Tag Archives: Harrisburg City Council

Burg View: Frogger on Forster

December 12, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

Forster Street in Harrisburg (file photo)

On Thursday morning, I nearly bought the farm. Met my maker. Cashed in my chips.

And it happened in a cruelly fitting way for a guy who espouses pedestrian rights and has repeatedly slammed PennDOT for doing nothing to improve its insanely dangerous streets in Harrisburg. I nearly croaked crossing Forster Street.

I live on one side of Forster—the six-lane state highway masquerading as a neighborhood road—and work on the other. So, every day, I Frogger across the street, hoping it won’t be my last day on this blue earth. On Thursday, it nearly was.

I was in the crosswalk, crossing with the green light. A motorist, coming the opposite way on Green Street, drove legally through the light but then made a quick left onto Forster, turning directly into me as I crossed the street.

As the driver turned, I expected she would yield, or at least go around me, but she actually sped up into the turn. I dove forward onto the pavement and missed getting hit by the front of her car by a mere fraction. She slammed on her brakes.

As I lay there in the middle of the road, she rolled down her window and asked me if I was OK.

“I’m so sorry,” she said. “I didn’t see you.”

Evidently, she was looking the other way, towards the traffic flying off the bridge and screaming up Forster Street. She didn’t bother to see if any pedestrians were crossing in front of her before making the left-hand turn.

Well, at least she apologized.

“Yeah, I know you didn’t see me,” I said back.

I told her I was all right. I just had a few scrapes on the hand I used to break my fall. My right wrist was slightly sprained, and my shoulder ached a bit.

I then decided to use this scary experience to editorialize on the subject, to try to make a good from something bad.

First, in Pennsylvania, by law, pedestrians always have the right of way.

Sure, I know that sometimes pedestrians act recklessly—I’ve seen it. But, in the battle between a 4,000-pound hunk of speeding steel and a 150-pound pile of flesh, metal will beat flesh every time. In a city, drivers must always assume that pedestrians are behind every parked car, around every corner and crossing every street, because often they are.

Secondly, well, PennDOT, it’s been a long time since I criticized your ludicrously dangerous roads in Harrisburg. I even held my pen last month when, sitting in a City Council meeting, I learned that you had rejected the city’s plan to improve safety on State Street in Allison Hill (aka, the most dangerous stretch of road in the country).

Smoke was coming out of my ears as city officials told council members that PennDOT was, once again, putting commuter speed over pedestrian safety. I restrained myself because, hell, my six or seven previous screams into the great abyss of the Keystone Building have gone nowhere.

But, as they say in the movies—now, it’s personal.

As I’ve said many times before, it’s way past time for PennDOT to use the many tools at its disposal to slow down traffic, improve safety at its intersections, skinny up its roads, enforce its traffic laws and understand that Harrisburg is a crowded city, not some weirdly engineered lane off of I-83, inconveniently occupied by human beings.

Waiting at Front or Forster streets, I’ve gotten into the habit of halting a few extra seconds before crossing because, inevitably, a car will race through an intersection or speed through a red light. Often, I’ll mumble under my breath, “Well, I’m glad someone (me) was paying attention.”

Yes, drivers need to better heed that bag of bones crossing the street. But PennDOT has an ethical and fiduciary duty to ensure that its roads are as safe as possible. Its poor road design, non-existent enforcement, excessive speed limits and lack of traffic-calming measures actually encourage reckless driving in this city.

In Harrisburg–on Front, Forster and State streets–the state is profoundly failing in its fundamental responsibility to keep its people safe. They know about these safety problems, yet sit on their hands. Sometimes I wonder: Do they even care? Do they understand that human safety is more important than traffic speed?

Lawrance Binda is editor-in-chief of TheBurg.

The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

December 6, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Conley

The future location of LettUsKnow

The Christmas season began in earnest this past week, and even our coverage had holiday spirit to it. But there was also city government news, as well as music and business stories. In case you missed anything, we’ve wrapped it all up with a bow in our weekly news digest

Allison Hill has a new police substation, which is set to open soon. What will that mean for the police and the community? A story from our December issue addresses these questions.

AutoZone made a plea to City Council to have its land development planned approved for a proposed Uptown retail store. Council members expressed some concerns about safety during the lengthy presentation. We were there to cover what happened.

Christmas music may be synonymous with December, but the month holds many other delights for the ears, says our music columnist. Check out what’s hot this month in and around Harrisburg.

Churches, schools and many other institutional properties in Harrisburg are seeking new owners and uses. Why are there so many on the market and what can be done to adapt them to a rapidly changing city? Our feature story addresses these important issues.

HACC’s president wants residents to know that the school plans to remain in Midtown Harrisburg, despite the return of some classes to the main campus. In particular, HACC’s Midtown 1 building remains a beehive of activity, with no plans to move the workforce training programs. Read Ski’s “community comment” here.

Harrisburg City Council is delaying a decision on a proposed medical marijuana facility until it can clear up some additional issues. Council needs to approve the building plan before work can start on the Allison Hill store. Click here for the details.

Harrisburg University announced that two popular bands soon will come to the city for show dates. As part of the HU music series, MisterWives will play XL Live in February followed by Young the Giant, which will rock the Forum in early April.

Salads, sandwiches and soups will be on the menu at LettUsKnow, a new carryout that will open next month in downtown Harrisburg. It will be the second location for the York-based eatery, which specializes in healthier options. Click here for the details.

Sara Bozich has no end of holiday options for this December weekend. But there are plenty of other things to occupy your time, as indicated by her lengthy list of events around Harrisburg.

TheBurg’s editor was surprised by the higher-than-expected turnout during last month’s general election. In his monthly column, he breaks down why that may have happened and what it may portend for the 2020 race.

