Tag Archives: changing hands

Capital Loss: Harrisburg’s low-end real estate attracts buyers from all over the country. But why?

June 30, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda

Illustration by Rich Hauck.

Capital Loss: Harrisburg’s low-end real estate attracts buyers from all over the country. But why?

There’s a woman who lives in southern California, and she recently bought a house in Uptown Harrisburg. And I wonder—what does she want from us?

Now, to clarify, I don’t believe she’s moving here, since Dauphin County lists her mailing address as outside of Santa Clarita, Calif. If she did, that would be wonderful and welcomed, another person discovering our great little city.

But I don’t think so.

From what I could find online, she’s never lived anywhere near here. She spent her early years in the South, a little time in the Midwest, and has lived in the Los Angeles area for many years, some 3,000 miles away.

In a way, I’m being facetious. After all, I think I know exactly what she wants from us: bucks, bills, dough—cold, hard cash.

She’s a rent-seeker in the classic economic sense. She bought a forlorn rental property in Harrisburg to extract value from a city she probably has never even stepped foot in.

Every month, I engage in a rather tedious, if enlightening task. For a couple of hours, I research recent property sales in the city of Harrisburg so that I can list them in our next issue, in the section that we call “Changing Hands.”

As I do that, I find that I play a little game in my head—I root for some sales and against others. Let me explain.

In my mind, I break home sales into three big buckets.

The first falls under the category of owner/occupant. I enjoy typing up those sales because it means that someone so wants to be part of this community that they’re willing to invest and settle here. Hooray for them—and us.

The second falls under the category of local owner/manager. These are rental properties bought by Harrisburg-area people and companies. The purchases can be good or bad, depending on the new owner. In this area, there are some fantastic landlords and management companies that care deeply about their properties and the people living in them. On the other hand, there are some terrible ones who neglect their properties and exploit their tenants.

The third category involves an outside owner—outside the region, often outside the state. I wince when I see these sales because I assume that these buyers want nothing to do with this city, other than to take money out of it. Some are individuals, some are management companies, and some are investment vehicles like IRAs, trusts and estates.

This past May, 216 properties sold in Harrisburg and, according to my calculation, only about one-quarter can be classified as owner-occupied. Unfortunately, people who live nowhere near here constituted a larger share of purchases—about a third.

Folks in California, New York, New Jersey, South Carolina, Virginia, Colorado, Delaware, Washington, D.C.—what do you want with little old Harrisburg?

Oh, right, I already answered that: money.

But, honestly, can being an absentee landlord in Harrisburg be all that desirable?

Sure, I understand that slumlords often charge ridiculous rents for their squalid apartments—and property investors can enjoy some tax advantages. However, there also are huge costs associated with the endeavor, including mortgages, taxes, utilities, insurance and maintenance.

Absentee owners may save a few bucks from ignoring upkeep, but often they then can’t retain their tenants, who quickly move on. That means high transaction costs, lost rent and lots of time spent in court trying to claim back rent or enforce evictions. If you’re located outside the area, you’re also required to hire a local management firm, which will take another huge chunk out of your revenue.

I rented out a house for a few years and didn’t find being a landlord particularly rewarding or lucrative. And I was among the lucky ones, with good, stable, non-demanding tenants.

As for price appreciation—good luck with that. House values stagnated in Harrisburg for decades. Today, some properties—the nice ones—finally are rising in value, but you shouldn’t expect to profit much from selling your dumpy rental, especially after transaction costs.

In investment-speak, Harrisburg’s low-end real estate is a classic value trap—an asset that lures people in simply because it’s cheap, but then stays cheap.

Mr. Smith from L.A., Mrs. Jones from Brooklyn—heed my advice. Ignore the siren’s song of vast real estate riches oozing out of Harrisburg, Pa. Don’t listen to that person who, for whatever weird reason, advises you to buy a building in some distant city you’ve never heard of. If you’ve never been to a place, you probably shouldn’t be investing there, much less housing people.

If you do have some money to invest, there are plenty of options that don’t involve going into debt, high fees, legal entanglements, maintenance nightmares and the extremely sensitive business of providing shelter for other human beings.

Can I interest you in a nice stock index fund?

Lawrance Binda is co-publisher and editor-in-chief of TheBurg.

Illustration by Rich Hauck

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

May News Digest

April 30, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Conley Gittens

Affordable Housing Plan Approved

Harrisburg City Council approved several new affordable housing measures last month, in addition to a major apartment and parking project.

At a virtual legislative session, council passed a package of bills aimed at incentivizing affordable housing development and approved a large project that includes residential and commercial space, as well as a new parking garage.

The new affordable housing program establishes incentives for developers, including tax abatement, zoning relief and an easier street vacation application process.

In order to receive the benefits, developers must provide at least 20% of their units as affordable housing for low-income families, as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The rent for any of these affordable units must not exceed 30% of a household’s monthly income.

“The goal is to really bridge the gap between our residents and the developers,” council member Danielle Bowers said. “If we set this threshold too high, it’s not realistic for our developers to meet. If we set it too low, it’s not really affordable for our residents.”

Bowers said that Harrisburg’s 20% threshold is higher than many surrounding municipalities.

Developers can also receive parking requirement relief if 25% of the building’s units are rented at an affordable rate.

If developers receive a certificate of qualification and then do not continue to provide affordable housing, they could have their certificate revoked and may be fined up to $1,000, according to the new ordinance.

At the meeting, council also approved the land development plan for an 85-unit apartment building, including a 500-space parking garage, grocery store, office and retail space. The building will be constructed on a one-acre property surrounded by Boyd, N. 5th, Reily and Fulton streets.

Developer Kevin Baird said that his company plans to break ground in July or August and have the parking garage portion of the project almost completed by late summer of 2022, in time for the opening of the new federal courthouse nearby.

Charter School Wins Appeal

The Pennsylvania STEAM Academy has received approval from the state Charter School Appeal Board to open.

The Harrisburg school board denied the school’s initial application in 2019, but the state appeal board reversed that decision.

“It feels wonderful,” said Carolyn Dumaresq, chair of the academy’s board. “We are very excited to open.”

The charter school will be located at 1500 N. 3rd St. in the Midtown II Academic Building, formerly the Evangelical Press Building and later part of the HACC Harrisburg campus. Dumaresq said that the school’s focus is providing education around the topics of science, technology, engineering, arts and math.

The school will begin by serving kindergarten through second-grade Harrisburg students, Dumaresq said. Each grade will have two classrooms with 20 students. The following school year, the school will add two third-grade classrooms, expanding to add another grade each year until there are classrooms for up to eighth-grade students.

Dumaresq believes that the charter academy will prepare students for high schools in Harrisburg, such as Harrisburg High School’s SciTech Campus.

“All of the things we need are in place. It’s just getting everything formalized,” she said. “Now the big thing is going out and recruiting students.”

The Pennsylvania STEAM Academy plans to open fully in-person while taking the recommended COVID-19 safety measures.

Since November 2018, school officials have worked to move the school towards operating. However, they faced opposition along the way.

After the Harrisburg school district denied the STEAM Academy’s application, the charter school appealed the decision, collecting 1,844 signatures from supportive community members, well beyond the required 1,000. The school district, though, submitted an appeal to challenge those signatures.

In late March, the state Department of Education’s Charter School Appeal Board rejected the district’s appeal, allowing the Pennsylvania STEAM Academy to open.

Artsfest Moves to City Island

A sense of normalcy returns to the city late this month, as Harrisburg brings back the annual Artsfest celebration as a live event.

The annual artisan market and food truck festival will return for a hybrid in-person and virtual experience on May 29 through 31.

“While the traditional festival will be different this year, we look forward to welcoming back the talented artisans in a safe and modified way,” said Mayor Eric Papenfuse.

The festival, typically held at Riverfront Park, will move to City Island to facilitate social distancing. As in past years, it will feature vendors and their handcrafted works, along with local food trucks.

Last year, Artsfest went completely virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For 2021, the city plans to keep aspects of the virtual event, including an online artisan market and virtual presentations. However, some of the traditional, in-person shopping experience will return.

Attendees can browse items for sale in 16 different categories, including ceramics, digital, drawing, fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture and wood.

The event has historically hosted over 200 artists, but city officials said that the number of vendors will be reduced somewhat.

The HBG Flea, an organization that hosts pop-up markets in the city, will return as a partner in the event.

“We’re so excited that Artsfest is coming back,” said Mary Imgrund, HBG Flea co-founder.

Jazzfest, which usually goes hand-in-hand with Artsfest, is cancelled this year, and the Filmfest portion will show movies virtually. For families, the city will offer free take-home educational and artistic kits, replacing the usual KidsFest.

According to the city, health precautions will be in place during the festival, including one-direction pedestrian traffic, capacity monitoring, hand-washing stations, vendors spaced 10 feet apart and social distancing markers. Masks also will be required.

The city plans to return Artsfest to Riverfront Park in 2022.

Street Dining Returns

For a second straight year, Harrisburg will close several streets to traffic so that patrons can enjoy dining al fresco on Saturday nights.

“Saturday Nights in the City” re-launches on May 1 and is slated to run each Saturday throughout the summer, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

“We are pleased to bring back this summer initiative,” said Mayor Eric Papenfuse. “I encourage residents to come support their favorite restaurants.”

The initiative, shared by the city and the Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District (HDID), began last year in response to the state-mandated shutdown of indoor dining.

Most restaurants have now reopened, with the commonwealth permitting 75% maximum capacity for indoor dining, as well as bar service. However, the city and the HDID deemed the program to be a success, so decided to bring it back with the return of warmer weather.

The list of participating restaurants includes Stock’s on 2nd, Carley’s Ristorante and Piano Bar, Ad Lib Craft Kitchen and Bar, Bourbon Street Saloon, Zembie’s, Arooga’s, Taste Key West, Cork & Fork, Federal Taphouse, Rubicon, Mangia Qui, Los Tres Cubanos, JB Lovedraft’s, McGrath’s Pub, The Brick Haus and Café Fresco.

For the weekly event, a number of streets will close. These include:

2nd Street, from Market to Pine streets
State Street, from Church to N. 2nd streets, westbound
North Street, from Susquehanna to 3rd streets
Conoy Street

Street closures will begin at 3:30 p.m. and run until 10 p.m., the city said.

Summer School Program

Harrisburg school officials last month announced summer school opportunities for students to stay sharp and catch up if needed.

The district will provide programs for kindergarten through 11th-grade students. There may be options for both in-person and virtual participation, according to the district.

This comes after many students spent almost the entire school year learning virtually, in addition to much of last year.

Kindergarten through eighth-grade students can enroll in a six-week course that will likely run Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Throughout the half-day, teachers will provide language, writing, math and STEAM classes. The program will run from mid-June through the end of July.

Students in grades nine through 11 have the chance to participate in a three-week program, Monday through Thursday. There will be two sessions each day, one from 8 to 11 a.m. and another from 12 to 3 p.m. This will provide enrichment opportunities, as well as credit recovery for those who failed courses during the school year.

Home Sales, Prices Jump

Spring residential sales started out strong in the Harrisburg area, with both home sales and prices up in March.

Overall, sales totaled 612 houses, compared to 568 units in March 2020, while the median price increased to $205,000 versus $180,000 a year ago, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

In Dauphin County, 286 homes sold compared to 270 in the year-ago period, as the median sales price rose to $175,000 versus $167,000, GHAR said.

Cumberland County had total sales of 282 homes, a substantial rise from 238 a year ago, as the median sales price went up to $230,163 compared to $205,000 in March 2020.

In Perry County, sales rose to 41 homes, an increase of 10 units, as the median sales price appreciated to $193,000 versus $171,500 the prior March, GHAR stated.

Houses were also selling more quickly, as the average days on market fell to 31 days compared to 50 days in March 2020, according to GHAR.

So Noted

Boneshire Brew Works opened a taproom last month in downtown Harrisburg, dubbed Taps@SoMa. Boneshire, based in Swatara Township, offers its beer on tap and to-go from the snug storefront at 13 S. 3rd St., formerly occupied by the rotating guest brewery concept, Sip@SoMa.

DTLR last month returned to its downtown Harrisburg storefront following a complete renovation of its space at 333 Market St. In January, the national fashion and sports apparel retailer temporarily moved down the street so that building owner Harristown Enterprises could enlarge their store from 4,000 to 7,000 square feet and update the décor.

Harrisburg last month extended its eviction moratorium for another month, until mid-May. This may be the last extension of the ban, as Mayor Eric Papenfuse said that he expected the city soon to begin to wind down the “extraordinary measures” implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Harrisburg parks will have help transitioning to organic grounds maintenance thanks to a $25,000 donation last month from the GIANT Company, Stonyfield Organic and Non-Toxic Neighborhoods. The city also will receive support and guidance on park maintenance using organic and safe resources.

Matthew M. Haar last month was named managing partner of the Harrisburg office of Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr, a leading national law firm. In addition to this position, Haar is a member of Leadership Harrisburg and an adjunct professor at Penn State’s Dickinson School of Law.

Midtown Art Supplies has opened in Harrisburg, occupying a section of L&L Beauty Supply at 310 Reily St. Owner Darius Davis offers watercolors, acrylics, oil paints, stencils, pencils, brushes, canvases, drawing pads and resin, among other items.

New Cumberland Farmers Market opens for the season on May 1. The market, at 4th and Bridge streets in the parking lot of Kelly Financial Services, operates every Saturday through Oct. 30, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Nancy Ryan, a long-time radio personality and former co-host of the “Nancy and Newman” morning show, has launched a new business, Ryan-Rodgers Media, focused on connecting music fans with brands, businesses and community partners, including event promotion, product endorsements, commercials and social media projects. For more information, visit www.gnazzopromotions.com/nancy-ryan.

Open Stage last month announced a return to in-person performances, one of several local entertainment venues to re-open their doors. “Over the Rainbow: The Songs of Judy Garland” runs May 28 to June 25, the first production in its new summer series.

PA Department of Agriculture will hold an outdoor Spring Food Fest at the PA Farm Show Complex, May 7 to 9, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The festival includes farm show favorites, such as milkshakes, fried mushrooms and pulled pork, as well as a selection of PA Preferred providers. Food is grab-and-go, and pandemic restrictions will be enforced.

Urban Churn plans to expand to the west shore and reopen its Harrisburg scoop shop by late spring. Owner Adam Brackbill said he will open a retail and production location for his craft creamery in the Silver Creek Plaza outside Mechanicsburg. He also plans to renovate and reopen his Midtown shop on the 1100-block of N. 3rd Street.

Changing Hands

Allison St., 1507: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to 23 Hickory LLC, $129,900

Argyle St., 2: Gary Neff Inc. & City Limits Realty to HBK Properties 1 LLC, $39,000

Barkley Lane, 2524: C. Tucker to D. Martinez, $77,000

Boas St., 1823: Stoute Housing Inc. to Neidlinger Enterprises LLC, $55,000

Catherine St., 1610: Rich Steele Realty LLC to D. Boyle, $33,000

Crescent St., 450: DRW Properties LLC to Sanhos LLC, $35,000

Derry St., 1148: K. Dieppa to F. Sanchez, $37,500

Derry St., 1511: B. Gonzalez to RBAK Investments LLC, $55,000

Elm St., 1724: Dauphin County Property Investors LLC to S. Pichardo, $40,000

Geary St., 634: Rich Steele Realty LLC to D. Boyle, $33,000

Green St., 1207: J. Garisto to CE Heininger Properties LLC, $108,000

Green St., 1421: J. Davis to G. Lichtenstein, $137,500

Green St., 1909: J. Price to K. Kellum & D. Shearer, $246,000

Green St., 1912: B. Ostella & A. Fortino to Z. Fleming, $220,000

Hamilton St., 203: J. Schiller to SJL Rentals LLC, $150,000

Hamilton St., 324: D. Hinton to J. Henretta, $129,900

Hillside Rd., 217: J. Markel to J. Arp & C. Palmer, $240,000

Hoerner St., 107: A. Otwell to R. Lane, $53,000

Holly St., 1904: KA&B Investments LLC to G. Bierbaum & W. Alford, $76,000

Holly St., 1912: Crist Holdings LLC to Super Fun Real Estate Yes LLC, $60,000

Hummel St., 208: M. Baltozer to Brethren Housing Association Inc., $52,500

Hummel St., 239: K. Dieppa to Archierp LLC, $33,000

Hunter St., 1523: K. Dieppa to J. Vega & C. Salazar, $35,600

Jefferson St., 2714: Johnleo Home Renovations LLC to G. Linebaugh, $124,900

Kensington St., 2329: R. Dressler & E. Knuth to C. Grant & M. Rinaldi, $55,500

Lewis St., 325: D. Castano & N. Rosado to R. Gehrke, $125,000

Lexington St., 2721: Gilligan Realty LLC to HBK Properties 1 LLC, $60,000

Liberty St., 1415 & 1417: Blue Door Management LLC to G. Guzman, $75,000

Logan St., 2157: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to Donald Klick Trust & Natalie Klick Trust, $115,500

Logan St., 2248: M. Loo to A. Sullivan & D. Adams, $75,000

Maclay St., 610: Goldstein Couriers LLC to A. Maust, $55,000

Manada St., 1915: PA Property Brothers LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $50,000

Manada St., 1917: PA Property Brothers LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $55,000

Market St., 1808: NationStar Mortgage LLC to W. Chavez & K. Flores, $75,000

Meadowlark Pl., 194: J. McCliment to S. Kuhn, $120,000

Mercer St., 2454: R. Sweigert to H. Kaur, $64,900

Muench St., 236: J. O’Hara to A. McNulty & M. Kuhns, $226,500

North St., 261: B. Hanson, M. Gregorits & D. Thomas to M. Henao, $124,000

North St., 1614, 2319 N. 4th St. & 2402 N. 5th St.: I. Druker to Clean Up LLC, $200,000

North St., 1711: Mussani & Co. to SPG Capital LLC, $58,000

North St., 1841: G. & K. Mannix to SPG Capital LLC, $40,000

N. 2nd St., 705: A. & L. Kanagy to N&R Group, $200,000

N. 2nd St., 1003: M. Sellers to K. Harlacher, $175,280

N. 2nd St., 2003; 1837 N. 2nd St.; 224 Kelker St.: M. Goldberg to WCI Partners LP, $550,000

N. 2nd St., 2005: Tang Liu Realty LLC to WCI Partners LP, $172,500

N. 2nd St., 3127: Honest Home Solutions LLC to Tillotson Properties LLC, $76,000

N. 3rd St., 1107: M. Horton & R. Spahr to E. Miano & N. Byler, $169,000

N. 3rd St., 1507: Mussani & Matz Co. to Third Street Realty Co., $180,000

N. 3rd St., 1810: Crowder & Co. to A. Manning, $120,000

N. 3rd St., 2252: T. Magilton to W. Smith, $146,000

N. 3rd St., 3121: J. Lilly to S. & J. Chohany, $129,000

N. 4th St., 1909: J. Kesler to Z. Fair, $97,000

N. 4th St., 2133: A. Fleming to NA Capital Group LLC, $37,500

N. 4th St., 2225: 2225 4th LLC to A. Matai, $82,000

N. 4th St., 2249: HSBC Bank USA NA & PHH Mortgage Corp. to M. & F. Cruz, $41,500

N. 4th St., 2337: M. Farrell to P. Carcione & C. Aumiller, $51,000

N. 4th St., 2433: Dauphin County Property Investors LLC & Hunter Property Services LLC to A. Abdulrahman, $40,000

N. 4th St., 2647: Master Ventures LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $58,000

N. 5th St., 2516: E. Morris to L. Hodge, $102,000

N. 5th St., 2615: M. Carlson to A. Chaplin & WeWelcome LLC, $42,500

N. 6th St., 1412: E. & L. Smeal to N. Smeal & R. Strella, $101,750

N. 6th St., 2239: V. Kegerries to Jo Light Construction LLC, $66,000

N. 6th St., 2426: Eden Bridge Foundation to R. Daniels, $84,000

N. 6th St., 2712: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to O. Fu, $150,000

N. 13th, 141: M. Terrell to Integrity First Home Buyers LLC, $61,250

N. 15th St., 1201: Tassia Corporation to K. Braddock, $36,000

N. 17th St., 88; 1150 Mulberry St.; 2519 N. 6th St.; 612 Oxford St.; 613 Oxford St.; 614 Oxford St.; 616 Oxford St.; 617 Oxford St.; 619 Oxford St.; 2308 Jefferson St.; 448 Hamilton St.; and 2332 N. 6th St.: SMKP Properties LLC to JMR Ventures LLC, $600,000

