Downtown stakeholders urge HBG council to renew free parking after 5

April 16, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

Street parking was full along N. 2nd Street in Harrisburg on Tuesday night.

Free evening parking has been a boon to downtown Harrisburg and should be continued, several downtown stakeholders told City Council members tonight.

At a council work session, representatives from a downtown restaurant, a theater and two nonprofits presented their case to extend an agreement that provides free street parking after 5 p.m. in most of downtown Harrisburg.

“Everything we’ve heard has been positive, positive, positive about the ‘Free Parking After 5’ program,” said Todd Vander Woude, executive director of the Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District (HDID).

Vander Woude cited a “car count” conducted by HDID to support his position. He said that 531 cars were parked in the free parking zone on a “random Wednesday” in October 2018. That contrasted with just 254 cars parked in the same zone during a count in September 2015, before the free parking program began.

Moreover, Vander Woude said that restaurants have reported much greater business over the past year. He cited an average increase in sales of 16 percent over the prior year, with some restaurants reporting much higher increases.

If approved, the resolution would allow the city to enter into an agreement with Dauphin County and HDID to split the $270,000 annual price tag. The city’s share would be $110,000, with Dauphin County, which has already approved the agreement, also kicking in $110,000. HDID would cover the remaining $50,000.

That money would be 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 prior years in the HDID district, which ranges roughly from State Street to just past Chestnut Street.

The current, one-year agreement actually expired on April 1, but the parties involved agreed to extend it through the month, until it could be renewed.

Restaurateur Steve Weinstock cited much greater sales at his restaurants since the free parking program started, saying that his dinner business at Stock’s on 2nd had increased by 34 percent and at Carley’s Ristorante by 29 percent.

“These are huge numbers,” Weinstock said. “They’re still not what they were a few years ago, but they’re headed in the right direction.”

Several council members echoed their enthusiasm for the renewal, advocating for a three-year agreement, not just one.

“Before, it was dead downtown,” said council President Wanda Williams. “Now, you can’t find a place to park. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

While most council members seemed happy to renew the agreement, they were less pleased about Trimont’s other request—compensation for use of the LUV HBG code on the ParkMobile mobile app, which provides four hours of free parking on Saturdays. Trimont is asking for $90,000 compensation for use of the code over the next year.

Council members said they wanted additional data from Trimont before entering into a negotiation over continuing the mobile code. Until now, Trimont had attached no cost to use of the LUV HBG code.

“We like the LUV HBG program. We would like it to continue,” said Councilman Ben Allatt. “But we want it open to negotiation.”

Melissa Nicholson, executive director of Gamut Theatre Group, advocated for the continuation of the code.

“LUV HGB has been an enormous help to us,” she said, explaining that Gamut has many Saturday activities at its theater on N. 4^th Street.

In another matter, the administration asked council to ratify the submission of a grant application to the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for construction of a “chutes and ladders” playground in Reservoir Park.

If received, the $250,000 grant would substantially offset the $600,000 cost of the project, the construction of a play area that mimics the features of the classic children’s game. The city plans to apply for other grants to pay for much of the balance.

Council is expected to take action on these issues at its legislative session next week.

Harrisburg metro again performs well on US News “Best Places” list

April 16, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

The beauty of the Susquehanna River and access to nature and the outdoors impressed the U.S. News judges.

The Harrisburg area is the 44^th-best place to live in the country, according to the just-released annual list from U.S. News & World Report.

The editors praised Harrisburg for its affordability, easy access to outdoor activities and “small-town” atmosphere. While U.S. News analyzed the metropolitan area, much of the praise was focused on the city.

“Singles and younger residents might be more inclined to live downtown or in Midtown, near restaurants and nightlife, especially if they work downtown,” stated the entry. “Older couples and families might be more attracted to the bigger space and better schools that suburban areas like Camp Hill, Mechanicsburg and Hershey have to offer.”

U.S. News ranked 125 metro areas based on five general criteria: desirability, value, job market, quality of life and net migration. Harrisburg scored best on the “value” measure.