Do you receive TheBurg Daily, our daily digest of news and events emailed right to your inbox? If not, subscribe here!

Harrisburg, AutoZone continue long disagreement over proposed retail store

December 3, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg City Council on Tuesday evening.

Harrisburg city and a national auto parts chain continued a long deadlock on Tuesday night over a plan to build a retail store on an empty patch of land in Uptown Harrisburg.

Attorney David Tshudy asked City Council to drop several conditions imposed by the city on AutoZone’s development plan for a lot at N. 7^th and Maclay streets, property currently owned by the Vartan Group.

Tshudy said that Memphis-based AutoZone disagreed with Planning Commission conditions to change the project design that would reorient the 6,816-square-foot building to bring it closer to Maclay Street.

“The building is within the building envelope as required,” he said. “It is perfectly legal and should be allowed to remain there.”

A second condition, which would remove a proposed access point off of busy N. 7^th Street, dominated much of the discussion.

Tshudy repeated what he told Planning Commission members previously. He said that AutoZone and the city met in April to iron out differences and that he left that meeting thinking that the city had agreed to a 7^th Street driveway, but only for right-in, right-out access.

By a 3-1 vote, the commission approved the land development plan in July, but without permitting the 7^th Street access.

On Tuesday, several council members asserted that entry and exit from 7^th Street would create safety issues.

“We’ve had several major accidents there,” said council President Wanda Williams.

Williams added that, with more development planned for the area, safety concerns would only grow over time.

“You have continuous construction in that area,” she said. “You have a new commonwealth building on 7^th St. It’s going to be very congested. I wish you would reconsider coming in from the 7^th Street corridor.”

Council member Shamaine Daniels took issue with what she perceived to be AutoZone’s reluctance to change their plan to meet community concerns.

“You guys didn’t even consider some of these alternatives because you didn’t have to,” she said. “You’re moving into a residential area.”

Several council members said that they welcomed economic development projects like the AutoZone store, but that they also had to take into account community concerns.

“I’d like to see the development of an AutoZone there, but I also would like it to be safe,” Williams said.

Council member Dave Madsen said that the discussion would continue at council’s next legislative session on Dec. 17, followed by a possible vote on the land use plan. AutoZone needs an affirmative council vote before it can break ground on the project, which was first proposed about 16 months ago.

Harrisburg council to delay action on proposed Allison Hill dispensary

December 3, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

An artist’s rendering of the current vacant lot (left) and the proposed dispensary (right).

Harrisburg City Council took a second look on Tuesday night at a proposed medical marijuana dispensary for Allison Hill, opting to delay approval of the building plan.

This was the second council workshop examining the proposed facility for 137 S. 17^th St. At the first meeting in late October, council members urged dispensary officials to engage the community before moving forward.

Peter Bio, CEO of Local Dispensaries LLC, described the subsequent Nov. 13 community meeting at Hamilton Health Center as productive and informative.

“The main feedback was that we would have liked to have heard about it earlier,” Bio said. “There were a lot of questions over how we would impact the community. I didn’t hear anything that couldn’t be overcome.”

Bio estimated that 30 to 40 people attended the November meeting, asking questions ranging widely from employment to security to crime.

A related company, WH RE LLC, wants to build a 3,000-square-foot retail dispensary directly across the street from Hamilton Health on what now is an empty lot.

About a year ago, the state Department of Health awarded a dispensary license to Local Dispensaries. City Council has no authority over licensing but must approve the land use plan for the proposed building.

WH RE LLC hopes to break ground on the facility in spring and estimates a four-month-long construction process, opening next autumn.

During the council meeting, Bio admitted that his company’s outreach efforts had been lackluster and that they should have held community meetings earlier, before the urging of council members.

“We didn’t think about going immediately into the community at that time,” he said. “The meeting where you suggested that was extremely helpful.”

Bio vowed that his company would continue to reach out to residents, perhaps through fliers or pamphlets, and that he would seek first to hire employees from the immediate Allison Hill neighborhood.

“There were a lot of questions about jobs—would you bring jobs or just bring someone in from the outside,” Bio said. “I said, ‘You’ll just have to trust us. We did it before and will do it again.’”

He also said that his company might make changes to the building design or the grounds based on community feedback.

Council instructed Bio to continue his outreach efforts but did not set a date for a final vote on the land development plan. Councilman Dave Madsen said that he planned to keep the resolution in his community and economic development committee for the time being pending clarification over the proposed dispensary’s compliance with state Department of Health regulations.

“You can see the passion in the community,” Madsen said. “They want to know what’s going on.”

November News Digest

November 29, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Conley

School Budget Revised

The Harrisburg school district issued a substantial budget revision last month, stating that the previous administration mismanaged the district’s finances and drastically overstated revenue.

According to Acting Superintendent John George, the district’s 2019-20 budget has been revised downward to $152.1 million, nearly $6.7 million less than the approved budget, which was finalized in June.

The new budget yields a $2.6 million shortfall for the year.

“The amount of errors and mismanagement we have uncovered is egregious and truly unfair to the students, staff and taxpayers of this school district,” George said, in a statement.

Much of the shortfall—$5.1 million—is due to the prior administration overestimating state revenue that would be received, according to the district.

Soon after receivership began in June, the district’s new administrative team began to piece together the district’s finances. At the time George, appointed to his post by Receiver Janet Samuels, told TheBurg that the district’s finances were fragmented and in disarray.

The findings are the result of four months of “painstakingly pouring through Harrisburg’s financial records and systems,” according to the district.

Other results include a $1.9 million underestimation of tuition payments to charter schools and payments to “ineligible employees.”

The district also lost $2.8 million over the past two years in federal School Improvement Grant funding at John Harris High School, a program designed to help failing students get back on track. The district didn’t properly administer the program and didn’t provide documentation to the government of how funds were spent, according to a school district statement.