N. 17th St., 113: D. Newsome to T. & O. Solamola, $65,000

N. 18th St., 73: E. Morris & C. Perez to R. Newberry, $56,000

N. 20th St., 30: D. Selvey to C. & I. Castro, $75,000

N. Front St., 1525, Unit 313: M. Hadginske, M. Pasick, A. Steel & Pact Enterprises to BXF Real Estate LLC, $108,000

N. Front St., 1525, Unit 406: J. Davis to S. Lepadatu, $114,000

N. Front St., 1525, Unit 414: K. Hess to B. King, $115,000

Park St., 1624: KTT Properties LLC to New Dawn Holdings & Investments LLC, $68,000

Peffer St., 270: Wheatland Restore LLC to K. Manna & M. Eaton, $234,900

Penn St., 1617: B. Black to T. Cox, $163,000

Penn St., 1727: J. McCummings to J. Towzey & H. Salera, $160,000

Penn St., 1807: S. Mitchell to Wheatland Restore LLC, $100,000

Penn St., 2127: City Vision Revitalization LLC to K&M Housing LLC, $45,000

Penn St., 2226: C. Stefanski to A. Matailo, $50,900

Penn St., 2229: C. & S. Williams to S. & J. Easterling, $138,900

Pennwood Rd., 3116: M. Brown to A. Hollinger & E. Shellhamer, $115,000

Radnor St., 516: H. & N. Johnson to SPG Capital LLC, $42,000

Reel St., 2447: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to K. McGrath, $122,500

Reel St., 2634: R. & A. Laracuente to S. Bosco, $64,000

Reel St., 2743: R. & A. Laracuente to H. McKay, $55,500

Royal Ter., 149: N. & F. Zook to N. Alegre Maurer, $38,000

Rudy Rd., 1813: A. Acevedo to B. Perez, $30,000

Rudy Rd., 2133: J. & K. Kio to C. Weaver & A. Shughart, $160,100

Rumson Dr., 2948: N. Washington to F. Ramos & L. Suarez, $111,000

Seneca St., 521: T. Robinson to E. Spencer, $86,900

S. 13th St., 355: T. Marsico to Y. Lopez, $50,000

S. 14th St., 47: Capital Region Economic Development Corp. to Hamilton Health Center Community Services Inc., $115,000

S. 16th St., 336: L. Wilson to E. Rodriguez, $115,000

S. 17th St., 445: K. Foster to D. Nguyen, $40,000

S. 17th St., 532: D. Hargrove & D. Surbrena to J. Acosta, $44,500

S. 18th St., 1031: D. & M. Hillard to B. & T. Bender, $92,500

S. 20th St., 226: J. Medina to I. Carvajal, $88,000

S. 20th St., 1200: Peral Limited Partnership to G&H Holdings LLC, $40,000

S. 23rd St., 643: T. Fisher to V. Paulino, $32,500

S. 24th St., 605: R. Patel to Biyaki Enterprises LLC, $58,000

S. 26th St., 611: C. & L. Trinh to C. Baumann, $129,000

S. River St., 304: V. Murzin to N. Leri, $165,000

State St., 231, Unit 502: LUX 1 LP to X. Samuel, $135,000

State St., 1508: Harrisburg Homes Investment LLC to S. Moore, $100,000

State St., 1608: Dauphin County Property Investors LLC & Hunter Property Services to Pichardo Investments LLC, $60,000

State St., 1626: Amarica’s Choice Remodeling of HBG LLC to S. Moore, $120,000

Susquehanna St., 1624: J. Rogers to H. Blumenfeld, $135,000

Susquehanna St., 2010: M. Paese, A. Fetcko, T. Leo & B. Myers to SPG Capital LLC, $55,000

Swatara St., 2139: S. & K. Adley to T. & P. Feliz, $48,000

Verbeke St., 1729: M. Gillespie to R. Oladipo, $86,000

Vernon St., 1350: M. Soler to R. Schwartz, $30,000

Wiconisco St., 531: Kaylynn Investment LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $50,000

Harrisburg property sales for March 2021, greater than $30,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

Support quality local journalism. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

April News Digest

March 31, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Conley Gittens

Primary Field Takes Shape

Harrisburg voters will have a large field of candidates to choose from in the May election, as six hopefuls have filed for the mayoral primary and another 13 residents have filed for City Council nominations.

By the mid-March deadline, the following candidates had filed to run for the Democratic nomination for mayor:

Otto Banks
Kevyn Knox
Eric Papenfuse (incumbent)
David Schankweiler
Wanda Williams

Banks later had his city residency challenged in court, though, at press time, a verdict had not yet been rendered.

In addition, one candidate, Timothy Rowbottom, filed to run in the Republican primary.

Thirteen candidates filed to run for the Democratic nomination for four, four-year seats on Harrisburg City Council. They are:

Vishal Bajpai
Lori Ann Beamer-Saulisbury
Roy Christ
Shamaine Daniels (incumbent)
Crystal Davis
Carrie Fowler
Sarah Gethers
Ausha Green (incumbent)
Lavet Henderson
Jennie Jenkins-Dallas
Robert Lawson
Jocelyn Rawls
Ralph Rodriguez

No one filed to run in the Republican primary.

Two of the four council seats are open as council Vice President Ben Allatt declined to run for re-election and President Wanda Williams, who has served on council since 2006, opted to run for mayor.

The Harrisburg school board race has fewer candidates this time than two years ago, when a dozen residents ran in the hotly contested race. This year, the Democratic candidates for four, four-year seats are:

Michael Balsbaugh
Brian Carter (incumbent)
Jorge Collazo
Roslyn Copeland
Jaime Johnsen
Ezra Match
Danielle Robinson (incumbent)
Mary Simpson

Match also cross-filed on the Republican ballot.

In addition, the school board has one two-year seat available. Just one Democrat, Terricia Radcliff, has filed to run for that seat. No Republicans filed for the office.

For city controller, only incumbent Charlie DeBrunner, a Democrat, has filed to run in the primary.

Harrisburg also has two competitive races for magisterial district justice seats.

Seven Democrats have filed for the District 12-2-04 seat primary:

Anthony Harrell
Sha’kira Jennings
Sonya McKnight (incumbent)
Ellis (Rick) Roy
Jennifer Smallwood
Brianna Smith
Leon Wilkerson

McKnight also cross-filed for the Republican primary.

Two Democrats filed for the District 12-2-05 seat:

Amechie Walker Sr.
Paul T. Zozos (incumbent)

Zozos also cross-filed for the Republican primary.

On the county level, incumbent Matt Krupp of Harrisburg filed for re-election as a Republican for prothonotary. Anju Singh of Hummelstown is running for the Democratic nomination.

Long-time county Coroner Graham Hetrick filed for re-election on the Republican ballot. He’s unchallenged for that office.

A two-year county controller seat is open following the election of Tim DeFoor as PA auditor general last year. Democrat Eric Epstein of Lower Paxton Township filed for the primary for that row office, as did Republican Mary Bateman of Lykens.

The municipal primary is slated for Tuesday, May 18.

Council Approves Building Projects

Several Harrisburg developers last month cleared the final city approval before being allowed to break ground on their projects.

City Council approved land development plans to convert a vacant church into an apartment building and another to build a six-story apartment and retail building, along with five other projects.

Developer Derek Dilks plans to transform the former First United Methodist Church at 260 Boas St. into an eight-unit apartment building. Previously, he had received zoning relief for the $1.2 million project in order to change the use of the 140-year-old church building.

Also approved were a range of renovation projects that Dilks plans for downtown. These include:

25 N. Front St., converting an office building into an eight-unit apartment building
321 N. Front St., converting an office building into a six-unit apartment building
130 State St., converting an office building into a five-unit apartment building

With a unanimous council vote, Harristown Development can move forward on its project at 21 S. 2nd St. The company plans to construct a six-story, mixed-use building with apartments, offices and first-floor retail space. Harristown purchased the property in 2017, demolishing the blighted commercial building that then occupied the site.

Council also gave its OK to the renovation of the “Carpets and Draperies” building on the 1500-block of N. 3rd St., a long-blighted retail building that will be converted to five apartments and first-floor retail space.

Other approved resolutions last month included:

1605-1609 Swatara St., consolidating and re-subdividing the parcels comprising the project site into three parcels and constructing three, single-family townhomes
Awarding up to $10,000 in funding to the Pennsylvania Environmental Resource Consortium to co-sponsor the Pennsylvania Environmental Justice Symposium

Council this month is expected to consider another large project in Midtown. It includes include 85 apartments, a grocery store and a parking garage, bounded by Boyd, N. 5th, Reily and Fulton streets.

Superintendent Search Begins

The Harrisburg School District is taking a major step to fill a top post in the administration.

The district announced last month that it will begin a national search for the next superintendent of schools as part of the next phase of its “Amended Recovery Plan.”

“We will seek a student-centered leader who will embrace our school community, lead with integrity, and pursue continual growth and improvement for the district,” according to the district.

In 2019, the district passed into state receivership after failing to meet the academic objectives in the 2013 recovery plan and the 2016 amended plan. The superintendent at that time, Sybil Knight-Burney, was fired.

Dr. Janet Samuels was appointed receiver of the district and, later, Chris Celmer was named acting superintendent, in collaboration with the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit (MCIU).

The district will move to reinstate a full superintendent now that it is more than halfway through its three-year, state-mandated receivership. According to its statement, the district may fill the position as early as this summer.

Samuels and the MCIU will conduct interviews, and the community will get to meet the final candidate before they are appointed, according to the district. Celmer will provide support for the new superintendent and continue to work with the district through June 2022.

Allison Hill Art Project

Harrisburg-based Sprocket Mural Works last month announced that it plans to bring more art to the Allison Hill neighborhood.

Volunteers from Sprocket, a nonprofit, plan to kick off the biannual Harrisburg Mural Festival by painting nearly 30 new planter boxes, in partnership with Tri County Community Action, on Derry and Market streets.

Their goal is to commission artists from Allison Hill, as well as artists from the city at large. Sprocket announced a call for artists to submit designs for these paid positions.

“We are looking forward to connecting with artists from Allison Hill—that’s what is so valuable about this community-focused project,” said Meg Caruso, co-founder of Sprocket. “More than a dozen planters will benefit and beautify the immediate Allison Hill neighborhood. Additionally, these planters will become works of art that uplift and recognize local artistic talent for years to come.”

Sprocket is looking for artists to highlight the culture and diversity of Allison Hill in the paintings, as well as what they love about their city. The deadline for artists to apply is April 30, and the painting will take place between May 22 and June 20.

Home Sales Dip, Prices Up

Home sales dropped a bit, but price appreciation was strong in the Harrisburg area in February.

The Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR) reported that home sales fell to 458 units last month compared to 500 units in February 2020 across its three-county coverage area. However, the median sales price rose to $190,950 versus $180,000 a year ago.

In Dauphin County, sales dipped to 236 units against 244 in the year-ago period, but the median price increased to $168,500 versus $164,900 last year, GHAR stated.

Similarly, Cumberland County saw a small drop in home sales—from 205 a year ago to 196 this past February—but the median price rose sharply, from $214,500 to $232,000, GHAR said.

In Perry County, sales dropped by three units, to 21 homes, as the median price rose to $154,900 compared to $147,500 a year ago, GHAR stated.

The organization also reported that homes were selling much faster than last year, as the “average days on market” dropped to 30 days versus 57 the prior February.

So Noted

Aaron Johnson last month announced his retirement as Harrisburg’s long-serving director of the Department of Public Works. Dave West, Johnson’s second in command, will replace him in the post.

Gateway Health opened a “Connection Center” last month at 1426 N. 3rd St. in Harrisburg. The facility will help connect members with services and also will offer space for education and seminars, for private consult/conference rooms and to help meet community needs.

Gov. Tom Wolf last month further loosened pandemic-related restrictions on numerous businesses, including restaurants, bars, gyms and entertainment venues. The new rules, which take effect April 4, allow bar service to resume and permit restaurants to serve alcohol without the purchase of food, among other provisions. Mask-wearing and distancing requirements are still mandated.

HACC’s parking lot is the site of a new mass vaccination clinic sponsored by Dauphin County and UPMC Pinnacle. The drive-through site is expected to dispense thousands of COVID-19 vaccinations daily when enough doses are available in the county.

Harrisburg last month extended its moratorium on evictions for another month, to April 16. This is the third time that the city has extended the ban, which was enacted first in December to prevent evictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mary Murphy has joined Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region as its new development director. According to the organization, she has extensive experience in marketing, communications, business and consulting for nonprofits and Fortune 500 companies.

Michael Karcutskie was named last month as president of Harrisburg-based Quandel Construction Group. In this role, Karcutskie is responsible for overseeing the firm’s operations and developing its corporate strategy. Previously, he served as vice president of pre-construction and estimating.

Strawberry Square last month began hosting a free COVID-19 testing site near the Walnut Street entrance in downtown Harrisburg. The walk-in site will run at least through April 10, Tuesdays through Saturdays, no appointment required.

Verber Dental Group last month announced that its new pediatric dentistry facility will open in May. The $1.5 million project, located at 201 St. John’s Church Rd. in Hampden Township, will include eight state-of-the-art dental suites, along with interactive spaces for children and a “tooth fairy booth.”

Whitaker Center partially reopened last month following a lengthy pandemic-related shutdown. The downtown Harrisburg arts and science center is now open Fridays and Saturdays, by appointment, in two sessions: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Zeroday Brewing Co. last month opened its new taproom and restaurant at 925 N. 3rd St. in Midtown Harrisburg. The 150-person space features a large bar area, dining rooms, a courtyard and a small-batch, three-barrel brewhouse that can be closed off for special events. The menu focuses on contemporary, Mexican-style cuisine by restaurant partner La Catrina.

Changing Hands

Bailey St., 1302: H. Roberts to Global Supply Group LLC, $41,000

Berryhill St., 1623: M. Plancencia & L. Pichardo to A. Pichardo, $35,000

Berryhill St., 2437: C. Still to J. Martinez & M. Gomez, $38,000

Bigelow Dr., 1300: R. Shalhoub to M. Murphy & G. Neff, $58,800

Boas St., 418: D. & L. Engelhardt to W. Sechler & M. Ackerman, $123,715

Calder St., 523: A. Johnson to M. McNeils, $159,900

Camp St., 635: Integrity First Time Home Buyers LLC to J. Darling, $120,000

Chestnut St., 1832: Gilligan Realty LLC to G. Graham, $51,000

Cumberland St., 115: F. & J. Martin to J. Klinger, $127,500

Derry St., 2125: 37 Estate LLC to A. Miller, $95,000

Derry St., 2621: E. Chandler to Z. Soto, $99,900

Derry St., 2700: Rohrer Rentals LLC to Painted Sky Properties LLC, $243,000

Disbrow St., 88 & 90: H. & L. Bueno to D. Best, $35,000

Elm St., 1726: A. Williams Jr. to D. Chambers, $95,000

Evergreen St., 26 & 28: Round Rock Investments LLC to 101 S. 17th Street LLC, $104,000

Fulton St., 1404: T. Copeland to K. Shoaff, $125,000

Green St., 2313: N. Jacobs to E. Macas, $40,000

Greenwood St., 2507: F. & S. Ford to C. Everett, $39,900

Hanover St., 1318: A. Bawo to B. Ortega, $39,000

Herr St., 265: Rosegarden Properties to B. Staudt, $199,900

Holly St., 1914: SPG Capital LLC to M. Rodriguez, $59,900

Kensington St., 2255: D. & D. Ford to Men of Morals LLC, $52,000

Logan St., 2242: RT Propertiez LLC to RRMMM Real Estate LLC, $31,500

Market St., 1801: D.L. Weaver Enterprises LLC to Builders Property Management & Marketing Group LLC, $39,785

Market St., 1857: JMDM Properties LLC to Market Whitehall Property Holdings LLC, $110,000

Market St., 1859: Z. Reeves to Z. & S. Coombs, $100,000

Market St., 1910: JMDM Properties LLC to Market Whitehall Property Holdings LLC, $110,000

Market St., 1915: JMDM Properties LLC to Market Whitehall Property Holdings LLC, $110,000

Market St., 1941: A. Antoun to Royalty Tax Services LLC, $105,000

Mulberry St., 1837: A. Mohamed to Fine Line Real Estate LLC, $44,000

N. 2nd St., 933: C. Wise to D. Moore & K. Williams, $212,000

N. 2nd St., 1209: GO Trump Inc. to OK 3 Investments LLC, $365,000

N. 2nd St., 1333: C. Leavitt to R. Adams & K. Rasmus, $127,500

N. 2nd St., 1505: B. Bragg to S. & H. Westhafer, $78,000

N. 2nd St., 2436: D. Sanko to J. Belizaire, $247,000

N. 2nd St., 2832: WK Rentals LLC to K. Hill, $139,950

N. 2nd St., 2900: F. & B. Pinto to R. Lawson, $207,000

N. 2nd St., 3127: M. Stilo to Honest Home Solutions LLC, $56,375

N. 3rd St., 2104 & 2106: J. & D. Negron to S. Schlackman, $100,000

N. 4th St., 2609: RJ Shultz Enterprises Inc. to D. Markel, $80,000

N. 5th St., 1720: Principium LLC to S. Bustard, $172,000

N. 5th St., 1940: Neidlinger Enterprises LLC to M. Trieu, $149,500

N. 6th St., 2529: DL Weaver Enterprises LLC to A. Woodman, $60,000

N. 6th St., 3214: Mid Atlantic IRA LLC Donna Laubach IRA to AM Properties USA LLC, $66,500

N. 7th St., 2110 & 2115 Motke St.: M., M. & N. Barber to D. Montes, $59,000

N. 13th St., 142: 37 Estate LLC to Z. & S. Coombs, $75,000

N. 19th St., 36: J. & L. Carter to A. Nebbou, $74,900

N. 19th St., 712: C. Butler to A. Smith, $89,900

N. 19th St., 1004: R. Dressler & E. Knuth Jr. to A. Nebbou, $50,000

N. Cameron St., 1511: Note Purchasers LLC to D&F Realty Holdings LP, $375,000

N. Front St., 1525, Unit 505: G. & C. Francis to C. Hackett, $177,000

N. Front St., 2745: 2745 Limited LP to Jenga on Front, $771,000

Norwood St., 906: N. Moya to S. Pacley, $79,000

Penn St., 1812: Lancaster Real Estate Fund LLC to 2020 Real Estate Ventures LLC, $65,000

Race St., 548 & 550: M. Fox to Panda Real Estate LLC, $130,000

Radnor St., 403: T. Brown to TKO Rental Properties LLC, $110,000

Reel St., 2636: A. & R. Laracuenta to Neidlinger Enterprises LLC, $52,000

Rudy Rd., 1940: M. Heefner & S. Shrhart to S. Ludington, $55,000

Rudy Rd., 2141: M. McNelis to H. Fender, $190,000

Seneca St., 501: Dauphin County Property Investors LLC to Archie Group, $396,000

Showers St., 702: L. Rotegliano to M. Harrison, $169,900

S. 13th St., 1436: D. Weaver to A. Woodman, $45,000

S. 15th St., 320: Wells Fargo Bank NA to R. Gashi, $31,500

S. 16th St., 545: G. & Y. Garcia to PBBO Real Estate LLC, $42,500

S. 17th St., 544: G. & Y. Garcia to D. Montes, $41,500

S. 24th St., 702: Property Value Solutions LLC to M. Valverde, $90,000

S. 29th St., 738: J. & L. Guizado to J. Smith, $110,000

S. Cameron St., 1517 & 1540: A. & C. Quigley to New Vision Management LLC, $224,000

Spencer St., 1839: R. Farley to J. Rodriguez, $43,000

State St., 231, Unit 806: LUX 1 LP to A. Richie, $135,000

State St., 1520: R. Schwartz to G. Zehr, $75,000

State St., 1840: A. Alumbaugh to J. Tineo, $57,000

Walnut St., 1196: L. Alvarez to M. Hernandez, $68,900

Whitehall St., 1817: JMDM Properties LLC to Market Whitehall Property Holdings LLC, $110,000

Harrisburg property sales for February 2021, greater than $30,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

Support quality local journalism. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

March News Digest

February 26, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Conley Gittens

Harrisburg Proposes Affordable Housing Bill

Affordable housing has been a long-debated topic in city hall, but now it seems that words are translating into action.