Last year, U.S. News also ranked Harrisburg as the 44^th “best place” to live in the nation and the best metro area in Pennsylvania.

The editors were especially struck by the Harrisburg area’s affordable housing and beautiful setting near the river and mountains.

“While Harrisburg isn’t necessarily regarded as an affluent area, its housing market is exceedingly affordable,” said the entry. “That, coupled with a cost of living well below the national average, may result in a greater expendable income for Harrisburg residents than those in other parts of the country—especially given that the average annual salary in the area isn’t all that much lower than the national average.”

Like last year, the U.S. News compilers ranked Austin, Texas, as their “best place” to live for 2019. Colorado Springs, Colo., and Denver switched spots at No. 2 and 3, respectively.

Washington, D.C., fell precipitously from last year, falling to No. 19 from No. 8 in 2018.

The rankings for other Pennsylvania cities this year included Lancaster at No. 48, Pittsburgh at No. 50, Reading at No. 84, York at No. 87, Allentown at No. 93, Scranton at No. 98, and Philadelphia at No. 102.

U.S. News also ranks central Pennsylvania very highly in “best places” to retire, with Harrisburg coming in at No. 29 and Lancaster at No. 1 in the nation.

For more information, visit https://realestate.usnews.com/places/rankings/best-places-to-live.

Harrisburg U. releases features, renderings of new student center

April 16, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

A rendering (more below) of Harrisburg University’s new Student Union, now under construction inside Whitaker Center.

At one time, college student centers tended to be drab places, usually with little more than some old chairs and tables, maybe a worn sofa.

Not any more—at least not for Harrisburg University students.

When it opens, the new HU Student Union will have several unique elements, according to specifications from the university. In addition to the expected chairs, tables and informal meeting spaces, it will feature a wellness center, a gaming area and an aquaponics lab.

“This will be a state-of-the-art facility that will integrate student life with recreation and academics,” said Steven Infanti, HU’s assistant vice president of marketing and communications.

Since February, HU has been building out the multi-floor, 7,950-square-foot student center inside Whitaker Center, in the part of the 20-year-old building that once housed KidsPlace, an activity and exhibition area for children that since has been relocated. The renovation is expected to be complete in time for the fall academic semester.

Renderings show a sleek, industrial-style space with numerous separate areas to study, socialize and collaborate. Features include:

Dedicated, collaborative learning and small group areas, private study and conference rooms.
A custom-designed amphitheater outfitted with a large, multimedia video wall display.
An aquaponics lab surrounded by glass and equipped with two fish tanks and media beds, in addition to NFT (nutrient film technique) tables for growing plants.
A new mezzanine housing fitness and aerobic classes, private study space and a gaming area.
A full-service wellness center.

The student center represents the second major collaboration between HU and Whitaker Center. The university also houses e-sports practice and gaming areas inside the downtown arts center.

The Student Union also will help tie together the numerous HU buildings in downtown Harrisburg, including the planned, 17-story tower that soon will break ground at S. 3^rd and Chestnut streets, Infanti said.

“This central location and the varied uses of the building will build a greater sense of community that links together the Academic Center with our student housing and our new tower,” Infanti said. “We are creating a place for everybody to congregate.”

Effort to suspend HBG school superintendent fails; new district solicitor rejected

April 15, 2019 | by Maddie Crocenzi

The Harrisburg school board on Monday night

Members of the Harrisburg school board tried, but failed, on Monday night to suspend the district’s superintendent and acting business manager during another contentious meeting.

Board Director Brian Carter introduced the motion to add the suspensions as an item to the agenda following the district’s recent decision to refuse the Pennsylvania Department of Education access to financial information for an audit.

Acting Business Manager Bilal Hasan said his concern wasn’t about giving up the information but allowing the department access to an online financial system with sensitive information.

“No one has ever before come to the district and logged into our accounts to see the information,” Hasan explained.

In a letter dated March 27, the state Department of Education said the district needed to provide the information “without delay.” Director Carrie Fowler, who seconded Carter’s motion, said board members didn’t find out about the letter until Dr. Janet Samuels, the district’s chief recovery officer, emailed them on Friday. It was one hour before PennLive published a story about the district’s refusal to provide the information, Fowler said.