George stated that the district is implementing “a number of financial strategies” to save money for the remainder of the school year. These include:

refinancing debt with lower-interest loans
reviewing medical benefits contracts
recommitting to the sale of dormant assets, such as William Penn High School and Woodward Elementary
pursuing new grants and other non-traditional revenue sources
lowering charter school costs

“Truly, every financial aspect of this school district will continue to be analyzed,” George said.

He said that the district already has begun to put in place procedures and training to improve business practices, approval processes and other financial checks.

The district has also established a fraud reporting hotline. Tipsters should call 717-703-4135 or email [email protected].

Election Yields Few Surprises

Harrisburg voters completed the replacement of the school board last month and returned three incumbents to City Council in a general election that held few surprises for city voters.

With no Republicans running, the Democratic nominees claimed all five school board seats with only nominal opposition. Douglas Thompson Leader, Gerald Welch, James Thompson, Jayne Buchwach and Steve Williams all will serve four-year terms on the board.

This month, the five victors will be sworn in as new school board directors. However, their ability to make policy will be limited due to the appointment in June of Dr. Janet Samuels as the district’s receiver.

Under the receivership, the elected school board has been stripped of power except for the ability to levy taxes. Since her appointment, Samuels has run the district largely by decree.

For City Council, Democratic incumbents Westburn Majors, Dave Madsen and Danielle Bowers all will return for four-year terms after facing no Republican opposition in the general election. Majors and Madsen were re-elected, while Bowers won her first competitive seat after appointment last year to fill an opening on council. Incumbent Treasurer Dan Miller, running unopposed, was re-elected to his position.

Races in Dauphin County were more competitive.

Voters returned all three incumbent commissioners to office, but the race was close for much of the evening. In the end, Republicans Jeff Haste (28,080 votes) and Mike Pries (26,560 votes) and Democrat George Hartwick (25,928 votes) each were re-elected to four-year terms. Democratic challenger Diane Bowman came in fourth place with 22,026 votes.

As usual, Republican incumbents won all the row offices in Dauphin County, but several races proved to be competitive.

For clerk of courts, incumbent Dale Klein defeated challenger Brad Koplinski by a tally of 27,147 to 24,326.

For register of wills, Jean Marfizo King topped Democratic challenger Bridget Whitley by a margin of 27,725 to 23,733.

In the recorder of deeds race, Republican incumbent Jim Zugay won another term, defeating Democrat Cole Goodman by a vote of 27,869 to 23,506.

For county treasurer, incumbent Janis Creason prevailed over Democratic challenger Tim Butler by a 27,947 to 23,392 margin.

Several Republican incumbents ran unopposed and will return to office. These include District Attorney Fran Chardo, Sheriff Nick Chimienti and Controller Timothy DeFoor.

City Considers Zoning Changes

Harrisburg is revisiting an ordinance that would allow greater housing density in residentially zoned areas, the latest move by the administration to spur development in the city.

Last month, Harrisburg City Council introduced an ordinance that would remove density restrictions for the city’s two main residential zones—dubbed “residential low-density” and “residential medium-density.” These two zones cover most of the city’s residential neighborhoods.

According to Mayor Eric Papenfuse, this change would make city neighborhoods more attractive to developers and offer a greater variety of housing to residents at a range of price points.

“We need more units of housing developed,” he said. “We don’t currently have a climate in which that is easy to do.”

Under existing law, the low-density residential zone allows four to eight dwelling units per acre, while the medium-density residential zone permits eight to 20 dwelling units per acre. This ordinance would remove those density restrictions.

The proposal also would repeal the current requirement in another zoning district, the “commercial neighborhood” zone, which mandates a minimum of 1,200 square feet per dwelling unit.

The city’s Planning Commission, by a 5-1 vote, recommended against this proposal, citing possible adverse consequences by removing density restrictions, as well as concerns over parking.

This is actually the second time that the administration has proposed the zoning change. Last year, council also introduced the ordinance, but ended up not voting on it.

Business Parking Program Proposed

Which comes first: the parking chicken or the parking egg?

Harrisburg City Council and the administration recently debated this question as they discussed whether to establish a business parking permit program in the city.

The idea would be similar to the current program for residential parking permits, said Richard Kotz, the city’s parking administrator. For a fee, city businesses could purchase annual permits for street parking in designated zones, which would be outside of residential parking zones and outside of any metered area controlled by Park Harrisburg/SP+.

The proposal is meant to be an economic development driver for the city, Kotz said. It might also reduce the need for surface parking lots for businesses, while raising some money for the city, he said.

“These districts would provide another economic tool that would attract new businesses into the city as well as retain existing ones that may be expanding,” Kotz said.

Almost immediately, council members pushed back on the proposal. They asked for greater detail, such as how many districts the administration would propose and where it would locate them.

Mayor Eric Papenfuse said that the first step would be to establish the program, setting up its general structure. Specifics, such as where they districts would be established, would come after and would be subject to approval by council, just like residential districts currently are.

“Whatever proposals we have would come before council,” he said. “There would be a process where they would be vetted and discussed. This is merely allowing us to establish a business parking permit concept similar as what we have with the residential parking now.”

City Solicitor Neil Grover explained that Harrisburg’s residential parking zones have been established incrementally, over a series of many years.

“First, you create a program,” he said. “We’re really at a threshold question of should the city have a business parking permit program. It’s a long-term process.”

Several council members kept pressing the administration for additional detail. Council President Wanda Williams seemed skeptical that the administration didn’t have certain areas or businesses in mind.

“You must have an idea where you want to put particular districts,” she said. “I’m asking you: Where is that information?”

Council member Ben Allatt voiced concern that business districts could encroach on residential areas, creating more difficult parking for residents. He said that he’d like to see a “multi-pronged solution” that addressed both residential and business parking.

