Musical Notes–Mix Month

August 30, 2019 | by Kait Gibboney

September’s here, which means that folks are settling back into their routines. Luckily, Harrisburg’s got a lot of great shows this month to smooth out the return to the workweek.

The annual Dauphin County Jazz & Wine Festival, on Sept. 6 and 7, will certainly help you ease out of summer. There will be performers from the local to the national level, some of PA’s top wineries, and plenty of local craft and food vendors. Fort Hunter is the perfect place for a picnic and performance, so be sure to grab a blanket and some lawn chairs to enjoy two nights of entertainment.

A week later, on Sept. 15, don’t miss the fundraiser, “Music & Healing,” sponsored by the World Surgical Foundation. Their goal is to raise awareness and funding for WSF’s healing work through the power of music with a collaboration with renowned musicians Odin Rathnam and Robert Koenig.

The Pride of the Susquehanna is still sailing strong, featuring two shows this month, Acoustic Stew on Sept. 15 and Shine Delphi on Sept. 29. Enjoy happy hour on the dock starting at 5:30 p.m., then the ship sets sail at 7:30 p.m. for a relaxing tour of our beautiful river.

As usual, we’ve also got some killer indoor shows that you don’t want to miss. So, kick back and get to know some of these talented top picks this month.

THE SUGARHILL GANG, 9/7, 7PM, XL LIVE, $15
Well folks, XL Live has done it again. Continuing to bring quality shows to HBG, hip hop pioneers the Sugarhill Gang will grace the stage with their classic sound. Maybe you like their dancy song, “Apache,” or maybe you know them from their 1979 debut single, “Rappers Delight,” an instant hit with more than 15 million records sold worldwide. If you don’t know either song, they’re both catchy as heck and definitely worth looking up for a peek into this early phenomenon. Many hip hop and rap artists today credit the band for introducing a new culture and form of music, and they’re the first rap group to tour and promote themselves extensively on a global scale. Their songs have been sampled and performed by many famous artists, including Busta Rhymes, Pitbull and 50 Cent. So, there’s a chance you’ll recognize them even if you’re not directly familiar with their music. So much more could be said of this revolutionary band, but this is one show you can’t read about—you’ve got to see for yourself.

TROMBONE SHORTY & ORLEANS AVENUE, 9/15, 8PM, WHITAKER CENTER, $49.50-79.50
I always appreciate a group that can create unique music with influences from many genres. So, of course, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue drew my attention right away. Just when you think you know what you’re listening to, Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews and his band throw you a curveball with everything from a sudden jazzy trumpet solo to some heavy synthesizer to some funky keys to a ripping guitar line. The music’s energy strikes audiences as very lively, to say the least. Hailing from New Orleans, the home of soul and amazing music generally, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue truly do their hometown justice with their spirited and playful sound. This one’s definitely going to turn dancy, so make sure you wear comfy shoes while you boogie on down!

THE STRUTS, 9/27, 7PM, XL LIVE, $40
Harrisburg University keeps their rad shows rolling this month with glam rockers, The Struts, playing at XL Live. Hailing from Derbyshire, England, this rock quartet got their start in 2009 playing mostly in the U.K. When you listen to their music, you can almost hear the influences of other British bands that had an impact on their sound, like Queen, Def Leppard and Oasis, but with a touch of American rock influences from Aerosmith, The Killers and Michael Jackson. Growing their career while touring throughout England and France in 2014, they opened for another one of their main influences, the Rolling Stones, in Paris. Not long after, their killer live reputation began to spread. Sold-out shows proved that people wanted the combination of the band’s tight sound and the mesmerizing talent of frontman Luke Spiller. They’re still active, cranking out hits and playing memorable shows all over the place. So, be sure to catch their performance while ya can.

Mentionables:

Treehouse & Quasi Kings, Sept. 5, The Abbey Bar;
Stabbing Westward, Sept. 7, H*MAC Capitol Room;
Inwake, Sept. 14, River City Blues Club;
Trina, Sept. 21, XL Live;
Pocket Vinyl, Sept. 23, J.B. Lovedraft’s;
Psychotica, Sept. 26, H*MAC Stage on Herr;
Scythian, Sept. 27, The Abbey Bar;
Don Johnson Project, Sept. 28, River City Blues Club

Charm City Scurry: In Baltimore–poverty, inequality, rodents.

August 30, 2019 | by Sammi Leigh Melville

“Before the world became the world, it was an egg. Inside the egg was dark. The rat nibbled the egg and let the light in. And the world began.”