Board President Danielle Robinson called the motion to suspend Hasan and Superintendent Sybil Knight-Burney “highly inappropriate,” and said it was never discussed with the board. However, Fowler quickly accused Robinson of not being “on top of it,” and motioned to add to the agenda an item to remove Robinson as board president, alleging a lack of accountability, transparency, professionalism and leadership.

The motion to add Knight-Burney and Hasan’s suspensions to the April agenda was voted down 5-3-1. Fowler’s motion to add the removal of Robinson as board president to the agenda was rejected 6-2-1.

The board also voted 5-4 against hiring James Ellison as in-house solicitor following public comment that supported him as a candidate. The close vote almost turned into a yes as Director Lionel Gonzalez asked to change his vote toward the end of the meeting. However, current district Solicitor Samuel Cooper said that Gonzalez’s expressed wish to change his vote came too late, so was no longer possible.

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.

Board members also expressed concerns about how the process to find an in-house solicitor was conducted. Board Director Judd Pittman, who nominated Cooper for the position before Cooper withdrew his name, said candidates were not afforded the same opportunities and not all board members were included.

However, Robinson defended what she said was a four-month process that everyone was involved in.

“What’s really funny and confusing is the people who had an issue with the process were a part of the process,” she said.

Robinson said she’s not sure what will happen now regarding hiring an in-house solicitor. She said they could re-open the process, and Ellison’s name could come up again.

“If he still wants to be a part of the process, he’s more than welcome to,” she said.

School board candidates to speak, debate at 2 events this week

April 15, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

School board candidate Doug Thompson Leader spoke at a forum earlier this month at HMAC.

The field for Harrisburg school board is crowded, making it important for voters to learn about the candidates running in the May primary election.

To the end, Power Central PA, a local interfaith group, plans two debates this week. The first will take place on Thursday, April 18, at the House of Music, Arts and Culture (HMAC) in Midtown, and the second is slated for Saturday, April 20, at Choice Community Christian Church on Allison Hill.

Both HMAC and Choice Community Christian Church are listed as co-sponsors of their respective events.

For school board, 12 Democratic candidates are running for five, four-year seats. They include four current school board directors, Lionel Gonzalez, Lola Lawson, Ellis R. Roy and Patricia Whitehead-Myers, and eight challengers, Jayne Buchwach, Lewis Butts Jr., Ralph Rodriguez, James Thompson, Doug Thompson Leader, Gerald Welch, Cory X. Williams and Steven Williams.

No one filed to run in the Republican primary.

Brandon Flood, the newly appointed secretary of the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons, has signed on to moderate both debates, according to Carrie Fowler, a current school board director. The debates are scheduled to start at 6 p.m. with a meet and greet and refreshments, with the actual forum/debate starting at 7 p.m.

HMAC is located 1110 N. 3^rd St. in Harrisburg and Choice Community Christian Church is located at 1524 Walnut St., Harrisburg.

The primary is slated for May 21.

In other school district news, the school board is slated to meet tonight in its regular monthly session, with the appointment of a new district solicitor on the agenda.

During the board’s March meeting, a shouting match broke out over the issue, which was eventually tabled. Tonight, the board is expected to re-consider whether to appoint James Ellison, a former school board solicitor and long-time political operative in the city.

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

April 12, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

This past week, HACC announced the receipt of the single largest gift in its history.

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

Capital Region Water last week said that it has started five water infrastructure projects that will extend through the early summer. The projects—four in Susquehanna Township and one in Harrisburg—may lead to road closures and detours until they’re completed. Click here for the complete story.

Downtown parking may remain free after 5 p.m., as Harrisburg City Council last week introduced a resolution to renew the popular program. If passed, the city would enter into a one-year agreement with Dauphin County and the Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District to offer complimentary street parking daily starting at 5 p.m. Click here for the complete story.

HACC last week announced the single largest donation in the history of the community college. The $1.3 million donation will establish the John E. Paxton and Gloria W. Paxton Fund for Excellence in STEAM. Click here for the complete story.

