Tag Archives: Dan Hartman

Harrisburg hires business administrator, ending four-month vacancy for key post

October 22, 2024 | by Maddie Gittens

Samuel Sulkosky

Harrisburg has a new chief of staff.

Mayor Wanda Williams announced Samuel Sulkosky as her new business administrator during her State of the City address last week.

Sulkosky, who started on Oct. 9, fills a vacancy left by the previous business administrator, Dan Hartman, who stepped down in June.

Sulkosky served in borough and city manager positions over the last several years. Most recently, he was the interim borough manager of Punxsutawney and, before that, served as the city manager of Duquesne. He also held borough manager positions in Kittanning, Mount Joy and Columbia. He also worked as a self-employed financial advisor for over 17 years and as a county auditor in Indiana County for four years.

Sulkosky, during a phone call with TheBurg, said that he decided to take the job in Harrisburg, seeing it as an “excellent challenge.” He specifically liked the way the city has prioritized paying off large amounts of debt and felt that his experience with lower-income communities and those under Act 47, a state program for financially distressed municipalities, would be helpful.

“The main thing that drives me from a public service standpoint is the biggest interest I have, and concern, is doing what’s best for the community as a whole,” Sulkosky said.

In 2020, Lancaster Online reported that the Mount Joy Borough Council fired Sulkosky from his borough manager role, providing no explanation as to why. When asked about it, Sulkosky explained it as “local politics” that had nothing to do with job performance. Around that time, new council members were elected and wanted to bring in new staff members, Sulkosky said. He added that he was part of a “staff purge” that included dismissing the chief of police, codes officer, borough engineer and others. Sulkosky said that, in retrospect, he probably should’ve resigned, but due to a dispute about his severance payment, didn’t.

In 2023, the Leader Times, reported that the Kittanning borough council eliminated Sulkosky’s borough manager position, clarifying a previous article saying Sulkosky had been fired. Sulkosky told TheBurg that his position had been eliminated.

In his new role as business administrator in Harrisburg, Sulkosky will serve alongside Mayor Wanda Williams in overseeing day-to-day operations of the city.

Sulkosky said that, based on his experience, he’s accustomed to working with councils, mayors, vendors, stakeholders, state and federal agencies and community members. He’s also had extensive experience overseeing economic development, public works and recreational projects, he said.

“I’m sure there’s some things I haven’t seen, but I’ve seen a lot more than I haven’t seen, I can tell you that,” he said. “There aren’t too many scenarios I’m not used to.”

Sulkosky said he is specifically looking forward to working with City Council and building relationships.

“I think I can bring to the table the ability to communicate,” he said.

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October News Digest

September 27, 2024 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Forster Street Project Begins

Construction to calm traffic along a major Harrisburg roadway began last month.

The city started its Capitol Gateway project along Forster Street from N. Front to N. 2nd streets, which includes installing traffic-calming features and signal updates.

The $1.7 million project first surfaced in 2020, when City Council approved the submission of a grant application for federal transportation funds. The city received the grant later that year through the Harrisburg Area Transportation Study (HATS).

According to officials, around the time when the project first was discussed, the area was the most crash-prone in the city. Traffic calming features will include adding curb bump-outs and enlarging the median to give pedestrians space to stand if they are unable to cross the street in time. There will also be traffic signal updates at Forster and N. 2nd streets.

The right turning, or “slip lane,” from Forster to N. Front Street will be eliminated.

JVI Group, the project contractor, will work through the end of October to make sidewalk and curb improvements then break for the winter. They will return in the spring to finish work, including street milling and paving.

“We are excited to finally begin work on the Capitol Gateway project,” said city Engineer Joel Seiders. “Between traffic coming into the city from the West Shore, leaving the city from the Capitol Complex, or using beautiful Riverfront Park, this section of Harrisburg is one of the most heavily traveled every day. Once this project is complete, it will be safer than ever before to walk, bike and drive in this area.”

Forster Street will remain open to through-traffic during construction but will be reduced by one lane in each direction. Pedestrian traffic will be detoured.

Apartment Project Gets Approval

A dormant downtown Harrisburg apartment project is springing back to life, as the developer has had the project re-approved.

Last month, the city Planning Commission, for a second time, approved a land development plan for the Veterans Building, located at 112 Market St.

Harristown Development Corp. is proposing converting the 125-year-old, eight-story, vacant office building into a 48-unit residential building.

In 2021, the commission approved the conversion of the 51,000-square-foot building to 35 one- and two-bedroom apartments, plus first-floor retail space. However, following the approval, construction costs rose quickly, so the project never began, according to Brad Jones, president and CEO of Harristown.

“One of the reasons we haven’t gotten this project finished yet, when we first started, pricing kind of went haywire—interest rates and construction prices kind of went haywire,” Jones said, at the meeting.

Harristown has now redesigned the $8 million project with 48 one- and two-bedroom apartments, ranging from about 600 to 1,000 square feet. The new plan excluded first-floor retail space, proposing to absorb that space into the residential component.

Last month, the commission unanimously reapproved the plan, but on the condition that Harristown retain some retail space on the first floor.

“I can easily see an opportunity for a coffee shop or a small something that activates that corner,” said commissioner Vern McKissick.

Harristown, Jones said, is amenable to retaining some first-floor retail. The company doesn’t yet have a timeline for the project, which also must be re-approved by City Council.

Schools Superintendent Hired

The Harrisburg School District has selected a new top official.

Dr. Benjamin Henry will soon step up as the new superintendent of schools, following a summer-long search, the district has announced.

Henry fills the post left vacant by previous superintendent Eric Turman, who resigned and took a job as the superintendent of the Central Dauphin School District. Following Turman’s resignation, receiver Dr. Lori Suski appointed Dr. Marcia Stokes, the district’s chief financial officer, as acting superintendent.

Henry’s four-year term begins on Nov. 1, with Stokes continuing in the role in the meantime. The district has set Henry’s salary at $199,500.

Henry brings over two decades of experience in public education, according to the district. He served as the regional assistant superintendent of Polk County Schools in Florida for the past four years, overseeing 29 schools. Before that, he held jobs as a special education teacher, a middle school math teacher and a principal. Henry was also appointed by the governor to serve on the state’s Education Ethics Committee.

Park Pavilion Proposed

Harrisburg may get a new entertainment pavilion in one of its main parks.

The city has submitted a grant application to the state for funds to construct a pavilion in Riverfront Park for use during city festivals and events.

City Council unanimously approved the ratification of a grant application submission to the Pa. Department of Community and Economic Development for $117,228 for the structure.

The proposed multipurpose pavilion would be built in the park near the Civic Club of Harrisburg’s building near North Street. According to city Grants Director Rebecca Vollmer, the concrete bandshell would be similar to the pavilion in Italian Lake Park.

The stage would be used for city events such as Kipona, Artsfest and July Fourth and could be rented out to the Civic Club and other organizations to bring revenue to the city, Vollmer said.

Vollmer said that the city currently pays around $17,000 to $21,000 for stages for festival entertainment each year.

If the grant is awarded, the city would be required to match 15% of the total project cost, about $18,000. Vollmer expects that the city, within a year, would make back that money by not having to rent a stage.

Area Home Sales, Prices Rise

Harrisburg-area home sales and prices both increased in August, per the latest report on previously owned houses.

For the three-county region, 651 homes sold versus 604 in August 2023, as the median sales price climbed to $297,000 from $284,298, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

In Dauphin County, sales totaled 309 homes in August, an increase of 10 houses, as the median sales price grew to $270,000 from $255,000 in the year-ago period, GHAR stated.

Cumberland County had 300 home sales, up from 279 the prior August, as the median sales price rose to $327,250 from $308,000, GHAR said.

In Perry County, 47 homes sold compared to 25 last August, as the median sales price shot up to $300,000 from $242,000, according to GHAR.

The pace of sales slowed a bit, as the “average days on market” totaled 23 days, versus 19 days a year ago, GHAR said.

