Construction Ahead: Road, sidewalk closings, detours coming to heart of Midtown

April 24, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

The intersection of N. 3rd and Verbeke streets in Harrisburg

Big changes are coming to the heart of Midtown Harrisburg, but first residents, visitors and motorists will have to endure a month of considerable inconvenience.

Starting next week, the 3^rd Street project will hit N. 3^rd and Verbeke streets, necessitating road and sidewalk closures and detours.

“This is going to be a major disruption in many respects,” said Mayor Eric Papenfuse today.

For more than a year, crews have been working on a two-mile stretch of 3^rd Street, replacing sewers, improving intersections, replacing streetlights and redoing curbs. Construction on the $5.5 million project should wrap up late this year with a road resurfacing of the entire stretch.

The work near the Broad Street Market will begin on Monday, closing Verbeke Street at the intersection of N. 3^rd Street. One side of the street, which is split by the market, will reopen on Thursday for the weekend market hours.

The following week, starting May 6, the entire intersection of N. 3^rd and Verbeke will close from Monday through Thursday. Work at the intersection will continue through about May 23, though it could be extended in the event of substantial rain or other unexpected delays.

“The reason that Verbeke gets closed is that the dig is deep,” said city Engineer Wayne Martin. “We can’t have traffic with that deep of excavation.”

Besides road and sidewalk delays, the construction will affect access to the three main buildings at the intersection: the Broad Street Market, Midtown Scholar Bookstore and the Historic Harrisburg Resource Center, Papenfuse said.

The new intersections, which will include significant bump-outs into the current street area, will require construction work to the edge of the existing buildings so that they conform with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, he said.

The projected N. 3rd/Verbeke construction timeline

Martin said that the general contractor, Elizabethtown-based Doug Lamb Construction, could have had a less ambitious schedule, but that would have drawn out the period of construction.

“We could have prolonged the agony, or we could rip the Band-Aid off all at one time,” he said.

Papenfuse said that he believes the end result will be worth the temporary inconveniences to motorists and pedestrians.

The intersection, he said, will have a totally different look—with more green space—and be far more pedestrian-friendly.

“It’s going to be great once it’s done,” he said.

Good news for diners, drinkers, as Harrisburg council approves, extends free downtown parking program

April 23, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

With Tuesday’s City Council vote, the “Free Parking” sign will remain on the meter for another three years.

If you liked the past year of free evening parking in downtown Harrisburg, you’ll love this—City Council has approved renewal of the program for three more years.

Council unanimously passed a resolution on Tuesday night that will allow for free street parking in most of downtown after 5 p.m. through April 2022.

“Overall, customers and restaurants are receiving positive outcomes from the 5 to 7 program,” said council President Wanda Williams, before casting her “yes” vote.

The “Free After 5” program has been in effect for the past year, with the city, Dauphin County and the Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District (HDID) splitting the $270,000 price tag.

That money is paid to Trimont Real Estate Advisors, the asset manager for the parking system. Trimont, along with operator SP+ (locally, Park Harrisburg), took control of the city’s municipal parking system as part of a debt-restructuring plan in 2014.

The $270,000 sum represents the total revenue that SP+ had collected from meters and enforcement fines between 5 and 7 p.m. in the HDID zone, which ranges roughly from State Street to Chestnut Street.

Mayor Eric Papenfuse has said that the city’s portion for this year has already been budgeted for, with the money coming from the city’s share of parking revenues. The county still must approve the three-year term, which, according to city Solicitor Neil Grover, should happen on Wednesday. The county had already OK’d a one-year renewal.

According to HDID Executive Director Todd Vander Woude, businesses, especially restaurant owners, have reported increased sales since the program began in April 2018.

During last week’s council work session, Steve Weinstock, owner of Stock’s on 2nd and Carley’s Ristorante, reported much higher dinner receipts over the past year, crediting the free parking program.

Notably, council on Tuesday did not approve another request from Trimont, which wants $90,000 a year to continue the program that has offered four free hours of parking on Saturdays by using the LUV HBG code through the ParkMobile app.

“Council has not received any documents to prove [Trimont’s] statement,” Williams said of the request for $90,000.

