December News Digest
Williams Re-Elected Harrisburg Mayor
Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams won a second term last month, besting the city’s treasurer for the second time this year.
With all precincts reporting, incumbent Williams received 5,096 votes versus 3,837 for Dan Miller, currently Harrisburg’s treasurer.
“Thank you for giving me another four years,” said Williams, at her victory party in Uptown Harrisburg. “I promise as I did before: a new Harrisburg. Now, who’s with me?”
Like Williams, Miller is a registered Democrat. However, he ran on the Republican ticket after narrowly losing the Democratic primary to Williams in May, but garnering enough write-in votes to secure the Republican nomination.
After conceding defeat, Miller said that he gave it his best but couldn’t overcome running on the Republican side in such a Democratic city.
“It’s so disappointing,” said Miller, at his election eve gathering of supporters at the Millworks. “You don’t know how many people told me you have to win. They know that Harrisburg is in a bad place.”
Other than the mayoral race, Harrisburg’s other general election races lacked competition in the overwhelmingly Democratic city.
For City Council, Jocelyn Rawls, Ralph Rodriguez, Ausha Green and Rob Lawson all won, running unopposed for four, four-year seats. For school board, Roslyn Copeland, Danielle Robinson, Brian Carter and Jaime Johnsen all won, running unopposed for four, four-year seats, while Annie Hughes captured the lone two-year seat, also unopposed.
Democrat Karen Balaban, running unopposed, won a four-year term as city controller. She’ll replace long-time controller Charlie DeBrunner, who did not stand for re-election.
Dauphin County also had elections for several row offices and judgeships this year, with Democrats performing well.
For prothonotary, Democratic challenger Antonio Carreno of Harrisburg unseated the Republican incumbent, Matt Krupp, also of Harrisburg. For clerk of courts, Democrat Tina Nixon of Harrisburg bested the Republican nominee, John McDonald. For county coroner, long-time Republican incumbent Graham Hetrick squeaked past the Democratic nominee, John Harris Jr.
In close races for Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas judge, Democrats Katy Kennedy-McShane and La Tasha Williams defeated Republicans Fran Chardo and Jim Zugay.
Office Conversion Approved
An adaptive reuse project in downtown Harrisburg can move forward, having received the stamp of approval from City Council.
Developer Breneman Properties plans to transform three attached office buildings at 315 N. 2nd St. into a 10-unit apartment building.
Council passed the apartment conversion by a vote of 4-2, with council member Jocelyn Rawls and president Danielle Hill voting against the project. Hill prefaced her vote by saying she would vote “no” because the development did not include affordable housing, as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The vacant 8,300-square-foot office building formerly housed the Pennsylvania Healthcare Association. The renovation will include constructing one- and two-bedroom units ranging from 500 to 1,200 square feet. Eight off-street parking spots exist on site.
Units are expected to rent from $1,000 to $1,400 a month, the developer said.
At the same meeting, council approved allowing the city to negotiate and enter into a professional services agreement with Ellen Freedman Schultz and Associates, LLC to develop an urban forestry and watershed education curriculum in partnership with the Harrisburg School District. The city will pay $25,000 for the program, money that will be reimbursed by a federal grant that Harrisburg received in 2023.
In other council action, Yvonne Marie Jackson was appointed to the Harrisburg Housing Authority board.
Council OKs One Project, Tables Another
One major adaptive reuse project can move forward with construction, while another has been tabled.
Harrisburg City Council last month approved one of two projects, giving the green light to an apartment project at the former Polyclinic building and stalling a downtown housing project for seniors.
Council voted in favor of a proposal by Pennmark Harrisburg Holdings, an affiliate of Montgomery County-based Pennmark Management Company, to transform the building that historically housed the Polyclinic Hospital at 2601 N. 3rd St.
The approved land development plan is for phase one of a three-phase proposal for the campus, which includes three buildings. The first phase targets the northernmost building on the property, which previously housed nurses’ quarters and more recently offices, and building out 96 market-rate units, with first-floor commercial space.
Council also voted on a plan by Harristown Development Corp. to renovate 333 Market Street, a 22-story building downtown that previously housed state government offices. At first, council’s vote resulted in a 3-3 tie, with council member Ralph Rodriguez absent.
“I want to maintain affordability, especially for our seniors,” said council President Danielle Hill, who initially voted against the project.
After City Solicitor Neil Grover told council that a tied vote would mean that the project was voted down, council decided to bring the development plan back up for reconsideration. Council tabled the vote for council members to ask further questions of the developer.
Harristown has proposed renovating floors 11 through 19 of the building, which are currently vacant, and creating 81 one- and two-bedroom apartments. Harristown is currently looking for an organization to master lease the units and provide senior housing.
At a previous work session, council members expressed concern about the affordability of the units. Harristown President Brad Jones said that he did not know what the unit rates would be, because they would be determined by the company that master leases the apartments.