So Noted

Andrew Bomberger last month was named the new executive director of the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission (TCRPC), which provides land use and transportation planning for Dauphin, Cumberland and Perry counties. Bomberger has served with TCRPC for 10 years and succeeds Steve Deck, who retired in August.

Broad Street Market has received a $350,000 grant from the Pa. Department of Community and Economic Development to make upgrades to the stone building and offset operational costs. Projects include repairing the roof, which frequently leaks, and possible HVAC upgrades to the building, according to market officials.

Jazzy’s Good Eats opened last month at 912 N. 3rd St. in Harrisburg, relocating from space in Kline Village. From the snug storefront, owner Jasmine “Jazzy” White serves fried fish, fried chicken, turkey wings, mac and cheese and greens, among other southern-style staples, for takeout-only.

Matt Maisel, Harrisburg’s communications director, resigned last month to take a position with Penn State Health. In recent months, the city has lost several other top officials, including former Business Administrator Dan Hartman, former Finance Director Marita Kelley and former Building and Housing Director Dennise Hill.

Men in the Kitchen, a York-based restaurant, plans to expand into Harrisburg, opening in the former Firehouse restaurant at 606 N. 2nd St. Co-owners Justin Coleman and Kyle Moore expect to open in November, serving Cajun cuisine, seafood and other signature dishes from inside the circa-1871 Hope Fire Station building.

Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects last month was selected to serve as the architect/engineering firm for the rebuilding of the Broad Street Market’s brick building. City Council unanimously confirmed the selection of the York-based company in a contract valued at $1.3 million. The historic building burned and closed in a July 2023 fire, and the reconstruction is expected to take at least two years.

Changing Hands

Allison St., 1506: Treasurehunt Home Investments LLC & New Harvest Solutions LLC to N. Portoreal & T. Amparo, $148,000

Apricot St., 1711: J. Shook & C. Walter to ADR Equities LLC, $57,000

Bailey St., 1224: S. Chase to A. Scott, $53,000

Bailey St., 1242: Real Estate Investment Associates of PA LLC to 1242 Bailey LLC, $59,000

Berryhill St., 1329: N. Sandoval & Amado Investment LLC to Mau Properties LLC, $105,000

Berryhill St., 2242: A. Giambanco & A. Lebron to C. Johnson, $115,000

Boas St., 1616: Secretary of Housing & Urban Development to E. Ramirez, $85,000

Brookwood St., 1938: S. Cobb & R. Gantt to 2020 Real Estate Ventures LLC, $57,000

Chestnut St., 1928: TPH Asset Management LLC to Mau Properties LLC, $80,000

Chestnut St., 2200: G. Forsyth to D. Fuller & K. Pinet, $259,000

Chestnut St., 2406: K. Quimby to Z. & R. Madar, $310,000

Christian St., 1230: C. Disla to R. Adon, $110,000

Crescent St., 425: Real Estate Investment Associates of PA LLC to TMH Family Trust, $59,000

Croyden Rd., 2926: A. Guerrero to B. Gidey, $150,000

Derry St., 2014: Two Three Two Investments LLC to S. Laroc, $134,000

Division St., 503: M. Grossman to H. Moyer, $159,900

Division St., 515: BCR 2 Properties LLC to V. Peralta, $165,000

Green St., 1412: Capozzi & Ehring Realty LLC to 1412 Green LLC, $225,000

Green St., 1732: A. Christian to J. Holderman, $225,000

Green St., 1943: D. & K. Wadlington to M. Smith, $272,500

Hoffman St., 3232: M&T Bank to P. Morocho, $84,000

Holly St., 1846: Adonis Real Estate LLC to A. Fernandez, $152,000

Hudson St., 1140: A. Ciucci to D. Hockenberry, $192,000

Hummel St., 342 and 1508 Hunter St.: E&K Homes LLC to M. Gabrielle, $178,332

Hunter St., 1607: S. Scott to O. Perez, $140,000

Kensington St., 2263: KDR Investments LLP to 248 S. Quince St. LLC, $92,000

Kensington St., 2430: REO 2021 NR4 LLC to 248 S Quince St LLC, $95,725

Kittatinny St., 1215: S&P Property Holdings LLC to 1215 Kitt Harrisburg LLC, $650,000

Lexington St., 2560: HBG Rents LLC to A. Hariri & Y. Alrosan, $145,000

Liberty St., 1412: J. Espaillat to Mau Properties LLC, $90,000

Maclay St., 243: BLTN Properties LLC to Numbee Realty LLC, $197,500

Manada St., 2029: M. Loja to G. Tavera, $130,000

Market St., 1736: D. Seldon to A. Peralta, $70,726

Market St., 1826: J. & R. Mallory to A. Linan, $80,000

Market St., 2024: S. Gonzalez to M. Curry Nixon, $187,000

Melrose St., 706: J. Grant to EA Capital LLC, $115,000

Mulberry St., 1907: G. & G. Kennedy to V. Rijo, $65,000

Muench St., 633: G. & O. Daley to 248 S. Quince St. LLC, $108,000

North St., 1907: M. & B. King to BS JR Realty LLC, $115,000

N. 2nd St., 925: B. Pupo to A. Dufton & P. Margrave, $270,000

N. 2nd St., 3118: D. Inghilterra to B. & J. Orsinger, $436,000

N. 3rd St., 222, 230; 229 Court St.; and 228, 230 Cranberry St.: Musalair Trust to Cranberry WP LLC, $1,800,000

N. 3rd St., 2126: D&L Development Group Inc. to PACC HBG 2 LLC, $177,000

N. 3rd St., 2244: G. Gonzales to R. & T. Bbalo, $169,000

N. 4th St., 2433: Good Connect LLC to R. Sanchez, $82,500

N. 5th St., 2501: J. Castro to Y. & D. Disla, $170,000

N. 5th St., 2733: C. Carey to Integrity First Home Buyers LLC, $86,000

N. 5th St., 3138: L. Confer to W. Renn, $189,900

N. 6th St., 2227: Peace Casa LLC to S. Laroc, $110,000

N. 6th St., 2601: J. Kates to DTJ Associates LLC, $50,000

N. 6th St., 3144: C. Koser to A. Pellegrini, $118,000

N. 6th St., 3157: R. Wickham to N. & J. Cline, $150,000

N. 6th St., 3601 (rear): C. & F. Acri to CF Acri & Son Inc., $630,000

N. 15th St., 227: First Choice Home Buyers LLC to Narrow Gate Investments LLC, $99,000

N. 15th St., 1337: C. & B. Grier to 1337 North 15th LLC, $50,000

N. 15th St., 1511: Ink Properties LLC to J. Folks, $90,000

N. Front St., 315: J. Boswell & J. Piccola to Front Street Lofts LLC, $633,000

Peffer St., 435: J. & D. Cummings to E. & I. Applyrs, $170,000

Penn St., 1200: K. Barder to J. & J. Blair, $205,000

Penn St., 1830: J. Lucas to L. Wood & T. Miller, $189,900

Race St., 550: A. Thompson & R. Farquhar to R. Thompson, $173,000

Race St., 612: D. Amaguayo to M. Burtner, $250,000

Randolph St., 1616: KDR Investments LLP to L. Chavez & M. Gonzalez, $70,000

Reel St., 2400: Franklin Real Estate USA Inc. to G. Munoz, $170,000

Regina St., 1825: F. & E. Metellus to J. Francois, $103,000

Ross St., 626: Casareal Developments LLC to E. Ramirez, $65,000

Rudy Rd., 2446: Capital Realty Guild LLC to EA Capital LLC, $100,000

Penn St., 2138: Oasis Property Investment LLC to N. Scott, $200,000

Seneca St., 253: L. Diehl to G&W Rentals LLC, $105,000

Seneca St., 638: A. Hurt to Noraziza LLC, $83,000

S. 12th St., 1519: 1&H LLC to N. de Cruz, $145,000

S. 15th St., 433 & 437: J. & C. Snook to Aharon Steinberg LLC, $114,000

S. 15th St., 435: J. & C. Snook to 435 S 15th LLC, $57,000

S. 15th St., 540: E&R Realty Legacy LLC to M. & S. Mejia, $122,000

S. 16th St., 439: J. Snook & C. Walter to 51 Hidden Glen LLC, $57,000

S. 19th St., 1338: B. Skaggs to B. Camacho, $159,900

S. 29th St., 512: 512 S 29th St LLC to 512 Singh LLC, $600,000

State St., 231, Unit 804: C. Houck to H. Martinson, $195,000

Swatara St., 1917: Two Three Two Investments LLC to A Ventura Construction LLC, $82,500