“We have multiple issues, and we’re only addressing part of that by this,” he said. “I’d like to see a comprehensive look at how we’re looking at parking also from a residential aspect.”

Papenfuse said that Kotz is “actively working with residents” to improve and change residential parking districts.

“That is going on simultaneously,” he said.

Several council members referred specifically to areas of Midtown, where parking is already difficult due to state workers parking on the street, with the possibility of even tougher parking after completion of the federal courthouse and the new state archives, both on N. 6th Street.

“It’s possible we need a new residential district,” Papenfuse said. “We could expand the existing one.”

Council member Westburn Majors said that he thought that the idea had merit and that the city should consider establishing the program on a trial basis.

“Usually, when you have an idea like this, there’s a pilot of a section or two,” he said. “In my mind, there are one or two areas of the city where an initial pilot like this would work well.”

Williams pushed back repeatedly on the proposal, insisting that she needed more information before casting a vote.

“Obviously, you were sitting around thinking about this,” she said. “Where is the map? Where is the zoning that you’re considering?”

City Plans Sale of Riverside Firehouse

Have you ever wanted to own a fire station—some reassembly required? If so, now’s your chance.

Last month, Harrisburg City Council passed a resolution that the city hopes will result in the eventual sale of the historic Riverside Firehouse, which the close-knit Uptown neighborhood has long used for community events and as a polling station.

The site at 3201-03 N. 4th St. is actually comprised of two parcels. One is owned by the city and the other by Riverside Fire Co. No. 15, one of many inactive volunteer fire companies in Harrisburg.

Technically, the resolution transferred ownership of the city’s parcel to the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority (HRA). The fire company has agreed to also transfer its ownership to HRA, according to the city.

HRA then is supposed to consolidate the lots and try to sell the property, according to the resolution.

“By doing this, we would allow the Redevelopment Authority to obtain both of these deeds and tie these parcels together so they can be sold for development in the future,” said council member Ausha Green, chair of the public safety committee, before the unanimous vote in favor.

According to Green, Fire Bureau officials supported the resolution, as the building is in need of significant repair. The bureau would like to see the building restored, even if for another, private use, Green said.

Pat Waller, for one, believes the 3,300-square-foot building, built in 1923 and largely empty for decades, would make a great private residence.

“It’s very unique,” said Waller, president of the Riverside United Neighbors community group. “I’m looking forward to when the sales sign goes up.”

As selling points, she pointed to the tin ceilings and historic charm, but added that a buyer would need to undertake a major restoration.

“I’m quite pleased with the effort so far, but the building is in bad shape,” she said. “It needs a lot of work.”

Privatization Halted, Stormwater Fee Approved

Harrisburg is dropping the idea of potentially privatizing its water system, as Capital Region Water (CRW) has agreed to delay the start of a new stormwater fee for six months.

Mayor Eric Papenfuse said that the city would cease any effort to sell the municipal water/sewer system following discussions with, and changes by, CRW to its stormwater fee to implementation schedule and evident progress in finalizing a stormwater plan.

“Privatization is off the table,” he said.

Last month, CRW passed its 2020 rate schedule, which will implement a new stormwater fee, but not until July 1. Originally, CRW had planned to begin the fee on Jan. 1.

The delay, Papenfuse said, will give some property owners “a chance to work through the appeals process” for their stormwater assessments. It also gives CRW more time to get final approval from the federal government for its plan to cut the flow of pollutants into area waterways.

Rate-wise, most of CRW’s residential customers in Harrisburg will begin paying a $6.15 per month stormwater fee beginning on July 1. That amount equates to $74 per year ($37 for 2020). The non-residential rate will fluctuate based on the amount of impervious surface on the commercial properties.

Last month, CRW also approved an increase in its wastewater rate, which will go up 4.5 percent on Jan. 1, from $7.65 in 2019 to $7.99 in 2020 for 1,000 gallons of water.

Similarly, CRW approved a rate increase for the third component of its service—drinking water. For 2020, drinking water rates will increase by 2 percent from $9.65 to $9.84 per 1,000 gallons, plus a 2 percent increase in the “ready to serve” charge.

Sinkhole Street Becomes Park

Five years ago, a sinkhole began to swallow up the 1400-block of S. 14th Street in Harrisburg. Last month, the once-residential area began a new era as a community green space.

City, state and federal officials—and some former residents—gathered at the South 14th Street Open Space, a new, 2.4-acre city park, which, until recently, was occupied by rows of small, 1950s-era houses and a street.

“I just never saw so much open space over here,” said former S. 14th Street resident Rhonda Scott, who had lived in the neighborhood for 28 years. “It’s bittersweet; everybody was over here for a long time.”

In 2014, the disaster affected 53 homes, throwing some residents out of their houses and endangering others.

Roads, sidewalks and yards were damaged as well, making it a problem the city needed to solve. At the time, Harrisburg, just out of receivership, was in no financial condition to be tackling an issue this big, Mayor Eric Papenfuse said.

However, at the urging of state and local officials, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funded much of the sinkhole mitigation project, supplying the city with $1.65 million for it. Never before had FEMA approved a sinkhole project.

“This project changed national policy,” said Steve Ward, a FEMA federal coordinating officer who attended the ceremony.

An additional $4.55 million came from HUD’s Department of Community and Economic Development and Dauphin County’s Community Development Block Grant.

Using these funds, the city was able to buy all of the 53 affected units for their assessed market values. Residents were assisted in finding and purchasing new housing elsewhere. After a tedious, multi-year process, the buildings were demolished last April.

The site was excavated 10 feet deep, backfilled and re-graded to help prevent future sinkholes caused by excessive rainfall, as copious rain from Tropical Storm Lee in 2011, passing through the porous ground in the area, likely caused the initial sinkhole outbreak. The area was zoned as a green space, meaning no future construction can occur there.