Instead, council authorized the administration to negotiate with Trimont in the hope that the company will continue to allow use of the code at no cost to the city.

In a split vote, Harrisburg school board hires Ellison as solicitor

April 22, 2019 | by Maddie Crocenzi

The Harrisburg school board, which met in special session on Monday

After weeks of heated discussion, the Harrisburg school board voted 5-4 to hire attorney James Ellison as the district’s in-house solicitor during a special meeting on Monday evening.

Board members Ellis Roy, Lola Lawson, Patricia Whitehead-Myers, Lionel Gonzalez and board President Danielle Robinson voted to hire Ellison, while members Judd Pittman, Carrie Fowler, Joseph Brown and Brian Carter voted against.

Technically, Carter refused to cast a vote, so Robinson recorded his response as a no.

“We already voted on it,” Carter said, referring to a meeting last week. “We already voted once, so why are we here tonight? Why are we having this meeting tonight? There’s no reason that we should be sitting up here tonight.”

Indeed, the resolution to hire Ellison was considered at last week’s regular board meeting, when it failed by a single vote. After the official voting ended last week, Gonzalez asked to change his “no” vote to a “yes,” a request that was denied.

Gonzalez later said that he was confused by the procedure, so cast the wrong vote. The result was Monday’s special meeting so the board could vote again.

Pittman and Fowler tried to nominate the district’s current solicitor, Samuel Cooper, who works through his law firm, Dilworth Paxson LLP. Cooper declined the nomination, as he did at the previous meeting.

The appointment of Ellison as in-house solicitor has been controversial between board members and the community. Ellison served as general counsel for the district from 1997-99 and again in 2001-05. He also worked with the Coatesville Area School District, but parted ways following a lawsuit that claimed that he over-billed the district and gave them inappropriate advice.

During public comment preceding the vote, some community members expressed their support for Ellison, citing that he lives in the city, sent his children to Harrisburg schools and even worked for many community members personally.

Jody Barksdale, president of the Harrisburg Education Association, outlined what she considered to be both the pros and cons of hiring Ellison. She noted that Ellison lives in the city and helped elect former Mayor Linda Thompson. However, she also had concerns over his work in Coatesville, his overdue school taxes and alleged parking fees in the city.

“I’m looking for good reasons to hire this man because I believe we need to keep our taxpayer’s money in the city,” Barksdale told the board. “I don’t think tonight is the right time to choose who that is.”

Fowler expressed concerns with the outcome, saying she didn’t believe the process to hire Ellison was fair. According to Fowler, the board interviewed two candidates, and Ellison was allowed to bring character witnesses and the other candidate did not.

On the other hand, Lawson claimed she was weary of what she described as “witch hunts” in the community and said there was a difference in skill levels between the candidates.

“In terms of the controversy that’s all around him (Ellison), I take that to heart, and I think that’s important,” Lawson said. “But I did not let that be my deciding factor.”

After voting on Ellison, the board turned to another hot-button issue—a financial audit of the district by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Both Pittman and Fowler asked to amend the agenda to discuss the issue, but Robinson said it was already being dealt with. According to Robinson, the board has an executive session scheduled for April 23 to discuss the issue, and the district will meet with the department the next day.

After a community member expressed his disapproval with the district’s decision not to comply with the state’s audit demands, Acting Business Manager Bilal Hasan addressed what he called “misinformation” about the request. Hasan said the district has complied with the request but declined a request to grant direct access to its eFinance database.

“Just because you talk about and scream doesn’t mean it’s the truth,” Hasan said. “The truth is that we gave them the information. They’re asking for access to the database.”

Burg View: Where Are the Incumbents?

April 22, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

The seven challengers for Harrisburg school board who have attended all three candidate events. From left, Gerald Welch, Jayne Buchwach, Cory X. Williams, Lewis Butts Jr., Steven Williams, James Thompson and Doug Thompson Leader.

What if you held an election, and the candidates didn’t show up?

Pointedly, a certain group of candidates—the incumbents for Harrisburg school board: Lionel Gonzalez, Lola Lawson, Ellis R. Roy and Patricia Whitehead-Myers (joined in absentia by one of the challengers, Ralph Rodriguez).