Swatara St., 2408: J. Suszko to JTA Consulting Group LLC, $140,000

Verbeke St., 1613: A. Powell to R. Sanchez, $82,500

Vernon St., 1421: C. Valencik to Mau Properties LLC, $129,000

Walnut St., 1724: A. Bouhach to F. Valenzuela, $103,000

Wiconisco St., 409: Central PA Buyers LLC to R. Rivera, $161,000

Zarker St., 1415: TPH Asset Management LLC to J. Vanderhorst, $81,000

Harrisburg property sales, greater than $50,000, August 2024. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

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Harrisburg communications director to leave post; city recruits replacement

September 9, 2024 | by Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg Communications Director Matt Maisel, right, takes a question at a press conference in 2023 (file photo)

One of Harrisburg’s most visible public officials is moving on, as the city’s spokesperson announced he’s leaving for another job.

On Monday, Communications Director Matt Maisel said that he would depart his post on Sept. 20 to take a position with Penn State Health’s communications team. He described the change as “bittersweet.”

“The last two and a half years have undoubtedly been the most challenging and rewarding of my career, and I will be eternally grateful to Mayor Williams and her former Chief of Staff Dan Hartman for entrusting me with the role,” Maisel said, in a statement.

Early last week, the city posted the job opening and, according to Maisel, already had 25 applicants by Friday.

“We’re thrilled there were that many applicants, and, based on the names I saw, some qualified candidates too,” Maisel said.

The city’s deputy communications director, Melissa Mesones-Ortiz, will serve in the post on an interim basis until a permanent replacement is named, Maisel said.

In recent months, the city has lost several other top officials, including Hartman, former Finance Director Marita Kelley and former Building and Housing Director Dennise Hill, all of whom were hired when Williams took office in January 2022.

Hill was replaced by former City Council President Gloria Martin-Roberts, who is serving on an interim basis. According to Maisel, the city continues to recruit and interview qualified candidates to fill the chief of staff/business administrator and finance director positions.

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July News Digest

June 27, 2024 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg Names New Officials

Harrisburg has two new top officials, replacing recently departed city employees.

Gloria Martin-Roberts, a former City Council president, last month became the interim director of the Building and Housing Development and Economic Development Department, following the departure of former Director Dennise Hill.

Additionally, Harrisburg recently hired Joel Seiders as the city engineer, filling a position that was left vacant when former engineer Dan Snow departed in March.

Martin-Roberts will retain the interim position until Harrisburg hires a new director, she said. In her role, she will help administer federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for affordable housing projects, as well as federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.

She previously served as a Harrisburg council member for eight years and as council president for two years. She has also held positions as the director of prevention in the state’s Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, the director of preventative health programs in the state’s Department of Health, the chief operating officer at Hamilton Health Center and as a workforce development and drug and alcohol consultant.

“Building and housing and economic development are things I’ve been consistently involved in,” Martin-Roberts told TheBurg. “These were major priorities for me.”

Seiders, a Perry County native, began as city engineer on May 20. He previously worked as a PA bridge manager for Camp Hill-based Volkert, Inc., as a civil engineer consultant for the state’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and as a civil engineer consultant for PennDOT, among other positions.

Seiders said that he took the position to help make a difference in the city and to bring together his various engineering experience and skills into one role. His priority is to continue ongoing road projects and promote additional safety improvements, he said.

Hill, the former housing department head, became the most recent Harrisburg official to resign in recent months, following the departure of Snow and of city Business Administrator Dan Hartman.

School District Seeks Superintendent

The Harrisburg School District last month named a temporary superintendent while it searches for a new top official.

Receiver Dr. Lori Suski appointed Dr. Marcia Stokes, the district’s chief financial officer, as acting superintendent, following former superintendent Eric Turman’s resignation.

Turman announced in May that he would step down and take a position as superintendent of Central Dauphin School District.

Stokes will fill in as acting superintendent starting July 1, until the district finds someone to fill the role.

The district shared that it will accept applications through July 8, expecting to appoint a new superintendent in August.

According to a statement, the district is looking for a candidate who has an aptitude for working in a culturally diverse environment and has skills in school finance and budgeting.

“Harrisburg School District appreciates Eric Turman’s leadership during his tenure with the district,” Suski said, in a statement. “We look forward to beginning our search for a well-rounded candidate who will work collaboratively with the receiver, elected school board and community and keep our students’ academic success at the forefront of their work.”

New Bicycles, Stations in Harrisburg

Harrisburg has some shiny new bikes, providing an inexpensive, accessible and healthy way to get around the city.

SusqueCycle, Harrisburg’s bike share program, announced that it has upgraded its bike inventory, replacing 60 bicycles with brand new ones and donating its old bikes to local nonprofit, Recycle Bicycle.

SusqueCycle, which is operated by Tandem Mobility and administered by Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, is in its second season, with 10 stations in Harrisburg and one in Hummelstown.

“The idea is to give people in and around Harrisburg an inexpensive and healthy way to get around,” said Steve Deck, executive director of the commission.

The organization recently upgraded bicycles to newer models with more comfortable seating and sleeker designs for a better, easier ride, Deck said.

SusqueCycle is also adding new stations, including one at the TransitPark lot at 10th and Market streets, with another one set to be installed near the state Capitol at Commonwealth and North streets.

Additionally, the new bikes include a GPS system that tracks riders’ routes to gain data for future planning and to see where bike lanes and bike facilities are most needed.

Recycle Bicycle will donate the old bikes that are in good condition to residents in need and use parts of the more worn bikes to build new ones.

“Harrisburg is a great biking city,” Recycle Bicycle founder Ross Willard said. “And a lot of people can’t afford a car, so we help them get an affordable, sustainable basic transportation method.”

Home Sales, Prices Higher

Harrisburg-area home sales and prices both popped higher in May, according to the latest report on the market for previously owned houses.

For the three-county region, 616 houses sold compared to 533 in May 2023, as the median sales price increased to $284,950 from $264,000, said the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

In Dauphin County, 300 houses sold in May versus 258 in the year-ago period, as the median sales price jumped to $265,000 from $234,200, GHAR stated.

Cumberland County had 275 home sales, up from 240 a year ago, as the median price rose to $314,900 from $299,950, according to GHAR.

In Perry County, 33 houses sold, an increase of two homes compared to the prior May, as the median price increased to $285,000 from $217,841, GHAR said.

The pace of home sales was steady in May, as “average days on market” held at 25 days year-over-year, GHAR stated.

So Noted

Harrisburg has hired city-based Alexander Building Construction Co. to serve as construction manager for the rebuilding of the Broad Street Market’s brick building, which was partially destroyed in a fire last July. City Council narrowly reversed a prior vote in a move to support Alexander for the position.

Harristown Enterprises last month completed a streetscaping project for the SoMa (South of Market) district, the location of new retail shops and summer block parties. These improvements include permanent brick pavers, bike racks, planters, bollards, logos and, as a centerpiece, a massive, lighted “Welcome to SoMa” sign.

Imaginary Friends has debuted as the newest attraction in Strawberry Square in downtown Harrisburg. Two shows will run throughout the summer, thanks to owner and production designer Bill Kassay and a troupe of puppeteers and performers.

Julia Mallory last month cut the ribbon on her new studio, Ten Oh! Six, located at 1006 N. 3rd St. in Harrisburg. Her new studio will showcase some of her art and the apparel and paper goods that she creates and sells, as well as serve as a creative meeting place for the community, she said.