“This site will allow folks to reflect on local memories,” said Tom Hughes, state hazard mitigation officer for the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA).

The new park includes a walking path, benches and newly planted trees. A permanent plaque will be installed to serve as a memorial to the neighborhood that once stood there.

Some neighbors do have concerns about how well the park will be taken care of.

“We know the community really appreciates it and because they appreciate it, they are going to treat it well,” said Rev. Roberta Thompson, associate pastor at Mount Olive Baptist Church nearby. “We do have some concerns about how we are going to keep it up.”

Papenfuse assured community members that the city will maintain the green space as it does other parks in the city.

Although devastating to those who lived there, the sinkhole project showed Ward the potential of city, state and national organizations uniting on a job that once seemed impossible.

“This is a perfect example of the community coming together and helping those families,” he said.

Area Home Sales Strong

Inventory dropped and prices rose in the latest monthly accounting of Harrisburg-area home sales.

The Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR) reported last month that, for October, home sales increased by 8.5 percent while the median sales price jumped by 8.1 percent for its three-county region, compared to the year-ago period.

For the area, listing inventory dropped by 10 percent, while the median cumulative days on the market also fell, according to GHAR.

In Dauphin County, sales totaled 302 units, up from 288, while the median price was $171,500, compared to $160,000 last October. Sales in Cumberland County also rose, totaling 324 units versus 290, with the median price increasing to $218,950 from $206,000, according to GHAR.

In Perry County, 37 units sold versus 33 a year ago, while the median price rose to $179,900 compared to $172,500 in October 2018.

As it has in recent months, GHAR primarily credited lower interest rates for the stronger home sales market. In October 2018, the average interest rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage was 4.86 percent. In October 2018, the average was 3.78 percent, according to the economic research company Macrotrends.

So Noted

Doug Hill last month was appointed as a member of the Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (ICA), the state-appointed body created to oversee Harrisburg’s five-year financial recovery plan. Hill replaces fellow city resident David Schankweiler, who left the ICA in September.

HACC will end its longstanding “Live at Rose Lehrman” performing arts series with the conclusion of the current season in March, it was announced last month. HACC stated that it could no longer offset the cost of the 35-year-old series, which brought many world-class acts to the college’s Harrisburg campus.

HACC Foundation, a nonprofit educational trust, last month named Robert J. Emrich Jr. to its board of directors. Emrich is president and CEO of Riskcop Advisory LLC and CEO of Gerson Lehrman Group.

Harris Family Brewing last month received a zoning variance to open a brewery at 1721 Holly St. in Harrisburg. The owners, Shaun Harris, JT Thomas and Tim White, expect to open next year, becoming one of the first black-owned craft breweries in Pennsylvania. The owners needed a variance to open the brewery in an area of Allison Hill not zoned for the industrial use. The site will produce beer only for wholesale as the owners continue a search for a retail taproom.

Jason Meckes has been named experience development director by Visit Hershey & Harrisburg. In this role, he will work to develop new products and experiences that enhance the visitor experience and attract new audiences to the area, according to the organization. Meckes previously served as the executive director of the Harrisburg Area Riverboat Society.

Lawrance Binda, co-founder, co-owner and editor-in-chief of TheBurg, has been named to the board of directors of the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association, the principal trade association for news organizations in the commonwealth. PNA seeks to advance the interests of Pennsylvania news media companies and protect the free and independent press, among other goals.

Seven Bridges Development has withdrawn its application to change the zoning for a swath of Midtown Harrisburg. The company now says it will engage in greater community outreach before submitting a more detailed development proposal next year. Seven Bridges wants to develop empty lots in the Marketplace neighborhood now owned by the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority, but has received some resistance from residents wanting more information on the company’s proposed projects.

Soul Burrito opened a standalone restaurant last month at 314 S. Progress Ave., Harrisburg, offering their unique take on the Mexican staple. Over a decade, the husband-and-wife team has built a following through several previous locations and their popular food truck. For more information, visit www.soulburrito.com.

TheBurg and Jeff Woodruff are the two recipients of the 2020 “Award for Distinguished Service to the Arts in the Capital Region.” TheBurg was recognized for its support, promotion and furtherance of the arts in central PA and Woodruff for his long service as executive director of the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra. Theatre Harrisburg has given out the “Arts Award” each year since 1989, recognizing one organization/company and one individual annually for their contributions to the arts.

Changing Hands

Apricot St., 1713, 51 Balm St., 2012 Chestnut St., 2406 N. 4th St., 2334 N. 4th St., 1813 Susquehanna St. & 1522 Vernon St.: 1713 Apricot St LLC, SMKP Properties & 2012 Chestnut St. LLC to Three Bridges Holdings LLC, $328,000

Bellevue Rd., 2304: C. Marshall to K. Hurst & C. Reinhold, $314,900

Berryhill St., 2112: B. & B. Lambeth to C. Ankeny, $57,000

Berryhill St., 2146: J. McLaughlin & C. & A. Paveglio to J. Elias Holdings, $32,500