Over the past two weeks, three community events—a candidate forum and two debates—have been held, and the current office-holders have dodged each one.

I attended Thursday night’s debate at the House of Music, Arts & Culture (HMAC), and it was striking to see the same seven challengers lined up on stage—making statements, answering questions—but not a single sitting school board member.

Perhaps they didn’t feel they would be in friendly territory or that they would have to answer tough questions. But you know what? That’s their job.

As public servants seeking another term in office, they have a duty to stand before residents and explain their positions and defend their votes, even if they might face criticism. And besides, I doubt that Brandon Flood, the evening’s profoundly fair moderator, would have been any tougher on them than the other candidates.

Why do they believe so strongly in the policies of the school superintendent? How do they feel about appointing James Ellison as district solicitor? Do they agree with the district’s refusal to cooperate with the state’s financial audit? Why or why not?

Voters have a right to know. If you’re consistently voting to support the administration, you must have your reasons, and you should be able to air and defend them. If you believe the district should not cooperate with state auditors, you should be able to explain your view on this consequential issue–one that could jeopardize the very autonomy of the district.

But, once again, the incumbents weren’t in attendance, leaving some 70 voters who attended the debate without their side of the story or any idea what they would do over the next four years if elected.

Thus, the night was left to the seven challengers who have attended every candidate event: Gerald Welch, Jayne Buchwach, Cory X. Williams, Lewis Butts Jr., Steven Williams, James Thompson and Doug Thompson Leader.

Together, they had a lively, fascinating and civil discussion on everything from school funding to charter schools to curriculum. If they had attended, the sitting board members would have discovered an evening of serious debate about vital issues facing the district, not one of personal attacks against them or the administration.

The primary election is one month away, and other debates are planned. Will the incumbents attend those, or will they blow them off, too?

At some point soon, the incumbent school board members need to step up. They need to summon their collective courage, stand before the voters of Harrisburg and state boldly why they deserve another four years in office.

Lawrance Binda is editor-in-chief of TheBurg.

Natural Expression: Earth Day takes artistic form at Vivi on Verbeke

April 22, 2019 | by Robert MacGinnes

The exterior of Vivi on Verbeke in Harrisburg

With Earth Day this week and spring’s return in full bloom, I couldn’t think of a better place to celebrate Mother Earth than at Vivi on Verbeke, where I spent part of Friday’s 3^rd in the Burg.

The vibrant panoply of color adorning the ceramic pottery hanging, floating and residing window-side is just a preview of what lies beyond the threshold. The window display promises pottery and lots of it.

Upon entering Vivi on Verbeke, I could almost project myself back to 1970 and the first Earth Day celebration. The soundtrack playing in my head was Donovan’s “Wear Your Love Like Heaven.” Can there really be a pottery gallery that is more down to earth?

And then there is the legend of Vivi—short for Vivian Sterste, the proprietress. If Mother Earth inhabited human form, it just may be Vivi herself. Part hippie, part celestial being, Vivi is 100-percent connected to one of the oldest art forms known to man. Like snowflakes, no two pots are exactly the same. Perhaps similar but the proof is in the details, and that lies in the hands of the artist. Vivian’s hands guide the novice to the advanced potter in creating vessels that are as unique as the individuals at the wheel.

One feels instantly at ease in the down home gallery, outfitted with two well-loved sofas adorned with vintage quilts. A Southwest corner is reminiscent of a Georgia O’Keefe painting of a bleached cow skull at her ranch in Abiquiú, N.M.

Vivi’s partner in all things is Jackson “Jeb” Boyd, a bearded and brilliant man. A bon vivant alchemist, Jeb is responsible for all the photography and sculpture adorning the gallery. Judging by appearance, he could very well be Father Time. So, pairing up Mother Earth with Father Time, one can feel that Haight Ashbury, ‘60s-era of love permeating the atmosphere at 258 Verbeke St. Time stands still and in a very cool way.

