Tag Archives: Chris Bryce

City Council hears proposal for Midtown housing development, voices support for Governor’s Mansion security measure

June 17, 2025 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg City Council

Harrisburg City Council on Tuesday weighed in on a housing project that would construct several dozen new units in Midtown.

At a meeting, council discussed a proposed land development plan from Midtown Redevelopment LLC to construct townhomes, apartment buildings and commercial space in the area bounded by Reily, Fulton, Sayford and James streets.

In total, the development would build 62 units, across over a dozen townhomes and three 12-unit apartment buildings, near the Broad Street Market. The plan would also include 5,500 square feet of commercial space to be used as a “food hall.”

City Planning Director Geoffrey Knight recommended council support the project, noting that the future residents would help support surrounding businesses and the market.

According to developer Chris Bryce of Midtown Redevelopment, if approved by council, they expect to break ground on a first phase of the project in November.

“It will be nice to not see empty lots anymore,” said council member Jocelyn Rawls.

The project is part of a larger, expansive plan by Midtown Redevelopment to build housing on empty lots formerly owned by the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority. In November 2024, council approved a land development plan to construct 60 units in the Capital Heights neighborhood within Logan, N. 5^th, Hamilton and Harris streets.

Also on Tuesday, council discussed a resolution to allow the commonwealth to close a block of Geiger Street, from N. Front to N. 2^nd Street, due to safety upgrades following the recent arson at the Governor’s Residence.

If approved by council, the state’s Department of General Services will have access control to the portion of the road, which is directly next to the mansion. According to City Solicitor Neil Grover, the state requested control of the street after the arson attack at the property in April. The street closure is part of their plan to improve the security of the residence.

The road is already closed off as the state is working to construct new fencing around the mansion. According to Joel Seiders, city engineer, the section of Geiger is a “relatively unused alleyway,” and the closure shouldn’t cause traffic issues.

“This seems like a no-brainer to me,” said council President Danielle Hill.

Council will vote on the resolution at the next legislative session.

In other news, council discussed Commonwealth Charter Academy’s proposal to demolish the majority of a vacant school building at 555 S. 25^th St. and reconstruct a building to be used by staff and administration.

“I have a business in that neighborhood, so it’s good to see something going on with that school,” council member Ralph Rodriguez said.

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Two Midtown apartment projects receive Harrisburg Planning Commission approval

February 15, 2024 | by Maddie Gittens

The proposed site of the project at 320 Reily St.

A proposal to construct a large apartment building in Midtown Harrisburg has taken a step forward again, over two years since it was first proposed.

At a meeting last week, the Harrisburg Planning Commission voted in favor of zoning variance and special exception relief for a proposed 144-unit building at 320 Reily St., moving the project forward for further approvals.

The proposal received variance and special exception approval from the Zoning Hearing Board in October 2021, but the developer, Harrisburg-based GreenWorks Development, never subsequently filed a land development plan so the relief was revoked, according to Geoffrey Knight, the city’s planning director. Therefore, GreenWorks was required to start the approval process again.

The plan also has changed slightly, knocking the number of units down to 144 from 155 and reducing first-floor commercial space from 3,000 square feet to 2,590 square feet. Additionally, GreenWorks originally proposed only 86 off-street parking spaces, but now plans to include 160, using space at 1511 N. 3rd St. and 1530 N. 4th St. The developer is requesting parking relief, as city code requires 191 spaces for a project of this scope.

The proposed project site is currently a surface parking lot.

The project will need zoning relief approval from the zoning board and eventual project approval from City Council.

Additionally, the planning board heard a proposal for a four-story, 36-unit senior apartment building on land bounded by N. 4^th, Clinton, Logan and Harris streets.

The board voted in favor of the land development plan, the consolidation of 19 lots on the project site and the vacation of several grocer’s alleys at the property.

The project, proposed by developer Midtown Redevelopment LLC, would also include two first-floor commercial units, 30 first-floor interior parking spaces and 12 outdoor, on-site parking spots.

Developers will need approval from the zoning board and council, as well.

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Developer outlines plan for expansive Midtown project, prepares for city approval process

August 22, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

A rendering of the proposed “market extension” building near the Broad Street Market

About 200 new housing units are planned for Midtown, as a Harrisburg-based developer prepares to present its wide-ranging, multi-year building project to the city.

Over the weekend, Midtown Redevelopment LLC held the first of three public information sessions to share its plan, which includes apartments, townhouses, a grocery store and commercial spaces in dozens of long-empty lots in the unfinished Capitol Heights and MarketPlace neighborhoods.

The projects are slated to be on the agenda of the city’s Planning Commission and Zoning Hearing Board beginning next month, said Matt Long of Harrisburg Commercial Interiors, the project’s general contractor.

“We’re trying to reach out to anyone and everyone,” Long said. “We wanted to do these public meetings ahead of time.”

One of the lots in Midtown Harrisburg slated for redevelopment under the plan.

Halfway into the four-hour open house on Saturday, only a few people had trickled into Historic Harrisburg Resource Center to hear about the plans. Two more public sessions are scheduled—one for Aug. 27 and the second on Sept. 1 at the same location–before presentation to the city in September.

Midtown Redevelopment already has city approval for the first phase of its building project.

In early 2021, the company received the go-ahead for a 12-unit apartment building, with a community center, on the 1600-block of N. 3rd Street, as well as eight single-family townhouses on neighboring Logan Street. Long said that project will break ground next month.

Then, later in 2021, the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority (HRA) selected the company to complete the unfinished MarketPlace development located between the Broad Street Market and Reily Street. HRA also has given the company the right to develop additional lots in Capitol Heights, located on the other side of Reily Street.

According to Long, the project scope for Capitol Heights includes three smaller apartment buildings (four to six units each) with first-floor commercial space and four larger apartment buildings (12 to 16 units each).