It’s a startling way to begin a documentary about rats, isn’t it? And yet, in Theo Anthony’s aptly named “Rat Film,” the introductory narration isn’t the only thing that’s startling. If you sit down to watch this documentary, expect to take in one of the strangest snapshots of a city to ever grace the silver screen. The film takes a closer look at the rat problem in Baltimore—but also so much more than the rat problem in Baltimore.

You will meet a bizarre assortment of people in this documentary, ranging from rat exterminators to rat hunters to people who keep rats as pets. Interspersed with these niche character sketches, Anthony gives us little history lessons. First we learn about the residential segregation ordinances—things like “redlining,” which served the purpose of keeping black residents from getting mortgages in nicer neighborhoods. And then, with those ordinances becoming illegal, we learn about pacts made within neighborhoods to prevent black residents from moving in.

Which doesn’t sound like a documentary about rats, and yet it never sways from its title topic because the history lessons don’t stop there.

We learn the history of rat extermination, with black neighborhoods that were used as test neighborhoods for rat poison treatments, and the reports that poisoning the rats is actually a futile, expensive effort.

“Ain’t never been a rat problem in Baltimore,” one of the film’s subjects muses. “It’s always been a people problem.”

And as the documentary unfolds, it wholeheartedly backs this statement up. The focus is environmental, systemic racism.

The rats don’t make distinctions about race or class. They take up residence where they are able, and that usually ends up being in vacant buildings, places with disrepair and easy passage—places that, as one rat exterminator notes, “The most uneducated people are. The ones who have the least resources. The people who have no dreams, no aspirations, just survival. That’s basically where you’re gonna find them.” And yet, the city focuses on rat extermination first.

“Rat Film” gives a fascinating, unique exploration of Baltimore. Check out the screening of this gem of a documentary on Sept. 29, paired with several storytellers from [Untitled] relating tales inspired by the film. There will also be a Q&A with Dan Deacon, who composed the score for the film. This is definitely a screening you will want to make it to.

“Rat Film” plays on Sept. 29 at Midtown Cinema, 250 Reily St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.midtowncinema.com.

SEPTEMBER EVENTS
At Midtown Cinema

Down in Front! Presents
“Sorority House Massacre II”
Friday, Sept. 13, 9:30 p.m.

“Margaret Atwood: Live in Cinemas”
Sunday, Sept. 15, 7 p.m.

3^rd in the Burg $3 Movie
“Spirited Away”
Friday, Sept. 20, 9:30 p.m.

“Snoopy, Come Home”
Sunday, Sept. 29, 2 p.m.

Dan Deacon Q&A
Score composer for “Rat Film”
Sunday, Sept. 29, following screening

[Untitled] at the Cinema
“Rat Film”
Sunday, Sept. 29, 7 p.m.

The Painted Word: Mural Festival, Gallery Walk open Harrisburg’s autumn art season

August 29, 2019 | by Bob MacGinnes

Early bird: A mural is already in progress across the street from the state Capitol, with many more coming soon during the 2019 Harrisburg Mural Festival.

All the lines from the 1950s TV show, “The Adventures of Superman,” apply: “faster than a speeding bullet” (14 murals in 10 days), “able to leap tall buildings” (artists on scaffolds)… “look up in the sky, it’s…” – the Harrisburg Mural Festival.

When you stop to think about it, Mural Fest is a super feat of artistic achievement, and like with Superman, the public is grateful for its vision. No kryptonite here, just Sprocket Mural Works in high gear (no pun intended).

The power of art speaks for itself. Started in 2014 as a valiant volunteer brigade, Sprocket Mural Works evolved from an idea to 2017’s initial Mural Fest that featured 18 new murals, with local, regional, national and international artists participating in the event.

The 2019 Harrisburg Mural Festival, which starts on Aug. 30, will yield 14 more grand works, as a select group of art-busting aficionados unleash their collective power, ready for the public to tour them by end of the festival, on Sept. 8.

On that day, a block party will set up near the state Capitol, along with mural tours, live music, food vendors, a pop-up biergarten and more, including an artist’s market sponsored by the Harrisburg Flea.

Harrisburg photographer Dani Lucas perhaps put it best when, speaking about the 2017 Mural Festival, she said, “It is one thing to say that murals are tools for civic engagement. It is another to witness it on such a grand scale.”