Berryhill St., 2314: R. Dorer to A. & J. Budzinski, $34,498

Boas St., 262: J. & S. Sempeles to A. Ulinfun, $165,000

Boas St., 302: M. Cantwell to R. Lowthert, $159,900

Briggs St., 1509: E. Nugroho & J. Juniana to C. Davis, $155,000

Briggs St., 2028: J. & D. Gravely to AUM Investments LP, $33,000

Calder St., 258: J. Destalo to J. Walters, $167,000

Chestnut St., 1722: J. Alverez to Recycle Bicycle Harrisburg Inc., $65,000

Crescent St., 321: D. & R. McLean to HBK Properties 1 LLC, $42,900

Cumberland St., 258: Z. Blackwell to S. Wood, $162,000

Delaware St., 268: WCI Partners to F. Hamid, $116,000

Derry St., 2457: PA Deals LLC to Two Three Two Investments LLC, $72,900

Dunkle St., 538: W. Birtle to E. Satterwaite, $57,900

Forster St., 1928: Dobson Family Partnership to M. Bair, $50,000

Grand St., 913: A. Harris to E. Dowlin, $90,000

Green St., 1116: J. & B. Rhen to B. Edwards, $205,000

Green St., 1522: G. Jordan to S. & C. Fox, $162,500

Green St., 1619: M. & L. Stednitz to G. Hoffner, $159,900

Green St., 2340: J. Clmens to S. & J. Ojageer, $214,900

Hale Ave., 418: M. Goodson to I. Yolov, $52,000

Hamilton St., 501½: Z. Yap to 88314 LLC, $40,000

Harris Terr., 2461: R. Dressler & E. Knuth to M. Collins, $64,500

Herr St., 1714: SL Realty to Y. Monegro & R. Sanchez, $32,000

Hummel St., 247: A. Jackson & M. Wade to Tri County HDC Ltd., $40,000

Jefferson St., 2512: G. & D. Ebeling to M. Wright, $35,000

Jefferson St., 2975 & 2980: Mitchell LLC to Arko Properties LLC, $725,000

Kelker St., 622: End Properties to C. Moon, $56,000

Kensington St., 2352: V. Nguyen to H. Akhtar, $60,000

Kensington St., 2367: D. Le & V. Tran to P. Webb, $58,000

Kensington St., 2410: J. Lara to DPM Development LLC, $65,000

Maclay St., 416: S. Van Brakle to K. Patterson, $88,900

Market St., 1916: J. Alvarado to E. Chisholm, $120,000

Mercer St., 2422: GCD Properties to Dowling Management Co. LLC, $53,900

Muench St., 232: WCI Partners LP to K. Boyce, $122,500

North St., 1932: J. Ward to Y. Abraham, $39,000

North St., 1938: M. Dunleavy to S. Smith & R. Walters, $32,000

N. 2nd St., 1107: JS Investments Inc. to Inoma Properties East Shore LLC, $178,000

N. 2nd St., 2405: M. & R. Lindquist to M. Kenworthy, $244,900

N. 2nd St., 2406: V. Jenkins to KMM Development LLC, $58,000

N. 2nd St., 2426: Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs to Pennsylvania DUI Association Inc., $115,000

N. 2nd St., 2957: D. Nikovits to Ideal Services Group LLC, $138,000

N. 3rd St., 2223: B. & L. Straub to D. Toro & S. Ortega, $179,900

N. 4th St., 2143: R. Joline to A. Nebbou, $35,000

N. 4th St., 3214: J. Stipe & T. Diaz to S. Roman, $99,000

N. 14th St., 1211: C. McKinney to F. Burgos, $58,900

N. 16th St., 1117: C. Irvin to A.. Anderson, $45,000

N. Front St., 1525, Unit 302: J. Jarosky to S. Schu, $227,939

N. Front St., 1525, Unit 306: J. Batz to G. Vanegas, $97,500

N. Front St., 1525, Unit 403: R. & R. Fried to D. Eberly, $130,000

N. Front St., 1525, Unit 507: S. Kolesar to C. Tomlinson, $116,000

Paxton St., 1723: T. Gilbreath to M. Maniari & Z. Roudi, $59,000

Peffer St., 214: M. Magaro, S. Bishop, R. Brabush & L. Van Swol to JPR Properties, $76,000

Penn St., 1503: J. Adams to C. Anderson, $146,500

Penn St., 1618: J. Tran to S. Martin, $134,000

Penn St., 1810: G. Neff & City Limits Realty to J. Rogers, $78,500

Putnam St., 1620: M. Miller Jr. to A. Adams, $55,000

Reel St., 2446: O. Rosado to E. Johnson, $64,900

Rolleston St. 1233: Chooker49 LLC to D&D Legacy LLC, $40,000

S. 13th St., 30: Round Rock Investments LLC to Lynn & Ryan Investment Properties LLC, $80,000

S. 16th St., 1002: T. & S. Golesich to T. Scott, $119,900

S. 19th St., 1141: 1141 South 19th LLC to C. Dennis, $115,000

S. 20th St., 13: I. & G. Hymon to Scholars Inc., $45,000

S. 21st St., 1000: E. & K. Kohl to K. Roach, $544,500

S. 23rd St., 649: A. & T. Campion & J. Oldaker to Two Three Two Investments LLC, $35,000

S. 28th St., 726: P. & L. Brown to L. & S. Cassel, $108,000

State St., 231, Unit 606: LUX 1 LP to P. Ovide, $130,000

Susquehanna St., 1608: P. Klein to M. Fulton, $162,000

Susquehanna St., 1932: J. Gallant to D. & L. Taylor, $106,000

Swatara St., 2136: L. Geter to M. Camones & E. Salvador, $35,000

Waldo St., 2655: Penn Home LLC to Fowler Investments LLC, $36,000

Waldo St., 2707: M. Cook & E. Jones to S. & T. Johnson, $38,000

Woodbine St., 218: M&T Bank to D&F Realty Holdings LP, $44,500

Woodlawn St., 2609: R. Gross to C. Dell, $40,000

Harrisburg property sales for October 2019, greater than $30,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

Harrisburg mayor proposes balanced 2020 budget, asks for salary increases for police, accelerated debt payments

November 26, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse presented his proposed 2020 budget to City Council on Tuesday.

Harrisburg’s mayor had positive financial news to report on Tuesday night, as he presented a proposed budget that would boost pay for police officers and pay down debt over the coming year.