Karen Roland last month was named senior vice president of marketing for Members 1^st Federal Credit Union. Most recently, Roland served as an associate executive vice president with State Employees Credit Union (SECU) in North Carolina and, before that, held executive roles with both Members 1^st and PSECU.

Lidl last month debuted its newest area store, located at 5125 Jonestown Rd. in Lower Paxton Township. Lidl, which began as a small grocery store in Germany in the 1970s, now has around 12,000 stores in over 30 countries, including locations in York, Lancaster and Reading.

TheBurg won 26 total awards, including the Sweepstakes award, in the 2024 Keystone Media Awards, an annual contest sponsored by the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association Foundation. TheBurg won awards in many categories, including for reporting, column writing, illustration, page design and photography. Assistant Editor Maddie Gittens won the special Distinguished Writing Award, a single, statewide award that honors high achievement in the craft of news writing.

Tri-County Regional Planning Commission (TCRPC) last month moved its offices to the third floor of Strawberry Square in downtown Harrisburg. For the past 40 years, TCRPC was located in the Veterans Memorial Building on the first block of Market Street. The move was required due to the sale of that building and plans for its conversion into apartments.

Veterans Outreach of Central Pennsylvania has cut the ribbon on its tiny home village, which will house homeless veterans in a riverfront location in south Harrisburg. Veteran’s Grove includes 15 tiny homes and a community center and will function as a transitional living community for men and women who are homeless and in need of assistance.

Winding Hill Park North in Upper Allen Township last month unveiled a Celebration of Nature—a new sensory garden that contains a variety of plants, each targeting a specific sense. The site features different kinds of flowers, plants and shrubs, as well as berry plants and fruit trees, among other elements.

Changing Hands

Bailey St., 1237: C. Peralta to A. Griggs, $95,000

Barkley Lane, 2519: T. Truong & K. Ngo to Richmond & Richmond LLC, $126,000

Bellevue Rd., 1902: D&L Development Group Inc. to PACC HBG 2 LLC, $120,000

Bellevue Rd., 2007: SPG Capital LLC to R. Suriel, $170,000

Benton St., 516: P. Goodman to N. Eras and M. & E. Ordonez, $175,000

Boas St., 257: R. Lowery to M. & J. Rivino, $200,000

Briggs St., 1912: C. Shomper to B. & V. Doan, $102,000

Brookwood St., 2462: R. Kumar to J. Dodson, $124,000

Chestnut St., 2045: Q. & C. Hazelton to R. Bravo, $169,900

Emerald St., 520: First Choice Home Buyers LLC to Mau Properties LLC, $100,000

Evergreen St., 11: Meridian Realty Holdings LLC to Golden Triangle Investment LLC, $80,000

Evergreen St., 32: D&L Development Group Inc. to PACC HBG 2 LLC, $120,000

Forster St., 412: D&D LLC to A&N LLC, $260,000

Green St., 1930: I. Bailey to T. Lewis, $280,000

Green St., 2138: Round Rock Investments LLC, SHG Investment Fund & Chad Gallagher LLC to G. Weaver, $230,000

Herr St., 1625: A. Tumer to C. Smith, $158,000

Hummel St., 240: Tri County HDC Ltd. to L. Roth, $124,900

Hummel St., 242: Tri County HDC Ltd. to T. Adekola, $124,900

Hummel St., 244: Tri County HDC Ltd. to S. Nahomy, $124,900

Hummel St., 341: G. & B. Hoerner to M. Bonetti, $77,320

Kelker St., 638: Buonarroti Trust to B. Jarkow & R. Reuveni, $90,885

Lenox St., 1901: B. Bentz to Cheema Ranvir LLC, $325,000

Logan St., 1933: V. Pillich & G. Cruz to RKE Investments LLC, $55,000

Logan St., 2431: J. & J. Austin to G&W Rentals LLC, $65,000

Maclay St., 249: R. & D. Requa to Dreams2Reality Services LLC, $215,000

Market St., 305: L. & D. D’Antuono to 305 Market Pizza LLC, $280,000

Muench St., 202: PD Estate Properties LLC to D. Leaman, $133,000

Mulberry St., 1924: J. Dukes & R. Sumpter to M. Abapoli, $139,900

Nagle St., 106: J. O’Handly to T. Edwards, $80,000

North St., 1934: O. Blanco to Cofield Group LLC, $110,400

North St., 1942A: B. Wargo to J. Pavana, $63,000

N. 2nd St., 1631: J. & K. Morgret to Green Street Properties Ltd., $170,000

N. 2nd St., 1801: S. Basore to A. Danks, $250,000

N. 2nd St., 2321: Central PA Buyers LLC to Elite Remodeling Realty LLC, $117,000

N. 3rd St., 3028: C. Jones to L. Reapsome & A. Labs, $205,000

N. 4th St., 1418: A. Manana & S. Morel to A&W Homes LLC, $117,000

N. 4th St., 2144: Saheeb & Inez Affordable Homes LLC to Mau Properties LLC, $71,000

N. 4th St., 2215: K. Torres to Prime Realty Solutions 4U LLC, $76,000

N. 5th St., 1600: First Choice Home Buyers LLC to C&C Homes LLC, $110,000

N. 5th St., 2524: B. Debeljak to A. Louis, $175,000

N. 5th St., 2705: M. Suriel to F. Zaman, $210,000

N. 5th St., 3118: Willowscott Investments LLC to J. Millard, $145,000

N. 6th St., 3103: K. Malinoski to A. Couch, $164,000

N. 6th St., 3129: E. Ewing to MS AM Properties Inc., $135,000

N. 6th St., 3140: M. Kennedy to TKO Rental LLC, $95,000

N. 7th St., 1010: Pennsylvania State University to Harrisburg School District, $3,100,000

N. 12th St., 47: E&K Homes LLC to Wright Restoration Properties LLC, $91,000

N. 13th St., 126: S. Samuel & K. Lucas to C. Teel, $125,000

N. 15th St., 517: J. Sherman to Golden Triangle Investment LLC, $65,000

N. 15th St., 1521: R. & L. Ravenel to D. Baylor, $50,000

N. 16th St., 1004: C. & S. Orellana to K. de Estevez, $169,000

N. 17th St., 53: L. Malik to J&V Investment LLC, $150,000

N. 18th St., 47: T. Paul to Cooper Hawk LLC, $76,000

N. Front St., 1525, Unit 401: A. Witte to C. Wood, $230,000

N. Front St., 2743: Alternative Rehabilitation Communities Inc. to First Choice Home Buyers LLC, $250,000

N. Summit St., 116: T. Johnson to M. Sacasari, $80,000

Park St., 1822: 1822 Park LLC to J. Bailey & M. Wright, $58,300

Penn St., 2132: M. & W. Eisenstein to E. & A. Ho, $84,000

Pennwood Rd., 3208: L. Harris to S. Morris, $180,000

Reel St., 2468: D. Boyle to F. Solorin, $60,000

Revere St., 1618: A. & R. Burgos to E. Mejia, $140,000

Rolleston St., 1243: V. & J. Athens to Equitable Builds LLC, $90,000

S. 12th St., 1516: D. Dhahir to P. Diaz & J. Sanchez, $155,000

S. 13th St., 36: 513 South Shippen Street to NM Penn Group LLC, $270,000

S. 16th St., 564: M. Dones to S. Arzuaga & D. Ware, $90,000

S. 16th St., 922: R. Haines & D. Siegel to Landaff Enterprises LLC, $150,000

S. 17th St., 600: South Seventeenth LLC to 791 Flory Mill Road LLC, $3,556,000

S. 18th St., 8: Kabir Holdings Inc. to T. & H. Hoto, $165,000

S. 24th St., 628: A. & M. Medina to Central PA Buyers LLC, $117,000

S. Cameron St., 425: Queen Street LLP & H. Sugarman to D. Tran, $150,000

State St., 1915: Sego Realty LLC to C. Anderson, $275,000

State St., 1924: CLR Holdings LLC to H&K Rental Properties LLC, $645,000

Susquehanna St., 1737: L. Reapsome to H. Pham, $182,900

Vernon St., 1433: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to Val de Vie Estate Investment LLC, $51,000

Vernon St., 1435: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to Val de Vie Estate Investment LLC, $51,000

Vernon St., 1513: J. & C. Peters to C. Monje & E. Shirk, $130,000

Walnut St., 1804: Tender Loving Care Health Care Services LLC to Briony Spaces LLC, $151,000

Wiconisco St., 505: Divine Nest LLC to A. & S. Glick, $410,000

Woodbine St., 237: Penn Properties LLC to J. & J. Amway, $250,000

Woodbine St., 344: PA Deals LLC to C. Risser, $130,000

Zarker St., 1913: Bedrock Capital Management Inc. to C. Foltz, $52,000

Harrisburg property sales, May 2024, greater than $50,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

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Harrisburg hires interim housing director, engineer, filling vacancies

June 5, 2024 | by Maddie Gittens

Gloria Martin-Roberts. Photo courtesy of the City of Harrisburg.