As just mentioned, the mural festival wraps up on Sept. 8, which happens to coincide with another artistic blockbuster, the 31st citywide Gallery Walk.

The Gallery Walk lineup this year totals 19 sites, fitting for 2019, if only in that the stars are aligned. It begs the question, did Carrie Wissler-Thomas, founder and coordinator of the art walk, plan it that way?

No matter, as the venues are as eclectic as they come. Starting with the catalyst for art in Harrisburg is the Art Association’s 93rd anniversary. The Pennsylvania State Museum and the Susquehanna Art Museum round out three main art institutions in the city, all taking part. At the outside perimeter of Gallery Walk lies the Latino Hispanic American Community Center across the Mulberry Street Bridge and, also pushing the boundary, is the Olewine Nature Center at Wildwood Park. Four churches feature art: St. Stephen’s Riverfront Gallery, Zion Lutheran Church, Pine Street Presbyterian Church and Salem United Church of Christ.

Wissler-Thomas shared that Riverfront Gallery’s exhibit, “Icons in Transformation,” by artist Ludmilia Pawlowska, is a must-see for its depiction of contemporary religious iconography.

Young artists abound at the Capital Area School for the Arts (CASA). Midtown Scholar Bookstore, the Dauphin County Historical Society and the Historic Harrisburg Resource Center all bring their own unique dimensions to the event. And City House Bed & Breakfast doesn’t take its art lying down either.

As is its tendency, The Millworks offers food, fashion and an on-site brewery, in addition to its three-story artist’s enclave. The LGBT Center of Central PA creates a common ground for art and art lovers, welcoming the public to view the world through cultural and social engagement. Penn National Insurance and Old City Hall, as well as the Sprocket Mural Works block party, bring the total to 18 venues.

Last, but certainly not least, is the sole independent gallery participating that puts the “V” in Verbeke. That’s shorthand for Vivi on Verbeke, home to Harrisburg’s hippy couple of Bohemian bonhomie, Vivian Sterste and Jackson (Jeb) Boyd. You will find them at 258 Verbeke, out on their “perfect for people watching” bench in front of their pottery/art gallery. They’ll be offering humble hospitality to all who enter their powerhouse palace of art apart.

So, plan to come downtown, Midtown and all around Harrisburg on Sunday, Sept. 8, and party till the cows come home (so 2007) at the Harrisburg Mural Festival block party and Gallery Walk. Be ready to walk and talk and also leap tall buildings. See you there.

The 2019 Harrisburg Mural Festival runs Aug. 30 to Sept. 8 at numerous venues around Harrisburg. For more information, see the brochure in TheBurg’s August issue, at select locations or visit TheBurg’s website or Sprocket Mural Works. The 31st annual Gallery Walk takes place Sept. 8 at many venues throughout Harrisburg. For more information, visit the Gallery Walk website.

Smooth Ride: Harrisburg unveils the newly paved river walk

August 29, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

Bike Harrisburg’s Dick Norford (center) cuts the ribbon to officially open the new lower river walk, joined by Dauphin County Commissioner Mike Pries, Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse and Harrisburg Engineer Wayne Martin.

A few years ago, Dick Norford of Bike Harrisburg convinced the city’s mayor to participate in the annual Tour de Belt.

All went well until the bike ride around Capital Area Greenbelt hit the city’s lower river walk.

“It was a bumpy ride, to say the least,” Mayor Eric Papenfuse said today. “It was wonderful fun but very dangerous.”

That ride convinced Papenfuse that something needed to be done to fix the century-old lower river walk, which, over the years, had deteriorated so much that the concrete had completely crumbled in spots.

He turned the project over to city Engineer Wayne Martin, who applied for—and received—a $1.5 million federal Transportation Alternative Program grant, which is designed to assist and promote non-motorized transportation. The city kicked in about $160,000, and that was enough to largely repave the two-mile stretch from Shipoke to Maclay Street.

This morning, the city cut the ribbon on the project, joined by a group of bicyclists, who took a ceremonial first ride on the newly laid white concrete, which shone brilliantly in the sunshine.

Norford explained that the river walk and steps were part of Harrisburg’s City Beautiful movement of the early 20^th century, which gave the city numerous parks, as well as paved roads and a functioning sewer system.

In fact, the walk itself came into existence to shield a sewer interceptor, which runs beneath it.

“This is such a vital link because the Greenbelt is not just a beautiful recreational trail,” Norford said. “When a city is more inviting to walking and biking, it’s a better place to work, a better place to live and a better place to play.”