It actually points to a partnership well ahead of the curve. In operation since January 2013, Vivi on Verbeke is visually arresting in its array of art. The major room features exposed brick and stucco. From the main course of pottery, there is a gallery full of paintings—from the sublime to the surreal. Photography encompasses a love of abandoned-ness and artistic adventures, and sculpture defies labels. Of particular interest is a copper-encrusted, rusted dinosaur that “phlew” in from the Mesozoic Era and rakishly roosted on a table frozen in time. Jeb refers to it as Ptery the Pteradactyl. The basement houses the space for clay enthusiasts with wheels for throwing, a kiln for firing, and a pugmill—a device that saves the remnants of unused clay and reconstitutes the material to a workable substance.

By definition, the word “vivify” means to endow with life, and even though pots are inanimate objects, Vivi’s vision is such that she animates an otherwise everyday object with vibrancy and imbues it with a unique personality. This passion is reflected in commitment to her art.

In an era of homogenized products cranked out by rote, it is refreshing to handle objects d’art that are lovingly crafted by hand. Every last item gallery-wide is created either by Vivian or Jeb, offering testament to their partnership in love and carriage (trade). These are two creative artists, each highly skilled in their fields of passion, complementing the other in the very best way.

I am sure by now that you have figured out a certain fascination for words starting with the letter “V.” So, here’s another one—variety. Vessels, sculptures, paintings and photography abound at Vivi on Verbeke. Vow to visit Vivi and celebrate Earth Day, no matter the month or date.

Vivi on Verbeke is located at 258 Verbeke St., Harrisburg. To see more of her creations and for more information, visit her Facebook page.

The Week That Was: A summary of news and events around Harrisburg

April 19, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

This past week, Urban Churn opened its new ice cream parlor in Midtown Harrisburg.

What happened around Harrisburg last week? Here’s a summary of news and events that you may have missed.

Harrisburg came in at No. 44 on U.S. News & World Reports’ “Best Places to Live” list, the highest ranking of any metro area in Pennsylvania. The area’s affordability and easy access to nature impressed the publication, which also ranked Harrisburg No. 44 last year. Click here for the complete story.

Harrisburg City Council on Tuesday began discussing whether to extend a program that offers free street parking downtown after 5 p.m. Council members seemed inclined to renew the program but were reticent to meet a new demand—providing compensation to Standard Parking for use of the LUV HBG mobile app code. Click here for the complete story.

Harrisburg school board met amid acrimony last week, as several board members tried, and failed, to suspend the district superintendent. The split board also failed to appoint an in-house district solicitor, though board members will meet in special session on Monday to reconsider that issue. Click here for the complete story.

Harrisburg school board candidates met for a second debate to discuss issues relevant to the district. As in the first debate, seven challengers participated in the debate at HMAC, but no incumbents attended. Click here for the complete story.

Harrisburg University last week offered details for its new student center, which currently is under construction inside Whitaker Center. The student center, which features a sleek, industrial look, is expected to open this fall in downtown Harrisburg. Click here for the complete story.

SoMa Block Parties will return this summer, said co-sponsors Harristown Enterprises and Sara Bozich. The first party will take place on May 11 in conjunction with the Harrisburg Young Professionals’ annual home tour, with monthly parties continuing through September. Click here for the complete story.

Urban Churn opened its first brick-and-mortar retail store, located on N. 3rd Street in Midtown Harrisburg. The craft ice cream company also plans to retain its stand inside the Broad Street Market. Click here for the complete story.

Sweet Dream: Backed by the community, Urban Churn opens scoop shop in Midtown

April 19, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

Owner Adam Brackbill in his new Urban Churn retail shop.

It wasn’t even noon yet when Susan Bailey stepped into Urban Churn, the new scoop shop that opened for business just a half-hour before.

She was, let’s say, a little happy.

“I’m so excited, I can’t stand it,” she exclaimed, as she put in an order for several pints of ice cream, covering most of the eight flavors on the menu.

Yes, she said, she loves ice cream, especially from Urban Churn, a small-batch, craft producer that opened its first brick-and-mortar today on N. 3^rd Street in the heart of Midtown Harrisburg.

But, even more, she loves small business, especially those with strong community foundations.