A rendering of a small apartment building with commercial space in Capitol Heights

The scope for MarketPlace includes three larger apartment buildings, market-rate townhomes, affordable townhouses and a workforce housing building. The apartments will be a mixture of one-, two- and three-bedroom units, Long said.

Long added that affordable housing will constitute about 20% of the overall residential component, and the buildings will include off-street parking.

A rendering of new townhomes in the MarketPlace neighborhood

The proposal also includes plans for a grocery store and, near the Broad Street Market, a “market extension” building that will house several food vendors, be open seven days a week and include a rooftop deck.

The master plan also includes a senior living component, which will go through the planning and zoning processes separately, Long said.

The entire project may take seven or eight years to complete, he said.

“When you add it all up, it’ll be about 200 new units of housing,” Long said.

The Harrisburg Planning Commission next meets on Sept. 7 at 6:30 p.m. in City Council chambers. The Harrisburg Zoning Hearing Board next meets on Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. in City Council chambers.

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Harrisburg City Council passes 2022 budget, approves substantial development projects

December 14, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg City Council legislative session on Tuesday.

Harrisburg City Council ended its session for the year with a lengthy agenda, including the approval of a budget and substantial development projects.

Council took a step in the city’s budgeting process, passing a 2022 budget that will serve as a placeholder until Mayor-Elect Wanda Williams takes office and likely reopens the spending plan.

The $79.2 million general fund budget, which includes no property tax increase, essentially mirrors the 2021 budget.

The administration proposed the placeholder budget in anticipation of Williams reopening it in the new year. The final budget must be adopted by Feb. 15.

Additionally, council gave the go-ahead to two large development projects in Harrisburg.

Developers Chris and Erica Bryce, along with Matt Long of Harrisburg Commercial Interiors, can begin work on their mixed-use building on the 1600-block of N. 3^rd and Logan streets. It includes a community center and 12 apartment units. They also plan to construct eight townhouses nearby. The project is one phase of many planned by the developers for the Midtown area.

At a work session last week, council President Williams expressed concern with what she saw as not enough affordable single-family housing in the plan. At the time, Long told council members that affordable housing would be part of subsequent phases.

However, on Tuesday, Williams and other council members said that they met with the developers privately to address their concerns. Council then unanimously approved the project.

A plan for the historic Hudson building on N. 6^th Street in Camp Curtin was also brought before council. Developer Adam Maust plans to transform the long-abandoned building into The Atlas, which may include office and retail space for local, specifically Black-owned businesses, he said.

However, city Solicitor Neil Grover stated that the project technically already had received automatic approval. A vote by council on each land development plan is required within 120 days of an application being submitted. According to Grover, a series of delays on the city’s part led to the project not going to council for a vote until after that deadline, rendering it legally approved.

Many council members were not happy with that result, expressing that they felt the city had made a mistake.

“How did we let something with so much public comment slip through the cracks?” council member Ausha Green asked. “It’s completely ridiculous.”

During public comment, some residents expressed concern with the transparency of the project, stating that there should be more collaboration with local neighborhood groups and residents.

Maust said that he has been working with local groups such as La Cultura and Young Professionals of Color-Greater Harrisburg to conduct surveys and outreach to the community.

“I’m really encouraged with what we are putting together that I believe will set a foundation for how projects like this should go,” Maust said.

In addition, the Atlas recently received a $2.5 million grant from the commonwealth’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), prompting additional questions from council members.

Although the project was deemed approved, council still voted on it, passing the land development plan by a vote of 6-1, with council member Shamaine Daniels voting against it.

Council also approved three new Zoning Hearing Board appointees, and one alternate board member. Matthew Pianka, Claude Phipps, Anna Bianco and James Hobbs (alternate) will serve, creating a quorum for the board.

Finally, council passed the 2022-2025 Basic Labor Agreement between the city and the local labor union for city employees, Local 521, American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME), District Council 90. It includes 3% raises for workers for each year for the next four years. Members will also receive a $3,000 bonus in 2022, $1,500 in 2023 and $1,000 in each of the following two years.

Of note, Tuesday was council Vice President Ben Allatt’s last meeting on council, as he declined to run for re-election this year.

Next up: Harrisburg City Council will reorganize on Jan. 3, with two new council members—Ralph Rodriguez and Jocelyn Rawls—joining. Also on Jan. 3, Williams will make the move from council president to Harrisburg mayor.

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October News Digest

September 30, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Eric Papenfuse last month announced a write-in campaign for mayor.

Papenfuse Declares for Mayor as Write-In

Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse made it official last month, declaring that he is running as a write-in candidate in the November general election.

Papenfuse made the announcement while standing in front of the Hudson Building, recently renamed the Atlas, a structure in Uptown Harrisburg undergoing extensive renovation.

He stated that he decided to run for a third term, despite narrowly losing the Democratic primary in May, based on his track record of fiscal management and rebuilding the capacity of city government, along with a pledge to forge a coalition across the city.

“I plan to lead by decisive outreach in a way that brings in people and has their voices heard in ways that they haven’t been heard before,” he said.

In May’s Democratic primary, Papenfuse lost by 46 votes to City Council President Wanda Williams. Two other candidates, David Schankweiler and Otto Banks, also tallied more than 20% of the vote in the five-person race.

Recently, Papenfuse named Banks as the city’s new economic development director.

“There was no mandate in the primary,” Papenfuse said. “If there was any lesson from the primary, it’s that we have to build a broader coalition. We have to work together, and I’m the candidate for that.”

Write-in campaigns are rarely successful, as the candidate’s name does not appear on the ballot, forcing voters to take an extra step to write in their choice.

Papenfuse said that he believed he could defy the odds, describing his decision to run as a write-in as a “long process.”

“I really took some time over the summer to think about what I wanted to do,” he said. “The way I saw it, I could either give up and watch the city fall apart or I could fight to keep the ship from sinking and keep us on course.”

Ribbon Cut on Herr Street Underpass

Harrisburg has cut the ribbon on a significant road reconstruction, restoring a major connection point between neighborhoods.