Bicyclists ride along newly paved river walk near the Walnut Street Bridge.

The project actually began several years ago, when the walk along the Shipoke waterfront—badly damaged from the 2011 flood—was replaced. Work kicked in again last fall, took a break for the winter and started up again in spring.

The project laid new concrete along much of the 10,275-linear-foot walk from Shipoke to Maclay Street, though, in a few places, old walk was repaired, not replaced, due to funding restrictions.

The project only replaced the river walk itself, not the stairs leading to the Susquehanna River. Fixing the steps, Martin said, is a massively expensive project, though the city might be able to patch some areas.

Papenfuse also mentioned that the city weeded the steps, which had become overgrown in spots, in time for the city’s Kipona festival, which begins on Saturday and, he said, will attract more than 100,000 visitors over the three-day event.

“They’ll get to experience the wire-walkers and the food vendors and all the fun,” he said. “But they’ll also get to see our marvelous new river walk.”

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

August 29, 2019 | by Sara Bozich

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

This is it, people! Kids are back at school; PSLs and pumpkin beers are out; and now, it’s Labor Day weekend. Your last chance at fun before the insanely busy month of festivals that always is September (so really, is anything changing? Maybe those leaves, maybe those jeans.) We are headed to the PA Wilds for a family event. I’m excited for Bo to see my in-laws’ pygmy goats and spend time with his cousins. But first — TONIGHT — we’re partying in SoMa Harrisburg for the SoMa Block Party! You coming?

What are you doing this weekend?

(more…)

Acting superintendent condemns school voucher proposal for Harrisburg school district

August 28, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

Dr. John George, the district’s acting superintendent (right), with district Receiver Dr. Janet Samuels

A top official of the Harrisburg school district has come out strongly against a proposal that would allow city students to use public money to attend private schools.

On Wednesday afternoon, the district’s acting superintendent, Dr. John George, called a proposed bill by House Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) “ill-timed” and said it would “harm the majority of children in the Harrisburg school district.”

Turzai currently is seeking co-sponsors for a proposed bill that would establish a “pilot voucher program” specifically targeted at the Harrisburg school district. It would award “scholarships” of $4,100, which city children could use to attend private or other public schools.

The proposal also calls on the state to contribute another $3,000 in a “tuition grant,” bringing the total to $7,100 per student.

“Speaker Turzai’s proposal is ill-timed and undermines the Financial Recovery Act of 2012, the very legislation for which he advocated,” George said, in a statement. “By removing additional monies from the school district that is already financially distressed, the proposal seriously disrupts the recovery process and wrecks additional havoc, virtually guaranteeing that the district will forever remain in financial distress.”

George further stated that Turzai’s proposal “requires parents to pay a portion of the tuition,” which “may help a few, but it comes at the expense of harming the vast majority.”

“It also only further widens the economic disparity between those who can afford to pay tuition and the poorest of the poor,” he stated.

In June, Dr. Janet Samuels was appointed receiver of the Harrisburg school district, and she immediately fired the district’s top administration, including long-serving Superintendent Sybil Knight-Burney. Last week, she appointed George, the executive director of the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit, as interim superintendent.

Turzai began circulating his proposal among lawmakers yesterday, a day after the school year began in the 6,700-student school district. He said that such action was needed given the poor performance among students on state test scores and the fourth-lowest high school graduation rate in the state.

“By allowing Harrisburg families to choose the right education environment for each student, we can finally resolve the decades-long failure to provide an adequate education to Harrisburg children,” Turzai wrote in his memorandum to House members seeking for co-sponsors. “Please join me in co-sponsoring this vital legislation.”

George isn’t the only state official to object to the proposal. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star has reported that state Rep. Patty Kim (D-Harrisburg) and Gov. Tom Wolf, through his spokesman, both condemned the proposal.

State Rep. John DiSanto (R-Dauphin County) was more welcoming, calling Turzai’s proposal “worthy of further consideration,” according to the Capital-Star.

“The Harrisburg school district applauds the Speaker’s particular interest in the Harrisburg school district and welcomes his willingness to assist the district,” George concluded in his statement. “His proposal, however, is not helpful and only exasperates the recovery process that is already underway.”

This story was corrected to attribute the school district’s position to Acting Superintendent Dr. John George, not Receiver Janet Samuels.

Whitaker Center to build out new STEM lab, thanks to sledgehammers, fundraisers, wine

August 27, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

Whitaker Center CEO Ted Black with artist’s renderings of the new STEM Design Studios.

