Broad Street Market brick building
Construction on the Broad Street Market’s brick building can keep pushing forward, as Harrisburg now has funding lined up for the project.
City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved reallocating $14.4 million in Harrisburg’s budget into its budget for the rebuilding of the fire-damaged market, which allows all contractors to begin work.
Council members voted in support, but many expressed concerns over the cost of the project and over what they said was a rushed approval timeline.
On Monday, contractor Power Component Systems (PCS) began selective demolition on the brick building, starting the 18- to 20-month rebuild, over two years after the fire. However, not all contractors could begin until the city had sufficient funds to pay for all of the work, which totals 11 bid packages.
After Tuesday’s vote to add $14.4 million into the general fund, the city now has about $19.1 million in its 2025 budget for the market. In total, officials estimate that the market rebuild will cost $23 million. The city has already spent about $3.3 million for selective demo, architectural and design services.
The money for the project will be shifted from other budget areas, like the state grants fund and capital projects fund, to the general fund. Also, $9.1 million will move from the city’s fund balance to go towards the market. The city’s current fund balance is about $19 million.
Officials explained that the money will be spent incrementally over the course of the project, and unspent funds by the end of 2025 will be rolled over into future budgets.
Harrisburg has already received $4.9 million in insurance funds, but hopes to receive more, which will come in the form of reimbursements. City Facilities Director Dave Baker previously said that he estimated that the city may get $12 million. $1 million of that is designated specifically for the tent structure.
While the money transfer was approved, council expressed concerns about the price tag.
“I’m very concerned about this project, this is a lot of money that’s being moved,” said council member Lamont Jones. “At the end of the day, this is a lot of money going out of the city.”
City Finance Manager Brian McCutcheon reminded council that all of the money for the market will not be leaving the city immediately, but over several years.
Council President Danielle Hill also brought up her desire to see local and minority-owned businesses involved in the rebuild.
City Solicitor Neil Grover said that city officials advocated to contractors the importance of including minority-owned subcontractors, but that the city couldn’t legally mandate it.
“It’s unfortunate that our Harrisburg-based minority and women-owned businesses won’t have a seat at the table,” Hill said.
Hill also shared passionate comments before voting, saying she was frustrated by the quick turnaround required of council for voting on the resolution. She said that she was voting “yes” “extremely reluctantly.” A few other council members shared similar sentiments.
“It’s not fair to us to constantly receive everything at the last minute,” she said. “It’s a lot of information to digest at the last minute. It seems to be a recurring theme with this administration. It’s not fair.”
Council member Ausha Green added that she would like better communication and transparency from the city about the market.
“We shouldn’t have to keep coming back, saying, can we get an update? Can we get a presentation?” Green said. “We need more communication with council and with the public.”
If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!