Last month, city officials ceremoniously reopened the updated Herr Street underpass, which connects Midtown/downtown and Allison Hill.

The roadway, just off N. 7th Street, dips under the Norfolk Southern railroad and connects to N. Cameron Street.

For years, the entity responsible for maintaining the underpass was under dispute, with the city and Norfolk Southern clashing on the issue, according to Mayor Eric Papenfuse.

In turn, the roadway and sidewalks deteriorated, and the steel underpass was in danger of structural failure, Papenfuse said.

“It was pretty awful,” he said. “Historically, this was something of a no man’s land.”

In the end, the state Department of Transportation worked with the city to repave the street, redo and widen the sidewalks, create new inlets and drainage systems and clean and fortify the steel columns under the railroad. The city also contributed new LED lighting.

Papenfuse also pointed out that the sidewalks are bike-friendly and connect riders to the new bike lanes on N. 7th Street.

In total, the project cost near $2 million, largely from PennDOT funds, with contributions from the city.

Harrisburg Plans New IT System

Decades after it was installed, Harrisburg’s aged mainframe appears headed for the scrap heap, as the city plans a major upgrade of its municipal computer system.

City Council, at a legislative meeting last month, passed a resolution that will start the process of phasing out the city’s existing, outdated mainframe and implementing new, more efficient IT systems.

“It’s about time,” said council vice president Ben Allatt, a sentiment echoed by other members.

The current system is about 35 years old, according to Steve Zimmerman, a former director of information technology for Harrisburg, who will provide consulting to the city on the legacy system. The city will pay Zimmerman up to $135,000 for one year of consulting work as it transitions off the old mainframe.

The city then will use Texas-based Tyler Technologies, a software company that works in the public sector, to complete the upgrade.

Over the next two years, the tech company will introduce an enterprise resource planning system that will manage day-to-day internal activities such as accounting, budgeting, payroll, scheduling and tax billing.

Harrisburg residents may also see some benefit from the upgrade, as it impacts businesses license and dog license registration, building permits access and online payments.

Tyler Technologies also provides contracting for the Harrisburg School District and works with over 100 entities in the state, said Terry Quinn, senior account executive of Tyler.

The initial cost of the conversion is about $651,000 with an annual cost of $331,000, Zimmerman explained. The existing system currently costs the city $504,000 annually, he said.

New Community Relations Director

A key member of the Harrisburg Police Bureau was introduced last month, tasked with creating conversations and enhancing understanding between the bureau and residents.

At a press conference, Mayor Eric Papenfuse announced Harrisburg native Fiordaliza “Ana” White as the bureau’s new director of community relations and engagement.

“She really brings a wealth of knowledge around topics such as community policing, crisis management, public relations, strategic partnership and mental health,” Papenfuse said.

White’s position was previously held by Blake Lynch, who recently left the bureau after three years for a position with the public media organization, WITF.

White, who speaks both English and Spanish, graduated from Harrisburg High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in educational studies and sociology from Denison University. She also serves as the director of programming for Bro2Go, Inc., a youth and adult reentry intervention and prevention program.

In her new role, White oversees the six new community service aides (CSAs) hired by the bureau to build relationships with residents, as well as assist officers with quality-of-life issues. They are:

Vanessa Bowers
Myron Brooks
Rayshawn Brown-Donald
Malachi Holmes
Jeret Spears
Sierra VanSickler

The police bureau is recruiting for a seventh CSA position.

New Plan for MarketPlace

There’s a new plan for a broad swath of Midtown Harrisburg, as the city’s redevelopment agency has selected a developer for dozens of long-empty lots.

In a meeting in late August, the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority chose the city-based development team of Chris and Erica Bryce and Harrisburg Commercial Interiors (HCI) to complete the unfinished MarketPlace development, a project totaling 67 lots sprinkled between Reily Street and the Broad Street Market area.

The unanimous vote gave the developers permission to move ahead with their plan, which includes a mix of single-family townhouses, small apartment buildings and mixed-use commercial space.

“I’m very pleased with this decision,” said Chris Bryce, after the meeting. “I think what happened will be great for the future of Harrisburg.”

Their plan bested a competing proposal by Philadelphia-based Odin Properties and Harrisburg-based RB Development, which likewise was seeking “designated developer” status for the lots.

The authority voted 3-0 for the Bryce/HCI proposal, though members did not state why they made their selection. After the vote, Ryan Sanders of RB Development declined to comment on the authority’s decision.

Both developers are currently active in the Midtown area.

Last year, the authority selected the Bryces/HCI to develop dozens of vacant lots that are part of the unfinished Capitol Heights project just across Reily Street. Earlier in August, RB Development received zoning board approval for Bethel Village, a low-income senior housing development at N. 6th and Herr streets.

In the proposal for MarketPlace, the Bryce/HCI team envisions a total of 104 to 120 housing units, including apartment units and for-sale townhomes. Thirty to 40 will qualify as affordable, bringing the project into compliance with the city’s recently passed affordable housing statute, according to Matt Long of HCI.

Federal Building for Sale

For a bid of at least $3 million, you could be the next owner of one of the most valuable parcels of land in downtown Harrisburg.

A somewhat dated, 246,000-square-foot building conveys with the property.

The federal General Services Administration posted notice last month that it is selling the Ronald Reagan Federal Building at 228 Walnut St. To bid in the online auction, a deposit of $100,000 is needed, with a minimum bid of $3 million.

The 11-story building was built in 1966 and is one of the largest freestanding office buildings in Harrisburg, occupying a full city block at N. 3rd, Walnut and Locust streets. In addition to nearly 250,000 square feet of finished space, it has a 55-space parking area in the basement.

GSA wants to sell the building as it nears completion of the new federal courthouse, a 243,000-square-foot building at N. 6th and Reily streets. GSA expects substantial completion of that project in summer 2022.