Harrisburg City Council on Tuesday approved a contract with Maverick Strategies for a second, one-year consulting contract. After a two-month hold, council passed the $60,000 outlay by a 5-2 vote. In February, council tabled the proposed 2019 agreement with the Harrisburg-based lobbying shop, asking for detailed billing statements for the prior contract, which ended Dec. 31.

Harrisburg University last week announced that city-based HHM has signed on as its hotel partner for the 17-story, mixed-use building it plans to construct in downtown Harrisburg. HHM will finance and own the 10-story hotel portion separately from the rest of the building, which mostly will house HU classroom space for its medical sciences programs. Click here for the complete story.

TheBurg captured 16 Keystone Press Awards in the annual contest honoring the best in journalism in Pennsylvania, which was announced last week by the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association. TheBurg won for work completed in 2018 in a wide range of categories, including for reporting, writing, design and illustration. Click here for the complete story.

UPMC Pinnacle is taking its first step into Midtown Harrisburg, relocating about 40 administrative workers to the Campus Square building at Reily and N. 3rd streets. The relocation will free up more space at the main campus for patient services, according to President and CEO Phil Guarneschelli. Click here for the complete story.

UPMC Pinnacle takes first step into Midtown with expansion to Campus Square building

April 12, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

The Campus Square building in Midtown Harrisburg

As UPMC Pinnacle has grown and grown, you may have wondered—where could they possibly expand to next?

Here, at least in part, is your answer: Midtown.

On Monday, a handful of Pinnacle employees will spend their first workday in the Campus Square building at the corner of N. 3rd and Reily streets in Harrisburg. Before the month is out, about 40 employees will work in that office, said Phil Guarneschelli, UPMC Pinnacle’s president and CEO.

“We are moving some administrative offices to make more room for patient services at UPMC Pinnacle Harrisburg,” Guarneschelli said. “We are very excited about this growth and the care we can provide to patients as a result.”

After a two-year construction period, GreenWorks Development opened the sprawling, 75,000-square-foot building in 2009. The building once housed HACC’s administrative offices and Commonwealth Charter Academy, a cyber charter school. Both have since moved out, and GreenWorks has been filling the building with new tenants, including lobbying firm Maverick Strategies, which relocated from downtown last year.

The move represents a branching out geographically for UPMC Pinnacle in Harrisburg. Until now, it had clustered its workers around its facilities in downtown/Shipoke and at the Polyclinic campus in Uptown. Technology, though, now allows some employees to work more distantly, Guarneschelli said.

He cited a host of factors for selecting the Campus Square building, including parking availability, competitive rental cost and LEED energy certification, as the building is geothermally heated and cooled and has a 42-kilowatt solar array on the roof.

He described his employees as “excited” to make the move.

“Many have already checked out the restaurants in the area,” he said. “But as with any move, it will take some time to acclimate.”

Samra Alic, owner of Dalicia Bakery and Coffee Shop directly across N. 3rd Street, said that she warmly welcomed her new neighbors. She recalled that Commonwealth Charter Academy students used to stop in for coffee or a pastry.

“I’m very happy about this,” she said. “With more people coming in here, it’s going to be better.”

While this is UPMC Pinnacle’s first foray into Midtown, it may not be their last.

“As we continue to grow and expand the great services of UPMC, we expect there may be times we need to shift locations to accommodate changes,” Guarneschelli said. “At this time, there are no planned moves. There is capacity at this new location if the need arises.”

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

April 11, 2019 | by Sara Bozich

Happy Weekend! The highlight of the weekend (besides weather) is a fancy wine dinner on Saturday night we’re super stoked for, thanks to the generosity of some good friends. There is A LOT going on for you to explore, including checking out Grand Illusion Cider if you haven’t yet — or maybe you have time to check out a new-to-you or favorite brewery? We have ample suggestions below.

What are you doing this weekend?

HACC receives largest donation in its history, will be used for STEAM education

April 10, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

HACC President John Sygielski, HACC Foundation Executive Director Linnie Carter and Paxton family attorney Mark Mateya pose with the ceremonial big check.

