a fan of whodunits and witty British comedy, don’t miss this play. You can view it for free online. During this financially difficult time, please consider sending a donation through Open Stage’s website.

“Poirot Investigates!” runs Nov. 6 to 22 on Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m. and Sunday afternoons at 3 p.m. The show can be accessed through the Open Stage YouTube page and on Facebook Live. For more information, visit www.openstagehbg.com.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

November 6, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Conley

“Vote” signs lead up to the PA state Capitol.

With presidential election results still pending, it’s like one big waiting game. While you anticipate the next move, catch up on this week’s news below.

A “Count Every Vote” rally was held at the state Capitol on Wednesday. Voters protested President Donald Trump’s threat to intervene in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s decision to allow a three-day extension for receiving mail-in ballots, our online story reports.

COVID cases are surging in Pennsylvania, with new diagnoses breaking daily records. In the past week, there were 2,633 newly diagnosed cases per day, our online story reports.

Election Day in Dauphin County ran smoothly, our reporting found. Although a majority of residents opted for mail-in ballots, the polls still saw activity, some accumulating lines with over an hour-long wait.

Faith leaders in Harrisburg held a community vigil on Monday night to pray for a peaceful Election Day. Led by the Mayor’s Interfaith Advisory Council, the group discussed the importance of unity despite the results, our online story reports.

One Hundred Voices is a new book that tells the stories of Harrisburg’s historic African American community, our magazine story reports. Many of the voices come from the Old 8^th Ward, a historically Black and immigrant neighborhood that was demolished to make room for the state Capitol complex.

Our editor comments on Harrisburg’s Draft Comprehensive Plan in his monthly column. With the sales and rental markets looking strong, he suggests the plan may underestimate the city’s potential for growth.

Sara Bozich has some weekend suggestions for you in her weekly blog. Pick up a good book at Midtown Scholar, try a new brewery or learn how to make pasta with the Harrisburg Young Professionals.

Tallying votes for the presidential election has bled over into the days following Nov. 3. However, many state and local positions were decided much earlier. Check out our online story for more information.

Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania plans to build a community of tiny houses for homeless veterans in Harrisburg. The nonprofit hopes to build where Phoenix Park currently sits along the Susquehanna River, just south of the PennDOT building. Read more in our online story.

The Watershed Pub opened in Camp Hill last month, specializing in seafood. Our magazine story tells of owner Josh Kesler’s path to opening during the pandemic.

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New COVID-19 cases continue to surge in PA, reaching new daily, weekly highs

November 6, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

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

COVID-19 cases again reached new highs over the past week, with new diagnoses breaking several daily records.

Since last Friday, the commonwealth recorded an average of 2,633 newly diagnosed cases per day, according to the state Department of Health.

This compares to an average of 2,134 new daily cases last week, and 1,641, 1,397 and 1,146 new daily cases per day for the prior three weeks, respectively. 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: 1,288 cases (prior Friday, 1,158)
Cumberland County: 2,745 cases (prior Friday, 2,526)
Dauphin County: 5,367 cases (prior Friday, 4,898)
Franklin County: 2,546 cases (prior Friday, 2,269)
Lancaster County: 10,562 cases (prior Friday, 9,764)
Lebanon County: 3,503 cases (prior Friday, 3,132)
Perry County: 408 cases (prior Friday, 370)
York County: 7,072 cases (prior Friday, 6,630)

Today, the department reported a record high of 3,384 newly positive cases throughout Pennsylvania for the past 24 hours ending at midnight.

With today’s update, 223,950 Pennsylvanians have now been diagnosed with the coronavirus, an increase of 18,433 over the past week, according to the health department. Active cases total 54,087 and, currently, 1,599 people are hospitalized in PA with coronavirus.

Statewide, Philadelphia County continues to have the most confirmed cases with 42,307 cases. Allegheny County ranks second with 16,838 cases, and Montgomery County is third statewide with 15,118 cases.

The department also reported an additional 191 deaths since last Friday, meaning that 8,975 Pennsylvanians have died from the disease since March. Fatalities totaled 159, 168, 149 and 129 over the prior four weeks, respectively.

Around central PA, COVID-19 fatalities now stand as follows:

Adams County: 34 deaths (prior Friday, 28)
Cumberland County: 82 deaths (prior Friday, 79)
Dauphin County: 196 deaths (prior Friday, 196)
Franklin County: 62 deaths (prior Friday, 55)
Lancaster County: 488 deaths (prior Friday, 477)
Lebanon County: 72 deaths (prior Friday, 67)
Perry County: 7 deaths (prior Friday, 6)
York County: 211 deaths (prior Friday, 205)

PA nursing homes and personal care facilities have been particularly hard hit by the virus. Of total deaths, 5,903, or 65.7 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 27,104 resident cases of COVID-19, and 5,810 cases among employees, for a total of 32,914 at 1,106 distinct facilities in 63 counties, according to the health department.