Harrisburg has two new top officials, replacing recently departed city employees.

City Communications Director Matt Maisel told TheBurg that Building and Housing Development and Economic Development Department Director Dennise Hill has left her position and that Gloria Martin-Roberts, a former city council president, has become the interim director.

Additionally, Harrisburg recently hired Joel Seiders as the City Engineer, filling a position that was left vacant when former engineer Dan Snow departed the city in March.

Martin-Roberts started as the interim director of the city’s housing and economic development department on Monday and will retain the seat until Harrisburg hires a new director, she said. In her role, she will help administer federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for affordable housing projects, as well as federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.

Hill, whose last day in her role was last week, served as the director since early 2022 and as the interim director before that.

Martin-Roberts previously served as a Harrisburg City Council member for eight years and as council president for two years. She has also held positions as the director of prevention in the state’s Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, the director of preventative health programs in the state’s Department of Health, the chief operating officer at Hamilton Health Center and as a workforce development and drug and alcohol consultant.

“Building and housing and economic development are things I’ve been consistently involved in,” Martin-Roberts told TheBurg. “These were major priorities for me.”

Seiders, a Perry County native, began as city engineer on May 20. According to Seider’s LinkedIn profile, he has worked as a PA bridge manager for Camp Hill-based Volkert, Inc., as a civil engineer consultant for the state’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and as a Civil Engineer Consultant for PennDOT, among other positions.

When reached by phone, Seiders said that he took the position, hoping to be able to make a difference in the city and to bring together his various engineering experiences and skills into one role. His priority is to continue ongoing road projects, as well as promote additional safety improvements, he said.

Hill, the former housing department head for the city, became the most recent Harrisburg official to resign in recent months, following the departure of Snow and the announcement from city Business Administrator Dan Hartman that his last day would be on June 7.

According to Maisel, the business administrator job has not yet been posted online, but Mayor Wanda WIlliams is in discussion with interested candidates.

Story was updated to include comments from Joel Seiders.

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June News Digest

May 30, 2024 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Temporary Market Structure Opens

The Broad Street Market’s temporary tent opened last month, more than 10 months after the market’s brick building was devastated by fire.

On opening day, Leon Glick, owner of Two Brothers BBQ, said that, by 8:45 a.m., he had more customers visit his stand than he did at his old spot in the brick building.

Glick, like many other vendors, waited for months to reopen in the structure that Harrisburg created for displaced brick building vendors, enduring numerous construction delays.

“We’re really excited,” he said. “I think it’s a very good opportunity. Our customer base is great.”

In total, eight vendors are open in the market tent. This includes former brick building vendors Doggie Delights, Lil’s Pretzels, Peach Ridge Produce, Two Brothers BBQ and Fisher’s Delights, as well as new vendors, Cherished Treasures, Diaspora and Taylor Chip.

City and market officials have estimated that a rebuild of the market’s brick building may take two years or more.

Harrisburg communications director Matt Maisel said that he was happy to see customers supporting the vendors who “have been so resilient.” However, he noted the “shadow” cast by the stalled reconstruction of the brick building. Last month, City Council rejected the administration’s choice for construction manager, which could delay the start of the project for months.

And while the fire-damaged building continues to sit untouched, vendors and customers said that they, at least, feel grateful that the temporary structure has finally opened.

Schools Chief to Leave Harrisburg District

The Harrisburg School District will begin the search for a new top official. 

Last month, the district shared that Superintendent Eric Turman was appointed as the superintendent of Central Dauphin School District and will leave Harrisburg.  

In a release, district receiver Dr. Lori Suski congratulated Turman and said that the district would begin looking for a new superintendent. 

“I am committed to a very thorough and transparent search process for a new superintendent that will include a considerable amount of employee, parent and community stakeholder input and involvement,” Suski said.  

Suski also noted that she will consider appointing an interim superintendent while the search process takes place.  

Turman’s leaving may also impact the district’s reconfiguration, which is slated to begin this coming school year and involves closing some school buildings, opening others and shifting some grades to new buildings, Suski said.

“Thank you for your patience and cooperation during this time of transition,” she said. “We are firmly committed to supporting our students and staff and look forward to a positive end to the school year.” 

Top City Official to Depart

A top Harrisburg official plans to leave his post this month.

City Business Administrator Dan Hartman told TheBurg that he has informed city leaders of his intention to leave the job. 

Hartman began in his role when Mayor Wanda Williams took her post in January 2022. He also served as part of Williams’ transition team in the months prior. His hiring was officially approved by City Council that February. 

In Harrisburg, the business administrator is a top position, responsible, along with the mayor, for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the city. His last day will be on June 7. 

According to Hartman, he is leaving the city to go back to working for the state government, from which he received a “fantastic offer.” 

The city has already begun looking for a new business administrator, said Matt Maisel, the city’s communications director. Hartman is aiding in the selection process, as well.

“Dan is making sure whoever fills his large shoes is someone who is capable,” Maisel said. 

School District Buys Administration Building

The Harrisburg School District soon will have a new home base for operations. 

Last month, the district purchased the former Penn State Harrisburg Eastgate Center for $3.1 million.

Previously, receiver Dr. Lori Suski had approved the purchase of the 48,704-square-foot building at 1010 N. 7th St. for use as the district’s new administration building. 

In February, the district decided to reconfigure several of its school buildings, moving some grades to different buildings and closing others. As part of the plan, the current Lincoln Administration Building on State Street will become an elementary school. 

Separately, Suski has approved an agreement with local nonprofit Ngozi, Inc. to serve as the fiduciary for a new program aimed at helping to improve student behavior. 

In March, Suski approved a proposal to create a new Safe Passages Program that will be operated by local nonprofit Concerned About the Children of Harrisburg (C.A.T.C.H.) at the Harrisburg High School-John Harris Campus. As part of the program, nine adults will be present in the school during lunch and school dismissal to help diffuse student behavioral issues. 

Participants will be paid, through Ngozi, Inc., an hourly rate of $15 for up to three hours per day. 

Stallions Nightclub to Become “Karma”

A longtime Harrisburg nightclub will get a fresh remix as new owners plan to make substantial updates. 

Stallions nightclub downtown will become “Karma” as a Harrisburg couple is purchasing the club, which has for decades served as a hub for nightlife in the LGBTQ+ community. 

“We want to bring to Harrisburg more of a diverse and dynamic nightlife experience,” said Nelson Mena, who will be the managing partner of Karma and co-owner with his partner, George Fernandez, CEO of Harrisburg-based Color & Culture and Latino Connection. 

Mena, who is a Dominican Republic native, is hoping to bring new life to the club, which has operated on N. 3rd Street since 1985, while also preserving it as a community establishment.  

“We are aware that it has become a fixture in Harrisburg,” he said. “They’re iconic, and we don’t want to erase the legacy. But we want people to receive a breath of fresh air.” 