The Paxton surname is one of the most recognizable in the Harrisburg area, as it’s shared with streets, buildings and even neighborhoods.

Now, to that list, you can add the largest single donation in the history of HACC.

Today, the HACC Foundation announced a gift of nearly $1.3 million to establish the John E. Paxton and Gloria W. Paxton Fund for Excellence in STEAM.

This fund will provide access to programming and technology for HACC students enrolled in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) programs.

“They could have given to any nonprofit, and they gave to us,” said Linnie Carter, executive director of the HACC Foundation. “That’s tremendous.”

The Paxtons lived in the Harrisburg area for much of their lives. John, a land survey engineer, was active in the Lawnton and Chambers Hill fire companies. He died in 2007.

Gloria was a member of the Humane Society of Harrisburg and the National Wildlife Federation. Her estate bequeathed the money to HACC following her death in 2017.

The Paxton family attorney, Mark Mateya, helped arrange the donation, and he attended today’s press conference on the HACC campus that announced the gift.

“The genesis of this gift is generosity,” he said. “The Paxtons had no children, but they were very involved in their community and were very good at saving money.”

According to HACC, the Paxton’s gift will provide for several STEAM programs and initiatives, including a mentoring program for underrepresented and marginalized first-time college students, a scholarship program, a fund to pay for textbooks, and the implementation of video classrooms.

“This historic gift we’ve received allows us to take this program to a whole new level,” said Stephen Ampersand, HACC’s vice president of student affairs and enrollment management. “We are aspiring to be a leader in STEAM programs. These resources will allow us to do that.”

For more information on the John E. Paxton and Gloria W. Paxton Fund for Excellence in STEAM, visit www.hacc.edu/paxtongift.

Park Here: Harrisburg weighs renewing free downtown parking deal

April 9, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

It was hard to find a place to park on N. 2nd Street early on Tuesday night, as motorists took advantage of free parking after 5 p.m. in downtown Harrisburg.

Free parking may stay on the menu in downtown Harrisburg, as City Council tonight introduced a measure that would extend complimentary street parking for another year.

If approved, the resolution would offer free street parking in most of downtown after 5 p.m., an arrangement that has been in effect since April 2018.

“I certainly hope it will be renewed for another year,” Mayor Eric Papenfuse said, following Tuesday’s council session. “I think it’s been extremely successful.”

The current, one-year agreement actually expired on April 1, but the parties involved agreed to extend it through the month, until it could be renewed for another year, Papenfuse said.

Technically, the resolution would allow the city to enter into an agreement with Dauphin County and the Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District (HDID) to split the $270,000 price tag. The city’s share would be $110,000, with Dauphin County, which has already approved the agreement, also kicking in $110,000. HDID would cover the remaining $50,000.

That money would be 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 just past Chestnut Street (see graphic below).

Papenfuse said that the city has already accounted for the expected expense as part of its 2019 budget, with the money originating from its share of parking revenues.

HDID’s Executive Director Todd Vander Woude tonight said that he enthusiastically backed another year of free evening street parking. HDID members, many of which are restaurant owners, have reported increased happy hour and dinner business over the last year since the free parking went into effect, he said.

“I’ve heard very positive things from businesses and customers alike,” he said. “There’s been an increase in downtown business. It’s all been very positive.”

The resolution also requests a city contribution to continue another parking program—the four hours of free street parking on Saturdays enabled by using the code “LUV HBG” for users of the ParkMobile app.

That code went into effect more than four years ago to try to help businesses that said they were being harmed by the $3-per-hour charge for Saturday street parking, which had been free when the city ran the parking system.

Trimont had never requested payment before for revenue allegedly lost through use of the app. However, according to the resolution, it now is requesting $90,000 for the next year. The administration is asking council to approve $40,000 to cover the city’s portion of the payment.

Papenfuse said that the city and HDID would make a presentation to council on the resolution during an upcoming work session. A vote, he hoped, would follow at the following legislative session in two weeks.

“To me, this is an example of something that’s worked extremely well,” he said. “It’s been successful.”

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