The Ronald Reagan Federal Building houses the current courthouse operations, in addition to other federal agencies with Harrisburg-based offices. Some of these offices, such as the U.S. Marshal Service, are slated to move to the new courthouse.

The Reagan building also houses a U.S. post office. GSA has not yet made public its plans for the post office.

Sale of the property had been in the cards for several years. In 2019, the Public Buildings Reform Board listed the property as one of 14 federal properties slated for disposal.

Area Home Prices Rise

Sales declined a bit, but prices increased considerably, as the area’s real estate association released its existing home sales report for August.

In the three-county coverage area, sales dropped to 810 housing units compared to 866 in August 2020, but the median sales price rose by 9.3% to $235,000, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

The Dauphin County market experienced substantial price appreciation, as the median sales price of a house jumped to $216,000 versus $170,600 last August. The number of houses sold dipped to 376, a decline of nine units, GHAR stated.

In Cumberland County, sales fell by 16 units to 380 houses, while the median sales price rose to $265,000 from $240,000 the prior August, according to GHAR.

Perry County had 41 home sales, a decline of two compared to last August, as the median sales price increased to $230,000 from $149,900 last year, GHAR said.

Houses were also selling quickly. According to GHAR data, the “average days on the market” in August was just 17 days, compared to 35 in August 2020.

So Noted

Broad Street Market reached its fundraising goal last month to repair and replace its large, notable sign. A $10,000 donation from the nonprofit, Lighten Up Harrisburg, pushed the campaign over its $40,000 goal, allowing the project to proceed following severe, storm-related damage to the sign.

Friends of Midtown Community Dog Park closed last month, as a three-year stint at a temporary location at N. 7th and Granite streets came to an end. Organizers are now seeking a new location that can serve as a permanent home for a dog park.

Melissa Mann last month was appointed the new director of the PA Historical & Museum Commission’s Bureau of Historic Sites & Museums. In this role, Mann will supervise the commonwealth’s 24 state-owned historic sites and museums, according to PHMC.

Michael Philip O’Brien has been named the new executive producer of Gretna Theatre in Mount Gretna. He replaces Brian Kurtas, who left to become the new associate artistic director of the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia.

Midtown Cinema announced major personnel changes last month, naming Rachel Landon as general manager and Stacey Werner as assistant manager. They replace long-time director of operations Adam Porter and assistant manager Sammi Leigh Melville. Porter left to focus on his business, StartUp Harrisburg, as Melville finishes up her second novel.

Otto Banks last month was named Harrisburg’s new economic development director. Mayor Eric Papenfuse appointed Banks, who opposed him in the Democratic primary for mayor last May, to replace Nona Watson, who left the post several months ago.

Changing Hands

Adrian St., 2422: W. & B. Flagle to SPXT PA LLC, $83,750

Bellevue Rd., 1959: D. Hargrove & D. Surbrena to E. Ford, $62,000

Bellevue Rd., 2101: J. & E. Lewis to C. Dozier & H. Abraham, $324,900

Berryhill St., 1708: C. Zapata to A. Herr, $68,000

Berryhill St., 2310: L. & G. Smith to N. & Y. Reinoso, $105,000

Boas St., 116: J. Crouch to M. Manley & S. Clark, $186,500

Boas St., 265: 265 Boas Associates to SJL Rentals LLC, $562,000

Boas St., 1824: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to M. Freeman, $77,450

Briggs St., 1621: D. Floyd to K. & S. Green, $36,000

Brookwood St., 2440: M. Russell to B. Sium, $90,000

Brookwood St., 2442: D. Lawson & C. Jenkins to Alliance Estates LLC, $84,900

Capitol St., 907: E. Ashenfelder to J. Schmucker & C. Snook, $167,000

Cumberland St., 214: M. Santalucia to C. Anderson, $190,000

Cumberland St., 272: B. Hall & K. Humen to E. Maxson, $169,900

Derry St., 1727: D. Boyle to V. Severino, $30,000

Derry St., 1942: J. Wissler to 946 South 18th LLC, $60,000

Derry St., 2114 & 2116: MRI Properties LLC to P. Singh, $180,000

Derry St., 2405: J. Schwartz to R. Smith, $95,000

Derry St., 2508: B. Bandy to M. & S. Mejia, $85,000

Derry St., 2614: J. & T. Aitken to J. Klinger, $87,000

Emerald St., 519: J. Perkins to C. Aumuller & P. Carcione, $52,000

Fox Ridge Ct., 305: J. Sprajcar to T. Thompson, $165,000

Green St., 706: J. Choi & J. Crumbly to R. Eppley Jr., $207,000

Green St., 1113: M. Labuz to Eastlake Eleven LLC, $167,000

Green St., 1310: A. Johnson to K. & K. Daczka, $179,900

Green St., 1904: R. & A. Gonsar to T. Luckenbaugh, $237,500

Green St., 2046: HAMR Property Services LLC to CWJK Holdings LLC, $161,875

Green St., 2334: Phantom Property Investments LLC to J. Fermin, $120,000

Green St., 3113: M. Jarvis to M. & C. Rinkoff, $228,000

Greenwood St., 2118: MCCJ Properties LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $58,000

Hale Ave., 383: S. Henry to J. Jones, $75,000

Hamilton St., 201: Braxley Renovations LLC to SJL Rentals LLC, $205,000

Herr St., 206: S. Ntzanis to Z. & A. Martin, $161,000

Herr St., 226: V. Wills & R. Moore to D. Hack & B. Blakistone, $209,900

Herr St., 309: N. Kresge to M. Connors, $240,000

Herr St., 1823: M. Murphy, K. Seidel & Murphy Rentals Inc. to H. Toledo Jr., $59,900

Hummel St., 431: Bell Group LLC to Hillside Financial LLC, $120,000

Jefferson St., 2450: B. Koshkarian to Integrity First Home Buyers LLC, $73,500

Kelker St., 215: M. Novosel to A. & J. Bert, $115,000

Kensington St., 2037 & 2039: J. Echegaray to SNB Real Estate Solutions LLC, $110,000