Council member Shamaine Daniels advised council members who still had questions or concerns to meet with Jones but said that she believed council should pass the land development plan. If they wanted affordability to be a requirement, council should have the law bureau draft an ordinance, Daniels said.
“As far as I’m concerned, his application met the requirements,” Daniels said. “There’s nothing that mandates affordable housing.”
Hill responded, saying, “We understand that there’s no mandate for affordability, but when we’re dealing with seniors, we want to know a range of something. Being given a blanket answer isn’t sufficient enough for me.”
But Daniels noted what she saw potentially becoming a “recurring issue” if council votes down land development plans that meet all city statutes.
“If it gets denied, then it gets appealed, then we have to spend money defending an appeal that’s not defensible and is just a waste of money for everybody,” Daniels said.
In other news, council voted to accept a $101,000 payment from PennDOT to purchase a plot of city-owned land located in Swatara Township, near Paxton Street and City Park Drive, related to the I-83 widening project.
Grass Campus Playgrounds Open
Harrisburg kids now have another place to play.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg announced that they have constructed two new playgrounds for schoolchildren and the community at their Alexander Grass Campus for Jewish Life in Uptown.
The playgrounds were built on the Etter Family Green, a large green space on the Grass Campus.
They are already being used by Jewish Community Center participants and students at the Brenner Family ELC and The Silver Academy, housed on the Grass Campus.
Additionally, the playgrounds are open to the entire community outside of school hours, after 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and until dusk on Saturdays and Sundays.
“With immense pride and happiness, we celebrate the opening of our new playgrounds—a vibrant space where laughter, imagination and community come alive,” said Christine Cutuli, the federation’s chief operating officer. “Deepest thanks to every generous contributor who made this dream a reality. Your support and kindness will echo in the joy of every child who plays and learns here.”
The playgrounds, designed by BCI Burke, include slides, enrichment features, seating spaces and a xylophone. The Jewish Federation also upgraded the Etter Family Green with a fence and safety infrastructure.
Funds for the project came through numerous grants, including a Neighborhood Assistance Program grant from Capital Blue Cross, a Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency Non-Profit Security grant and a Dauphin County Local Shares Municipal grant, among others.
The Alexander Grass Campus for Jewish Life is located at 2986 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit their website.
So Noted
Adam Santucci last month was elected to the executive committee of McNees Wallace & Nurick, a Harrisburg-based law firm. The executive committee is McNees’ senior leadership team, which guides the firm’s strategic direction and operations, according to the firm.
Lacie Parker last month was named regional vice president of Community Options, a national nonprofit that develops housing and offers employment support for people with disabilities. In this position, she will oversee operations in Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Hampshire.
Midstate Shows last month announced its first show as part of the 2026 Dauphin County Live Concert Series. Alt-indie band Rainbow Kitten Surprise is slated to take the stage in Riverfront Park on Tuesday, Sept. 15, as part of its “bones” North American tour.
Changing Hands
Bailey St., 1245: People First Homes LLC to M. & J. Natal, $107,000
Balm St., 52: R. Rammouni & W. Othman to Dream Kasa Properties LLC, $125,000
Bellevue Rd., 2304: K. Hurst & C. Reinhold to A. Reber & C. Dietz, $495,000
Berryhill St., 1414: O. Conde & N. Esquea to A. Bisono, $67,000
Berryhill St., 1609: C. Wheeler & A. Swann to A. Tejada, $140,000
Berryhill St., 2158: T. Deangelis to Cleveland Association LLC, $110,000
Boas St., 109: J. Holloway & JNB Properties to J. Castro, $180,000
Boas St., 257: M. & J. Rivino to J. Johnson, $194,000
Boas St., 1713: Sunrise River Investments Inc. to A. Ventura & M. de la Cruz, $210,000
Boas St., 1800, 1001 N. 18th St. & 1201 N. 6th St.: Fernandez Realty Affordable Homes LLC to Woodward Lofts LP, $240,000
Briggs St., 2028: AUM Investments LP to DM Capital Holdings LLC, $95,500