“It’s so hometown-y,” said Bailey, who came down from her artist’s studio in the Millworks. “This really adds something to the city and to Midtown.”

Score a win for owner Adam Brackbill, as that’s exactly what he intended when he chose this location, expanding from his small stand at the Broad Street Market up the street.

“Our business model fits in so well with this community,” he said. “Our shop and what we do is meant to be personal with people, and Midtown is the place to do that.”

Business was brisk on the first day, with Brackbill and his two employees taking orders and scooping up ice cream as quickly as they could. Bailey herself ordered five pints—mostly for friends, she said.

A reporter (OK, it was me) was lucky enough to enjoy the very first affogato (espresso poured over ice cream), a sweet concoction made with Elementary Coffee Co. beans. Brackbill was also serving up lemon bar sundaes and ice cream-topped brownies from another Broad Street Market vendor, Raising the Bar.

The path to get to this day wasn’t easy. Like many buildings in Midtown’s old commercial strip, the squat, clapboard structure needed a lot of work: electrical, plumbing, a new bathroom, new paint, etc.

The renovation cost far more than Brackbill anticipated when he selected what he described as “the perfect location.” So, he turned to the community for help. He started an online fundraising effort, which actually exceeded his $10,000 goal, with dozens of people contributing.

“This is a real community project,” Brackbill said.

Espresso is prepared for an affogato.

Bailey herself was one of the donors. She said that she was happy to support a community-based business started by a young, local entrepreneur, and the fact that it serves such delicious treats was only a bonus.

“We need to make connections in the community,” she said. “And this will help.”

Urban Churn is located at 1004 N. 3^rd St., and is open Wednesdays through Sundays (except for Easter). For more information visit https://urbanchurn.com.

Harrisburg school board challengers exchange views at debate, as incumbents again fail to show

April 18, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

Moderator Brandon Flood (right) introduces Harrisburg school board candidates at the start of Thursday night’s debate.

School board incumbents once again failed to show up for a candidate debate, as seven challengers gathered on Thursday night to discuss and debate issues facing the Harrisburg school district.

Some 70 people gathered at the House of Music, Arts & Culture (HMAC) to listen as Democratic candidates exchanged views at the debate, sponsored by Power Central PA, a local interfaith group.

In attendance were challengers Gerald Welch, Jayne Buchwach, Cory X. Williams, Lewis Butts Jr., Steven Williams, James Thompson and Doug Thompson Leader.

Absent were incumbents Lionel Gonzalez, Lola Lawson, Ellis R. Roy and Patricia Whitehead-Myers, as well as challenger Ralph Rodriguez. It was the second debate that these five candidates skipped over the past two weeks.

“Every candidate was extended an invitation,” said moderator Brandon Flood, the newly appointed secretary of the state Board of Pardons. “You can see who took us up on this invitation.”

The candidates first made brief introductions, many mentioning why they decided to run for school board in the May 21 primary.

“I saw the way the school district is operating and I said, ‘You can either do nothing or you can do something,” said Steven Williams. “I’m here to do something.”

After that, candidates answered a series of audience questions for nearly two hours, expressing their views on what they perceived to be the most pressing concerns facing the district right now.

“I’m going to net it out—transparency and accountability,” said candidate Jayne Buchwach. “Every person who works in this district should be accountable, and all of it should be for the betterment of children.”

Candidates often criticized the current administration and school board on such issues as hiring a new, in-house board solicitor and the recent refusal of the school administration to cooperate with a state-mandated financial audit of the district.

“Now, I hear the school board president is arguing with the chief recovery officer,” said James Thompson. “We’re no longer cooperating with the state. We’re arguing with the state.”

The school board just announced a special meeting on Monday, at 5:30 p.m., to select a new in-house solicitor for the district. It’s expected the board will try again to appoint former district solicitor James Ellison, an effort that fell just one vote shy last Monday.

Numerous candidates cited an alleged lack of leadership among the administration and board as a motivation for running.

“They ignore the kids, they ignore the parents, they ignore us,” said Doug Thompson Leader. “So, there needs to be a change.”