Kensington St., 2262: R. Eden & PA Housing Finance Agency to D&A Homes LLC, $54,000

Kensington St., 2365: C. Woods to A. Pellegrini, $100,000

Linden St., 125: CR Property Group LLC to S. Tolopilo, $125,100

Mercer St., 2446: F. Beshara & L. Zeller to D. Sherer & M. Cohn, $106,000

Mulberry St., 2000: P. Robinson to J. Hunter, $105,000

Naudain St., 1421: Gary Neff Inc. & City Limits Realty to G. Ajakaye, $47,500

N. 2nd St., 709: KBH Properties to J. & K. Staz, $128,000

N. 2nd St., 1105: HAMR Second Street LLC to CWJK Holdings LLC, $161,400

N. 2nd St., 2315: H. Bower to J. Pulley, $159,900

N. 2nd St., 2333: C. Cullis to L. & J. Casey, $105,750

N. 2nd St., 2515: P. Burke to T. & B. Groce, $257,000

N. 2nd St., 2625: R. Morning to K. Boyer, $280,000

N. 2nd St., 3019: J. Erb to J. Steinbrunner, $180,000

N. 2nd St., 3232: J. Dresslar & W. Cleary to Alkaline Properties LLC, $95,000

N. 3rd St., 2251: M. Erazo to D. Riley, $126,000

N. 3rd St., 2550: N. Mindlin & J. Cutler to A. & I. Hermantin, $279,000

N. 4th St., 3209: M. Schuessler to T. & J. Perla, $88,512

N. 5th St., 1700: N. McWhite to Taylor Made Properties LLC, $61,001

N. 5th St., 1719: R. Cieszynski to Alkaline Properties LLC, $95,000

N. 6th St., 1500: P. Stier to L. Grossberg & J. Maes, $472,500

N. 6th St., 2901: Firetree Ltd. to Loving Handz Early Learning & Development Center Inc., $175,000

N. 6th St., 3105: K. Kissam to C. Penney, $117,900

N. 7th St., 2148: Tang & Perkins Property Management LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $47,500

N. 13th St., 18, 20 & 22 and 13 & 15 Linden St.: M. Lamereaux & S. Brady to E. Rodriguez & M. Taveras, $225,000

N. 14th St., 226: J. Bowen to Fernandez Realty Group LLC, $68,000

N. 14th St., 1203: N. Barber to FRDOCE03 LLC, $55,000

N. 16th St., 1103: RJ Schultz Enterprises Inc. to J. & J. Izurieta, $98,000

N. 18th St., 47: Great Row LLC to T. Paul, $45,900

N. 19th St., 709: J Linc Holdings LLC to Wisechoice USA LLC, $39,000

N. Front St., 1013: B. Rota to J. Charles Realty LLC, $250,000

N. Front St., 3211: 3211 Front Associates LLC & In Touch Holding to Empire Front Street LLC, $3,770,000

Park St., 1630: L. Palmer to Integrity First Home Buyers LLC, $67,500

Penn St., 1311: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to 1311 Penn Street LLC, $139,900

Penn St., 1612: N. & C. Giustra to M. Bravo, $208,400

Penn St., 2224: K. Lawler to A. Luchansky, $74,900

Penn St., 2313: M. Bekelja to SPG Capital LLC, $67,500

Reel St., 2616: E. Chattah to Integrity First Home Buyers LLC, $79,300

Regina St., 1819: J. Carmona & K. Contreras to M. Pichardo, $

Reily St., 430 & 432: Dobson Family Partnership to 400 Reily Street LLC, $300,000

Rolleston St., 1042: D. Lispi to R. Kinnard, $200,000

Rumson Dr., 2983: J. Jones to C. Caraballo, $100,500

Schuykill St., 536: E. Chattah & Y. Guhl to Integrity First Home Buyers LLC, $90,500

Seneca St., 262: CR Property Group LLC to C. Drayton, $59,900

S. 12th St., Neidlinger Enterprises LLC to M. Dalupang, $130,000

S. 14th St., 429: A. & T. Scott to C. Heras & W. Salinas, $53,000

S. 15th St., 17: H. Sostre & M. Gonzalez to F. Contreras, $85,000

S. 18th St., 14: K. Moore & Habitat for Humanity of Greater Harrisburg Area to Integrity First Home Buyers LLC, $59,000

S. 18th St., 28: RJ Schultz Enterprises Inc. to Moxie Properties LLC, $51,000

S. 21st St., 932: RTD Properties & Management to K. Ferrera, $57,000

S. 23rd St., 647: L. & M. Chen to J. Mears, $100,000

S. 25th St., 602: RDR Property Management LLC to D. Glatfelter, $68,000

S. 27th St., 734: B. McCann to D. Smith, $98,000

State St., 231, Unit 602: LUX 1 LP to R. Murcia, $140,000

State St., 1847: Blue Door Management LLC to Bridger Investments LLC, $40,000

Susquehanna St., 1809: S. Sehar to SPG Capital LLC, $82,500

Susquehanna St., 1839: S. Conover to E. Lindsay, $160,000

Vernon St., 1343: R. & D. Kauffman to J. & C. Glick, $60,000

Washington St., 111: C. Altman to O. Hannah, $170,000

Yale St., 225: L. & L. Napier to J. Camacho, $63,000

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

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New developers, new plan for dozens of Midtown Harrisburg lots

August 27, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda

This city-owned lot at N. 4th and Calder streets is the future site of townhouses under a new development plan for the MarketPlace neighborhood.

There’s a new plan for a broad swath of Midtown Harrisburg, as the city’s redevelopment agency has selected a developer for dozens of long-empty lots.

In a meeting on Friday, the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority chose the city-based development team of Chris and Erica Bryce and Harrisburg Commercial Interiors (HCI) to complete the unfinished MarketPlace development, consisting of 67 lots sprinkled between Reily Street and the Broad Street Market area.