In addition, about 12,811 of total cases in PA are in health care workers.

Statewide, 2,632,316 individuals have had coronavirus tests, with 2,408,366 people testing negative, according to the state health department. Last Friday, the state reported that 2,503,500 people had been tested for the virus.

The state reports a total of 4,309,357 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
About 2 percent are aged 5-12
About 5 percent are aged 13-18
Nearly 14 percent are aged 19-24
Nearly 36 percent are aged 25-49
About 21 percent are aged 50-64
Nearly 21 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.

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Nonprofit proposes “tiny house” community for homeless veterans on former steel factory site

November 6, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

A rendering of the proposed project, featuring tiny houses that would house veterans.

Facebook has been blamed for everything from political division to spreading fake news, but, to Tom Zimmerman, it also can be a force for good.

A few years ago, Valerie Fletcher, a fellow alumnus at Red Land High School, posted a short video clip of a “veteran’s village” in Racine, Wis., a community of tiny houses that offers transitional housing for homeless vets.

Zimmerman’s thought: why can’t we do that here in Harrisburg?

“This model for homeless veterans is popping up all over the country,” he said, adding that similar concepts exist in cities like Savannah, Ga., Kansas City, Mo., and St. Petersburg, Fla.

Since then, Zimmerman, along with an eight-member board of directors, formed Veteran’s Outreach of Pennsylvania, a nonprofit dedicated to building a similar community for homeless veterans in Harrisburg.

Board members have their eyes on a five-acre site along the Susquehanna River, just south of the PennDOT building, which has been empty since the Phoenix Steel Corp. (formerly the Central Iron & Steel Co.) shut down operations some six decades ago. There, they hope to build 15 houses measuring 12-by-14 feet each, plus a 6,000-square-foot community center and a 26-space parking lot.

A rendering of the proposed community center (right)

Under the proposal, the detached houses would contain the basic necessities—a sleeping area, a half bath, a desk, a small sitting space, etc. The community center would have meeting space, a dining area, activity rooms, a laundry and other amenities to help the men and women.

Unlike some transitional facilities, there would be no time limit imposed. Residents would be able to stay as long as they needed to get back on their feet, Zimmerman said.

“The idea behind it is that veterans don’t succeed when you put 30 or 40 of them in a room in a big, communal setting,” he said.

Harrisburg philanthropist Peggy Grove and her son, Michael, under an entity called the Green Chair Trust, own the land, but have agreed to donate it to the organization, according to Zimmerman and Planning Bureau documents. Grove could not be reached for comment.

Currently, the Capital Area Greenbelt runs through the land, and, on nice days, bicyclists and runners often use the area, commonly known as Phoenix Park, where industrial ruins from the steel mill still are visible.

The development would occupy this site, now known as Phoenix Park

Grove would be willing to move the Greenbelt trail to just north of the site, a plan supported by the Capital Area Greenbelt Association, according to Planning Bureau documents.

In a letter to Zimmerman, CAGA President Carl Dickson expressed support for the project.

“We applaud the Groves’ and your generosity to help reduce homelessness in Harrisburg while allowing users of the Capital Area Greenbelt trail, and residents of the proposed Veterans Village, to continue to enjoy the trail’s connectivity, diversity, and appeal,” he wrote.

The Planning Bureau has recommended project approval, but with conditions. It would like to see several significant changes to the plan, including a more grid-style configuration, a smaller parking lot and a smaller overall footprint.

This past week, the project went before the city Planning Commission, as it needs both a variance and a special exception. After some discussion, it was tabled until the January meeting so that Veteran’s Outreach can consider the city’s desired changes, Zimmerman said.

Some of the steel factory ruins on the site.

The project also will require approval from the city’s Zoning Hearing Board, and, separately, its land use plan will need both Planning Commission and City Council approval.

Zimmerman declined to offer a timeline, saying that it depended on the city approval process, as well as a capital campaign to raise the $3.5 million project expense.

“We’ll get this done,” he said. “Everyone knows a veteran who served for our freedom. This is our way of giving back.”

For more information about Veteran’s Outreach of Pennsylvania and to contribute to the project, visit www.veteransoutreachofpa.org.

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