Harrisburg proposed a package of affordable housing legislation last month that would incentivize developers to incorporate affordable rental units into their building plans.

“I am very excited about this,” said Nona Watson, director of economic development for the city. “We are well on our way to establishing our affordable housing program.”

The package consists of several bills designed to encourage affordable housing through the use of incentives like tax abatement and zoning relief. Additionally, the city will satisfy street vacation application requirements, if needed.

Other incentives to developers may include density bonuses, which would permit developers to build more units than allowed by right on a property, explained Geoffrey Knight, the city’s director of planning. Incentives may also include reducing parking requirements. Knight explained that research has found that lower-income households are less likely to own a car.

Developers who apply and receive a Certificate of Qualification will have a set of rules they must follow in order to receive benefits.

According to the proposed bill, developers must provide 20% of their units as affordable for low-income households, as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The units must be made available to rent at a price that does not exceed 30% of a household’s monthly income.

Additionally, developers need to keep the units at an affordable rent for at least 10 years.

The requirements also state that units must look the same and include the same heating and cooling systems and other improvements as the market-rate units. Affordable housing units must be made available for rent at the same time as market-rate units.

“We want to make sure that what we put out there is actually going to work,” Watson said.

Harrisburg to Buy Former Bank Building

Harrisburg is set to expand its office footprint, adding a new building in Midtown for city workers.

At a virtual legislative session last month, City Council unanimously voted to allow the city to purchase the former M&T Bank building on N. 7th Street to transform into offices for its engineering and traffic departments.

“This is a space that is needed due to the requirement of additional space for the public works engineering department,” said council member Ben Allatt.

In November, council voted to reallocate 2020 funds to purchase the building for $375,000, which Mayor Eric Papenfuse touted as a good deal since it was appraised at $675,000.

Papenfuse said that the $300,000 reduction in purchase price constituted a donation by M&T to the city.

“We’re greatly thankful to M&T for their continued support,” he said.

The ATM machine currently at the building will remain on-site as part of a lease agreement with M&T Bank.

At a prior council session, Papenfuse explained that, as part of PennDOT’s I-83 expansion project, part of the city’s Department of Public Works building on Paxton Street will be lost to eminent domain, requiring the traffic bureau to move. City Engineer Wayne Martin added that the growing department also needs more space.

The traffic bureau likely will share the building with the city’s engineering department, which currently is spread out among different office locations, Martin said. Many engineering employees will move out of the public safety building downtown, freeing up space for the expanding community policing team.

Renovations and remodels of the building are included in Harrisburg’s 2021 budget. It will likely cost around $192,000 for demolitions, renovations, HVAC replacement and security additions, among other items, Papenfuse said. He estimated that the annual cost of utilities and maintenance for the building would be around $60,200.

HHA Announces “Preservation Priorities”

One of Harrisburg’s oldest structures is a top preservation priority for 2021, the city’s principal historic preservation organization has announced.

At a virtual presentation, Historic Harrisburg Association unveiled its top five preservation priorities for the year.

The list includes Balsley House, a dilapidated, double building located downtown at 220 N. 2nd St. Dating back almost two centuries, Balsley House is one of the few remaining federal-period buildings in Harrisburg.

“It’s one of the oldest structures still standing in Harrisburg,” said Sara Sweeney, chair of HHA’s preservation committee. “It’s deteriorating. It’s in very bad shape, especially if you go around to the back.”

The 2,590-square-foot building, owned since 2006 by Dusan Bratic of Mechanicsburg, has housed many different businesses over its lifetime, but has sat empty and increasingly blighted for a number of years.

“We’re hoping to really raise awareness of this property over the next year,” Sweeney said. “With the revitalization that Harrisburg is really primed for, hopefully we can make some strides to bringing this building back to life before we lose it.”

The other properties on the 2021 list are:

William Penn High School, Uptown Harrisburg
Camp Curtin Memorial Mitchell UMC, Uptown Harrisburg
Harrisburg State Hospital campus, Harrisburg/Susquehanna Township
Prospect Hill Cemetery Gate House, Allison Hill/city line

William Penn, Camp Curtin UMC and the Harrisburg State Hospital campus are all on the market for sale. Prospect Hill Cemetery Gate House was severely damaged last year when it was struck by a car.

Balsley House, William Penn, Camp Curtin UMC and Harrisburg State Hospital all appeared on the 2019 list, as well.

Sweeney also noted several Harrisburg buildings that have been restored in recent years, calling them “wins.” These include the former Mary K mansions on Front Street, the former Fox Hotel in Shipoke, Locust Street houses downtown and the former Moose Lodge in Midtown.

Eviction Ban Extended

Harrisburg residents behind on rent due to the pandemic can take a deep breath once again.

Mayor Eric Papenfuse announced last month that he would extend the city’s ban on evictions for another 30 days into mid-March.

“It is important that we continue this eviction moratorium for the health and safety of our residents during these difficult times,” Papenfuse said.

This is the second extension the mayor has enacted since the original eviction moratorium declaration on Dec. 16. The first extension took place on Jan. 16.

Under the moratorium, no resident can be evicted for non-payment of rent or lease expiration. This does not include eviction for other reasons, such as property damage or criminal activity.

“We don’t want to make a homelessness situation worse,” Papenfuse said. “We don’t want to make it harder for people to have safe and reasonable shelter in the midst of a pandemic.”

The original order was adopted after city officials found that there likely would be hundreds of people facing eviction at the start of 2021, since the U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s moratorium was set to expire on Dec. 31, 2020. They predicted that there would not be enough shelter space for the increased number of homeless residents. The CDC’s order has since been extended until March 31.

Harrisburg’s declaration gives the city the power to fine non-complying landlords up to $10,000 or 90 days in jail.

Homes Sales Flat, Prices Up

Home sales were generally flat in January in the Harrisburg area, though price appreciation continued to be strong.

For Dauphin, Cumberland and Perry counties, home sales totaled 502 units, a small decline from 515 units in the year-ago period, but the median sales price shot up to $194,700 versus $179,900 a year ago, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

Dauphin County saw a slight bump in sales, which totaled 240 homes versus 238 in January 2020. The median price increased to $174,900 from $169,900, GHAR said.

In Cumberland County, sales declined to 221 residential units versus 228 the prior year, but the median price rose to $224,950 from $195,450, GHAR stated.

Perry County had 29 home sales in January compared to 25 a year ago, as the median price increased substantially to $174,900 versus $141,500 in January 2020, according to GHAR.

Homes were also selling faster in January. The average days on the market dropped to 31 days compared to 42 days a year earlier, GHAR said.

So Noted

Dauphin County Library System won a Dauphin County “Premier Project Award’’ from the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission for its “Your Place to Belong” campaign. The campaign focused on expanding the McCormick Riverfront Library with the restoration and linking of an adjacent historic townhome.

DTLR/Villa has made a temporary move to 309-311 Market St., the former location of Rite Aid. The clothes and athletic wear store will return to its permanent location at 333 Market St. later this spring following an extensive renovation and expansion of that space.

Harrisburg University and Lackawanna College have signed an agreement that will make it easier for Lackawanna College students to continue their education at HU. Under the agreement, qualified students who earn an associate of science degree in cyber security from Lackawanna College will be able to transfer into HU’s bachelor of science in cyber security operations and management program at junior level standing.

Harry’s Bistro has opened in a classic steel diner at 1933 Herr St. in Harrisburg, serving breakfast and lunch. The father/daughter duo of Lou and Anna Vazquez named their business for the venerable Allison Hill tavern that operated for five decades, modeling some of their menu after classic Harry’s dishes.

“Ice in the Burg” takes place this month at locations around Harrisburg. The three-day festival starts March 5 with a drive-through ice sculpture display on City Island. It continues on March 6 and 7, when over 40 small and large sculptures will be placed at locations around the city.

New Cumberland Food Truck & Restaurant Rally kicks off for the season on March 11, held each second Thursday through December at Market Square in New Cumberland. The event, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., will feature numerous food trucks, and some local businesses and restaurants also will host specials and entertainment.

Changing Hands

Allison Ct., 4: Lemoyne Land Corp. Inc. to F. Hench, $96,200

Berryhill St., 2410: J. Washington to J. Anthony & D. Hill, $64,900

Brookwood St., 2436: E. Noon to C. Austin, $73,000

Calder St., 268: B. Roller to S. Elias, $138,000

Chestnut St., 1955: P. Trustey to A. Luchansky, $62,500

Chestnut St., 2306: M. O’Donnell, A. Sullivan & C. Walsh to N. Etter, $173,000

Emerald St., 317: PNC Bank to C. Brown, $47,500

Forrest St., 603 & 605: B. & C. Rucker to Neidlinger Enterprises LLC, $59,000

Greenwood St., 2712: P. & Q. Ritter to G. Burke, $85,000

Hamilton St., 279: W. Hoover to J. Eaton, $220,000

Herr St., 415 & 426 Snipe Alley: K. Baran & R. Gillis to D. & H. Bliss, $120,000

Holly St., 1805: BSR Rental Trust to Fine Line Real Estate LLC, $56,000

Hummel St., 210: ICE Properties to Brethren Housing Association, $85,000

Kensington St., 2006: D., S. & B. Zimmerman to S. Carr, $60,000

Kensington St., 2436: L. Sim to C. Zapata, $64,000

Lewis St., 313: S. & B. Ballenger to R. Freeman, $96,500

Liberty St., 1415 & 1417: L. Wigington to Blue Door Management LLC, $40,000

Logan St., 2347: RT Propertiez LLC to S. Maurer, $30,500

Lowell St., 1309: C. Lindberg to Dinh Investments, $40,000

Luce St., 2324: CR Property Group LLC to Ryan Randall Properties LLC, $121,000

North St., 1511: Y. Reuvenny to S. Gross, $56,000

North St., 1827: W. Cajina to G. Osborne, $89,900

N. 2nd St., 1211: Mussani & Co. to N&R Group LLC, $240,000

N. 2nd St., 1430: J. Rotegliano to Harrisburg Apartments LLC, $135,000

N. 2nd St., 1615: S. & D. Miller to MR RE LLC, $128,000

N. 2nd St., 2009 and 2000 & 2002 Penn St.: L. Rotegliano to HBG Apts LLC, $110,000

N. 2nd St., 2343: S. & T. Dunford to I. Stubblefield, $180,000

N. 2nd St., 2802: S. Gallagher & C. Prestia to P. Kessler, $200,000

N. 3rd St., 1626: C. Grilli to D. & M. Soisson, $150,000

N. 3rd St., 1910: Integrity First Homebuyers LLC to D. Roa, $35,000

N. 4th St., 2033: J. Frey to SPG Capital LLC, $62,000

N. 4th St., 2543: L. Deatrick to Neidlinger Enterprises LLC, $55,000

N. 5th St., 2546: TKO Rental Properties LLC to A. & A. Volk, $86,000

N. 6th St., 2001: Jamil Karimm LLC to D&F Realty Holdings LP, $300,000

N. 6th St., 3152: Neidlinger Enterprises to K. Scheurer, $115,000

N. 19th St., 43: Equity Trust Co. Custodian Julie Burns IRA to D. Boyle, $34,250

N. Front St., 1525, Unit 412: H. Garner to M. Colton & K. Tennis, $160,000

Norwood St., 925: M. Archie to T. Higgins & S. Owens, $145,000

Park St., 1837: KBR Group LLC to AP Properties Services LLC, $30,000

Parkway Blvd., 2437: KMM Development LLC to T. Washington, $179,500

Penn St., 1616: P. Bayer to Veso Properties LLC, $45,000

Penn St., 2322: BSR Rental Trust to D. Nguyen, $50,000

Rolleston St., 1244: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to Whitestone Development LLC, $109,995

Rumson Dr., 361: H. & M. Miller to M. DePasquale, $44,000

Rumson Dr., 2970: D. Myers to S. Russell, $106,000

S. 13th St., 1413: C. Littles to Integrity Home Buyers LLC, $40,500

S. 13th St., 1466: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to 1466 S. 13th LLC, $100,000

S. 18th St., 317: M. & M. Perry to F. Ramirez, $40,000

S. 19th St., 10: D. Lightner to J. Gritten, $67,000

Susquehanna St., 1816: R. & C. Steele to M. Bush & S. Anderson, $179,500

Swatara St., 2239: H. Drothler to Fine Line Real Estate LLC, $75,000

Taylor Blvd., 52: V. & S. Vdov to F. de Perez, $120,000

Valley Rd., 2300: M. & R. Lewis to S. & S. Anthony, $269,000

Waldo St., 2618: Midatlantic IRA LLC Cynthia Hampton IRA to F. Sisic, $53,000

Walnut St., 1936: M. Molinar to A. Ryabukha, $87,000

Harrisburg property sales for January 2021, greater than $30,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

Support quality local journalism. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

February News Digest

January 29, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Conley

Jackson Hotel Collapses

The history-rich Jackson Hotel partially collapsed last month and then was razed to prevent further danger.

Harrisburg Commercial Interiors was working to stabilize the building, located on the 1000-block of N. 6th Street, when the situation became unsafe, according to owner Matt Long. Workers were able to get to safety before the wall facing Herr Street collapsed, Long said.

Staff and customers at the neighboring Jackson House restaurant saw falling bricks hit cars and damage the restaurant’s roof and sign, said owner Dave Kegris. Within a few hours, Long began to demolish the rest of the building for safety.

The circa-1884 Jackson Hotel once catered to African-American patrons who were denied service in Harrisburg’s white-only hotels. When long-time owner German Jackson died in 1998, the building was boarded up and has remained empty since.

In his will, Jackson left the building to Kegris, who owned it until 2015. Since then, the building has changed hands several times and, for the past few years, prominently featured a mural celebrating local Black history.

Over this time, few renovations were done and, eventually, the building’s roof caved in, and the back of the building collapsed. The interior of the building pancaked, leaving it in rubble, and the city condemned it.

Long purchased the building in 2018 with plans to stabilize the foundation and construct a completely new interior and roof. He intended to create apartments and commercial space.

Long said that he now plans to build an entirely new structure on the site, closely replicating the original Jackson Hotel building.

Theater Renovation to Start

Friends of the West Shore Theatre last month announced that they had secured enough funding to begin renovation of the 80-year-old theater in New Cumberland.

The group, as well as borough officials, gathered under the building’s signature marquee to celebrate significant progress in fundraising.

“We realized the value of trying to restore and keep this theater here in New Cumberland,” Mayor Doug Morrow said. “The funding is in place. We are moving forward.”

The West Shore Theatre opened in 1940 with 25-cent tickets. It remained a beloved, small-town theater for years before its doors closed in 2015. Friends of the West Shore Theatre eventually acquired it and began planning to bring it back to life.

Morrow announced that, with several new grants, the board has raised $1.4 million of the $2 million needed for the renovation.

The most significant chunk of funds was $650,000 from the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP). The PA Department of Community and Economic Development also awarded a $250,000 grant for the project. Other local foundations provided grants, as well.

An extensive renovation is planned, including adding seating and a standing lounge area, stage improvements, new equipment and other upgrades.

Additions to the back of the theater, such as green rooms and classrooms, will likely happen a year after it opens to the public, said Dan Burke of Friends of the West Shore Theatre.

Morrow added that they intend to use the theater for showing movies, live performances, theater classes and community group meetings.

Apartment Plan for Midtown Building

A Harrisburg resident has his eye on one of the last dilapidated commercial buildings in Midtown, with plans to turn it into a small apartment building.

Nathaniel Foote has a contract to buy the former Gerber’s Department Store—also known as the “Carpets and Draperies” building for the sign on the front façade—on the 1500-block of N. 3rd Street.

His plan calls for a five-unit apartment building, along with first-floor commercial space, in the 4,800-square-foot, three-story brick structure.

“I live in the neighborhood,” he said. “I want to see the property restored.”

Foote is an attorney who owns two duplexes in Midtown and, along with his father, a parking facility. He said that his interest in the building arose simply from walking past it nearly every day, so that eventually he called the listing agent for the property.

“I’m not an out-of-town developer looking to make a buck,” he said, estimating that construction will cost about $500,000. “The cost is substantial given the number of units you can get out of it.”

Schnecksville, Pa.-based Mussani & Matz Co. has owned the century-old building since 2007, but it’s sat empty and increasingly blighted for most of that time. It’s been on the sales market for the last few years.

Six years ago, two Harrisburg residents proposed turning the building into a craft distillery, but that project was abandoned after it failed to gain approval of the city’s Zoning Hearing Board.

Foote said that he’s encouraged by a spate of development proposals for the immediate area. Over the past year, several developers have proposed projects for the Reily Street corridor, but none have broken ground yet.

Foote’s plan calls for all two-bedroom units, which would range in size from 750 to 2,000 square feet, along with a 1,000-square-foot commercial space on the ground floor. He expects that he would live in the largest unit on the third floor.

Rents would range from about $1,000 a month to about $1,400 a month, he said, depending on unit size.

Foote expects to put the project on the agenda for the city’s Planning Commission and Zoning Hearing Board for their February meetings. If the project gains city approval, he hopes to start construction in March for completion by year-end.

The interior is gutted, so it would need to be completely rebuilt, Foote said. He plans for Harrisburg Commercial Interiors to do the construction. The notable “Carpets and Draperies” sign would be restored as part of the project, he said.

The building does not have its own off-street parking, but is surrounded by surface parking lots. Foote said that he expects to lease parking spaces from one of the lot owners.

