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.”

Together Again: Library purchases historic Harrisburg building next door, will expand services

August 22, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

Karen Cullings, executive director of the Dauphin County Library System, spoke today in front of the newly acquired Haldeman Haly house.

For many years, two prominent parcels on N. Front Street in Harrisburg had common ownership and a shared history.

More than a century ago, those parcels separated, and the building’s side yard became the site of the McCormick Riverfront Library.

Now, those two properties are linked again.

In a ceremony today, Dauphin County Library System (DCLS) officials announced that they had purchased the original, two-century-old house next door to the McCormick Library, with plans to renovate and turn it into administrative offices.

“This project let us restore and preserve this historic structure,” said DCLS Executive Director Karen Cullings. “It is one of the oldest buildings in the city.”

Ken Frew, the long-time librarian for the Dauphin County Historical Society, affirmed the historic credentials of the building at 27 N. Front St.

Frew said that Stephen Hills, who came to Harrisburg to construct the original state Capitol, built the Georgian-style house for his own home around 1812. He owned the building for many years, eventually renting it out to Gov. John Schulze, one of a group of houses now known as “Governor’s Row.”

“If I had to compile a list of the top-10 most-historic houses in Harrisburg, this house would be in the top five,” Frew said.

In July, DCLS bought the 5,458-square-foot house for $295,000 from long-time owner, attorney William Balaban.

The library itself sits on land that originally was the side yard to the building, bequeathed by a later owner, Sara Haldeman Haly, who had a beautiful garden on the property.

“I am truly honored that we were able to acquire the property that was Sara’s home,” Cullings said.

Cullings said that DCLS was still “in the formative stages of the project,” as it still needs to raise money for the substantial renovation.

Once the renovation is done, DCLS plans to move its administrative staff into the house. That will free up space in the library for more family and children’s activities, including STEM and arts-related programming, Cullings said.

Next door, DCLS plans to renovate the house’s first floor for community meetings and events and also will allow public access to the courtyard in the back, she said.

“This expansion will not only provide additional space for children’s and family activities but also will preserve a historic landmark in perpetuity,” said Dauphin County Commissioner George Hartwick, who also spoke.

DCLS board President Andrew Enders wrapped up the brief ceremony with a pitch to the community to help the project come to fruition.

“It’s time for the Dauphin County Library System to continue to make our mark on this community,” he said. “But we need your support. Whether it’s your time or your money, we’ll take it.”

For more information about the Dauphin County Library System and to make a donation, visit the website.

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

August 22, 2019 | by Sara Bozich

Happy Weekend!

We have a relatively quiet weekend ahead, and I’m all about it. There are a couple of influencer events dotting my calendar, but otherwise, I expect no major plans.

What are you doing this weekend?

(more…)

New Season, New Space: Open Stage is in the midst of a makeover

August 21, 2019 | by Yaasmeen Piper

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

People often told Stuart Landon that Open Stage was one of the many hidden gems of Harrisburg.

Even though they meant well, Landon, the theater’s producing and artistic director, would joke that he’s ready for the space not to be hidden anymore. Just a gem.

Thanks to a $1 million renovation project, Open Stage is on its way to achieving Landon’s “just gem” status. Almost every part of the theater is being revamped, including the stages, lighting and sound system, and even a new N. Court Street entrance.

“It’s going to be more of a destination than it ever was,” Landon said. “We’re hoping that this allows us more visibility, along with improving the experience of our patrons and improving our experience with our students.”

One of the bigger additions is the Open Stage bar. The bar will feature a small stage, which will be used for spoken word and open mic nights, cabarets and drag performances.

Along with the stage in the bar, the theater will have two other stages: the main stage (see floor plan, right side) and a black box or studio theater, which will hold around 50 people (see floor plan, left side).

For performers, Open Stage is reconfiguring its backstage area and upgrading its green room and dressing rooms.

“It’s important that our mission is to support a company of artists, and it’s important that their spaces are all utilized and efficient in a comfortable way,” Landon said. “So that was a big part of our renovations.”

Open Stage is also adding a classroom for students in the Alsedek Theatre School. Named after Don and Anne Alsedek, co-founders of Open Stage along with Marianne Fisher, the Alsedek Theatre School helps K-12 students develop their acting skills through workshops and productions. This spring, students are performing “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “James and the Giant Peach” on the new black box stage.

“It’s really exciting for them to kind of have a home that they can call their own,” Landon said.