Brookwood St., 2462: J. Dodson to A. Madrid, $126,000
Derry St., 2705: E. Beiler to H. Uppal, $150,000
Division St., 503: H. Moyer to B. Saveleski, $148,900
Emerald Ct., 2456: D. Tamang & R. Bhandari to N. Myers, $185,000
Emerald St., 229: M. Temba to HPC Properties LLC, $220,000
Emerald St., 613: JRHeller Com LLC to Chappel Capital LLC, $70,000
Forster St., 1837: D. Hall to House Cash LLC, $110,000
Fulton St., 1734: J. Thomas to R. Simms, $210,000
Green St., 807: V. & A. Jones to K. & A. Burgess, $345,000
Green St., 1509: W. Hughes & I. Wright to M. Murray, $245,000
Green St., 1932: M. & T. Kohera to N. & M. Faubion, $305,000
Hale Ave., 393: F. Ramirez & J. Polanco to C. Wells & C. Kenley, $160,900
Hale Ave., 412: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to J. Perez, $160,000
Holly St., 1709 & 1715: K. Kadel to L. Stewart, $70,000
Holly St., 1933: T. Davis to Echo Propco LLC, $93,000
Hummel St., 426: C. & S. Orellana to C&P Property Management LLC, $70,000
Lewis St., 421: J. Barber to BP Real Estate Investment Group LLC, $153,805
Locust St., 119: HBG Locust LLC to J. & D. Jones, $300,000
Logan St., 2249: Gilligan Realty LLC to Echo Propco I LLC, $82,000
Maclay St., 235: F. Contreras to Rebuild the Capital LLC, $220,000
Market St., 1705: Y. Guzman to A. Diaz, $80,000
Mulberry St., 1811: MR RE LLC to M3 Legacy LLC, $219,900
Naudain St., 1624: S. Brown to JL Mar Investments LLC, $65,000
N. 2nd St., 400: Murphy & Laus Real Estate LLC to Milan Property Group LLC, $650,000
N. 2nd St., 814: Pennsylvania Conference of Teamsters to Academy HBG Realty Inc., $232,500
N. 3rd St., 3214: J. & E. Connolly to Red Giraffe Group LLC, $140,000
N. 4th St., 1625: J. Wolfe & K. Hunt to E. & L. de la Cruz, $210,000
N. 4th St., 2242: J. & A. McArthur to J2J Holdings LLC, $72,450
N. 5th St., 2405: Stoute Housing Inc. to J. Moody, $175,000
N. 5th St., 3135: J. Vega to E. Medina & D. Rivera, $273,000
N. 6th St., 1531, 1533, 1539: Buonarroti Trust to Pendleton 1521 North Sixth SPE LLC, $225,000
N. 14th St., 1201: Bedon Flooring LLC to E&R Realty Legacy LLC, $65,000
N. 14th St., 1203: Bedon Flooring LLC to M. Poles Jr., $159,000
N. 15th St., 1523: K. Braddock to E. Cook, $120,000
N. 17th St., 40: Bridger Investments LLC to Halden Horizons Group LLC, $70,000
N. 18th St., 86: DKH Homes LLC to J. Lapp, $73,500
N. 18th St., 122: Gilligan Realty LLC to Knight Development & Management LLC, $80,000
N. Front St., 1525, Unit 506: I. Hooker to A. Yau, $169,000
Park St., 1632: M3 6 Realty to Nachmo LLC, $83,500
Penn St., 1922: August W. Geise 2005 Trust to H. Rivera, $282,500
Regina St., 1412: M. & R. Rammouni to K&M Home Investment LLC, $80,000
Regina St., 1505: J. Jackson to Leos Property Care LLC, $93,000
Regina St., 1855: Mau Properties LLC to TR Property LLC, $277,628
Rudy Rd., 2488: N. Rivera to 2020 Real Estate Ventures LLC, $60,000
Rumson Dr., 2920: W. & D. Illanes to C. Chapa, $170,000
Showers St., 613: L. Plummer to S. Hull & A. Zimmerman, $269,000
Showers St., 617: D. Nomie to L. Pierce, $229,000
S. 13th St., 401: C., A., F. and S Weaver to M. Ginder, $121,000
S. 13th St., 436: J. Torres to J. Morales, $155,000
S. 13th St., 1449: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to DKH Homes LLC, $60,000
S. 15th St., 537: JRHeller Com LLC to Chappel Capital LLC, $60,000
S. 17th St., 923: J. Hawkins to Richie Property Management Services, $270,000
S. 17th St., 1122: A. Bratina to W. Melgarejo, $135,000
S. 18th St., 1301: House Cash LLC to Family 1st Estate LLC, $135,000
S. 25th St., 736: L. Crowder to B. Epwene, $101,000
S. 26th St., 625: Quick Holdings LLC to Z. & T. Walizer, $180,000
State St., 1412: S. Lee & M. Prokopy to PACC HBG 2 LLC, $190,000
State St., 1426: BRC 2 Properties LLC to Pichardos Realty LLC, $165,000
State St., 1512: Penn RM Properties LLC to Halden Horizons Group LLC, $99,000
Susquehanna St., 2120: W. Sheaffer to JRHeller Com LLC, $146,667
Swatara St., 2109: Swatara St LLC to La Swtara LLC, $90,000
Verbeke St., 1713: R. Green to Cleveland Association LLC, $125,000
Waldo St., 2707: S. & T. Johnson to U. Thapa, $90,000
Walnut St., 1854, 1856, 1858, 1860: A. Sullivan & A. Adams to Zook Rentals LLC, $460,000
Wiconisco St., 529: C&C Homes LLC to M. Bellamy, $160,000
Woodbine St., 633: S. Ali to C. Torres, $157,000
Zarker St., 2045: G&W Rentals LLC to G. Garcia, $143,000
Harrisburg property sales, October 2025, greater than $50,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.
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