Classrooms May Reopen

Harrisburg School District officials may be closer to welcoming some students back into school buildings.

If COVID-19 cases continue to decrease in the district, small cohorts of students could resume brick-and-mortar learning in March, Acting Superintendent Chris Celmer said last month.

“This is our hope, this is our wish,” he said. “This is what we want to see hopefully happen.”

He said that the focus would be on returning special education and elementary students to the buildings first, as well as other cohorts of students that the district determines are struggling the most.

The district has been operating with a 100% virtual learning model since the beginning of the school year. From the start, administrators have been looking for Dauphin County to meet certain benchmarks in order to bring students back to the buildings. Celmer said that they are still using those markers to determine if they will allow these small groups back to school buildings in March.

These include reduced positivity rates, below 10%, and incidence rates per 100,000 residents trending downward to a daily rate of 100 or less. He also wants to see the wastewater epidemiology tracker, Biobot, project Harrisburg virus cases closer to 100 or less per day.

December Home Sales Strong

Harrisburg-area home sales rose considerably in December, capping off a strong year for the local real estate market.

Home sales totaled 744 units compared to 611 units in December 2019 for the three-county region, while the median price rose to $217,750 versus $187,500 in the year-ago period, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

Dauphin County had 348 sales compared to 279 the previous December, as the median price rose by $20,000 to $185,000, GHAR said.

In Cumberland County, 353 homes sold versus 287 a year ago as the median price increased to $244,820 versus $215,000 the prior December.

Perry County saw monthly sales of 40 units compared to 22 units in December 2019, as the median price dropped a bit to $179,900 from $182,500, GHAR said.

Houses were also selling quickly. The average days on the market plummeted to just 26 days compared to 46 days in December 2019, according to GHAR.

The Harrisburg-area real estate market was strong throughout 2020, especially after pandemic-related restrictions were lifted in May.

So Noted

Civic Club of Harrisburg is seeking donations after thieves stole an air conditioner and caused damage last month to their historic riverfront home, Overlook. To donate to the club’s Vandalism Relief Fund or get more information about the club, contact President Mary Beth Lehtimaki at [email protected].

CommUNITY Yoga Space has moved a few doors down to a new, larger space at 1423 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg. Erika Malorzo opened the pay-what-you-can yoga studio over two years ago, and recently had to move following the sale of the building that housed her original space.

Harrisburg last month announced that it is requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for city workers. Mayor Eric Papenfuse signed an executive order requiring municipal employees to get the vaccination as quickly as possible in accordance with the state’s distribution guidance.

Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC last month named their board chairs for 2021. Meron Yemane of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management will head up the Chamber’s board, while Mike Funck of Wohlsen Construction will lead CREDC’s board. The two boards also named new officers for the year.

Harrisburg University last month announced that it had successfully sold $100 million in tax-exempt bonds to institutional investors. The money is being used to finance construction of its 11-story academic building at S. 3rd and Chestnut streets in downtown Harrisburg.

Changing Hands

Adrian St., 2258: D. Bryant to J. & J. Parker, $72,000

Alricks St., 650: Consolidated Holdings International LLC to D&F Realty Holdings LP, $30,000

Bellevue Rd., 2000: G. & N. Payne to E. Gonzalez, $95,000

Boas St., 217: J. & C. Kuntz to L. Wood & T. Miller, $109,900

Boas St., 222: N. Laudeman to F. Cossick, $112,500

Boas St., 264: J. & S. Sempeles to Westfall Real Estate LLC, $185,000

Boas St., 1930: CR Property Group LLC to I. Lenny, $139,000

Calder St., 215: J. Zehring to M. & A. Zehring, $71,500

Camp St., 632: M., A. & C. Little and D. Anderson to D. & J. Porter, $57,000

Chestnut St., 1200, 1202, 1204, 1206 & 1208: Round Rock Investments LLC to 101 S. 17th Street LLC, $450,000

Chestnut St., 2112: S. Siciliano to M. Cragle & S. Hughes, $226,900

Croyden Rd., 2807: S. Camaplan LLC FBO Mark Murdoch IRA to A. Blackwell, $100,000

Cumberland St., 213: V. Lefkowitz to W. Hoover & B. Shoemaker, $105,000

Derry St., 1248: Jackson Investment Properties LLC to E. Kelly & M. Alarcon, $55,000

Derry St., 2309: S. Gutshall to A. Nunez & J. Espihal, $73,000

Derry St., 2411: B. Ahmed to B. Arismendy, $46,000

Derry St., 2532 & 2534: K. & R. Gupta to Around the Corner LLC, $163,700

Edwards St., 260: Realm Properties to C. & K. Gehman, $360,000

Emerald St., 233: D. Welliver & R. Harpster to J. & S. Compton, $65,000

Emerald St., 652: D. Fernandez to Z. Williams & B. Jones, $99,900

Evergreen St., 319: NA Capital Group LLC to A. Rivera, $60,000

Forster St., 1928: M. Bair to B. Arias, $66,000

Green St., 2410: KTT Properties LLC to T. Meriweather & S. Nichols, $160,000

Green St., 3230: C. & L. Summerscales to G. Holmes, $130,000

Harris St., 414½: Ravo Rentals to Limitless Possibilities LLC, $50,000

Herr St., 217: K. & V. Land to A. & C. Greenblatt, $180,000

Herr St., 421: F. Washington to T. Ladas & S. Maykovich, $60,000

Herr St., 1726: Mango Properties to Gold Key Properties LLC, $50,000

Holly St., 1914: D. Berhe to SPG Capital LLC, $44,000

Hudson St., 1147: R. Vega & A. Marsico to C. Yourkavitch, $125,000

Kensington St., 2347: T. Thai to C. Grant & M. Rinaldi, $65,000

Kensington St., 2365: H. Grills to C. Woods, $53,500

Kensington St., 2366: J. Robinson Jr. to L. Stewart, $70,000

Lewis St., 327: L. Seidel to 327 Lewis LLC, $76,500

Logan St., 2141: KBT Enterprises to E. Alcantara, $30,000

Maclay St., 239: M. Nelson to Awesome Tenants LLC, $73,500

Manada St., 2003: C. Holvick to Henderson & Sons LLC, $32,500

Market St., 1819: M. Kearney to 77 Estate LLC, $35,000

Market St., 1903: CAR Property Holdings LLC to W. Cajina, $89,337

Market St., 2407: J. Brown to K. Parker, $142,000

Mulberry St., 1820: Alternative Rehabilitation to Archie Group LLC, $160,000

Nagle St., 119 & 709 Showers St.: J. Baer & A. Jury to V. & B. Wagner, $262,599

N. 2nd St., 610: Wyco Investments LLC to N&R Group LLC, $175,000

N. 2nd St., 2304: L. Rapaport to T. Brown, $269,500

N. 2nd St., 2809: W. & E. Steele to E. Larios, $162,000

N. 2nd St., 2830: Equity Trust Co. Custodian Julie L. Burns IRA to J. Davis, $72,500

N. 3rd St., 1201: C. Hull to R. & C. Steele, $100,000

N. 3rd St., 1417½: Long Life LLC to Heinly Homes LLC, $130,000

N. 3rd St., 1624: Sickler Properties LLC to SJL Rentals LLC, $155,000

N. 3rd St., 1820: MMLM Realty LLC & Ian Smith Contracting Inc. to DPS Properties LLC, $150,000

N. 3rd St., 1825: D. Totton to Community First Realty, $45,000

N. 4th St., 2110: A. Clay and M. & M. Corney to NA Capital Group LLC, $30,000

N. 4th St., 3118: M. Shank to J. Kilby & J. Vargas, $105,000

N. 5th St., 1624: B. Davis to K. O’Brian, $168,000

N. 5th St., 1628: Braemer Properties LLC to B. Butzer, $142,500

N. 5th St., 1720: Freedom Mortgage Corp. to Principium LLC, $123,500

N. 6th St., 2720: L. Brown to T. Hardison, $35,000

N. 6th St., 3156: Dobson Family Partnership to J. Ulloa & A. Villar, $80,500

N. 7th St., 3133 & 3205 and 651 Alricks St.: Consolidated Holdings International LLC to DAP 3250 LP, $1,000,000

N. 15th St., 1119: J. & M. Irvin to J. Irvin, $60,000

N. 18th St., 808: C. Lovejoy, M. Miller & PA Property Brothers LLC to G. Almonte, $44,000

N. 19th St., 49: M. McWilliams to Carters Clean Up LLC, $58,000

N. Front St., 1525, Unit 503: Dowell Group Inc. to J. Davis, $115,000

N. Front St., 2405: J. Hartzler to Serene Spaces LLC, $320,000

N. Front St., 3207: 3207 N. Front St. LLC to S. Juneja, $370,000

Norwood St., 915: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to G. Morris, $108,000

Park St., 1830: A. Caraballo to H. Ngoshi, $42,000

Peffer St., 221: N. Laume to Z. Brady & B. Blessing, $138,000

Peffer St., 435: K. Kessler to R. Clymer, $95,400

Penn St., 906: K. Holtzinger to J. Spatz, $136,000

Penn St., 1409: E. Lohss to J. Freeman, $107,000

Radnor St., 630: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to G. & L. Boone, $46,000

Reel St., 2449: E. Stawitz to SJJR LLC, $48,000

Regina St., 1619: J. Colucci to N. Harris, $55,000

Rolleston St., 1027: R. Castillo & E. Martinez to F. Torres, $98,000

Ross St., 627: Gilligan Realty LLC to Sanhos LLC, $40,000

Rudy Rd., 2405: N. & L. Skulstad to D. Bradford, $174,900

Rumson Dr., 350: L. Rodriguez to M. McAllister, $128,100

Seneca St., 224: R. Boust to D. Daley, $102,990

South St., 105: A. Crompton to 608 N. Third LLC, $70,000

S. 13th St., 1451: RTD Properties & Management to S. Esayas, $75,000

S. 13th St., 1456: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to 1456 S. 13th LLC, $100,000

S. 17th St., 319: 4P Ventures LLC to Pichardo LLC, $200,000

S. 24th St., 710: Equity Trust Co. Custodian Robert L. Burns IRA to D. Boyle, $39,000

S. 25th St., 350: B. Ho & S. Nguyen to R. Lyles Jr., $84,900

S. Front St., 333: 333 Sri Ganesh LLC to 101 S. 17th Street LLC, $250,000

S. Front St., 563: K. Bernhard & S. Schwab to T. Youngbluth, $76,000

State St., 223: 223 State St. LLC to PMA Foundation, $445,000

State St., 1310: M. Maniari & Z. Er Roudi to A. Ulerio, $83,500

State St., 1326: C. & T. Semancik to JMR Ventures LLC, $170,000

State St., 1502: S. Kochis to 77 Estate LLC, $30,000

State St., 1909: Atrium Gardens LLC to ZM Penn Group LLC, $59,000

State St., 1951: R. Shultz Jr. to Moxie Properties LLC, $225,000

State St., 2001: R. Shultz Jr. to Moxie Properties LLC, $275,000

Susquehanna St., 913: MR RE LLC to R. Perrego, $132,500

Susquehanna St., 1610: D. Lawyer & S. Flagle to R. Small, $182,500

Susquehanna St., 1708: J. Merx to J. Weinstock, $136,000

Susquehanna St., 2132: J. & C. Sanderson and A. Pletcher to L. de Gonzalez, $48,000

Susquehanna St., 2218: J. Grant to Heinly Homes LLC, $36,500

Verbeke St., 202: B. Hamilton to V. Filbert, $140,000

Verbeke St., 211: J. & S. Bircher to D. Leaman, $207,500

Waldo St., 2711: Mainline Funding Group Inc. to A. Hawkins, $47,800

Walnut St., 1500: E. Salah to J. Rodriguez, $32,800

Woodbine St., 241: G. & W. Banova to E. de Rosado, $117,500

Support quality local journalism. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

October News Digest

September 30, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Conley

Subpoena Power Proposed

Harrisburg City Council plans to make changes to a proposed police advisory board that would give the body more teeth, including administrative subpoena power.

During a work session last month, council member Ausha Green said that she will amend Bill 8 based upon input that council received from residents during three town hall meetings in August.

“One thing that we heard from the public was the need for subpoena powers,” said Green, who chairs council’s public safety committee. “It’s not in our purview to give judicial subpoena powers, but we can afford administrative subpoena powers.”

Green also said she would like to insert a statement of intent into the bill. This would better communicate the board’s purpose of providing accountability to the Harrisburg police bureau rather than serving as a community liaison.

Many public comments during the September work session touched on the idea of allowing the board to act independently. In the past, people have asked that police Commissioner Thomas Carter be removed as a non-voting member of the board.

“The board must be allowed to deliberate in private,” resident Vishal Bajpai said. “To be legitimate, the board must be sufficiently independent from the Bureau of Police.”

As the bill stands, the commissioner and the public safety chair would both be non-voting members. Green proposed an amendment that would remove them and, instead, invite them to quarterly meetings. Taking their place would be two more voting members from the city at large appointed by the board, Green said.

Council member Danielle Bowers submitted an amendment, as well. She would like to see neighborhood groups formed throughout the city to confer and bring forth candidates, one from each of the seven policing districts.

“I think this would offer a prime opportunity for them to work together to offer a recommendation that they all feel best represents their neighborhood,” she said.

Mayor Eric Papenfuse said he “didn’t have an issue” with the amendments.

Last month, council also discussed a proposed resolution that would establish use-of-force reporting to council and the mayor.

Since the resolution was introduced, the police bureau did provide a report in June, city Solicitor Neil Grover said. The report included the existing required report on complaints with some information on use of force.

However, several council members said they weren’t satisfied with the report, saying it didn’t include everything they requested.

“It seems very high level,” Green said. “It seems like it was very quickly put together. It needs to be kept up to date on a monthly basis.”

Papenfuse said that he is planning to propose a records management position within the police bureau that is dedicated to reporting.

“We really do have a capacity issue at the police department, and that is best addressed by the establishment of some new positions,” he said.

City Shares State Street Plan

Last month, along one of the busiest streets in Allison Hill, Harrisburg officials spoke with the community about plans to make the street safer—a project with an end finally in sight.

The State Street Rapid Response project was launched in 2018 with the intent to decrease pedestrian fatalities and accidents on State Street in Harrisburg.

“There have been more pedestrian and bicycle accidents on this road than anywhere else on the east coast,” said Ambrose Buck, project manager.

The dangerous nature of the street caused city Engineer Wayne Martin and his team to prioritize State Street, hence the project name “Rapid Response.” But the project hasn’t been very rapid.

Buck explained how Harrisburg maintains State Street, but the commonwealth owns it and essentially must sign off on any proposed construction. The city had to rework its plan for the street a few times before PennDOT approved it.

“This has been a long time of development,” Buck said. “We are excited to get it done.”

The main goal of the plan is to slow vehicle traffic. Based on a survey the city conducted, residents were most concerned with high vehicle speeds.

State Street will undergo a “road diet,” reducing the number of vehicle lanes from five to three. Buck said that the project will add protected bike lanes and improve crosswalks, including a median refuge island in the middle of the street.

The work should be completed in the spring or summer of 2021, Buck said.

“I drive and ride my bike on this street a lot, and I’m glad to see all these improvements finally happening,” said Harrisburg resident Lou Searles.

Additional plans for State Street include addressing another top issue found in the city’s survey—lighting. Buck said they will add new streetlights and update existing ones by December.

The project cost is $653,000, with PennDOT contributing $500,000 and $153,000 coming from the city’s fund balance.

The State Street Rapid Response project is part of the city’s “Vision Zero” initiative to reduce the number of pedestrian fatalities in Harrisburg to zero.

New Hope for Abandoned Buildings

Two long-abandoned industrial buildings have a new lease on life, as a Harrisburg developer plans to convert them to office and residential spaces.

Matt Long, owner of Harrisburg Commercial Interiors, said that he and his business partners have begun interior demolition work on 28 and 38 N. Cameron St., two derelict buildings near Appalachian Brewing Co.

“Our main motivation is that we wanted to save these buildings,” he said. “No one else wanted to touch them.”

The ownership group, Cameron Street LP, bought the two buildings in mid-August for $25,000 from the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority.

Under their plan, the smaller building at 28 N. Cameron St. will become the new offices for Harrisburg Commercial Interiors, while the larger building at 38 N. Cameron will become a five-unit apartment building.

Originally, the century-old buildings housed automobile-related businesses—a Motormart used car dealership and Duco Co. auto refinishers, before being gobbled up by Keystone Building Products, which occupied much of that block for decades.

In 1990, after Keystone left, the city took possession of the abandoned properties, and then-Mayor Steve Reed touted a federally backed retail complex called Paxton Commons, which was never built. At one point, Appalachian Brewing Co. also considered the site for expansion.

In 2015, the city turned the land over to the redevelopment authority, but still nothing happened, with the buildings occupied by squatters.

Long said that his company already has begun the interior demolition and cleanup of the buildings, which were choked with trash.

He expects work on the smaller, 7,000-square-foot building to be finished by the end of this year, which will enable his company to move into the space. The larger, 19,200-square foot apartment building next door will mostly be a 2021 project, he said.

Downtown Apartments Approved

The city Zoning Hearing Board last month approved plans by developer Derek Dilks to convert historic properties on State Street and Front Street into apartments.

The board approved special exceptions to transform two State Street buildings into “multifamily dwellings”:

122-124 State St. into three apartment units.
130 State St. into five apartment units, including a first-floor live-work unit.

Zoning board members split on two other of Dilks’ projects, proposed for Front Street:

25 N. Front St. The board approved eight apartment units, including first-floor office space, along historic Governor’s Row.
321 N. Front St. Dilks received a continuance until the board’s October meeting after two members objected to the inclusion of only four parking spaces for the nine units proposed.

The city Planning Commission already has approved the projects, citing the revitalization of historically and architecturally significant buildings, plus the injection of residents to enliven downtown on nights and weekends.

Dilks expects State Street construction to begin this fall, with completion in spring 2021. The more extensive Front Street projects require City Council approval, and he expects their completion in summer or fall 2021.

Comprehensive Plan Clears Hurdle

After years of work, the Harrisburg Planning Commission has unanimously approved a new comprehensive plan for the city.

During a virtual meeting last month, the commission voted to pass the plan, called “HBG2020,” which is intended to set guidelines and goals for the city for the next 10 to 20 years.

“I’m pleased with the current draft as it was passed and the fact that we finally have a guiding document, as there is so much development already happening in the city,” planning commissioner Anne Marek said.

Harrisburg’s current comprehensive plan dates back to 1974 and is largely regarded as outdated. The effort to draft a new plan began in 2013, but has been hobbled by delays, as well as a dispute between the city and the architect hired to draft it.

Now that the commission has approved the 246-page document, the plan moves to City Council. Once introduced, it will undergo a 45-day public comment period, as well as a public hearing, before a final vote.

“We have several steps to go to reach the finish line, but we’re hopeful this will get approved,” Marek said.

The draft plan contains many ideas, concepts and goals for Harrisburg over the next decade or two.

For instance, it suggests the development of a “Market Mews” near the Broad Street Market, which would promote development of a “pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use core” of residential and commercial uses. Other ideas include refreshment kiosks in Riverfront Park, a “City Square” mixed-use development along Market Street east of the train station, a downtown gateway and a new “Meander Park” on Allison Hill.

The draft, though, emphasizes that these are proposals, not mandates, and should serve mostly as guidance for future planning and zoning efforts.