The unanimous vote gave the developers permission to move ahead with their plan, which includes a mix of single-family townhouses, small apartment buildings and mixed-use commercial space.

“I’m very pleased with this decision,” said Chris Bryce, after the meeting. “I think what happened will be great for the future of Harrisburg.”

Their plan bested a competing proposal by Philadelphia-based Odin Properties and Harrisburg-based RB Development, which likewise was seeking “designated developer” status for the lots.

The authority voted 3-0 for the Bryce/HCI proposal, though members did not state why they made their selection.

After the vote, Ryan Sanders of RB Development declined to comment on the authority’s decision.

Both developers are currently active in the Midtown area.

Last year, the authority selected the Bryces/HCI to develop dozens of vacant lots that are part of the unfinished Capitol Heights project just across Reily Street.

They since have received city permission to begin the first phase of that project, which includes a small apartment building, a community center and townhouses along the 1600-blocks of N. 3^rd and Logan streets. The project should break ground in October, according to Matt Long of HCI.

Just weeks ago, RB Development received zoning board approval for Bethel Village, a low-income senior housing development at N. 6^th and Herr streets. The project is now is in the process of getting its final city approval from City Council.

In their proposal for MarketPlace, the Bryce/HCI development team envisions a total of 104 to 120 housing units, including apartment units and for-sale townhomes. Thirty to 40 will qualify as affordable, bringing the project into compliance with the city’s recently passed affordable housing statute, Long said.

The Bryce/HCI Capitol Heights/MarketPlace plan

The MarketPlace lots have a lengthy history dating back decades, when the city began to clear the area of abandoned and dilapidated buildings.

In 2005, State College-based S&A Homes was chosen to extend the existing townhouse community, but they stopped building in 2009, leaving dozens of lots empty.

Two years ago, the redevelopment authority reacquired the empty lots and chose Harrisburg-based Seven Bridges Development to complete the project, but that company never began construction, leading the authority to seek a new developer.

Long said that he expected the MarketPlace development to start early next year with the townhouse component, with a two-year construction timeframe for the entire project. First, the developers will need to purchase the vacant lots at market rates from the city, Bryce said.

In addition to townhouses and apartments, the project includes some new parking, several green spaces, a dog park and some ground-floor commercial space.

“I can’t wait to put the shovel in the ground,” said Long after the meeting. “I can’t wait to get started.”

Click here to see the Bryce/HCI proposal.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

July 2, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Camp Curtin church was recently purchased

Have you seen Mack the cat on the front cover of our new issue yet? Grab a copy of our special pet issue of the magazine and read about Harrisburg-area fluffy friends. Also, read our local news coverage from this past week, listed and linked, below.

An affordable housing development for seniors was proposed by local developers RB Development, our online story reported. “Bethel Village” would sit at the corner of N. 6^th and Herr streets in Harrisburg.

Bob’s Art Blog raves about self-taught artist Jessie Waite. Her paintings are imaginative and abstract, inspiring viewers to enjoy the simple pleasures in life.

Camp Curtin Memorial Mitchell UMC church sat on the market for almost two years before Harrisburg couple Chris and Erica Bryce purchased it on June 10, our reporting found. The developers may potentially turn the church into an apartment building, while preserving the history.

Our editor gives a shout-out to the pets of Harrisburg featured in this month’s pet issue of the magazine.

Fireworks and pets don’t always go well together. Our magazine story has tips for how to keep your pup calm during what could be an overwhelming experience for them.

Fourth of July celebrations will be in full swing this weekend in Harrisburg, our online story reported. After the pandemic put festivities on hold last year, fireworks and food trucks will again return to Riverfront Park.

Harrisburg’s debt refinancing plan may be in jeopardy as the city’s mayor and City Council president are at odds over how to move forward, our online story reported. Council President Wanda Williams said she does not support Mayor Eric Papenfuse’s proposal to refinance some of the city’s general obligation bonds at a lower rate.

The Harrisburg School District revised its 2021-22 budget after learning that it would receive additional state funding, our reporting found. Receiver Janet Samuels approved the budget, which is now nearly balanced thanks to the grant money.

H*MAC is bringing barbecue to its menu, as Zachary’s BBQ & Soul is opening in the venue next week, our online story reported. Philadelphia-area chef Keith Taylor will offer his take on soul food staples such as Carolina pulled pork, pulled chicken, boneless short rib, pork spare ribs and Caribbean jerk barbecue chicken.

Our July News Digest provides a briefing on the top stories of the previous month. If you like “The Week that Was,” check out our monthly version in the magazine.

The Pride of the Susquehanna has set sail. Certainly, the last 16 months have been a rough go for “the Pride,” but hopefully smoother sailing is ahead, our magazine story reported.

Rice & Beans Restaurant on Allison Hill has quickly built a base of loyal patrons who visit regularly for the shop’s authentic island food. In our magazine story, read more about the owners and their restaurant, which features flavors from the Dominican Republic, Colombia and Puerto Rico, among other countries.

Sara Bozich lists ways to celebrate the 4^th of July in her Weekend Roundup. Included are Harrisburg’s Food Trucks and Fireworks festival, live music, baseball and shopping suggestions. Plan your weekend, here.

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Harrisburg couple buys historic Camp Curtin church, weighs residential conversion

June 28, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda

The exterior of the Camp Curtin Mitchell Memorial UMC Church.

A Harrisburg couple has purchased a historic Camp Curtin church, potentially converting it to an apartment building.

Chris and Erica Bryce bought the Camp Curtin Memorial Mitchell UMC church on June 10, after it had languished on the market for almost two years.

“We bought it because we want to preserve beautiful, historic buildings in this city,” Chris Bryce said. “We see a variety of adaptive reuse possibilities.”

In 2019, the Susquehanna United Methodist Conference put six of its churches on the market after deciding to close the buildings and consolidate congregations.