These were some of the main takeaways as Mayor Eric Papenfuse delivered his 2020 budget presentation at the City Council legislative session.

“We have a lot of exciting and positive news tonight,” he told council members. “I’m glad to be able to present a balanced 2020 budget to you.”

The proposed 2020 budget, which contains no property tax increase for a seventh straight year, totals $120 million, which includes a $74.3 million general fund, a $17.5 million neighborhood services fund and a $15.3 million debt service fund.

In contrast, the city’s 2019 budget totals nearly $110 million, which includes a $70.8 million general fund, a $20.6 million neighborhood services fund and a $9.8 million debt service fund.

Papenfuse first told council that he expects the city to run a 2019 surplus of about $1 million. He attributed the surplus mostly to earned income taxes and business taxes that exceeded expectations, which indicates a healthy jobs climate in the city.

“There are more people working in the city,” he said. “They’re earning more money.”

Papenfuse said that he wants to use much of the budget surplus to increase salaries for police officers, with the hope that a pay boost will help the Police Bureau, which has long struggled with retention, keep its young officers.

Under the proposal, the entry-level salary for a police officer would remain the same at almost $49,000 a year. However, an officer would be able to move up in pay quickly, so that officers, in year six, would be able to earn as much as $70,000—some $6,000 more than current levels.

“We put the bump at five years, so they’re more likely to stay for a longer time,” said Papenfuse, who is also proposing to add several new lieutenant and captain positions.

In all, Papenfuse said that he would like to add about 10 to 15 officers to the force, bringing the personnel count to a budgeted 153 officers. That increase, though, will come at the cost of higher salaries, so that officers trained by Harrisburg remain with the city, he said.

The police union contract doesn’t actually expire for another year. However, the city opened it up early to create the new salary regimen, Papenfuse said.

City Council must approve the new, six-year collective bargaining agreement with the police union, which resulted in the introduction of a resolution on Tuesday.

Papenfuse has also proposed adding four firefighters, mostly paid for by reductions in overtime for existing staff. That would bring the Fire Bureau complement in 2020 to 86 total personnel, plus command staff.

Council also introduced a resolution on Tuesday that would amend the city’s agreement with its bond insurer, Ambac Assurance Corp.

Papenfuse would like the city to prepay $5 million in debt using the city’s substantial reserve funds. With Harrisburg pre-paying, Ambac has agreed to a “multiplier” that would actually reduce city debt by $6.9 million, Papenfuse said.

“This is a very big deal for the city,” he said.

He also would like to refinance existing general obligation debt that extends through 2022 at a lower interest rate.

During his budget presentation, Papenfuse emphasized several other points.

First, he said that the city and the school district have reached an agreement to split the cost of two school resource officers. The district’s SRO program expired in 2009 when funding dried up and was never renewed.

Secondly, Papenfuse said that UPMC Pinnacle will increase its PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) contribution by about $150,000 for 2020. As a nonprofit, UPMC Pinnacle is not mandated to pay property taxes, but has long made voluntary PILOT payments to the city.

Papenfuse also is proposing renovating the first floor of the MLK city government center. Money for that work would come from federal Community Development Block Grant funds.

For 2020, the city is focusing on five capital improvement projects, Papenfuse said. These include:

Beginning the conversion of much of N. 2^nd Street to two-way traffic.
A roundabout, improved crosswalks and a partially protected cycle track on N. 7th Street.
Road and curb improvements to the MulDer Square area.
Safety improvements to State Street on Allison Hill, pending cooperation and approval from PennDOT.
“East-West connector” project, which consists of improvements to the area around Walnut and Chestnut streets downtown, funded with a state grant.

City Council is expected to hold two hearings on the 2020 budget next month, with a final vote on the spending plan expected the week before Christmas.

The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

November 15, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse speaks during the official opening of a new city park, which once was a sinkhole-marred street.

The news came at us from all sides last week—Harrisburg city council, the school district, arts, business, etc. Did you miss any of our coverage? Don’t fret, as we have it all recapped below in one convenient place.

Environmental awareness and action will be front and center next week during “A Call for Climate Action: A Community Conversation” to be held at the Dixon University Center in Uptown Harrisburg. Find out more about this important event from our November magazine story.

Gamut Theatre opens “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” this weekend, the first major production in Gamut’s new theater season. Read our recent feature to find out how they’re approaching this venerable fable.

HACC will end its long-running “Live at Rose Lehrman” performing arts series. HACC said that it plans to shut down the 35-year-old series in March, citing decreased attendance and revenue. Our online story has the details.

Harrisburg introduced an ordinance last week that would allow greater housing density in residential neighborhoods. The city’s mayor said that he was proposing the change to help attract more residential development. Click here to read the details.

Harrisburg area home sales and prices in October were up substantially compared to a year ago, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors. Read the latest data and the county-by-county breakdown here.

Harrisburg school district has completed an analysis of the 2019-20 budget it inherited from the prior administration, discovering a revenue shortfall of about $6.7 million. Get all the unpleasant details by reading our online story.

Open Stage this weekend opens “Who’s Holiday,” the first play to be staged in the newly reconstructed theater in downtown Harrisburg. For a preview of this very non-traditional holiday comedy, check out our recent theater feature.

Riverside Firehouse is expected to hit the market after City Council transferred the century-old station to the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority. The authority would put the firehouse up for sale after consolidating two separate parcels. Read the details in our online story.

Sara Bozich has your plans for the weekend, which could include theater openings, a new brewery at Sip @ Soma and 3^rd in the Burg, among a hundred or so other things to do. Visit her “Weekend Roundup” for the most complete event list in Harrisburg.

Seven Bridges Development has decided to delay an effort to rezone a swath of Midtown. The company said that they plan to engage with the community and return next year with a more detailed building proposal. Click here to read our online story.