“I’m excited for the document to be a catalyst for future funding and development ideas to continue our progress in Harrisburg,” Marek said.

Harrisburg Approves Bonuses

Essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic will receive a big “thank you” from Harrisburg in the form of $2,500.

Last month, City Council unanimously approved a budget reallocation that included about $800,000 from the city’s 2020 budget going towards the one-time “COVID-19 bonus.”

“We have hundreds of employees at the city across multiple unions and even in management that have come to work every day and had no option for telecommuting or adjusted schedules,” Mayor Eric Papenfuse said. “We feel it’s appropriate […] to show our appreciation for them.”

The bonus will go to any city employee who worked each day without being able to work from home or adjust hours, Papenfuse said.

He said that many American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union members qualify. All Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) union members will receive the bonus, as will a few management-level positions.

All eligible employees in Harrisburg will receive the same bonus, Papenfuse said.

“Thank you to all of those that were working on the front lines,” council member Danielle Bowers said. “I support this bonus.”

Homes Sales, Prices Rise

The summer ended on a high note for residential real estate, with home sales and prices both up substantially in August.

For the immediate three-county region, unit sales increased to 845 from 783 in the year-ago period, while the median sales price shot up to $215,000 from $194,900 a year ago, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors.

In Dauphin County, residential sales totaled 385 units versus 347 in August 2019, while the median sales price increased to $185,750 from $175,000, GHAR said.

Cumberland County saw home sales rise to 396 units compared to 357 last year, while the median price increased to $240,000 from $217,000. In Perry County, 43 homes sold, up from 23 a year ago, as the median price rose to $170,600 versus $145,000 in August 2019, GHAR said.

The average number of days on the market decreased in August, down to 36 compared to 42 in the year-ago period, according to GHAR.

Home sales and prices in the Harrisburg area also increased in July.

So Noted

Arts groups in the Harrisburg area received a portion of $20 million in arts funding distributed last month by the commonwealth, part of the “COVID-19 Cultural and Museum Preservation Grant Program.” Among the local recipients were the Susquehanna Art Museum, Gamut Theatre Group, the Harrisburg Symphony Association, AACA Museum, the National Civil War Museum, the Hershey Story and the Hershey-Derry Township Historical Society.

Harrisburg University’s e-sports team is the subject of a new documentary called “A Rising Storm,” produced in conjunction with marketing firm Pavone and production company Cowboy Bear Ninja. The 30-minutes film, available on major streaming platforms, chronicles how the HU Storm went from concept to award-winning team in just two years.

Paxtang Park officially opened to the public last month, with a ribbon-cutting for the area just off the Capital Area Greenbelt in Paxtang. Adjacent to several trails, the park includes almost 20 parking spots, a large pavilion with picnic tables and a kiosk with maps and historic photos of the original park.

Shalom House received City Council approval last month to construct an emergency and transitional housing facility on three vacant parcels along N. 15th Street in Harrisburg. The plan is to build a 9,672-square-foot facility to better serve women and children in need of emergency housing.

UPMC Pinnacle opened a new UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute last month at 1555 Highland Dr., Suite 100, in Lititz, directly across the street from the UPMC Lititz hospital. According to UPMC, the facility was opened to offer more convenient care to patients in that part of Lancaster County.

Clarification

In our September issue, we featured a local enterprise called Lee’s Good Eats in a story entitled “Waste Not.” We wish to clarify that Lee’s Good Eats is a for-profit business.

Changing Hands

Adrian St., 2467: D. Dickey to L. Locke, $75,000

Adrian St., 2472: W. White Sr. to B. Martin, $76,900

Agate St., 2522: Building LLC to Shutter Real Estate LLC, $40,000

Benton St., 616: M. Hagmusa to A. Williams, $57,000

Berryhill St., 1633: P. Terry to L. Cruz, $40,000

Berryhill St., 1708: D. & Q. Springer to C. Zapata, $35,000

Boas St., 422: C. Rosenberg to J. Lowry, $119,000

Briggs St., 2011: Lehman Investments LLC to DTJ Associates LLC, $35,000

Briggs St., 2019: S. & K. Nissly to J. Kelecseny, $50,000

Brookwood St., 2443: V. Graham to N. Richards & R. Bush, $77,500

Brookwood St., 2462: CR Property Group LLC to R. Kumar, $105,000

Chestnut St., 2114: W. & S. Watson to L. Harrington, $165,000

Chestnut St., 2201: A. Carlson & K. Garcia to M. & S. Wolcott, $240,000

Crescent St., 445 & 449: P. Peffley & P. Peffley Jr. to Shutter Real Estate LLC, $52,000

Cumberland St., 1325: H. Banks et al to N. & C. Ovalles, $58,200

Cumberland St., 1713: Jhonleo Home Renovations LLC to A. Everett, $110,000

Derry St., 1500 & 1512 and 1507 & 1514 Thompson St.: Derry Street United Methodist to Anglican Church of the Pentecost, $155,000

Edward St., 504: D. & J. Kruzhilin to M. Roman, $166,000

Emerald St., 241: J. & S. Compton to D. Smith & P. Martin, $122,500

Forster St., 1823: T. Scruggs to R. Gillette, $55,000

Fulton St., 1715: J. Leh to R. Mills, $125,000

Green St., 1203: Fannie Mae to PA Deals LLC & Revolutionary Deals LLC, $66,000

Green St., 1328: A. Koser to H. Radic, $128,000

Green St., 1329: B. & J. Parry to L. Savageau, $132,000

Green St., 1407: Alex Manning Enterprises LLC to T. Yang, $154,900

Green St., 1724: G. Bell to E. O’Callaghan, $155,000

Green St., 2416: J. & P. Manjon to E. Chattah & A. Kachkeran, $72,000

Green St., 2422: M. & J. Villasenor to Raymoore Financial Solutions LLC, $65,000

Hamilton St., 423: Kirsch & Burns to T. & A. King, $108,000

Herr St., 265: E. Johnson to Rosegarden Properties LLC, $70,000

Herr St., 267: R. Joseph & T. Crump to S. & D. Kaplan, $180,000

Hudson St., 1201: F. Leibholz to M. Miller, $126,000

Hunter St., 1213 & 1215: P. Peffley to KS Homes of PA LLC, $52,000

Hunter St., 1211, 1217 & 1219: MLP LLC to KS Homes of PA LLC, $78,000

Jefferson St., 2463: Kirsch & Burns LLC to J. Fritchey Equity Trust Company Custodian, $113,000

Liberty St., 234 & 610 Willow St.: Truist Bank to Nikelemia Real Estate Associates LLC, $165,000

Liberty St., 1430: Lehman Investments LLC to Ten Point Corporation, $47,000

Luce St., 2324: T. Thompson to CR Property Group LLC, $45,000

Magnolia Dr., 2319: J. & E. High to R. & J. Grigsby, $242,000

Market St., 1730: Bee Boo2 Inc. to J. Urena, $30,000

Market St., 1732: Bee Boo2 Inc. to J. Urena, $30,000

Moore St., 2113: Jawere Property Investments LLC to Blue Door Management LLC, $44,000

Mulberry St., 1940: W. Dong to A. & R. Hart, $43,200

North St., 228: N. Andrejack to The Berlin Group LLC, $120,000

N. 2nd St., 936: H. Focazio to J. Criley, $142,000

N. 2nd St., 1522: K. Reiter to C. Togami & P. Hopkins, $194,000

N. 2nd St., 2208: A. Kinsky to E. & L. Duff, $255,000

N. 2nd St., 2209: G. Wells to M. Luft & J. Schultz, $220,000

N. 2nd St., 2412: J. & P. Sider to J. Wagoner, $164,900

N. 2nd St., 2513: D. Graeff to J. Khan & L. Dalia, $225,000

N. 2nd St., 2704: K. & J. Travers to J. & N. Scott, $199,500

N. 2nd St., 3220: PHH Mortgage Corp. to Noble Colt LLC, $91,200

N. 3rd St., 1124: 1124 North Third Street LLC to Keaton & Friends LLC, $350,000

N. 3rd St., 1600: J. Miller to Fratelli Property Investments LLC, $145,000

N. 3rd St., 2016: K. Reed to S. Dimitrova & D. Jones, $232,900

N. 3rd St., 2204: P. Ford to MRI Properties LLC, $159,900

N. 4th St., 2138: I. Druker to J. Almonte, $40,000

N. 4th St., 2443: W. Lawrence to C. Alejandro, $97,000

N. 4th St., 3301: V. Wimbush to Invariant Real Estate II LLC, $75,000

N. 5th St., 1728 & 1730½: Waithe Investments LLC to Eppler Capital Properties LLC, $100,000

N. 5th St., 1732: B. Harris to R. Nagel, $169,999

N. 5th St., 2733: Atlantic North Star Properties LLC to C. Carey, $69,900

N. 5th St., 3202: Slear Family Trust to C. Anaya & M. Cardona, $132,394

N. 6th St., 1328: Wells Fargo Bank NA to W. Zhang, $68,404

N. 6th St., 2134: Tang & Perkins Property Management LLC to Breaking the Chainz Inc., $180,000

N. 16th St., 25: C. Perry & Habitat for Humanity Greater Harrisburg Area to Green Giraffe LLC, $84,000

N. 17th St., 52: V. Gilberto to Akilis Realty LLC, $30,000

N. Front St., 1525, Unit 510: H. Evren & M. Saygin to M., D. and S. McBride, $114,000

N. Front St., 3037 & 3041: National Central Bank & Wells Fargo Bank to AMR Builders LLC, $174,000

N. Front St., 1409 and 1412, 1414, 1416, 1418, 1420 & 1422 N. 2nd St., : L.R. to D. & L. Butcher, $1,800,000

N. Front St., 3101: Central Dauphin Realty Co. to Central Dauphin Realty Partners LLC, $1,800,000

Norwood St., 915: C. Henrey to Integrity First Home Buyers LLC, 61,500

Peffer St., 270: D. Stagemyer & D. Hill to Wheatland Restore LLC, $81,000

Penn St., 1930: T. Holderman to T. Martin, $162,000

Radnor St., 631: CR Property Group LLC to S. Gordon, $100,000

Reily St., 208: C. Hoover to R. Bulgarelli, $237,000

Reily St., 211: K. Secrest to M. Matas, $156,500

Rolleston St., 1249: Atlantic North Star Properties LLC to CR Property Group LLC, $45,000

Royal Terr., 109: T. Carney to JOG Investments LLC, $30,000

Rudy Rd., 2409: W. & A. Krahn to R. Roccato & G. Schwab, $178,665

Rumson Rd., 349: D. Reed & V. Griffin to T. & S. Hardin, $97,000

Showers St., 612: M. Murphy to J. Forry, $167,900

S. 13th St., 1456 & 1466: 4880 East Prospect LLC to Integrity First Home Buyers LLC, $50,000

S. 13th St., 446: H. & B. Nguyen to H. Pham, $35,000

S. 13th St., 1460: 4880 East Prospect LLC to A. & E. Rhon, $40,000

S. 14th St., 1456 & 1466: 4880 East Prospect LLC to Ingrity First Home Buyers LLC, $50,000

S. 16th St., 409, 411 & 413: C. Elliott to Jackson Investment Properties LLC, $60,000

S. 17th St., 301: M. & D. Fairall to M. Caceres & G. Perez, $35,900

S. 18th St., 6: J. Hardman to CR Property Group LLC, $45,000

S. 19th St., 1204: G. & J. Dorsey to O. Banks, $50,000

S. 20th St., 23: J. Satterlee to J. & C. Ludwick, $84,000

S. 25th St., 630: D. Bender to O. Diallo & M. Barry, $59,000

S. 27th St., 701: A. Brinkley to J. Frantz, $135,000

S. Front St., 627: H. & F. Fox to E. Hankerson, $130,000

State St., 1418: Skip Properties LLC to TKO Rental Properties LLC, $50,500

State St., 1847: S. Walwyn to Blue Door Management LLC, $40,000

Susquehanna St., 913: E. & S. Mitrovich to MR RE LLC, $72,500

Susquehanna St., 2005: M. Rioux & H. Perry to K. Witmer, $141,000

Swatara St., 1907: A. Phousalith to A. Erazo, $30,000

Valley Rd., 2406: D. & C. Spigner Trustee to W. & A. Krahn, $225,000

Vernon St., 1351: I. Mirambeaux to J. Frias, $32,000

Waldo St., 2716: P. Lian to N. Salama, $55,000

Woodbine St., 239: D. Hoffman to Hoffman Properties LLC, $60,000

Zarker St., 2037: G. Sanchez to C. Geary, $47,000

Support quality local journalism and become a Friend of TheBurg today!

September News Digest

August 31, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Conley

Virtual Start for Harrisburg Schools

The Harrisburg school district last month began its 2020-21 academic year with fully virtual instruction.

Before the year began, families had to choose one of two options, according to Acting Superintendent Chris Celmer. They could select a hybrid online/classroom model or a fully virtual model.

For both paths, students started the year with fully virtual learning.

The first path is called the “Pathway to Classroom Instruction.” In that model, students began with online instruction, including live lessons and individual work, with the expectation that they would return to the physical classroom later in the year.

The time spent learning at home will approximate the time spent in school in order to have a smooth transition and continuity of education, explained Chief Academic Officer Susan Sneath.

“A schedule for at-home learning will look pretty similar to a schedule that a child might have in school when they attend school every day,” Sneath said.

Under a second, hybrid phase, students will go to school two days a week and continue virtual learning the other three days. They will be split into two groups, half going in on Monday and Tuesday, the others attending on Thursday and Friday.

Students will transition to a hybrid model of online and classroom learning only when there is a sustained decrease in the spread of the virus in the community, reduced diagnoses and shorter virus testing turnaround times, among other factors.

“If there are opportunities for students to come back to brick-and-mortar, we are going to look to take advantage of those, if they are safe,” Celmer said.

Students can expect to return to school full-time only when positive case rates in the community are below the state benchmark of 5% for two weeks. In addition, treatments or a vaccine must be available, as well as rapid testing turnarounds, Celmer said.

The second option for families is to enroll in the district’s new cyber school—the Harrisburg Virtual Learning Academy (HVLA).

For either option, all students were eligible to receive a device, such as a Chromebook or laptop, for their work.

Food distribution will continue with the start of the school year and will likely increase from the current one day a week to two or three.

Proposed Police Board Draws Comments, Criticism

Harrisburg City Council held three town hall meetings last month on a proposed Citizens Law Enforcement Advisory Committee, receiving substantial input from residents who attended the virtual and in-person gatherings.

Dozens of residents participated in the meetings, and most who spoke did not approve of the legislation, Bill 8, which would create the proposed board.

In their comments, residents focused most on the proposed board’s lack of subpoena and independent investigative powers. Many residents believe that the advisory board should be a more powerful review board.

“I don’t believe this bill would be a step towards accountability,” resident Rachel Peacock said during one of the meetings. “It seems like a horse-and-pony show.”

Others echoed the complaint that the board, as proposed, lacks sufficient power, and some added that residents should have a say in who is appointed to the board. Currently, the bill states that City Council would appoint four members and the mayor would choose three.

The bill also states that Harrisburg’s police commissioner would sit on the board without voting power. Appointed board members would also be required to attend police academy training or participate in a police ride-along.

“I can imagine a chilling effect if the chief of police is sitting on the citizens’ advisory board,” resident Vishal Bajpai said.

Council member Ausha Green, the chair of the public safety committee, said that the meetings would influence the fate of the bill creating the board.

“It’s important for us to have everyone’s voices as a part of our decision,” Green said. “We will look to make changes through amendments.”

Farm Show Goes Virtual

Our area’s biggest annual event—the PA Farm Show—will go virtual this year, the state announced last month.

State Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding said that canceling in-person portions of the 10-day agricultural exposition was necessary due to uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There are times in the life of a farmer when the risks are too great or uncertain, requiring farmers to make the tough decision to leave a field fallow,” he said. “To protect our assets—both our people and our resources—from incalculable losses, we have made the tough decision to take a year to lie in fallow.”

He also announced the theme for the January 2021 event: “Cultivating Tomorrow.”

Redding didn’t immediately describe the planned virtual substitutes, but did say that they would be focused on “education and awareness” for both the agricultural industry and the public.

In 2021, the PA Farm Show will celebrate its 105th year.

City Rallies for Kesher Israel

Harrisburg community and faith leaders rallied around Kesher Israel Congregation last month, after a swastika was found scrawled on their synagogue.

A diverse crowd gathered outside the Uptown Harrisburg building to stand in solidarity with the Jewish community.

“The response from this community has been really incredible,” said Rabbi Elisha Friedman. “Each person by being here today is making a statement that this is unacceptable to go on in this area. We are not going to allow this kind of behavior to happen again.”

The Mayor’s Interfaith Advisory Council led the vigil. Police Commissioner Thomas Carter, Rep. Patty Kim (D-Harrisburg) and local faith leaders were among those who spoke.

“What I see here is love,” Carter said. “It took some cowards under the shield of nighttime to paint a swastika. But it didn’t drive a fork in any of our hearts. It brought us together.”

Friedman said that Harrisburg police arrived minutes after he called them. He added that the state troopers and FBI were helpful, as well.

Pastor James Jackson of Goodwin Memorial Baptist Church was one of the many faith leaders who spoke at the event.

“We members of the Goodwin Memorial Baptist church, who are your closest neighbors of faith, want to say to whoever did this, this is not acceptable,” he said.

This act of anti-Semitism is just one of many related incidents in the state, said Russell Goodman, who is part of the Interfaith Advisory Council.

The negative impact the swastika has on the Jewish community mirrors that of the confederate flag on the Black community, said Tameka Hatcher of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.

“Symbolism matters,” she said. “As a person who believes in the dignity and the sanctity of lives of all people, we the Black community stand with our brothers and sisters of faith in the Jewish community.”

In closing, Jackson prayed for peace and unity in the community.

“The thing that we leave here with will be a renewed determination to see that this city, this community and this nation turn into a place where all of our kids can grow up in an atmosphere of love and peace,” he said.

Free Internet for Students

The Harrisburg School District is bringing free internet access to students and their families through a new partnership with Tri County Community Action.

About 1,500 families will be given free access through next August, according to the district. For many families, this is necessary as all students will begin the school year virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This timely partnership is a tremendous step toward closing the digital divide […],” Acting Superintendent Chris Celmer said. “With the generous support of Tri County Community Action, this partnership helps to make significant progress toward equitable technological access.”

Funding for the $160,000 connectivity initiative will come through Tri County Community Action’s Community Services Block Grant, as well as federal CARES Act funding.

“One of the best ways to disrupt and permanently break the cycle of poverty is through education and investing in our youth,” Tri County Executive Director Jennifer Wintermyer said.

According to Celmer, 84% of district students in the city come from families that are considered low-income or economically disadvantaged. This program will help close the digital divide, he said.

In a spring survey, the district found that three out of 10 students had questionable internet access to support online schooling, Celmer said. He added that the gap has closed slightly since then, but it’s still an issue for many families.

“Our priority is those families who have absolutely no access,” Celmer said.

The program will provide in-home Comcast Internet Essentials Services, Verizon Hot Spot access and Xfinity Wi-Fi Hot Spots at designated business and outdoor locations. Families do not have to be Xfinity Internet subscribers to access this, and it will be provided at no cost, according to the district.

Home Sales Strong

The Harrisburg area exhibited strong gains in residential sales in July, reversing a pandemic-induced dip from earlier in the year.