Stallions will remain open as the club transitions leadership and names, with a planned opening as Karma in July, Mena said. The club will at no time be closed. 

Mena said that Karma will offer an “elevated” experience with dancing, live music, DJs, cocktails and entertainment.

The couple plans to freshen up the building with light renovations to modernize the style. They will begin by keeping the first floor and basement space open, while doing work on the second and third floors and in-house chef’s kitchen.  

“People are going to walk in and see amazing updates,” Mena said.  

More Pizza for Midtown

Two long-time Harrisburg restaurateurs are joining forces on a new pizza and sub shop in Midtown.

Judd Goodman of Federal Taphouse and Ozzie Cabrera of Niko’s Pizza and Tonino’s Pizza plan to open Slice of Midtown at 1100 N. 3rd St., according to the pair.

The shop, slated to debut this month, will offer pizza, cheesesteaks, hoagies, grinders, wings and some Italian dinner entrees, Goodman said.

“The void of pizza, cheesesteaks and salads at an affordable price to that area was the deciding factor (in opening),” he said. “We are also catering to the late night crowd on Friday and Saturday to satisfy the live music and late night enthusiasts.”

Another positive is the restaurant’s proximity to major employment centers in Harrisburg, such as the state Capitol Complex and the federal courthouse, Goodman added.

The building is located at the corner of N. 3rd and Herr streets, which last housed Sushi Yatta, a short-lived business that closed in 2022. Before that, a convenience store and various shops occupied the first-floor retail space.

Slice of Midtown will build on Cabrera’s recipes, with all breads, rolls, pizza dough, sauces and dressings made from scratch, according to the owners.

The eatery will be takeout-only, as the snug space doesn’t permit seating, Goodman said. There also will be delivery and pick-up options via an app.

Home Sales, Prices Higher

Harrisburg-area home sales and prices both moved higher in April, according to the latest report on previously owned houses.

In the three-county region, 496 homes sold in April, compared to 448 in April 2023, as the median sales price rose to $255,000 from $245,000 over the period, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

In Dauphin County, 227 houses sold, a drop of six from the year-ago period, though the median price increased to $230,000 from $213,900, GHAR stated.

Cumberland County had 227 home sales versus 193 a year ago, while the median price rose slightly to $287,600 from $285,000, GHAR said.

In Perry County, 35 houses changed hands compared to 19 in April 2023, as the median sales price inched up to $220,000 from $219,000, according to GHAR.

The pace of sales picked up in April, as “average days on market” dropped to 26 days versus 34 days the prior April, GHAR said.

So Noted

Angie Singer Keating has been appointed board president of Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern PA. According to the State College-based organization, Keating has over two decades of experience in information systems, project management and engineering.

Goodwill Keystone Area, Reworld and the PA Department of Environmental Protection last month announced a new, free e-waste recycling program at the Goodwill Keystone Area Store and Donation Center, 1200 Market St., Lemoyne. This initiative is set to increase electronic waste recycling capacities across 22 counties in central and southeastern Pennsylvania, ensuring no-cost disposal options for residents.

Knead Pizza is reopening, nearly two years after shuttering amidst a controversy over an employee unionization effort. The small pizza shop, located at N. 3rd and Boas streets in Harrisburg, plans to open only on Thursdays and Fridays, operated only by Knead’s owners.

Ryan McCrory last month was named the new executive director of the Dauphin County Library System. McCrory holds an MLIS degree from Clarion University and has over 25 years of library experience, according to DCLS. He replaces Karen Cullings, who retired last year.

The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC) last month received the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid, a nonprofit dedicated to improving philanthropy transparency and effectiveness. The award helps assure donors and community members that their contributions are managed with integrity and are used to drive substantial, measurable impact in our region, according to TFEC.

Tri County Housing recently received the Pyramid Award for “Best Affordable Housing—Multi-Family Project” from the Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Harrisburg. The Harrisburg-based housing nonprofit received the award for its Hummel Street revitalization project, which includes 10 new affordable townhouses over the past two years.

Changing Hands

Balm St., 144: D&L Development Group Inc. to E. Sanchez, $149,900

Bellevue Rd., 1920: KMZ LLC to JG Family Trust, $100,000

Bellevue Rd., 1942: KMZ LLC to G. Valera, $89,900

Benton St., 627: D. Myers to D. Darden & C. Sepulveda, $195,000

Benton St., 704: First Choice Home Buyers LLC to V. Okuneye, $125,000

Briggs St., 1824: S. Zunun to I. Yushawu, $145,000

Burchfield St., 315 & 317: Greenbrook Enterprises LLC to Zook Rentals LLC, $240,000

Chestnut St., 1607: H. Hoffman & D. Yorty to Meridian Realty Holdings LLC, $110,000

Crescent St., 455: Val de Vie Estate Investments LLC to C. Scott, $112,000

Croyden Rd., 2927: L. Harris to J. Bosley & M. Wesolowski, $142,000

Cumberland St., 214: C. Anderson to Z. Hoopes, $210,000

Derry St., 1333: Paramount Sol LLC to S. Flores, $1,470,000 ?????

Derry St., 2711: R. Tonkin to Vertical Capital LLC, $110,000

Division St., 609: M. Della Porta to 6th Street Liquor LLC, $2,700,000

Emerald St., 219: M. Goldthwait & L. Witmer to B. Pardoe, $230,000

Emerald St., 226: HBG Rents LLC to L. Miller, $265,000

Evergreen St., 121: 101 S. 17th Street LLC to Bloom Estate Investment LLC, $275,000

Forster St., 2025: Laurel Associates LLC to MAT Holdings LLC, $80,500

Fulton St., 1704: E. Hummel & B. Higgins to L. Young, $224,500

Fulton St., 1723: S. DeLong to J. Polanco, $210,000

Green St., 1318: G. & E. Gibeau to O. Pierce, $142,000

Harris St., 220: R. Perez to LA Squared Rental LLC, $274,900

Harris St., 443: Green Book Enterprises LLC to Keystone Properties Solutions LLC, $206,000

Herr St., 1727: M&N Prestige LLC to C. Burgos & R. Gutierrez, $101,000

Hoerner St., 129: C. Early to C. Smith, $102,000

Howard St., 1321: M. Nichole to Mau Properties LLC, $50,000

Kensington St., 2237: C. Tran & H. Lan to K. Dieu, $95,000

Kensington St., 2239: R. Cash to C. Koehn, $130,000

Lexington St., 2614: S. Washington to G&W Rentals LLC, $62,500

Liberty St., 1404: R. & D. Requa to Balaci Properties LLC, $95,000

Logan St., 1627: Toolbox of Life Inc. to Culcay Remodeling Guagua Remodeling LLC, $62,000

Mercer St., 2423: E. Green to S. German, $146,000

Mercer St., 2428: W. Fisher to K. Guerrero, $132,000

Mercer St., 2465: M. Mast to S. Esayas, $78,000

North St., 1912½: E. Hevner to Berger 1912 LLC, $92,000

N. 2nd St., 2321: R. & P. Higdon to Central PA Investment Group LLC, $54,500

N. 2nd St., 3105: J. Long & A. Carr to E. Knerr, $215,000

N. 3rd St., 1906: C. Chapman to C. Spoonhour, $170,000

N. 3rd St., 2336: L&C Holdings LLC to Sri Balaji LLC, $675,000

N. 4th St., 2319: Berrospi Properties LLC to Prime Realty Solutions 4U LLC, $115,000

N. 5th St., 1600: C. Henson to First Choice Home Buyers LLC, $58,500

N. 5th St., 3014 & 3016: L. Busko to A. Jackson & A. Nornhold, $202,000

N. 6th St., 2101; 2120, 2124, 2128, 2130 Jefferson St.; 606, 608, 610, 612 & 620 Maclay St.; 2119 Elizabeth Alley: Mighty Group Holdings LLC to Pennsylvania Social Equity Land Trust Inc., $14,500,000