Sinkhole-plagued S. 14^th Street has gotten new life as a city park. This week, Harrisburg officials unveiled the South 14^th Street Open Space, the culmination of a years-long effort to buy out homeowners and turn the area into green space. Read the details here.

Writeface is a local program that uses the power of the pen to help veterans tell their stories. Naturally, it was our story selection for Veteran’s Day. Click here to read about this important program.

Do you receive TheBurg Daily, our daily email digest of news and events delivered right to your inbox? If not, subscribe here!

Developer halts rezoning effort in Midtown Harrisburg, vows more community engagement in new year

November 14, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

These undeveloped parcels at Reily and N. 6th streets make up part of the area that a developer would like to rezone.

A Harrisburg developer has halted an effort to change zoning for a swath of Midtown Harrisburg, stating that his company will put off any further action until next year.

Ian Wewer, the director of development and operations for Seven Bridges Development, said on Thursday that his company will not immediately pursue a change in zoning for a 14-block area just north of the Broad Street Market.

“After collecting the feedback of the residents of Midtown Harrisburg and the surrounding areas, Seven Bridges is withdrawing the Zoning Amendment Application for the proposed area of Midtown,” Wewer said, in an email to TheBurg.

In April, the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority (HRA) named Seven Bridges as its potential developer in the Marketplace townhouse community. The HRA holds some 60 lots in the area, after buying them back earlier this year from State College-based S&A Homes, which stopped developing in the neighborhood more than a decade ago.

Before undertaking any projects, Seven Bridges stated that it needed to change the zoning for the area from “residential medium neighborhood” to “commercial neighborhood,” which would permit greater height, density and mix of uses. A split city Planning Commission recommended the zoning change in early October.

The company was due to make a presentation before City Council on Tuesday on the amendment, as council members need to approve any zoning change. That presentation has now has been cancelled.

“Our intent is to return in the new year with an application infused with greater community involvement and input in the design of the future of their community,” Wewer wrote.

Seven Bridges held a community meeting in September on its zoning change proposal and was met with a mix of support and skepticism from residents. The same occurred at a second, well-attended meeting last month, with several residents requesting greater detail on what Seven Bridges planned to build.

To date, Seven Bridges has been reluctant to reveal details about potential projects, saying only that they may include a mix of residential and commercial uses.

Harrisburg moves to sell historic Riverside Firehouse (condition: slightly used)

November 13, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

The Riverside Firehouse

Have you ever wanted to own a fire station—some reassembly required?

If so, now’s your chance.

On Tuesday night, the Harrisburg City Council passed a resolution that the city hopes will result in the eventual sale of the historic Riverside Firehouse, which the close-knit Uptown neighborhood has long used for community events and as a polling station.

The site at 3201-03 N. 4th St. is actually comprised of two parcels. One is owned by the city and the other by Riverside Fire Co. No. 15, one of many inactive volunteer fire companies in Harrisburg.

HRA then is supposed to consolidate the lots and try to sell the property, according to the resolution.

Pat Waller, for one, believes the 3,300-square-foot building, built in 1923 and largely empty for decades, would make a great private residence.

“It’s very unique,” said Waller, president of the Riverside United Neighbors community group. “I’m looking forward to when the sales sign goes up.”

As selling points, she pointed to the tin ceilings and historic charm, but added that a buyer would need to undertake a major restoration.

“I’m quite pleased with the effort so far, but the building is in bad shape,” she said. “It needs a lot of work.”

For the story of a successfully restored Harrisburg fire station, please read our feature on the Allison Hook & Ladder Co. from the November magazine.

Harrisburg revisits proposal to allow greater housing density in residential neighborhoods

November 12, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

A residential street in Midtown Harrisburg

Harrisburg is revisiting an ordinance that would allow greater housing density in residentially zoned areas, the latest move by the administration to spur development in the city.

On Tuesday, Harrisburg City Council introduced an ordinance that would remove density restrictions for the city’s two main residential zones—dubbed “residential low-density” and “residential medium-density.” These two zones cover most of the city’s residential neighborhoods.

According to Mayor Eric Papenfuse, this change would make city neighborhoods more attractive to developers and offer a greater variety of housing to residents at a range of price points.

“We need more units of housing developed,” he said. “We don’t currently have a climate in which that is easy to do.”

The proposal also would repeal the current requirement in another zoning district, the “commercial neighborhood” zone, that mandates a minimum of 1,200 square feet per dwelling unit.

Last week, the city’s Planning Commission, by a 5-1 vote, recommended against this proposal, citing possible adverse consequences by removing density restrictions, as well as concerns over parking.

This is actually the second time that the administration has proposed the zoning change. Last year, council also introduced the ordinance, but ended up taking no further action on it.

Papenfuse said that he decided to reintroduce the changes now in light of a “companion” proposal to rezone a swath of Midtown Harrisburg–the Marketplace neighborhood just north of the Broad Street Market.

In that proposal, the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority hopes to sell dozens of building lots to Harrisburg-based Seven Bridges Development. The builder, however, has stated that it would develop a project only if the 14-block area is rezoned from “residential medium-density” to “commercial neighborhood,” which is better suited for mixed-use projects, according to Seven Bridges.

Papenfuse said that, together, the two proposals offer greater incentive for building on the city’s many empty lots.

“It’s the hope that people would see the effort as not just Midtown, per se, but attracting more housing throughout the city,” he said. “We need this development everywhere in Harrisburg.”

As a next step, council would need to hold a hearing on the ordinance before possibly taking any action on it.

Council also needs to hold a hearing on the amendment to rezone the Marketplace neighborhood. That hearing, originally expected for next week, has now been delayed until December, said council member Danielle Bowers.

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