In July, home sales totaled 880 units compared to 753 units for July 2019, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR). July saw the greatest number of sales compared to any month in 2020.

Prices also were up considerably for the three-county region, as the median sales price increased to $214,700 versus $190,000 a year ago, said GHAR.

In Dauphin County, 405 houses sold compared to 365 the previous July, while the median price rose to $180,000 from $174,997.

Cumberland County had sales of 418 units versus 355 the prior year, as the median price jumped to $233,250 from $211,000, GHAR said. Residential sales in Perry County increased to 51 units from 33 a year ago, while the median price shot up to $177,700 from $160,000 in July 2019.

In July, the average days on the market for houses fell to 38 days compared to 44 days the year before, according to GHAR.

So Noted

Black Lives Matter mural was unveiled last month on the side of the Harrisburg Improv Theatre on N. 3rd Street. Local artist Mike Fitzgerald led the team that painted the mural, which includes affirmations and signatures from many people who participated in and supported the project.

Dauphin County is relocating its Elections and Voter Registration office to a larger facility in Swatara Township, the commissioners announced last month. The move from the county’s Administration Building to the two-level building at 1251 S. 28th St. is expected early next year.

Dixon University Center may soon be on the market, as the PA State System of Higher Education last month voted to relocate to a smaller facility and dispose of the 6.5-acre, six-building campus near Italian Lake in Harrisburg. The PA legislature would need to endorse a sale of the property, which the state system has occupied since 1992.

Gamut Theatre announced last month that it would mount a fall season, though in altered form due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gamut plans to stage three live plays, one each in September, October and November. Seating will be limited, and extra health and safety protocols will be in place. For details, visit www.gamuttheatre.org.

Harrisburg Beer Week last month awarded $25,000 to its beneficiary, Harrisburg River Rescue and Emergency Services. Due to the pandemic, all events were virtual this year, but organizers still were able to raise substantial funds from sponsorships and donations.

Jason Isbell is returning to Harrisburg, as Harrisburg University last month announced its first outdoors show of 2021. The roots rocker and his band, the 400 Unit, are slated to play in Riverfront Park on May 29.

Kipona Festival will go on this year, though in an altered format. The three-day festival over Labor Day weekend will include a food truck festival and fireworks show on Saturday, Sept. 5, as well as two days of virtual events on Sept. 6 and 7. For more information, visit www.harrisburgpa.gov.

Maddie Young was named last month as the executive director of the Carlisle YMCA. Young brings more than 25 years of nonprofit experience in central Pennsylvania, including in management, fundraising, collaboration and planning, according to a news release from the board of directors.

Rep. Patty Kim last month announced three “Community Classroom” locations for Harrisburg school district students: the Journey Church on Allison Hill, Whitaker Center in downtown and Major H. Winfield Funeral Home in Steelton. These locations will be available for students to use for part of the school day to take online classes while their parents are at work.

Changing Hands

Allison Ct., 3: D. Patrick to R. Dominguez, $89,900

Antoine St., 522: Wells Fargo Bank NA to C. Freeman, $60,000

Boas St., 255: Three Bridges Holdings LLC to K. Dubina, $225,000

Boas St., 260: First United Methodist Church of Harrisburg to Church 1 Holdings LLC, $99,000

Boas St., 423: J. Vogelsong to R. Huy & Q. Heist, $114,900

Boas St., 1912: Dobson Family Limited Partnership to J. Erdman, $39,900

Briggs St., 215: CR Property Group LLC to M. Owens, $215,000

Calder St., 209: M. Pickard & C. DeAngelis to C. Doyle, $170,000

Calder St., 500: S. Hoffman to R. Metzger, $160,000

Chestnut St., 2044: M. Catania to J. Francisco, $105,000

Crescent St., 216: G. Neff & City Limits Realty to E. Seeger, $35,000

Dauphin St., 621, 623, 625, 626 & 627: DL Weaver Enterprises LLC to Kayr Management LLC, $185,100

Derry St., 2127: L. Quintanilla to N. Ramirez, $72,000

Green St., 1102: W. Hoover & Heinly Homes LLC to E. Kramer, $235,000

Green St., 1512: G. & R. Keller to P. Northop, $180,000

Green St., 1519: PA Deals LLC to A. Dunn, $95,000

Green St., 2005: K. Rapp to F. Boomer, $225,000

Green St., 3107: B. & S. Nussbaum to J. Lambert & J. Cantley, $190,000

Harris St., 437: V. Lacerra to L. Teck, $150,000

Herr St., 258: C. & L. Kelliher to Fratelli Property Investments LLC, $130,000

Herr St., 260: S. Bruder & M. Richards to D. Noll, $216,000

Kelker St., 317: BDS Property Group LLC to K. Whistler & S. Sauro, $135,000

Kensington St., 2341: I. Trigueros to N. Matthews, $57,500

Lexington St., 2716: CR Property Group LLC to A. LaRoche, $104,995

Logan St., 2235: CR Property Group LLC to C. Price, $109,995

Luce St., 2304: CR Property Group LLC to L. Dalupang, $119,000

Market St., 1618: A. Vargas, L. Puente & I. Leon to O. & E. Melendres, $35,000

Market St., 2209: J. & L. Shrum to D. & C. Maset, $199,900

Mulberry St., 1811: JOG Investments LLC to MR RE LLC, $70,000

Nagle St., 112: A. Miranda & K. & B. Downey to J. Weaver, $140,000

North St., 2002: S. Aly to C. Asare, $45,000

N. 2nd St., 512 & 514: G. & R. Petrina to 512-514 N. 2nd St., LLC, $90,000

N. 2nd St., 1935: G. & J. Geiges to D&F Realty Holdings LP, $88,500

N. 2nd St., 2534: A. Massaro to Mundi Investment Group LLC, $131,200

N. 3rd St., 234: M. & J. Singel to 234 N. 3rd St. LLC, $315,000

N. 3rd St., 1726: E. & M. Lambino to R. Moore, $132,000

N. 4th St., 2031: J. Frey to Q. Phillips, $41,000

N. 4th St., 2412: R. Alleman & An. Bergner to T. Carlson, $82,500

N. 4th St., 2637: S. Holton to M. Rosario, $38,000

N. 5th St., 1640: G. & L. Cermak to L. Sanford, $140,000

N. 5th St., 2216: Aga Properties Solution LLC to CR Property Group LLC, $36,000

N. 5th St., 2447: JOG Investments LLC to D. Boyle, $33,000

N. 6th St., 1727: A. Pierce to Stoute Housing Inc., $85,000

N. 17th St., 51: I. Mirambeaux to P. Aurelio, $30,000

N. 17th St., 122: OJK Enterprises LLC & C. Texidor to Biyaki Enterprises LLC, $36,000

N. 17th St., 1009: T. Coffee to Woods Property Management LLC, $35,000

N. 19th St., 703: D. Nguyen to S. Francis, $103,000

N. Front St., 1525, Unit 513: M. & E. Crossey to A. Miller, $114,900

N. Front St., 2841: W. Zutell to Wheaten Investments LLC, $525,000

N. Summit St., 132: R. Andrews to R. Munoz, $33,000

Parkside Dr., 2926: J. McKeithan to K. & R. Greenland, $264,500

Penn St., 1208: Wheatland Restore LLC to G. Dunigan, $180,000

Penn St., 1505: D. Crowther to Fratelli Property Investments LLC, $100,000

Penn St., 1809: J. Francesangeli & D. Rocklein to M. Jones & S. Kuserik, $167,000

Penn St., 2314: J. & S. Horton to R. Flemister, $93,000

Race St., 564: H. Jones to SJL Rentals, $109,900

Radnor St., 127: A. Mentzer & S. Jones to V. Thieu & C. Bone, $279,900

Regina St., 1700: M. & R. Dillard to NA Capital Group LLC, $50,000

Reel St., 2418: American Rental Home LLC & CR Property Group LLC to J. Johnson, $110,000

Rolleston St., 1140: V. Cunningham to M. Gonzalez, $50,000

Rumson Dr., 2975: Proline Properties LLC to R. & R. Jarnagin, $105,000

Showers St., 617: M. & K. Maurer to D. Nomie, $167,000

S. 20th St., 228: S. Elazouni to J. Verdugo, $64,000

S. 26th St., 633: Q. & L. Tran to M. Pontz, $114,900

S. Cameron St., 1000 & 1171: Olcam Corp. & P. Grove to Harrisburg PA III SGF LLC & H. Nisbet, $20,500,000

State St., 1400: R. & A. Sharp to J. Arkon, $90,000

State St., 1901: C. Paulus to J. & M. Ramires, $85,000

State St., 1906: Big Foot Properties LLC to J. Rodriguez, $43,000

Susquehanna St., 1911: A. Shadday to S. Umble, $103,000

Vineyard Rd., 214: L. Csovelak & A. Trone to P. Eklund & B. Corner, $224,900

Woodbine St., 332: M. Mtere to HBK Properties 1 LLC, $52,000

August News Digest

July 31, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Conley

Public Hearings Planned

Harrisburg City Council last month held its final regular session of the summer, but council plans to interrupt its hiatus to hold public hearings on two police-related issues.

Council member Ausha Green, who is chair of the public safety committee, said that she planned to hold at least two hearings over the summer on the issues—a revision of the city police use-of-force policy and a proposed Citizen’s Law Enforcement Advisory Committee.

“We will continue the discussion for both Bill 8 and Resolution 51 throughout our summer hiatus in a series of public meetings,” she said.

Her comments followed a lengthy reading of messages received by City Council regarding these issues during the last virtual legislative session. Green said that council has received more than 40 public comments in all regarding the legislation.

Many comments, Green said, asked for subpoena power for the committee, currently proposed as a seven-member advisory board that would lack that power.

For example, a group of 31 city residents jointly submitted a letter to council asking that the advisory committee become a community review board with subpoena power to access internal police bureau documents and information.

“The right-to-know request serves as a good tool for seeking information as community members,” the statement said. “However, it doesn’t provide the full scope of documentation necessary to assess any wrongdoing within the police bureau. Administrative subpoena power is needed within the community review board, similar to the administrative subpoena power allowed through the tax board and zoning hearing board both of whom, as stated by [city solicitor] Mr. [Neil] Grover, hold administrative subpoena power to ensure that ethical procedures are followed.”

The city’s Environmental Advisory Council also contributed a group statement, stating that Harrisburg should demonstrate leadership on creating more equality and fairness not only on police issues, but also for food, transportation and education, especially in communities of color.

“This is time to reflect on not only the silence and inaction that has plagued this country for decades and the devastating loss of life from this inaction, but also time to reimagine our communities and call for systemic change,” said the statement.

Other statements said that the police should routinely release more information, and one asked for paths for additional police accountability if subpoena powers—if granted—ultimately were judged not to be enforceable.

“I would also like to thank community organizations that have been holding public discussion to really continue the conversation in our community, such as the Young Professionals of Color,” Green said. “And I look forward to gaining more insight from residents as we continue this discussion.”

Composting Deal Set

Harrisburg’s leaves, grass and branches are headed to Swatara Township, as the city continues a longstanding quest to find a permanent place for its compostable waste.

City Council last month voted unanimously to enter into a two-year intergovernmental cooperation agreement to use the Swatara Township Yard Waste Composting Facility.

“The city is no longer taking any of its woody waste to the incinerator, so we’re looking to make sure we’re disposing of this properly,” said council member Westburn Majors.

Since 2017, the city has tried to get approval to build its own composting facility on land owned by the Harrisburg school district, just over the city line in the Edgemont section of Susquehanna Township. However, township officials have rejected that proposal, a decision the city has appealed to the courts.

“As we are in continued litigation regarding the potential set up of our own composting facility, this hopefully will be a short-term solution as we continue to work through those issues so that the city can finally have a place to dispose of its leafy and woody waste,” Majors said.

City Solicitor Neil Grover said that the appeal could easily take more than two years to wind its way through the courts and come to a conclusion.

In the meantime, the city already has been sending its compostable waste—vegetative material like leaf waste, grass clippings and garden residue—to the facility in the Oberlin section of Swatara Township. The resolution approved last month formalizes that arrangement, Grover said.

Harrisburg will pay the township $2,945.10 per year, starting on Jan. 1. Christopher Nafe, the city’s sustainability officer, said that amount was proposed by Swatara Township, a figure, he added, that the city deemed reasonable.

Also last month, council unanimously passed a resolution entering into a reimbursement agreement with Capital Region Water to fund the installation and construction of ADA-compliant curb ramps, curb extensions and other streetscape improvements as part of CRW’s South Allison Hill Green Stormwater Infrastructure Project. Under the arrangement, the city will provide $150,000 to reimburse CRW for certain improvements it is making as part of its extensive stormwater project in South Allison Hill.

Grant for Greenhouse

Harrisburg’s Reservoir Park greenhouse is a step closer to restoration after receiving a $25,000 “Better Food, Better Access, Better Together” grant from the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank.

“We have been working with a large coalition to restore the Reservoir Park greenhouse for several years now and are encouraged by the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank’s gift,” said Harrisburg Parks Foundation Secretary Zac Monnier.

The 1,500-square-foot greenhouse was built in 1929 and is part of a garden located off of Whitehall Street on the southwest side of Reservoir Park. Unused for 20 years, the greenhouse has been experiencing revitalization from the Parks Foundation and the Foundation for Enhancing Communities.

According to the city’s Sustainability Manager Christopher Nafe, the goal of the greenhouse is to provide an educational experience for visitors to learn about urban farming, gardening at home and healthy and affordable cooking and eating.

Nafe also recognizes that parts of Harrisburg are classified as food deserts and believes that the greenhouse can help provide options for residents, especially in Allison Hill.

“We are hoping to try to fill that void and act as a community resource,” he said.

The food bank hopes, with the help of this grant, that the greenhouse will inspire youth to grow their own healthy food and even encourage them to consider agricultural careers.

“This is us working with our community to end hunger in Harrisburg,” Executive Director Joe Arthur said.

This isn’t the first time funds have been donated to the greenhouse. The Whitt Family Foundation awarded the greenhouse a $25,000 grant, and the Rotary Club of Harrisburg has donated $5,000.

The group working to restore the greenhouse includes the Homegrown Harrisburg Community Gardens Network, Tri-County Community Action, Messiah University Center for Sustainability, Harrisburg Young Professionals of Color, Sustainable Human Environment, LLC and Harrisburg Urban Growers.

The team also hopes to restore the grounds surrounding the greenhouse and possibly renovate the Brownstone Building, which the greenhouse sits behind, for use as a food demonstration kitchen, according to Nafe. The total project is projected to cost around $245,000.

The working group was formed in 2018 and hopes to have the greenhouse functioning by next spring or summer. They are currently in the planning phase.

“Choose Harrisburg” Launched

Harrisburg last month announced a new program designed to promote shopping in the city.

Jamal Jones, Harrisburg’s director of business development, debuted “Choose Harrisburg,” a campaign meant to encourage people to shop small city businesses for the month of August.

“It’s a way to provide businesses with much needed support,” he said.

Participating businesses will be added to a list for the public to see, giving people options for buying local.

“Not only does it give a boost to those local businesses, but, long term, we hope it gives a boost to our local economy,” Jones said.

Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse explained that taxes from businesses in the city help fund city operations. With those revenues being lower than usual due to the COVID-19 crisis, he believes residents will feel the effects next year. Millions of dollars will be lacking for city services such as the police and fire bureaus.

“When you’re shopping local, you’re not only helping the business itself, you’re ensuring that the basic services which everybody wants and needs in the city are being able to continue well,” he said.

The city will partner with the Downtown Improvement District and the African American Chamber of Commerce.

“For those of us that get take out once a week or so, let’s resolve for the month of August to only get takeout from businesses that are based here in Harrisburg,” Papenfuse said.

People can show their participation in August by using the hashtag #choosehbg on social media.

Stormwater Fee Delayed

Capital Region Water will delay its new stormwater fee for three months, citing the coronavirus pandemic as the reason.

The CRW board voted to begin to impose the fee on Oct. 1, instead of July 1, due to the “economic hardship” resulting from the virus.

“While the delay is intended to provide temporary relief to our customers, it does not diminish Capital Region Water’s commitment to improving local water quality, the associated regulatory responsibility, or the financial cost of system stewardship,” said CRW board Chair Marc Kurowski.

CRW voted last year to begin charging its Harrisburg customers a separate stormwater fee on Jan. 1, a date later moved up to July 1 and now delayed until October.

Under the plan, most residential customers will be charged an additional $6.15 per month or $74 per year. The non-residential rate will fluctuate based on the amount of impervious surface on commercial properties.

Currently, the cost of stormwater service is included in the wastewater fee. CRW has said that customers should see a slower rise in the wastewater portion of their bill once stormwater service is separated out.

CRW plans to spend some $315 million over the next 20 years to slash the amount of wastewater that flows into Paxton Creek and the Susquehanna River during heavy rains. That plan relies heavily on building out green infrastructure to prevent stormwater from overwhelming the city’s combined stormwater/wastewater system.

“Millions of dollars of system repair and maintenance are necessary to address decades of deferred investment in both the combined and separate stormwater systems,” Kurowski said.

Home Sales Down, Prices Up

For a second straight month, residential housing sales fell but prices increased in the greater Harrisburg area.

In June, 505 homes changed hands compared to 849 in the year-ago period, though the median sales price rose to $199,900 from $190,075, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

In Dauphin County, 244 residential units sold versus 423 in June 2019, while the median price increased by $5,000 to $181,000, GHAR said, in its latest housing report.

Cumberland County had 236 home sales in June, a decrease from 384 in the year-ago period as the median price rose to $225,600 from $212,900, GHAR said. In Perry County, 25 houses sold, 17 fewer than in June 2019, but the median price increased to $174,900 from $169,500.

The average “days on market” for June rose slightly to 46 from 41 a year ago, GHAR said.

June’s housing data is similar to the data from May, when residential sales also fell but prices increased.

So Noted

Boneshire Brew Works plans to expand into downtown Harrisburg, with a tasting room planned for the city’s SoMa neighborhood. Boneshire expects to open in the spring at 13 S. 3rd St., space that has housed the temporary Sip@SoMa tasting room since early 2019.

The Englewood, a new music, event and dining concept in Hershey, opened last month after an extensive build-out and renovation to a landmark barn at 1219 Research Blvd. The venue also will feature an on-site brewery and has extensive outdoor seating. For more information, visit www.englewoodhershey.com.

The Foundation for Enhancing Communities and United Way of the Capital Region last month announced that they had distributed another $23,750 to 10 more nonprofit organizations as part of the COVID-19 Community Response Fund. So far, the fund, designed to help support nonprofits during the pandemic crisis, has distributed $169,278 to 74 area groups.

Glitz Soap Co. will move this fall to 1 E. Main St. in Mechanicsburg to expand production and retail space, according to the Cumberland County Housing and Redevelopment Authorities. Glitz Soap opened its shop at 58 W. Main St., Mechanicsburg, in February.

Guy McIntosh last month was named executive director of the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra. Prior to his appointment, he served as the orchestra’s general manager and as director of marketing and personnel manager for several performing arts organizations throughout the mid-Atlantic region.

Pedego Harrisburg is set to cruise into Strawberry Square in September, the area’s first dealership for the nation’s largest electric bicycle company. Harrisburg resident Andrew Soisson, along with his parents, will open in 3rd Street retail space last occupied by the grocery store, Provisions.