When it opened two decades ago, Whitaker Center faced an issue that all nonprofits have to reckon with—how to raise money to continue its mission.

Soon, Bill Kohl and several other supporters stumbled on a fundraising idea that they had seen work elsewhere. How about a high-end wine event?

On Tuesday, Kohl introduced the 19^th annual Très Bonne Année, which is French for “a very good year.” To date, this annual series of wine events, held each October, has raised more than $5.5 million for Whitaker Center, Kohl said.

“We look to add to that total this year,” said Kohl, chairman of the eight-member Très Bonne Année board.

Chairman Bill Kohl today introduced 2019 Très Bonne Année, which will feature wines by Verity Wine Group.

As an example of this money at work, Whitaker Center CEO Ted Black earlier in the day had announced the latest planned improvement to the downtown Harrisburg arts and sciences facility.

Over the next two months, Whitaker Center will turn tired, 20-year-old classroom space on the lower level of the Harsco Science Center into the new, 3,000-square-foot STEM Design Studios, which will feature STEM-based (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) labs, classes and activities.

Black said that Très Bonne Année, which last year raised $268,700 for Whitaker Center, is underwriting a large portion of the $450,000 cost of the new STEM studio.

“It was about this time last year that we started working with Très Bonne Année on a funded need,” Black said. “We wanted something that was very tangible.”

Black said that the idea for the STEM studio arose from brainstorming with his staff about how to enhance both the science center and the educational mission of Whitaker Center. This idea rose to the top of the list.

“We live in a STEM economy,” he said. “There is a gender gap pertaining to women and girls in STEM jobs. Our hope is that we spark an interest in STEM that carries through.”

State Rep. Patty Kim takes a swing as part of Whitaker Center’s “sledgehammer” event, which began construction of the new STEM Design Studios.

Black expects a Nov. 4 opening date for the new STEM facility.

On Tuesday, Kohl also announced that Très Bonne Année this year will feature wines from New York-based Verity Wine Group.

Jennifer Brown, regional state sales manager for Verity, said she was interested in participating in Très Bonne Année because it enables her and her company to contribute locally to the Harrisburg area.

“I feel it’s important to give back to the community I live in,” she said.

For more information about Whitaker Center, visit https://www.whitakercenter.org/. For more information about Très Bonne Année, visit https://tresbonneannee.org/.

Over a century old, Harrisburg’s Kipona returns with food, fireworks, family activities

August 27, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

A fire-eater and a wire-walker demonstrated their skills outside Harrisburg city hall today.

For more than a century, Harrisburg’s Kipona Festival has changed greatly—from a rather genteel rowing event to an end-of-the-summer party.

However, one thing has always remained—a celebration of the Susquehanna River and the city’s relationship with it.

So it will continue to be for the 103^rd year of Kipona, which is slated for this Labor Day weekend. The three-day festival will take place along the river, on the river and, at times, even above the river.

“The end of the summer is almost here,” said Mayor Eric Papenfuse during a press conference today. “That means that we are ready the festival of sparkling water.”

Last year, about 70,000 people attended Kipona over three days, and Papenfuse said that he expected at least as many this year.

The event begins on Saturday, and attendees can expect a healthy dose of tradition, which includes canoe and kayak races, an arts market, food vendors, live music on two stages and the annual Indian pow-wow on City Island.

In recent years, the city has added attractions like tight-wire walkers, who balance on wires extended over the river, as well as a beer garden, and both are returning. New this year will be “Holi,” also known as a “Festival of Colors,” a Hindu celebration of new beginnings. Participants celebrate by tossing colorful powder into the air and onto each other.

Other additions include a Pilates class, a roller skating rink in the street on Sunday, a “bubble festival” on Monday and an increased focus on activities both for your children and your pets. The always-popular fireworks are slated for Sunday at dusk, about 8:15 p.m.

Street parking is free on Sunday and Monday. Otherwise, parking will be $5 on City Island and $10 in the Market Square garage downtown. Attendees also can get four hours of free parking on Saturday with the ParkMobile app, using the code, “LUVHBG.”

“This will be an exciting event,” said Papenfuse. “And we are expecting large crowds from Harrisburg and its surrounding regions to join us for what promises to be an incredible 103^rd Kipona celebration.”

For all details of the 103^rd annual Kipona celebration, visit https://harrisburgpa.gov/kipona-2/.