The candidates agreed on many issues, but seemed split on the whether to have more charter schools in the Harrisburg school district.

“I’m for a high-quality education,” said Cory X. Williams. “So, I believe personally that the parents should have the choice. I’m down for it if it’s going to give us a quality education.”

Lewis Butts disagreed.

“Charter schools cannot provide the extracurricular activity of a Harrisburg High,” Butts said, as a reason for objecting to more charter schools.

He mentioned “equestrian sports” as something the school district could offer, saying that students should be able to use the state Farm Show Complex for equestrian activities because “it’s in our house.”

The evening’s final question regarded cultural diversity and sensitivity in the district and as part of the school curriculum. All candidates agreed that the district should foster cross-cultural understanding, respect and empathy.

“If you treat everybody with dignity, honor and respect, you can deal effectively with having a diverse community,” said Gerald Welch.

Power Central PA has scheduled another debate for Saturday, starting at 6 p.m., at Choice Community Church at 1524 Walnut St., Harrisburg.

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

April 18, 2019 | by Sara Bozich

Happy Weekend! I tweeted the other week — and I think it’s still fairly accurate — I’m 33% LaCroix 33% Peanut Butter Egg and 33% Pinot Noir. If only for my PB egg consumption, I am fully in Easter mode. We’re hosting, too, which is cool because I like a holiday I can pretty much outsource everything. Ham? It comes cooked, people! Biscuits? In-laws. Potatoes? My mom. Desserts? Raising the Bar + the delicious Smith Island Cake from Andy’s boss. So I’ll make a salad and some veggies. Dinner = done. Pro tip: Invite a friend to help buffer your parents and watch your kid! Friday is 3rd in the Burg, and either then or Saturday is ideal to hit Broad Street Market for any of those Easter needs. In other news, Greystone Brew House is opening quietly this weekend (not open for Easter Brunch, but Greystone Public House is), and we’ll have more on that next week.

What are you doing this weekend?

(more…)

SoMa Block Parties return to downtown Harrisburg with music, food, drink

April 17, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

S. 3rd Street in downtown Harrisburg

If you enjoy a good block party on a warm evening, your summer just took a turn for the better.

The monthly “SoMa Block Parties” in downtown Harrisburg that began last year are returning, starting in May and continuing through September.

The block parties are cosponsored by Harristown Enterprises, which owns many buildings in the area, and the Sara Bozich marketing company.

“We have invested over $20 million in the SoMa neighborhood in the past two decades,” said Harristown President and CEO Brad Jones. “Harristown believes this series of events are a fantastic way to showcase the neighborhood to a whole variety of new boutique small businesses.”

SoMa stands for “South of Market,” a revitalizing commercial and, increasingly, residential neighborhood bounded roughly by S. 3^rd, Market, Chestnut and S. 4^th streets. Harrisburg University soon will break ground on its new, 17-story academic and hotel tower in the neighborhood.

The block party takes place in the heart of SoMa on Blackberry Street (alley), behind International House. Each block party will feature music, food and local beer, wine and/or spirits.

The block party series kicks off on Saturday, May 11, in conjunction with the annual Harrisburg Young Professionals (HYP) Home Tour, which, this year features buildings in downtown Harrisburg.

Anyone can attend the party, though ticketed tour-goers will receive complimentary food and drink. The May party features products from such local vendors as Boneshire Brew Works, Zeroday Brewing Co., Ploughman Cider, Midstate Distillery, Spring Gate Vineyard & Winery, Bricco, Mel’s Rockin’ BBQ and Elementary Coffee Co. DJ Mad Hatter and the party band, Calling Off Doug, will provide music.

All other block parties will take place on Thursday evenings: June 27, July 25, Aug. 22 and Sept. 26.

“We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with Harristown to bring more people and vendors to the SoMa neighborhood of downtown Harrisburg,” said Bozich. “We love sharing this rediscovered gem and can’t wait to host this series of block parties with an even bigger audience in 2019.”

For more information on SoMa block parties, visit www.sarabozich.com. For more information on the HYP Home Tour, visit www.hyp.org.

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

What are you doing this weekend?

You May Also Like

You May Also Like