The Camp Curtin church was originally listed for sale at $195,000, though the price had been lowered over the years. The Bryces paid $50,000 for the 16,000-square-foot building on the 2200-block of N. 6^th Street.

The church has roots in an 1890 structure that soon burned down. The current building dates to 1895, with a large addition in 1915. It is listed on the U.S. Department of the Interior’s National Register of Historic Places.

The church altar

Chris Bryce said that he hadn’t determined a definite plan for the building, but that conversion to apartments might be the best fit.

He has restored and converted several Harrisburg buildings, including a once-blighted Midtown mansion to apartments and a rundown 19^th-century downtown building on Locust Street that now houses Merit Marketing.

“We’ve done this before,” Bryce said. “We have experience doing it.”

In addition, last year, the Bryces, along with their construction partner, Harrisburg Commercial Interiors, received zoning approval to build a 12-unit apartment building, community center and eight single-family townhouses along the 1600-block of N. 3^rd and Logan streets.

The church’s rear balcony and large, stained-glass rosette

Bryce said that he was motivated to buy the church for two main reasons.

First, he wants to ensure that the historic building is preserved and finds new purpose. He said that he plans no substantive changes to the façade and wants to retain much of the interior, as well.

He said that the building’s interior design actually makes it a good candidate for conversion to apartments, as the church has smaller side windows on several levels, as opposed to the large, multi-level, stained-glass windows often seen in churches.

“Harrisburg has some of the most beautiful architecture of any mid-sized city in the United States,” he said. “It’s vital to our city to preserve our historic buildings.”

He’s unsure how a large mural of Christ ministering to a dying Union soldier, which hangs over the altar, will fit into a secular building. Therefore, he hopes to find another home for the mural at an appropriate location within the city.

Secondly, he sees great potential in the area. He’s especially encouraged by “The Atlas,” a mixed-use project nearby by businessman Adam Maust to convert the long-abandoned Hudson Building at N. 6^th and Maclay streets to office and retail space.

“There are people who have tremendous faith in the future of this city,” Bryce said. “There seems to be more and more energy behind it. So, let’s keep it going.”

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Midtown Harrisburg projects get zoning approvals, inch closer to construction

February 23, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda

The “Carpets and Draperies” building was one of several projects that received zoning board approval on Monday night.

Several Midtown Harrisburg building projects took steps forward on Monday night, gaining key zoning approvals.

During a four-hour virtual meeting, the city Zoning Hearing Board voted unanimously to approve variances for an apartment building/community center and townhouses in the Capitol Heights neighborhood; an apartment building and parking garage on Reily Street; and the conversion of a dilapidated commercial structure to a small apartment building.

First, the board approved a variance for the “Carpets and Draperies” building on the 1500-block of N. 3^rd Street. A Midtown resident, Nate Foote, wants to convert the blighted, century-old structure to a five-unit apartment building, with commercial space on the ground floor.

Foote has a contract to purchase the 4,800-square-foot building from Schnecksville, Pa.-based Mussani & Matz Co., which has owned it since 2007. However, the purchase is contingent on getting the necessary approvals from the city.

At the meeting, Chuck Heller, a realtor for Camp Hill-based Landmark Commercial Realty, said the building has been on the market for about a decade, with many potentially interested buyers during that time. However, in the end, the building’s blighted condition and daunting rehabilitation costs have deterred offers.

“This is one of my longest listings,” he said. “It’s an amazing building, and there’s been a lot of interest in it, but, once you start digging into it, it’s usually squashed the transaction.”

Board Chair Tom Leonard said that the board had received numerous letters of support for the project from neighbors of the building.

“I think Nate has a great plan in place and will do a great job,” said Doug Neidich, CEO of GreenWorks Development, which owns several properties in the immediate area. “It will be a step forward for the whole Midtown area.”

The project has no off-street parking, but Foote has said that he would lease nearby spaces to satisfy the city’s parking requirement.

Secondly, the board approved a variance and a special exception for the Capitol Heights project, proposed by Harrisburg residents Chris and Erica Bryce, along with Matt Long of Harrisburg Commercial Interiors.

That project envisions building an 18,000-square-foot, three-story apartment building on the 1600-block of N. 3^rd Street. The building would have 12 market rate and affordable units with a 4,180-square-foot community center on the ground floor. The project also includes eight single-family townhomes with built-in garages at the rear of the site facing Logan Street.

The Capitol Heights project includes a new apartment building and community center (left).

Part of the site includes a longstanding community garden, which would be relocated to another part of the property.

“It’s certainly something that will benefit the community as a whole, and I look forward to seeing what you have in store,” said board member Shannon Gority, after she voted for approval.

Lastly, the board approved variances and special exceptions for a seven-story apartment building and parking garage at Reily and Fulton streets, located a block away from the new federal courthouse currently under construction.

This project, by entities called 400 Reily Street Management LLC and KevGar Holdco LLC, proposes an 85-unit apartment building and a 500-space parking garage, with first-floor retail space, which likely would house a grocery store, a restaurant and coffee shop, according to principal Kevin Baird.

The parking garage would serve both the courthouse and the Midtown community, Baird said.

“All roads led to the parking challenge in Midtown, and we all know how much that will be exacerbated by the opening of the federal courthouse in October 2022,” said Baird, describing the origins of the project.

A rendering of the proposed apartment building and parking garage on Reily Street.

Originally, the project included office space, but Baird said that he opted for more apartments because the residential market in Harrisburg is strong, while the office market is weak, likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

One neighbor objected because, she said, the grocery store, in particular, could lead to parking congestion in the area.

“People are not going to go up into a garage to go to the grocery store,” said the Fulton Street resident. “If I’m just going in for a loaf of bread, I’m not going up into a garage.”

Baird said that shoppers likely would get some free parking time in the garage to encourage its use and that shoppers in other cities often use parking garages to access urban grocery stores.