The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

August 23, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

An artist’s rendering of the new entrance at Open Stage of Harrisburg.

Given all the vacationing, the news cycle is supposed to take a break in mid-August. However, that wasn’t the case around Harrisburg this past week as several of the city’s elected bodies met and development news arrived at a rapid clip.

Broad Street Market has launched a “Friends of the Market” program so that community members can help support various market initiatives. Click here to find out the perks of membership and how you can sign up.

Dauphin County Library System has bought one of Harrisburg’s most historic buildings, the Haldeman Haly House, right next to the McCormick Riverfront Library. Plans are to renovate the building and move the DCLS administrative staff into space there. Find out all the details.

Football players LeSean and LeRon McCoy have big plans for the 1000-block of N. 6^th Street. Several buildings on the block are undergoing renovation after being blighted and boarded up for decades. Read our feature story about the brothers’ plans and other happenings on the block.

Harrisburg City Council listened intently for more than three hours this past Tuesday as the city explained why stop signs should be removed along a few N. 3^rd Street intersections and most residents said why they shouldn’t. At the end of the night, the issue remained unresolved, though council may take action.

Harrisburg school district held a pep rally for faculty and staff this past week, as they reported back to work for the 2019-20 school year. A sense of optimism pervaded the auditorium of Harrisburg High School under new district leadership. Read the details here.

Janet Samuels, the Harrisburg school district’s receiver, took action last week to deny a charter renewal to one charter school and to challenge another charter school’s application in court. Read the details here on the actions against both Premier Charter School and the proposed PA STEAM Academy.

Open Stage of Harrisburg will have an entirely new look when it opens its 2019-20 season, as the downtown Harrisburg theater is undergoing a complete renovation. Click here for the full story.

Pennsylvania Department of General Services announced this week that it would construct a new building on the long-time D&H Distributing site in Uptown Harrisburg, eventually moving some 900 workers there. Read the details here.

Sara Bozich has about 100 things for you to do this weekend, which is supposed to feature gorgeous summer weather. Find out what’s going on around town.

Sculpt Pilates has opened in Uptown Harrisburg, offering various Pilates workouts and some extras in their new studio. Read how this new fitness facility came to be.

Verbeke Street in Harrisburg got some love last week from TheBurg’s fine arts columnist, as he strolled the street during 3^rd in the Burg. He found lots to do and see along the Midtown hub.

Do you receive TheBurg Daily, our daily digest of news and events? If not, subscribe now!

Commonwealth to construct new building for 900 state workers on D&H Distributing site

August 22, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

The D&H Distributing building in Uptown Harrisburg

When D&H Distributing announced its departure from Harrisburg, many city residents wondered what would replace the company at its longstanding Uptown headquarters.

Now we know.

Today, the state Department of General Services announced that the commonwealth plans to build a three-story, 120,000-square-foot building to house hundreds of workers displaced from the former Harrisburg State Hospital grounds in Susquehanna Township.

“We are glad to be able to announce the award of this lease that will put nearly 900 employees into a physically and technologically advanced workspace,” said DGS Secretary Curt Topper, in a statement. “In addition to being the lowest-cost option, this new building will bring those employees into the downtown area where they can contribute to, and enhance, the local economy.”

[Editor’s note: the location is in Uptown, not downtown, Harrisburg.]

In January, D&H announced that it would move to a new office campus in Lower Paxton Township after almost seven decades on the 2500-block of N. 7^th Street.

DGS said that the new office building will house employees from the Office of Administration’s Office of Information Technology and the Department of Human Services, including staff from offices of its medical assistance programs, income maintenance, administration, youth and families and its 24/7 ChildLine operations.

Most workers will be relocated from buildings at the former State Hospital, which the state is trying to sell. Some also will relocate from an office building on Herr Street and the Office of Medical Assistance Programs space in Camp Hill.

According to DGS, the state is entering into a build-to-suit lease with Hudson Asset Advisors, which will demolish the low-slung, sprawling D&H building. On the site, it then will build a 120,000-square-foot building with 1,000 parking spaces.

DGS expects to break ground in early 2020, with the first workers moving in during the first quarter of 2021.

DGS did not reveal financial terms, but said that it would once the pricing and terms of the lease are finalized in a few months.

“Currently, Human Services employees at the DGS Annex are spread across multiple buildings,” said Human Services Secretary Teresa Miller, in a statement. “Moving to a centralized, technologically advanced space creates opportunities to improve processes and create efficiencies that can strengthen our work.”

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