Radish & Rye has closed its long-time stand in the Broad Street Market, moving to its new storefront at 1308 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg. Currently, the produce and grocery vendor is accepting only online orders, with curbside pickup Tuesday through Sunday. For more information, visit www.radishandryehbg.com.

Saturday Nights in the City has been extended through the end of August. Originally slated to end in early July, Harrisburg and the Downtown Improvement District extended and expanded the outdoors dining event due to its popularity among restaurateurs and patrons.

Stuart Malina will conduct the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra for at least three more years, as last month he signed a contract extension through the 2022-23 performance season. This year, Malina celebrates 20 years with the orchestra and, besides his role as conductor, often performs as a featured soloist.

Visit Hershey & Harrisburg last month launched the Brew Barons Beer Trail, which links some 20 craft breweries in the Harrisburg area via a mobile app. By downloading the app, beer fans receive information on the participating breweries, details on promotions and events and a chance to win prizes. Visit www.brewbarons.com.

Changing Hands

Bellevue Rd., 2021: J. & J. Trach to G. Amador, $88,000

Benton St., 600: T. Griffin to W. Quezada & M. Cedeno, $78,000

Benton St., 708: Whitland Enterprises to M. Ide, $46,000

Berryhill St., 1948: M. Frater to R. Perrin & D. Rallo, $47,000

Berryhill St., 1954: M. Frater to R. Perrin & D. Rallo, $73,000

Berryhill St., 2154: E. Butler to J. Ranck, $44,300

Boas St., 1930: S. Tippitt to CR Property Group LLC, $49,600

Brookwood St., 2449: D. Tu to K. Tran & T. Doan, $60,000

Cameron St., 117 and 116 & 118 Hancock St.: Pascual Navarro Inc. to RS3 Ventures LLC, $207,000

Chestnut St. 2120: TIAA FSB to JBAB LLC, $155,500

Derry St., 2444: Federal National Mortgage Assoc. to K. Mooney, $45,000

Derry St., 2516: Wells Fargo Bank NA PHH Mortgage Corp. to D&F Realty Holdings LP, $36,500

Duke St., 2447: PA Deals LLC & Rich Steele Realty LLC to A. Graham, $76,900

Grand St., 931: K. Line to J. Greene, $55,000

Green St., 1002: A. Toth to PA Deals LLC, $72,000

Green St., 1702: M. Tramontin to J. & S. Lebron, $219,900

Green St., 1719: H. Neuhaus to The Berlin Group LLC, $100,000

Green St., 2023: J. & S. Douglas to Z. & S. Smith, $210,000

Green St., 2035: Heinly Homes LLC & W. Hoover to N. Jensen, $232,000

Hale Ave., 393: S. Garrett to F. Ramirez & J. Polanoc, $70,000

Herr St., 1020: S. Borne to D. Patel, $154,000

Holly St., 1853: R. Dunbar to C. Dunbar, $42,500

Holly St., 1911: Vision Venture Investments LLC to M. Diallo & S. Camara, $65,000

Jefferson St., 2642: D. Lopez to P. Solis Lorenzo, $30,000

Kensington St., 2233: H. Alcantara & T. Holden to J. & M. Macias, $66,500

Lenox St., 2005: T. & C. Murray to R. Bender, $87,000

Linden St., 125: S. & M. Toomey to CR Property Group LLC, $45,000

Maclay St., 645: Buonarroti Trust to AutoZone Development LLC, $500,000

Manada St., 1916: R&K Realty Group LP to J. Heikes, $75,000

Market St., 1813: W. Cameron to NA Capital Group LLC, $30,716

Mulberry St., 1915: K. & S. Ribble to JOG Investments LLC, $40,000

North St., 1851: Harrisburg Rentals LLC to J. Weber, $119,900

N. 2nd St., 906: E. Neilson to F. Burdell & W. McGee, $215,000

N. 2nd St., 933: J. Matsumoto Holdings Inc. to C. Wise, $84,200

N. 2nd St., 1839: Kirsch & Burns LLC to Trip Acres 1839 LLC, $147,500

N. 4th St., 2104: PA Community Investors LLC to Gold Key Properties LLC, $36,000

N. 5th St., 2610: S. McGowan to E. Chattah & Y. Guhl, $38,000

N. 5th St., 2723: Cama Sidra LLC Thomas Whymark IRA to B. Adzomo & J. Ekani, $68,000

N. 6th St., 2630: KBT Enterprises to L. Paulino & E. Ortega, $46,000

N. 17th St., 1000: D. Robinson to A. Augustine, $75,000

N. 19th St., 47: S&R Estates LLC to M. Trujillo, $35,000

Paxton St., 1612: D. Boyle to G. Olivo, $50,000

Radnor St., 631: J. Fernandez to CR Property Group LLC, $52,000

Radnor St., 680: E. & A. Vazquez to K&F Property Investments LLC, $35,000

Radnor St., 682: E. & A. Vazquez to K&F Property Investments LLC, $35,000

Rudy Rd., 2488: M. Rivera to N. Rivera, $60,000

Rumson Dr., 325: B. Paige to B. Matthews & T. James, $105,000

S. 22nd St., 737: D. Smith to Lindawn Partners, $51,600

S. 22nd St., 748: M. Smith to Lindawn Partners, $378,400

S. 25th St., 615: S. & B. Taylor to I. Yolov, $118,000

S. 25th St., 619: G. Olives to I. Yolov, $107,000

S. 25th St., 702: K. & N. Williams to J. Stump Jr., $124,900

S. River St., 321: J&S Home Solutions to T. Nazario, $122,000

S. Front St., 545: J. Small Jr. to G. Stansfield, $97,500

State St., 223: Harrisburg Fireman’s Relief Assoc. to 223 State St. LLC, $325,000

State St., 231, Unit 704: LUX 1 LP to LUX Rentals LLC, $130,000

Swatara St., 1915: A. De Leon to R. De Maria, $72,000

Sycamore St., 1617: CR Property Group LLC to L. Dalupang, $140,000

Walnut St., 1814: S&T Home Renovations to CR Property Group LLC, $45,000

Harrisburg property sales for June 2020, greater than $30,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

May News Digest

May 29, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Conley

Businesses Receive Stabilization Grants

More than 300 Harrisburg-licensed businesses last month received $5,000 grants to help them survive the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.

The city and Impact Harrisburg announced the awards from a pool of money funded by both entities.

“We wanted to fund as many businesses as we possibly could across the broad spectrum,” said Sheila Dow-Ford, executive director of Impact Harrisburg, a nonprofit set up following the city’s financial crisis to help spur economic development. “So we are hoping we hit the mark in that regard.”

The program allowed businesses to request up to $10,000, but, given the large number of applicants, Impact Harrisburg decided to give $5,000 grants to all qualified applicants.

Initially, both the city and Impact Harrisburg were to contribute $500,000 to a $1 million fund, with the city’s portion originating from its dormant “revolving loan fund.”

However, qualified applications exceeded the initial funding, so Impact Harrisburg kicked in another $750,000. The city now is considering adding money for a second round of funding.

“Our goal is to keep these businesses afloat so, when it is time to reopen, they have a fighting chance of surviving and bouncing back, hopefully stronger than ever,” said Mayor Eric Papenfuse.

Recipient Angel Fox of Fox’s Wash and Go said that the grant will allow her to repair washing machines in her Allison Hill laundromat, as customers have been “over-stuffing” the machines to try to stretch their own limited financial resources.

Elementary Coffee Co.’s Andrea Grove said that, beyond the money, she appreciated that care was taken to distribute the grants to all deserving, qualified applicants.

“We desperately need this money, but so many other people need it as well,” she said. “That is a beautiful testament to the care that this community has for each individual business and the position that they are in.”

For recipient Lori Reese, the money will help her sustain her personal organizing business, Consider It Done LLC, and it will help offset additional costs brought on by the crisis. Like many companies, she’s been forced to do more business online, which has meant extra, unanticipated costs to expand her virtual presence, capabilities and security.

Reese also mentioned a non-financial benefit of the program. Much like Grove, she said that she appreciates the effort, caring and the creativity that her city and Impact Harrisburg showed for the small business community here.

“I feel valued as a city business and a city resident,” she said. “Because it’s local, it means more to me.”

Harrisburg Area Enters Yellow Phase

Most of the Harrisburg area last month entered the less-restrictive “yellow” phase of the state’s phased reopening plan.

In south-central PA, Cumberland, York, Perry and Adams counties were the first to transition from the red phase to the yellow phase in late May. A week later, Dauphin and Lebanon counties joined them.

On June 5, Lancaster County, along with the remainder of “red” counties in the commonwealth, will transition to yellow, Gov. Tom Wolf announced.

Wolf credited the policies of the state government for helping to cut the number of new cases of COVID-19 in the commonwealth. Cases peaked in early April at almost 2,000 new cases a day and gradually fell to fewer than 1,000 new cases a day.

“We know not only that we succeeded in slowing case growth, but that our actions, our collective decisions to stay at home and avoid social contact—we know that saved lives,” Wolf said. “My stay-at-home order did exactly what it was intended to do. It saved lives, and it bought us valuable time.”

The state government uses a tri-color red/yellow/green system to guide re-openings in the commonwealth.

Under the red phase, people are supposed to observe strict “stay-at-home” orders, and “non life-sustaining” businesses cannot operate from their physical locations. Under yellow, these restrictions are eased, but limits remain in place. For instance, schools must remain closed, bars and restaurants are stilled banned from offering sit-down dining, and gatherings of more than 25 people are prohibited.

Under the green phase, most restrictions are lifted, though large crowds remain prohibited. Late last month, 17 mostly rural counties in the northwest and north-central parts of the state entered the green phase.

Allison Hill Project Gets Go-Ahead

One of the largest housing developments on Allison Hill in recent years is slated to move forward, as Harrisburg City Council last month approved a plan for a multi-building project just off of Market Street.

Council unanimously approved the land use plan by TLC Cornerstone Renewal to construct 26 townhouses, a 24-unit apartment building and a community center in a five-block area bounded by N. 15th Street, Walnut Street and Crabapple Street.

“This is such a blighted area,” council President Wanda Williams said during a council work session. “It certainly will enhance this area.”

At that work session, developer Tarik Casteel, president of TLC, told council members that he hopes to break ground in the early fall on the $14.7 million affordable housing project on the 2.1-acre site.

“This project will be big in this community,” he said. “It’s definitely needed, not just in this community but in several areas of the city of Harrisburg.”

Nearly two years ago, TLC cut the ribbon on its first big project, the 20-unit Harrisburg Uptown Building (HUB) and the HUB Veteran Housing Campus.

Casteel told council that the new Allison Hill project would be just the first phase of a three-phase project for the area. He expects a 16-month construction period for the first phase.

“In Allison Hill, there is definitely a need,” he said. “This was one of the worst areas of the city. That’s why we wanted to come into this area, because it is the worst.”

Council Approves CDBG Disbursement

Harrisburg City Council last month approved the disbursement of annual federal housing funds.

The city set aside money from its share of Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) for use by nonprofit “sub-recipients.” These included:

A Miracle for Sure: $13,810
Center for Employment Opportunities: $13,810
Communities in Schools: $13,810
Heinz Menaker Senior Center: $14,000
Latino Hispanic American Community Center (LHACC): $13,810
Neighborhood Dispute Settlement: $13,810
Pennsylvania Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Network: $13,810
The Salvation Army Harrisburg Capital City Region: $25,000

The city also distributed federal Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funding to the following organizations:

Capital Area Coalition on Homelessness: $24,000
Christian Churches United of the Tri-County Area: $63,000
Shalom House: $43,100
YWCA Greater Harrisburg: $50,000

These funds originate from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, and, every year, the city sets aside some of the money for use by community nonprofits.

Harrisburg Plans Cyber School

Come fall, Harrisburg school district students will have another way to learn, as district officials have announced a new, full-time cyber school.

Last month, officials unveiled the Harrisburg Virtual Learning Academy, which is meant to broaden educational options and offer an alternative to cyber charter schools.

“Early on, we asked our teachers to make calls to get feedback from our families. This was way back in March,” said Susan Sneath, chief academic officer for the district. “They were already telling us there was no way they were going to send their children back to [the brick-and-mortar] school.”

Sneath knew the district needed to have another option for students. Thus, the Harrisburg Virtual Learning Academy (HVLA) was established.

According to the district, the HVLA will be full-time and free to Harrisburg students. The program offers K-to-12th grade enrollment, in which each student is provided a Chromebook.

This differs from the district’s existing Cougar Academy, which is a “blended” cyber program that requires that students also spend time inside the classroom. In contrast, HVLA is fully remote.

Students will receive recorded instruction from teachers with additional meetings as needed. While the school is primarily online, there are face-to-face tutoring options, including English language arts and math. Special education teachers, English as a second language teachers and reading specialists will be available to provide support.

Sneath explained that students will continue to receive academic advising through an assigned counselor and can expect outreach from a social worker to aid with social and emotional needs. Technology support will be readily available, as well, during school hours.

The school district plans to use trained educators from the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit, an entity that supports local school districts. Additional faculty, such as counselors and academic advisors, will come from Harrisburg staff.

Students in HVLA can participate in academic advancement such as Advanced Placement courses and “gifted” programs. They will also be tied to their neighborhood’s school, which will allow access to all special events and extracurricular activities such as picture day, athletics and prom.

All HVLA students are considered Harrisburg Cougars, and they will receive a diploma from the Harrisburg school district.

In the past, students in the district seeking online education have often looked to cyber charter schools, but Sneath hopes that this option curbs that.

“We want to keep our kids, and we want to provide the very best for our kids,” she said. “We developed HVLA with that in mind.”

HVLA will not take the place of the district’s remote learning plan for students in the case that students can’t return to school buildings in the fall. The cyber-school is only for those who enroll.

“The intent for the people who enroll in HVLA is that they are going to stay in HVLA,” Sneath said.

Development Projects Approved

Two significant development projects in Harrisburg should soon break ground after receiving final approval by the city.

City Council last month unanimously approved a land development plan by the Hudson Companies to build a 130,000-square-foot office building on the 2500-block of N. 7th Street, the site of the former headquarters of D&H Distributing.

The Hermitage, Pa.-based company plans to demolish D&H’s low-slung building and construct a new, three-story, brick-and-glass building on the site. Hudson then will enter into a long-term lease with the commonwealth, which plans to locate about 850 Department of Human Services and Office of Administration workers there. Most will move from the former Harrisburg State Hospital grounds, which the state is trying to sell.

Hudson hopes to break ground on the project in several months, with completion in late 2021.

City Council also approved a land development plan for the construction of four new townhouses on the 600-block of Woodbine Street. The nearby Camp Curtin YMCA plans to undertake the $1 million affordable housing project on vacant land currently owned by the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority.

Jamien Harvey, the Camp Curtin YMCA executive director, said he hoped that this project would just be the first phase of building more affordable housing in the area.

Harvey said that the houses, which will cost about $175,000 apiece to build, will sell for $70,000 to $80,000.

“We are looking to change the look of our neighborhood,” he said. “We’re looking to eliminate blight. We’re looking to cut down on the drugs and the violence in our neighborhood, and we’re looking to building a community with pride. This is one of many projects to come.”

Preliminary School Budget Approved

The Harrisburg school district last month approved a preliminary budget for next school year, using federal aid to close a substantial budget gap.

District Receiver Janet Samuels accepted the $157.6 million spending plan, which does not raise school taxes for the 2020-21 year.

The district took a $4.2 million hit due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic crisis. Unexpectedly, the district had to lower anticipated revenue from earned income taxes, PILOT tax payments, real estate taxes and increases in the state’s basic and special education subsidies.

To help close the deficit, the district was awarded a $4.7 million grant from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. However, those funds expire Sept. 30, according to Acting Superintendent Chris Celmer.

“It’s going to take time to work through logistics of how we are able to spend that,” he said.

Celmer said that, if additional state funding doesn’t eliminate the deficit, a staff realignment may help, along with the CARES Act funding.

The 2020-21 budget is $8.6 million higher than the current, 2019-20 school year’s projected final budget. Employee salaries and benefits, along with other higher expenses, are causing the increased spending, according to the district.

Another virtual budget workshop is scheduled for June 15. A final decision on a 2020-21 spending plan is expected on June 22.

The proposed completed budget will be available to the public on the district’s website for 30 days before the last meeting in June.

School Board Appointment

The Harrisburg school district has named Nora Carreras to its board of directors, filling an open seat following the death of Gerald Welch.

District Receiver Janet Samuels last month appointed Carreras, who works for the PA Department of Human Services, due to her “long history as a public servant along with her wealth of knowledge of resources that support children, families and the broader Harrisburg community.”

Under state code, Samuels had 30 days to fill the seat, which was left open after Welch died of COVID-19 complications on April 15. Welch was elected last year to the nine-member board and was in the first year of a four-year term. Carreras’ appointment runs through next year.

“It is a pleasure to welcome Ms. Nora Carreras to the Harrisburg school board of directors,” said Acting Superintendent Chris Celmer. “Ms. Carreras has a proven track record of providing advocacy and support for at-risk families through the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”

Carreras expressed excitement for the opportunity.

“I am honored to join and support the district’s effort to bring increased educational quality and fiscal accountability,” she said. “Every student in the city of Harrisburg deserves the opportunity to thrive, to learn in a supportive environment and reach their full potential.”

Home Sales Down, Prices Up

Sales dropped but prices rose in the Harrisburg area, as the realtor’s association released its first report during a full month of COVID-19 restrictions.

In April, 455 homes sold in the three-county area, compared to 619 in April 2019, but the median price increased to $200,000 compared to $180,000 a year ago, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

In Dauphin County, 212 houses sold at a median price of $173,000, versus 294 houses at a median price of $167,000 in the year-ago period, GHAR said.

Cumberland County saw 222 houses change hands compared to 296 a year ago, while the median price rose to $235,000 from $202,500. Perry County bucked the trend, with 21 houses selling for a median price of $173,000 compared to 29 houses for $200,000 a year ago.

For the three-county region, days on the market dropped to an average of 50 days versus 53 days the previous April, according to GHAR.

So Noted

TheBurg received 16 individual and group 2020 Keystone Media Awards in the annual peer-reviewed contest sponsored by the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association Foundation. These awards cover a wide range of categories, including for reporting, editorial writing, column writing, illustration, photography and design. TheBurg also won the coveted “Sweepstakes” award for best performance in its category statewide.