Open Stage also is increasing the theater’s accessibility and adding bathrooms and an emergency exit near Strawberry Alley.

Open Stage was able to upgrade its space (which, according to Landon, “is long overdue”) thanks to its 30/30 campaign. The 30/30 campaign is a fundraiser in which the theater honors its previous 34 years, while looking toward the next 30 years, hence the renovations.

“We’re going to be here for the long haul,” he said. “We love where we are. We love our space. We love being downtown. And so it’s like, ‘Okay, if we’re going to be here, then what do we need to do to our facility to make sure that it can last for the next 30 years?’”

Open Stage started its campaign in spring 2017 and has gotten donations from residents, local businesses and foundations. According to Landon, it’s the largest capital campaign in Open Stage history, and they still have a ways to go. So far, they’ve raised $700,000 of the $1 million they need to reach.

“We’ve not only never made an ask this big, but we’ve never made an ask like this,” he said. “The fact that we looked to our community and said, ‘Hey, will you help us?’ and they turned right around and said, ‘Yes.’”

Open Stage is set to open the doors to its new space in early October. Their first production will be “Who’s Holiday!” which runs Nov. 16 through Dec. 28 and stars Rachel Landon, who also is Open Stage’s marketing manager.

“[Patrons] get to see this beautiful product that a group of artists put together, and so it’s a really beautiful thing,” she said. “So, I’m glad that we get to improve our facilities and improve the experience because I think it’s worth it. It really is.”

Open Stage of Harrisburg is located on 25 N. Court St, Harrisburg. For more information, visit the Open Stage website.

Harrisburg Council may decide on 3rd Street sign removals after residents urge action

August 20, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

The stop sign at N. 3rd and Kelker streets

Harrisburg City Council likely will have the final word on whether to retain or remove stop signs along N. 3rd Street.

That was the main takeaway from a lengthy meeting tonight, which was called specifically to discuss the proposed removal of stop signs at four N. 3^rd Street intersections--at Boyd, Harris, Kelker and Emerald streets.

“I serve at the pleasure of City Council,” said city Engineer Wayne Martin. “I hope to get guidance from City Council.”

Martin’s assertion came near the end of a three-hour-plus meeting, which was attended by about 40 residents, many of whom spoke out against the planned removals.

Council President Wanda Williams then said that, before any action could be considered by council, she had to confer with city Solicitor Neil Grover, who was not present at the meeting, as action may necessitate changes to the city’s traffic control map. She said that council may schedule another special meeting on the issue before the next regular legislative session on Sept. 17.

The meeting began with a presentation by Martin, who explained that the stop signs were no longer needed at those intersections. The ongoing 3^rd Street multimodal project, he said, would calm traffic along the street due to the project’s numerous curb extensions and bump-outs.

In addition, he said that, with the changes to 3^rd Street, the intersections do not warrant stop signs. Per federal and state guidelines, stop signs should be used to control traffic, not slow it down, he said, adding that, in the past, the signs only served to assist sight distance.

“Going back in time, the only warrant that was met was sight distance,” he said. “We installed bump outs to improve sight distance, so there are no sight distance issues.”

Martin also said that stop signs can actually create more dangerous intersections where they’re not warranted.

“Leaving those stop signs in there when they’re not warranted will cause more crashes,” he said.

Despite Martin’s presentation, dozens of residents urged the city to retain the stop signs at those intersections, almost uniformly saying that removing them would create a more dangerous street.

“Everyone understands what stop means,” said Angela Johnson, a Green Street resident. “You have people who are afraid for their safety, who are afraid for their children, who are afraid for their pets.”

The signs were due to be removed on Friday. But, according to Martin, the removal has been rescheduled because the 3^rd Street repaving project was delayed due to rain.

Former council President Gloria Martin-Roberts, an Uptown resident, advocated for retaining the stop signs and for greater traffic enforcement at the intersections, as the signs are routinely disregarded currently, she said.

“I’m telling you this is a bad idea,” she said. “If you remove the stop signs, pedestrians will be harmed. This is very, very, very serious.”

In their comments, most council members seemed to side with the residents who objected to removing the signs.

Councilman Dave Madsen said that he helped circulate a petition both online and in person objecting to removal of the signs.

“I can tell you there was overwhelming support among residents for keeping the signs at Kelker and Harris streets,” he said.