N. 6th St., 2667: SPG Capital LLC to NFN LLC, $175,000

N. 12th St., 60: A. Bouhach to T. Kea, $110,000

N. 14th St., 63: P. Sisemore to E&R Realty Legacy LLC, $144,000

N. 16th St., 912: C. Van Den Hazenkamp to J. Lopez, $180,000

N. 17th St., 803: Rosaruth Properties LLC to R. Pollard, $185,000

N. 18th St., 902: Old Cellar Creek Ventures LLC to D. Ward, $75,000

N. 18th St., 917: R. & D. Requa to MAT Holdings LLC, $80,000

N. Front St., 1121: R. & A. Kinch to Cummings Real Estate LP, $475,000

N. Front St., 1335 & 1309 Bartine St.: PA Chiropractic Association to LE Trust, $350,000

Park St., 1929: First Choice Home Buyers LLC to Mau Properties LLC, $80,000

Paxton St., 1801: MMLM Realty LLC to Nilkanth Real Estate LLC, $170,000

Penn St., 1405: C. Halpert to Gallick Redevelopment Group LLC, $62,000

Penn St., 1922: A. Hibbard to A. Geise 2005 Trust, $285,000

Penn St., 2329: R. Memmi to Twelfth Roof LLC, $109,000

Pennwood Rd., 3125: J. Ritchey to New Ventures Investments LLC, $145,000

Reel St., 2456: D&F Realty Holdings LP to A. Abubakari, $155,000

Reel St., 2713: M. Rodriquez to Y. Luna, $140,000

Regina St., 1845: M. Lehman to Mau Properties LLC, $80,000

Reily St., 213: E. Brantner to L. Bennett & M. Reutinger, $192,000

Reily St., 215: Big Leaf Properties LLC to Calders Street Development LLC, $265,000

Rudy Rd., 2155: C. Lopus to J. Keating, $210,000

Rumson Dr., 2856: S. Aiken to K. Deininger, $135,000

S. 15th St., 11: J. Shaulis to S. Cyprys, $135,000

S. 15th St., 25: 1822 Park LLC to Anneliese Enterprise LLC, $85,000

S. 17th St., 427: B. Debeljak to D. Villanona, $145,500

S. 18th St., 1235: Glanzair Properties LLC to R. & E. Nartey, $220,000

S. 29th St., 726: T. Schiffhauer to M. Madrid, $127,800

S. Front St., 547: B. Ward to 2nd Level Management LLC, $90,000

Spencer St., 1837: E. Ayala, L. Hernandez & N. Vogt to J. & C. Peterson, $85,000

State St., 1340: R. & D. Requa to Kermon Home Solutions LLC, $100,000

State St., 1404: M. Henson to C. & M. White, $110,000

Swatara St., 1519: Tri County HDC Ltd. to Y. Feliz, $99,900

Swatara St., 2123: L. Brown to R. Washington, $110,000

Verbeke St., 212: L. Fee to A&W Homes LLC, $147,000

Verbeke St., 232: M. Meyer to A. O’Brien, $229,000

Walnut St., 1420: D. Pittman to 1420 Walnut LLC, $157,500

Whitehall St., 1851: Best By LLC to YT Harrisburg LLC, $265,000

Woodbine St., 526: S. Ratliff & J. Grier to C. Asong & R. Folefac, $69,000

Yale St., 217: J. & G. Proctor to Q. Demiri, $50,000

Zarker St., 1910: Z. Wiest & PA Deals LLC to Crummel Insurance Agency LLC, $124,900

Harrisburg property sales, April 2024, greater than $50,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

May 10, 2024 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Stallions in Harrisburg will become “Karma” under new ownership.

We wish our readers a wonderful Mother’s Day this weekend and hope the rain doesn’t hinder your celebrations! Before you head out to find a last-minute gift for mom, read up on this week’s news, below.

Bob’s Art Blog highlights local exhibits in Carlisle and Harrisburg that showcase activism through art.

The Broad Street Market announced a date for the soft opening of its temporary structure, our online story reported. The tent will open to the public, after months of construction delay, on May 23.

Dan Hartman, Harrisburg business administrator, shared that he would leave his post in June, our online story reported. Hartman is in charge of overseeing day-to-day operations in the city.

Home sales and prices in the Harrisburg area both moved higher last month, our online story reported. Click here to find data for Dauphin, Cumberland and Perry counties.

Honeypump, a rock cover band, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this month. In our magazine story, read about the popular local band and what has set it apart over the years.

The International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) Harrisburg Peace Promenade dedicated the trees in honor of community activists, artists and religious leaders, our online story reported. The trees were planted in Exemplar’s Grove, a portion of Riverfront Park, which includes historical monuments, commemorative benches and trees.

Midtown Cinema this month is showing the film, “The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed.” Click here to read our reviewer’s take on the “quietly hilarious film.”

Slice of Midtown, a new pizza shop, will open in Harrisburg this summer, our online story reported. Judd Goodman of Federal Taphouse and Ozzie Cabrera of Niko’s Pizza and Tonino’s Pizza plan to open the shop at 1100 N. 3rd St.

Stallions club in downtown Harrisburg is slated to become “Karma,” as new owners plan updates for the space, our reporting found. Harrisburg resident Nelson Mena and partner George Fernandez will operate the club, which they plan to retain as a hub for LGBTQ nightlife.

Open Stage’s “What the Constitution Means to Me” evaluates and examines constitutional rights. Find out what to expect from the show, which runs from May 11 to June 1, here.

Sara Bozich has found all of the best events happening this weekend and packaged them up for you in her Weekend Roundup. Take a look at what’s to come, here.

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Dan Hartman, Harrisburg’s business administrator, to leave his position in June

May 8, 2024 | by Maddie Gittens

City Business Administrator Dan Hartman (file photo).

A top Harrisburg official plans to leave his post next month.

City Business Administrator Dan Hartman told TheBurg that he has informed city leaders of his intention to leave the position.

In Harrisburg, the business administrator role is a top position, responsible, along with the mayor, for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the city. His last day will be on June 7.

According to Hartman, he is leaving the city to go back to working for the state government from which he received a “fantastic offer.”

The city has already begun looking for a new business administrator, and Williams is currently fielding calls from candidates interested in the position, said Matt Maisel, communications director for the city. Hartman is aiding in the selection process as well.

“Dan is making sure whoever fills his large shoes is someone who is capable,” Maisel said.

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Harrisburg passes 2024 budget with no tax hike; city finances affected by rising costs and pandemic impact

December 21, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg City Council at a past session.

Harrisburg has solidified a spending plan for the new year, one that anticipates impacts from inflation and the lingering effects of the pandemic.

On Thursday, City Council approved a $109.4 million general fund budget for 2024, which includes investments in infrastructure and public safety.

The budget does not include a property tax increase.

In total, the balanced budget equals $150.7 million, including the general fund budget and the $21.1 million neighborhood services fund budget, among others.

The budget, first proposed by Mayor Wanda Williams in November, specifically prioritizes projects such as street paving, upgrades to city parks and the hiring of several new police officers. The plan also factors in the spending of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money on projects like renovating the Hall Manor pool and funding affordable housing development, one-time funds that boosted this year’s budget number.

Council passed the budget after making a few minor amendments, mostly reducing raises for city employees that they felt were not deserved or adequately explained by the administration. The budget was slated to be approved on Tuesday, but was recessed for further discussion and approval on Thursday. Council voted 5-1 to approve the budget, with council member Shamaine Daniels voting against it. Council member Jocelyn Rawls was not present.

Additionally, in 2024 the city will raise residents’ monthly trash bills by $3.23, making the cost $35.57 per month.

According to city Business Administrator Dan Hartman, the fee hike is needed to offset inflation and continuously increasing expenses such as tipping fees, wage increases, vehicle costs and fuel prices.

Hartman defended the city’s decision to raise rates on Monday after Treasurer Dan Miller held a press conference that morning to state his opposition to the plan. Ultimately, council approved the measure.