Changing Hands

Benton St., 607: D. Thomas to Neidlinger Enterprises LLC, $60,000

Brookwood St., 2462: K. Boyer to CR Property Group LLC, $47,000

Calder St., 321: R. & F. Armetta to 1037 Maclay St. LLC, $70,000

Chestnut St., 1810: CR Property Group LLC to C. Blodgett, $91,500

Derry St., 2531: J. Hocker to J. Einzig, $72,500

Edgewood Rd., 2315: I. & A. MacFarlane to E. Shaner, $214,000

Edward St., 260: J. Dudick to Realm Properties LLC, $97,000

Fulton St., 1707: K. Herbe to A. Murray, $124,900

Fulton St., 1714: N. Smith to N. Pachella & M. Pickup, $127,500

Grand St., 920: M. & A. Bukowski to E. Fisher, $115,000

Green St., 1710: M. Della Porta to B. & B. Hinnenkamp, $210,000

Green St., 1931: N. Condon to S. Agbaw, $204,900

Green St., 2003: S. Biray to B. Maurer & M. Zia, $194,500

Green St., 2043: R. Shokes Jr. to D. & T. Schutt, $214,900

Green St., 2328: J. & L. Leahy to Moxie Properties LLC, $41,000

Holly St., 1815: CR Property Group LLC to B. Nevid, $105,000

Kelker St., 317: Wilmington Trust NA to BDS Property Group LLC, $62,000

Lexington St., 2619: CR Property Group LLC to A. Bertschmann, $105,000

Logan St., 2247: CR Property Group LLC to J. & A. Oates, $101,000

Logan St., 2305: B. & K. Saltzgiver to C. & R. Herr, $42,000

North St., 242: J. & S. Wesley to J. Lucia, $105,000

N. 2nd St., 2525: P. & A. Ramos to A. Arturet, $205,000

N. 3rd St., 1604: C. Overbaugh to A., P. & T. Bair, $124,000

N. 3rd St., 2435: D. & G. Laninga to D. & M. Lambert, $149,900

N. 4th St., 1336: R. & F. Armetta to 1037 Maclay St. LLC, $80,900

N. 4th St., 2442: M. & N. Godfrey to Graevel Holdings LLC, $50,000

N. 4th St., 3111: B. Redman to D. Miller & M. Strouse, $138,000

N. 6th St., 2446: J. Urena to R. Contreras & Y. Vargas, $230,000

N. 14th St., 226: W. Cruz to J. Bowen, $66,000

N. 15th St., 1336: M. Smith to J. Valverde, $50,000

N. 16th St., 814: D. Boyle to E. Reyes, $30,000

N. 16th St., 1105: K. Drayton to N. Gutierrez, $50,000

N. 16th St., 1219: L. Wolf to J. Cruz, $42,000

N. Front St., 2509: Pennsylvania Builders Association to Morning Star Pregnancy Services, $475,000

Parkway Blvd., 2509: A. & L. Smith to J. & M. Torres, $135,000

Penn St., 1208: R. Christ & D. Cole to Wheatland Restore LLC, $88,501

Pennwood St., 3202: CR Property Group LLC to A. Bertschmann, $110,000

Revere St., 1720: Atlantic NorthStar Properties LLC to N. de los Santos, $49,000

Race St., 542: N. Fenstermacher to A. Dullebawn & A. Ditzler, $140,000

Reily St., 206: D. Burnham to Fratelli Property Investments, $135,439

Rudy Rd., 2339: W. MacMichael to L. Kurutz, $169,900

Seneca St., 623: Atlantic NorthStar Properties LLC to J. Thieu, $44,000

S. 18th St., 1033: Secretary of Housing & Urban Development to F. Ramos, $30,100

S. 25th St., 448: K. & M. Stone to G. Bedasa, $115,000

S. 25th St., 616: P. & L. Brown to R. Reyes & F. Nunez, $65,000

S. Front St., 601: R. & L. Firestone to J. Shen, $184,900

Swatara St., 1913: G. Amador & C. Vargas to J. Tejada, $62,000

Sycamore St., 1726: Ocwen Loan Servicing LLC to D&F Realty Holdings LP, $30,000

Harrisburg property sales for April 2020, greater than $30,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

November News Digest

November 30, 2018 | by Lawrance Binda and Lizzy Hardison

2-Way 2nd Street Debated

More than 100 residents attended a public meeting last month to learn how a proposal to return N. 2nd Street to two-way traffic will affect infrastructure and traffic flow across the city.

The $6 million project already has grant funding from Impact Harrisburg and PennDOT. Preliminary plans call for changing traffic flow over a two-mile stretch of 2nd Street north of Forster Street, leaving its three northbound lanes in downtown Harrisburg intact.

As residents learned at the meeting, 2nd Street was originally built as a two-way road. Harrisburg officials converted it to a one-way, three-lane mini-highway in the 1950s to accommodate commuter traffic.

The meeting addressed two major questions:

Where will displaced commuter traffic go after the conversion?
What’s the best use for the extra space that will result from eliminating a traffic lane?

Planners and engineers expect much of the evening commuter traffic on 2nd Street to flow north on 3rd Street instead, said Adam Vest, associate engineer at the planning firm Kittelson & Associates. Other cars will go to 6th and 7th streets.

Overall, engineers expect that 70 percent of traffic between 4 and 5 p.m. on weekdays will be diverted to other roads. About 1,400 cars travel down 2nd Street during rush hour each day.

Outside of those five hours each week, however, the traffic volume on 2nd Street is usually low enough to travel in a single lane northbound lane without much displacement, Vest said.

Mike Hughes, who lives on the 2200 block of N. 2nd Street, wasn’t too worried about displacing commuter traffic.

“Ultimately, commuters are going to have to change routes, but they don’t live here or pay taxes here,” Hughes said.

Like many other residents at the meeting, Hughes was more concerned about reducing vehicle speeds along 2nd Street.

Traffic study data show that vehicle speeds on N. 2nd Street increase as cars travel north out of the city. Cars approaching Verbeke Street travel an average of 33 miles per hour—already well over the 25-mile per hour speed limit. That speed rises to 35 miles per hour as cars approach Maclay Street and hits 38 miles per hour just south of Schuykill Street.

Over the course of the two-week study, 93 percent of drivers exceeded the 25-mile per hour speed limit, Vest said.

“With those speeds, nobody wants to be on 2nd Street,” he said. “We’re trying to make a street people want to be on.”

During an hour-long breakout session, residents debated the merits of bike lanes, angled parking, traffic circles and sidewalk expansions—all options on the table for a two-way 2nd Street.

Trimicka Crump-Joseph runs an after-school theater program for youth at 2nd and Reily streets. She said that vehicle speeds endanger children walking or being dropped off at class.

“I need traffic to slow down because right now, I’m only zoned for 10 children,” Crump-Joseph said. “I could have more, but want it to be safe for kids to walk or get dropped off.”

New Pavilion at Italian Lake

Last summer, inclement weather forced the cancellation of numerous outdoor concerts at Italian Lake.

City officials and local activists expect a better outcome in 2019, as last month they unveiled a new pavilion that shields the park’s stage from the elements.

“This is a tremendous improvement to the value of Italian Lake,” said Jeb Stuart, a board member of the Harrisburg Parks Foundation. “Now, we’ll be able to make more events happen here.”

The foundation was one of several groups to contribute money for the $36,800 project. First National Bank (FNB) donated the bulk, with a $25,000 contribution. The foundation, the city and a group of business people led by activist Mike Trephan filled in the remaining funding gap. Kennett Square-based Recreation Resource USA built the pavilion.

The 90-year-old, 9.5-acre manicured park in Uptown Harrisburg has experienced something of a renaissance in recent years.

Several years ago, the ornate fountains were restored, and the community group Friends of Italian Lake introduced several swans into the lake during the warm weather. In 2015, Harrisburg Young Professionals spearheaded a renewed summer concert series, which had been suspended for several years.

Community activist Peggy Grove said that Friends of Italian Lake would like to raise another $5,000 to finish the project, which would include an overhead fan, an improved sound system and the refinishing of the concrete stage.

“I’m just so glad that this pavilion has been built,” she said. “Now, people can perform despite the rain.”

Mayor Eric Papenfuse said that the city would like to see additional improvements to the park, such as the rehabilitation of the bench seating and the restoration and reopening of the restrooms.

“This is just the beginning of what we hope will be a greater upgrade of the park,” he said.

HU Buys Land for High-Rise

Harrisburg University has completed the purchase of four parcels of land in downtown Harrisburg, bringing it a step closer to starting construction of a new academic tower and hotel.

In mid-October, HU bought 24, 26 and 28 S. 3rd St., as well as 222 Chestnut St., for a total of almost $3.2 million, according to Dauphin County property records. As the new landowner, the university soon will begin going through the city’s planning and zoning processes, said HU President Eric Darr.

If all goes according to schedule, HU expects to begin clearing the site, which includes demolishing three small, 19th-century-era buildings, in late spring, and initiate actual construction in the early summer.

Darr said that he expects a two-year construction timeframe for the building, now projected to be 19 stories tall, with completion expected in the summer of 2021. Originally, the university had planned for the building to rise more than 30 stories, but the size was scaled back due to higher-than-anticipated costs.

“The cost of the project exceeded what we felt comfortable with,” Darr said.

As now envisioned, the 280,000-square-foot building will have two main components. An academic portion will house HU’s health sciences programs, as well as several other disciplines, including advanced manufacturing and interactive media. An on-site boutique hotel will include 190 rooms, Darr said.

HU, Darr said, is currently “in negotiation” with its hotel partner, which will operate the hotel privately. He added that he’s confident that Harrisburg easily can absorb a new hotel, as, already, the university attracts a large population of visiting students, who often must stay in hotels outside the city.

The original project plan included space for student housing, which, Darr said, remains a critical need. However, HU now expects to convert some underused downtown buildings to housing, which would be a less expensive alternative.

“We’re evaluating other properties close to us to retrofit for student housing,” Darr said.

The revised plan also eliminated parking from the project, which, Darr said, shouldn’t be an issue as the site is near several parking garages. The plan also calls for a first-floor restaurant.

Demotion Affirmed

The Harrisburg school board voted unanimously last month to affirm a previous decision to demote a former business manager, months after a county judge ordered it to reconsider its action.

At a special meeting, board members voted 7-0 to approve an adjudication document defending the district’s demotion of Kenneth Medina, a business manager who was reassigned with a pay cut following allegations of professional misconduct.

The document adds greater detail to the charges and evidence brought against Medina last year, according to district Solicitor Samuel Cooper, and satisfies an August order from a Common Pleas judge that the district reconsider his case.

Medina was hired as the district’s business manager in April 2016 at a salary of $120,000. He was reassigned to a grants manager role at a salary of $60,000 last year, after Harrisburg Superintendent Sybil Knight-Burney placed him on administrative leave due to allegations of professional misconduct.

According to Knight-Burney, Medina had failed to notify the district of a vehicle loss, submitted budgets to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) with incorrect figures, failed to schedule building inspections at John Harris High School, and failed to make arrangements for mail service at district properties.

Medina denied those allegations. He said that his reassignment came after he started raising questions about consultant contracts and other practices in the district’s long-troubled business office.

But when the district held a due process hearing in August 2017, a hearing examiner prepared a report concluding that the allegations against Medina were credible. The board voted to adopt the examiner’s recommendations, leading to Medina’s reassignment and salary cut.

Medina filed a complaint with the Court of Common Pleas, leading Judge John Cherry to order the school board to hear Medina’s case.

Last month, Cooper said the district fulfilled the court’s mandate by preparing a more detailed written decision justifying Medina’s reassignment.

The district has shared that adjudication with board members, who reviewed it before the vote. According to Cooper, a vote to approve the document “ratifies the actions the board had previously taken.”

Project Planned for Steelton

A major mixed-use development has been announced for Steelton, a project that envisions a restaurant, a grocery and apartments.

Wormleysburg-based Integrated Development Partners announced last month “The Steel Works,” which would include a brewpub, a 20,000-square-foot supermarket and more than 75 apartments. Five buildings would span 102-230 N. Front St., in the heart of the borough.

IDP bought the land earlier this year for $375,000 from the Steelton Economic Development Corp. after a prior developer failed to get financing for its project.

IDP expects to break ground in late 2019 or early 2020, with construction expected to take 24 to 36 months.

So Noted

Friends of Midtown Community Dog Park officially opened in late October, marking the first public dog park in Harrisburg. The park, at N. 7th and Granite streets, will operate for at least two years under an agreement with the landowner, Vartan Group.

Harrisburg University last month unveiled new training and competition space for its e-sports team, The Storm, inside Whitaker Center. When combined with Whitaker Center’s two theaters, HU now has the largest e-sports campus in North America, according to the university.

Jackson Hotel, a historic Harrisburg property, last month got a new owner, who vowed to restore the dilapidated, circa-1884 building. Developer Matt Long purchased the N. 6th Street building, which once served as a rooming house and a hotel for African-American patrons denied service in the city’s whites-only hotels.

Michael Knill was named last month as the new athletic director for Central Penn College. A graduate of the college’s physical therapist assistant program, Knill previously served as athletic director of the Susquehanna Township school district and as an assistant football coach for Red Land High School.

Rep. Patty Kim last month won re-election to the state Assembly representing Pennsylvania’s 103rd legislative district, defeating Republican challenger Anthony Harrell by a margin of 15,393 to 2,933 votes, respectively. In the closely watched race for the 10th congressional district, Republican incumbent Scott Perry beat back a tough challenge from Democrat George Scott by a margin of 148,790 to 140,956 votes, respectively.

Changing Hands

Adrian St., 2435: S. Padrilla & M. Serrano to I. & K. Mita, $54,000

Adrian St., 2459: B. Rotta to A. Sloane, $70,000

Barkley Lane, 2511: K. Clement to R. & B. Martinez, $76,000

Boas St., 256: First Evangelical United to C. & R. Herr, $50,000

Briggs St., 1942: Jeremiah Property Holdings LLC to S. Dolph, $122,500

Brookwood St., 2408: Citizens Bank NA to M. Cedeno, $53,000

Brookwood St., 2466: PA Deal LLC to V. Sanghani, $65,900

Capitol St., 1220: C. Sullivan to M. Olds, $137,500

Chestnut St., 222: Musalair Trust to Harrisburg University of Science and Technology & D. Maun, $2,450,000

Derry St., 1252, 1254, 1312, 1330, 1629, 1631, 1633; 1333 Vernon St.: McFarland LP to A. Himalaya PA Properties LLC, $561,428

Derry St., 2401: M. Wijaya & I. Lim to S. & M. Mejia, $30,000

Derry St., 2514: H. Alcantara to Portal Enterprises Inc., $50,000

Green St., 1104: N. Hench to W. Eltringham, $203,171

Green St., 1310: M. Corbett to Panda Real Estate LLC, $76,000

Green St., 1324: W. Davis to A. Miller, $115,000

Green St., 1523: CJ MF Invest 1 LLC to Fratelli Property Investments LLC, $110,000

Green St., 2338: Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency to E. Chattah, $32,000

Greenwood St., 2124: G. Leo to A. Dascani & D. Colbert, $30,000

Greenwood St., 2600: Q. Long to A. Beck, $84,000

Hale Ave., 412: T. Tran to G. Romain, $69,900

Hale Ave., 435: E. Pereira to I. Yolov, $57,000

Herr St., 131: S. McGovern to J. Noonan, $122,000

Hudson St., 1131: A. Stephens to R9 Holdings LLC, $47,350

Hudson St., 1216: N. Brofee to R. Mesariac, $99,900

Industrial Rd., 4050, 4100: 283 Associates to Sygma Network Inc., $4,025,500

Kelker St., 222: J. & J. Corey to B. & A. Ennist, $154,000

Kensington St., 2417: P. & D. Bang to L. Upshur, $67,000

Kensington St., 2431: T. Dieu to K. McClaire, $67,500

Maclay St., 423: L. Ware Jr. to Tyrone Peoples, $80,000

Maclay St., 427: S. & T. House to S. Kelly, $60,000

Market St., 1847: 1847 Market St. to Harrisburg Homes Investment LLC, $45,000

Market St., 1845, 1849: Nish Properties LLC to Harrisburg Homes Investment LLC, $85,000

Muench St., 234: WCI Partners LP to A. Fortune, $115,000

North St., 208: Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation to K. MacNett, $112,000

N. 2^nd St., 618: Chattah Family Trust to Qiu Zhen 618 LLC, $313,000

N. 2^nd St., 3218: D. Henry to K. Prestia, $114,900

N. 3^rd St., 1700: PA Deals LLC to E. Shelly, $126,900

N. 3^rd St., 2014: R. Heath to S. & C. Payson, $213,550

N. 3^rd St., 2200: J. & M. Cross to D. McCoy, $70,000

N. 4^th St., 1320: Sapanvi LLC to Harrisburg Home Investment LLC, $30,000

N. 4^th St., 3229: E. & K. Mundy to Willowscott Investments LLC, $46,000

N. 5^th St., 2743: Investment Specialists LLC to S. Salleb & M. Aziz, $52,000

N. 6^th St., 2400: Resting Place to Sent Ones Inc., $39,000

N. 6^th St., 2401: Investment Specialists LLC to Marl Investments LLC, $175,000

N. 6^th St., 2937: S. Driscoll to KMM Development LLC, $59,000

N. 6^th St., 3113: S. Householder to F. Pizzoli, $54,100

N. 6^th St., 3149: Asset Management Services LLC to A. Salame, $32,000

N. 14^th St., 1330: D. Lopes & J. Wright to T. Stokes, #137,000

N. 18^th St., 57: MSP Associates Inc. to KS Homes of PA LLC, $50,000

N. Cameron St., 10, 22: K. & I. Newkam to Great Scott Productions LLC, $470,000

N. Cameron St., 1217: San Pef Inc. & P. Peffley to CDG United Investments LLC, $1,065,000

N. Front St., 1525, Unit 612: J. Eirkson to M. & N. Hameed, $181,000

Penn St., 1502: H. Lord to A. Fortune, $110,000

Penn St., 1724: T. Howarth to K. Mohn, $108,000

Penn St., 1802: G. Link to M. & C. Freeman, $74,000

Penn St., 1935: WCI Partners to R. Solano, $134,900

Pennwood Rd., 3139: L. Ciambotti to A. & M. Burnett, $126,900

Pennwood Rd., 3143: T. Marhon to E. Cortes & E. Roman, $117,000

Regina St., 1611: J. & F. Burgos to I. Bakare, $35,000

Reily St., 213: P. Donahue & P. Chaves to E. Brantner, $111,000

Reily St., 253: R. & A. Gallagher to R. Wodele, $112,500

Rolleston St., 1020: E Street Properties LLC to DHS Team LLC, $49,900

Rudy Rd., 2245: M. Saluhdin & P. Williams to E. Brown, $155,000

Rudy Rd., 2258: K. Hoffman to M. Brossman, $151,350

Schuylkill St., 664: MSP Associates Inc. to KS Homes of PA LLC, $32,500

Showers St., 608: D. Wiedemer to R. & W. Fellinger, $155,000

Shoop St., 1443: S. Khan to K. Nashed & R. Mahrous, $40,000

S. 3^rd St., 24, 26, 28: Dauphin Land Co. to Harrisburg University of Science and Technology & D. Maun, $730,062

S. 13^th St., 225, 229; 1408 Vernon St.; 1627 Derry St.: Woodlayne Court LP to A. Himalaya PA Properties LLC, $1,110,000

S. 14^th St., 1449: B. Price Jr. to City of Harrisburg, $54,500

S. 17^th St., 424: Yovany LLC & Rivas Property Investments LLC to R. Feliz, $49,500

S. 17^th St., 831: Crist Holdings LLC to S&P Property Holdings LLC, $140,000

S. 18^th St., 1100: J. Edrington to S. Savage, $85,000

S. 25^th St., 604: M. Clea to I. Yolov, $57,000

S. 25^th St., 620: D. Staub to C. Grant & M. Rinaldi, $55,000

State St., 1510: TW Property Management & Rentals LLC to J. Ansell, $43,500

State St., 2007: Deuce & Mike Properties LLC to Ephraim Slaughter American Legion Post 733, $585,000

Susquehanna St., 3115: K. & M. Baum to A. & J. Mazer, $109,000

Swatara St., 2006: K. & F. Yocum to A. Shah, $38,000

Swatara St., 2040: Crist Holdings LLC to J. Crawford, $47,000

Zarker St., 1917: DC Investments LLC to C. & N. Carr, $39,900

Harrisburg property sales for October 2018, greater than $30,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

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

You May Also Like

You May Also Like