Councilman Ben Allatt preached taking a long-term view. He said that, even if 3^rd Street does not warrant stop signs today, it may in the near future, given the proposal to return much of N. 2^nd Street to two-way traffic, increased development in the area and more people moving into Midtown.

“I think it’s really quite premature to go ahead with the removal of stop signs until we find out what traffic patterns will be in place in the near future and the far future,” he said.

Proposed PA STEAM Academy faces more delay, as Harrisburg school receiver appeals court decision

August 20, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

Midtown 2, where PA STEAM Academy would like to locate

For months, the proposed PA STEAM Academy has been waiting for a date to take its case before the state’s Charter School Appeal Board.

It appears the proposed charter school’s supporters now will need to wait even longer.

At Monday night’s school board meeting, Harrisburg school district Receiver Dr. Janet Samuels approved a resolution starting the district’s own appeal, specifically an appeal of a lower court’s approval of signatures supporting the proposed school.

On Aug. 2, Dauphin County Judge John McNally issued an order stating that PA STEAM had collected enough valid signatures so that the proposed school could now move forward with mounting an appeal to the state Charter School Appeal Board.

“The required number of signatures (1,000) were properly obtained and presented to the Court . . . ,” McNally wrote in his decision.

Samuels now is appealing that decision to the Commonwealth Court. Asked about the issue on Monday night, Samuels declined comment.

However, during the meeting, she said that the Harrisburg district stood ready to compete with charter schools, and she even encouraged district parents with children in brick-and-mortar and cyber charter schools to consider returning to the Harrisburg school system.

“I want to be very clear about, here in the Harrisburg school district, we are ready in a very bold and courageous way [to compete] with all charter schools in this area,” Samuels said.

Reached by phone on Tuesday morning, Dr. Carolyn Dumaresq, chair of the PA STEAM Academy’s board of directors, said that she was disappointed with Samuels’ action.

“It’s kind of a mystery to me that the receiver says she wants to compete with charter schools, but then doesn’t allow any to open,” said Dumaresq, who served as state secretary of education under former Gov. Tom Corbett.

In fact, PA STEAM had submitted petitions with 1,844 signatures, far exceeding the 1,000-signature threshold, making it unlikely that the district’s appeal will succeed, she said.

“To challenge the signatures—isn’t there a better use of taxpayer money?” she said.

Originally, PA STEAM Academy had hoped to open for the 2019-20 school year in the building now known as HACC Midtown 2, previously the Evangelical Press Building, at N. 3^rd and Reily streets.

However, in February, the Harrisburg school board unanimously denied their charter application. Charter school supporters then collected signatures as a first step in the appeals process. With the petitions approved by McNally, school founders believed that they were free to continue their appeal to the state Department of Education’s Charter School Appeal Board.

PA STEAM Academy now must mount another hurdle—defending their signatures before the Commonwealth Court.

“You would have to prove that these people (who signed the petitions) don’t live in the city, and they do,” Dumaresq said. “It seems like just more delay. It’s sad.”

Dumaresq said that PA STEAM now hopes to open in time for the 2020-21 school year. The founders envision starting with 120 students in a K-2 school, adding a grade level each year until it becomes a K-8 school.

“I think this appeal is such a misuse of taxpayer money,” she said. “But are what are you going to do?”

The Broad Street Market says: Thank you for being a friend.

August 20, 2019 | by Yaasmeen Piper

You now can become a “friend” of the Broad Street Market.

Do you consider yourself a “friend” of the Broad Street Market?

If so, Josh Heilman wants to hear from you.

Heilman is the market’s new executive director, and, as one of his first major initiatives, he has launched a long-planned “Friends of the Market” program.

The new initiative allows residents to help the market through a yearly donation or by volunteering for certain events and activities. The goal of the program is to bring additional revenue and support to the Broad Street Market for renovations, events, merchandise and more.

“We’re looking to get monetary donations and volunteer time,” Heilman said. “The market kind of needs some work, so we’re looking for some extra sources of revenue.”

The immediate donations are going toward two different projects: installation of banners that will surround the market and replacing the string of roof lights on each building, which have been out for some 20 years.

Volunteers, also called “market ambassadors,” will be asked to help with landscaping, painting and any special events. According to Heilman, the market is planning to roll out a merchandise table by Christmas, which the volunteers will also help run. They’ll sell tote bags and eventually T-shirts and answer any questions people have about the market.