“This is something that, while no one wants to have to do it, I think it is responsible to ensure that our neighborhood services fund can continue to operate from a strong position moving forward,” council member Westburn Majors said.

And while Harrisburg’s budget is impacted by rising costs, it is also affected by areas of decreased revenue, so that the city will have to “tighten its belt” in the 2024 budget, Hartman explained during a separate interview with TheBurg.

Several of the city’s sources of income have struggled to recover post-COVID, including revenue from parking, property taxes and business privilege taxes, affecting its 2024 general fund budget.

“You’re dealing with, what does the new economy look like, and how does the city balance what is the old way of taxing through what is kind of our new economy?” Hartman said.

During the pandemic, Harrisburg saw big decreases in cash flow from parking and taxes from businesses as foot traffic slowed and some shops even closed down. In the wake of COVID, the city is still experiencing losses, as people continue to telework, bringing fewer people into Harrisburg to park, shop and dine.

Harrisburg receives revenue from parking from two buckets, both of which have come up drier than usual.

In 2013, Harrisburg signed a long-term lease of its parking assets. Under the lease, the city gets money from taxes on parking. Before the pandemic, in 2019, Harrisburg brought in about $4.2 million from that bucket of funds. In 2020, that number dropped to about $3.4 million and now, as part of its 2024 budget, city officials project about $3.7 million in revenue, a figure that still hasn’t recovered to pre-pandemic levels.

Additionally, the city historically has received a few million dollars a year in “waterfall payments” from parking–a small share of the parking system’s overall revenue–but those payments dropped off during COVID. The city currently receives nothing from that stream of revenue, Hartman said.

Hartman attributes the loss in parking revenue to the effects of the pandemic, specifically as fewer people have swapped in-office work for telework.

Additionally, property tax assessment appeals have become the city’s latest financial headache, as office building owners, also impacted by COVID and work-from-home, attempt to lower their properties’ market values, thus lessening the tax revenue received by the city, county and school district.

“All of this loops around and has a direct effect on our bottom line,” Hartman explained.

The city projects a loss of several hundred thousand dollars in taxes from these properties due to reassessments.

“You can walk outside our building, look in any direction, and you’ll be seeing someone [who has appealed their assessment],” Hartman said.

Even considering the revenue losses, the 2024 budget is balanced.

One area of increased revenue for the city is earned income taxes (EIT), which, over the past several years, has jumped. Due to factors like wage increases, inflation and people getting additional jobs, the EIT the city receives has gone from around $10 million five years ago to around $17 million this past year. The 2024 budget anticipates another $1 million increase.

“That growth has exploded,” Hartman said. “That wage growth has done so much to offset drops elsewhere. But keep in mind, our costs go up every year.”

However, the city will need to figure out how to handle the long-term effects of telework.

Hartman said that Harrisburg has goals to draw businesses into the city and create more housing to boost the city’s tax base.

“That’s how you build your fix, is taking underutilized, underdeveloped areas and redeveloping them,” he said.

In other news, council approved the appointment of Rafiyqa Muhammad, Katherine Scott and Pamela Parson to the Environmental Advisory Council.

Council also appointed Quinton Davis, Adrian Selkowitz, Gia Johnson and Lakichia Carrier to the Citizen’s Law Enforcement Advisory Committee. The new committee was created by council in 2020, but its nine seats were never filled.

Thursday marked council’s final meeting of the year. Council meetings will resume in January.

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Harrisburg treasurer, city administration clash over proposed trash bill hike

December 18, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

Treasurer Dan Miller at a press conference on Monday in city hall

A Harrisburg official is speaking out against a proposed trash bill hike, while the city is defending its plan.

On Monday morning, Treasurer Dan Miller held a press conference to voice his opposition to the city administration’s proposal to raise trash rates as part of its next municipal budget.

In late November, Mayor Wanda Williams proposed her 2024 spending plan, which includes a $3.23 monthly increase in residents’ trash bills. If approved by city council, the rate for trash and recycling collection would go from $32.34 to $35.57 per month.

However, Miller, the elected treasurer, said that he believes that there is a different way to increase revenue collected from the city’s trash bills, without raising rates.

According to Miller, Harrisburg is not receiving millions of dollars due to delinquent trash bills. Under his proposal, the city would more aggressively seek payment from those who already owe money, not raise sanitation rates generally.

“This is completely unnecessary,” he said of the proposed rate hike. “We have over $12 million of uncollected trash receivables outstanding. I think we have a solution to that, and I think it would be much better for us to collect the outstanding ones than to increase the trash [rates].”

Miller attributes the delinquency to Harrisburg not having a mechanism to enforce payment. In 2014, a new entity, Capital Region Water, assumed control of the city’s water and sewer system as part of the city’s financial recovery plan. With that, Harrisburg no longer had the power to shut off water to delinquent properties, he said.

Currently, around $8 million of the $12.2 million in uncollected trash bills comes from 5,966 residential accounts, out of a total of 14,420. Around $4.1 million comes from commercial accounts, according to information provided by the city.

Miller, who has brought his proposal to council previously, wants to add the trash fee to the annual property tax bill, which would make it an annual, lump-sum payment and, he argues, would lead to greater compliance. He also suggested that Harrisburg enforce the city code regarding its rental permit program, which states that residential rental applications should not be approved until all overdue fees are paid to the city.

However, according to Harrisburg Business Administrator Dan Hartman, the proposed rate increase isn’t just about recouping money, but also about creating a longer-term solution to offset the continuously rising costs associated with trash collection.

“As costs go up, you’re never going to be able to use all of that debt in the long run to cover what is a growing structural deficit,” Hartman said.

In 2023, tipping fees, which the city pays to Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority (LCSWMA) to dispose of its trash, went up by 7.74% and, for 2024, they will increase by 3.24%, Hartman said. Additionally, expenses like vehicle costs, wage increases and fuel prices have gone up.

The last time Harrisburg raised its trash bill was in 2006.

“Nobody ever wants to sit here and ever have to raise rates,” Hartman said. “But keep in mind, it’s a utility—dollars-in, dollars-out business. It’s not something we want to do, but it’s something, on the business side of things, you just have to do.”

With the rate hike, the city calculated that it would get an additional $559,000 in the coming year, if all residential accounts pay, according to Matt Maisel, city communications director. However, the city’s budget office estimates that revenue will be closer to $466,231, assuming a conservative collection rate of 83%. The current trash collection rate is 90%.

Other ways of raising revenue may be proposed in the coming months, as the city renegotiates intergovernmental cooperation agreements with Steelton, Penbrook and Paxtang to provide trash collection. They may also consider raising commercial trash rates, he said.

To Miller’s suggestion about enforcing the city’s law around residential rental applications, Hartman said that the city would not be in favor of that, explaining that it may cause rental properties to close down, displacing tenants, or begin to operate illegally.

And while Miller argued that the city currently isn’t enforcing payment of the trash fee, Hartman said that Harrisburg actually has been going after delinquent properties recently.

In October, the city’s Law Bureau reached a full complement of staff, adding a lien attorney and lien specialist, who have started by working with those who owe over $10,000 in delinquent bills. So far, they have secured $940,835, according to the city, and are projected to hit $1.2 million by the of the year.

“Money is flowing in from these delinquent trash bills,” Hartman said. “It’s a work in progress.”

Hartman added that the city has been open to conversations around changing the trash billing structure, but that the decision is ultimately up to council.

“You need council, and getting them to say ‘yes’ is where, arguably, Treasurer Miller needs to go,” Hartman said. “That’s where the energy should be focused.”

At its Dec. 13 meeting, council discussed the proposed rate increase.

“The actual rate for collection hasn’t increased since 2006, while our tipping fees continue to increase,” council member Westburn Majors said. “I mean, $3 and change a month for something that hasn’t increased in 17 years, as long as it’s covering our expenses, I think we have enough justification to show for the work that is being done by our public works folks.”

Council is slated to vote on the trash bill hike and the 2024 general fund budget at its Dec. 19 legislative session.

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