Approved by the zoning board, each of these projects now needs to have their land development plans approved by City Council before they can begin construction.

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Midtown, downtown projects move forward, as Harrisburg Planning Commission gives approvals

February 4, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda

Midtown Redevelopment’s project includes an apartment building with a community center (rendering, left)

Several significant Harrisburg building projects cleared hurdles on Wednesday night, earning approvals from the city Planning Commission.

During a virtual meeting, the commission approved variance and special exceptions for three residential projects in Midtown: an apartment building with eight townhouses; a large apartment building with a parking garage; and a small, boutique apartment building. Several other Midtown and downtown projects received land development plan approval.

First, the commission unanimously approved a zoning variance and special exception for a proposal by Midtown Redevelopment LP to build a 12-unit apartment building, along with a community center, on the 1600-block of N. 3^rd Street.

The project also includes eight single-family townhouses, with built-in garages, at the rear of the site fronting Logan Street.

Most of the discussion centered around the 18,000-square-foot, three-story apartment building, which would include a mix affordable and market-rate units, according to the company’s partners, Chris and Erica Bryce of Harrisburg and Matt Long, owner of Harrisburg Commercial Interiors.

The building would be built on the site of a long-time community garden, land currently owned by the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority. The developers said that they would retain the garden but move it to another area nearby. The project also envisions a 4,180-square-foot community center on the first floor of the apartment building.

Long said that the community center idea originated after discussions with the community last year during a neighborhood presentation.

“One of the most recurring themes was that a community center was lacking in Midtown,” he said. “We want to meet the needs of everyone there.”

The developers currently have set aside nine parking spaces on site for the apartment building, but said they would arrange to have parking for each unit. The Logan Street townhouses would be built with their own garage parking.

“Overall, I’m really pleased with the type of residential housing that is being proposed with this application,” said commissioner Anne Marek. “It’s really nice to see a mixture of not just more apartments but also town home development with the garages.”

A rendering of the proposed town homes on Logan Street.

The project now moves to the city’s Zoning Hearing Board for final approval for the variance and special exception. It also must get land development plan approval from both the Planning Commission and City Council.

“I support this project,” said Rich Gribble, a resident who lives nearby on Harris Street. “It looks really exciting to me. And I hope to come up and be a member of the community center.”

Reily & Fulton

Next, a development partnership led by Philadelphia-area businessman Kevin Baird presented a large proposed project at Reily and Fulton streets.

This project envisions an 85-unit apartment building, a 500-space parking garage and first-floor retail space on property mostly owned by the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority.

Under the current configuration, the building would rise seven stories. The apartment portion would include 20 units per floor: six studios, 11 one-bedroom units and three two-bedroom units.

Baird said that the retail portion would be dominated by a grocery store and could also include a restaurant, a café and office space. He added that the parking garage is needed to serve the new federal courthouse a block away, as well as provide parking for the Midtown community.

A rendering of the proposed apartment building and parking garage at Reily and Fulton streets.

The courthouse, at N. 6^th and Reily streets, is slated for completion in late 2022, but will have scant parking on site. The federal government anticipates needing more than 500 additional spaces to serve the building.

The developers and commissioners had an extensive discussion about parking legalities, as the site sits within the “no compete” zone under the city’s long-term parking asset lease with the commonwealth.

The developer said that it has an “agreement in principal” with the commonwealth and its asset manager, Trimont, on the issue, which would allow the parking garage to proceed.

“It’s just a question of getting all the stakeholders around the table to agree, and working out the final parts of the agreement,” Baird said. “It’s going to get done.”

The commission approved a variance and special exception for the proposal. This project also now will proceed to the zoning board for final approval and, separately, must have its land development plan approved.

“It’s good to see a project of this quality,” said commissioner Vern McKissick. “It’s definitely what’s happening in other cities around the country.”

Carpets & Draperies

Thirdly, the commission approved a variance for the “Carpets and Draperies” building on the 1500-block of N. 3^rd Street. City resident Nate Foote has proposed creating a five-unit apartment building from the long vacant, blighted building.

Foote said that other nearby projects, such as those on the planning commission’s agenda on Wednesday night, inspired him to take on the renovation, as he lives in the neighborhood.

“I saw what was happening at the 3^rd and Reily corridor and thought it would be a terrible tragedy if this building wasn’t brought back to life at the same time those things were happening,” he said.

A rendering of the 1500-block of N. 3rd Street after the proposed renovation of the “Carpets and Draperies” building

The project does not include parking on site. Foote said that he planned to lease parking in the area, which has several nearby surface lots.

With this approval, Foote likewise now must have the variance approved by the Zoning Hearing Board. The commission on Wednesday also approved the project’s land development plan, which must also be approved by City Council.

Foote mentioned that he’s under some time pressure to have the project approved because his sales contract for the building expires next month.

“I think this is a great project,” said commission Chair Joe Alsberry. “We’ve received a lot of support for it.”

Site Plan Approvals

The commission also approved several land development plans by developer Derek Dilks, who plans to convert several small, non-residential buildings to apartments. These are:

* 130 State St., converting an office building to a five-unit apartment building
* 25 N. Front St., converting an office building to an eight-unit apartment building
* 321 N. Front St., converting an office building to a six-unit apartment building
* 260 Boas St., converting the former First United Methodist Church to an eight-unit apartment building

These projects all must be approved by City Council, as well.

Finally, the commission unanimously approved a land development plan to build a mixed-use building downtown at 21 S. 2^nd St. A partnership led by Harristown Development plans a six-story building consisting of retail and office space on the bottom two floors, as well as eight apartment units on the upper floors (see exterior rendering).

This site, currently an empty lot, once housed a small, blighted commercial building that included the Coronet restaurant on the first floor. Harristown razed the building after buying it in 2017.

That project also now must get City Council approval before breaking ground.

“We’re excited about the project,” said Brad Jones, Harristown’s president and CEO. “We’re looking forward to doing this new construction here in the next year or so.”

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