Members get an exclusive Broad Street Market tote bag, which serves as a member ID, access to special market events such as an upcoming barbecue in September, and discounts to certain stands in the market. Right now, Sweet 717 and R.G Hummer Meats & Cheese are offering 10 percent off to all members.

The idea for Friends of the Market came from Beth Taylor, former Broad Street Market manager and Amy Hill, president of the board of directors. The idea was brewing for about three years before Heilman and the board decided to implement it.

“That was my first goal of coming here, getting it launched,” Heilman said. “There were a lot of hiccups along the way. It was pushed back about 90 days. In August, I just decided that we needed to do it now and just go from there.”

They had a soft launch of the program in early August. Heilman is planning an official launch of the program in late September with a press conference, guest speakers and the unveiling of the new banners.

Heilman hopes the program will become a revenue driver and allow the market to work on even bigger projects such as replacing the doors and making the market more accessible to customers.

Even with its soft launch, the program has gained traction, already signing up 85 members.

“I was overwhelmed with the response of volunteering. It’s been amazing that people are willing to donate their time and money into the market,” Heilman said. “I think people love the market so much that they’re willing to pitch in and help out where it’s needed.”

For more information on how you can become a “Friend of the Market” visit broadstreetmarket.org/friends.

Charter school fate again in doubt as school district restarts “non-renewal” process

August 19, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

Members of the Harrisburg school board and administration during Monday night’s board meeting.

A Harrisburg charter school is once again in jeopardy, as the city school district is restarting efforts to deny it a charter.

Receiver Dr. Janet Samuels approved a resolution on Monday night that will continue “non-renewal” proceedings against Premier Arts and Science Charter School, located at 500 N. 17^th Street.

The district now will hold public hearings on its decision not to grant a renewal, though Samuels did not immediately offer a timeframe for doing so.

“. . . the School District will present evidence in support of the grounds for non-renewal set forth herein, and Premier will be given a reasonable opportunity to present witnesses and evidence in support of its defense,” according to the resolution approved by Samuels.

“Tonight, this meeting, Aug. 19, 2019, this district will commence with the non-renewal proceedings,” she said during Monday’s meeting.

Premier was granted a five-year charter in 2013, which has now expired. Nonetheless, it continues to operate and just opened for the 2019-20 academic year with about 220 students. If the district does refuse to renew the charter, the school could appeal the decision, allowing it to continue to operate during the appeals process.

Last year, the Harrisburg school board indicated that it would not renew the charter and began non-renewal proceedings against Premier. However, those proceedings were stopped and, earlier this year, the board was prepared to vote for a settlement that would have allowed Premier to continue to operate.

Once appointed receiver for the district in June, Samuels halted that settlement and now has restarted the district’s effort to deny Premier a renewal.

In its resolution, the district cites 22 separate reasons for denying the school a charter renewal, alleging procedural, reporting, data and funding issues, as well as alleged academic, achievement and instructional shortfalls.

“This board voted not to renew the charter based on lots of reasons,” Samuels said. “There are mandated reporting pieces that were not adhered to. When you think about, we talked about this at our last meeting, ensuring that clearances were done for staff—not adhered to. And I could go on.”

Also on Monday night, Samuels named Dr. John George, previously the district’s financial recovery plan service director, as the district’s acting superintendent, and named Christopher Celmer, previously the chief operating officer, as the acting assistant superintendent.

In his update on Monday, George went through a list of continuing issues facing the district. He said that the district’s finances are being pieced back together, though he projected that another 30 to 60 days of work remained to have a clear understanding of the budget.

“We’re building a puzzle without knowing what the picture will be like in the end,” he said. “However, it’s coming together.”

The district, he said, needs to close out the 2018-19 school year financially before it can create a firm 2019-20 budget, but “the bills keep coming in,” and they need to be examined and settled.

George also said that personnel records “were in disarray when we inherited them.” Going through them, they found that three support staff members lacked proper clearances and four teachers lacked appropriate certifications, so all were dismissed.

He also reflected on the morning’s faculty and staff convocation, which was held in the auditorium of Harrisburg High School.

“Today was an amazing day, watching all the staff members come back,” he said. “The excitement in the room, the enthusiasm, the sense of renewed hope was clearly, clearly contagious.”

Lastly, he said that the district is ready to start the school year, which begins for students next week.

“Monday is an important day for us, and we’re looking forward to it,” he said.

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Happy Weekend!

What are you doing this weekend?

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