Tag Archives: Harrisburg City Council

Harrisburg City Council to reconsider previously rejected Front Street apartment proposal

May 30, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg City Council session on Tuesday

Harrisburg City Council recently voted down a proposed apartment building, but that project now may get a second chance for approval.

On Tuesday, council voted to reconsider a land development plan for the 2700-block of N. Front St., a proposal that they voted against, 5-2, at last week’s meeting, after expressing concern that it would not include affordable units, as federally defined.

“We decided to reconsider because the legal ramifications would likely be great,” council President Danielle Bowers told TheBurg. “We hope to come to a level of compromise.”

Representatives for EI Realty, the developer of the proposed 21-unit apartment building, explained at previous council meetings that they were not interested in offering affordable housing as part of the project, saying that it wouldn’t be “financially viable.”

At last week’s meeting, council member Shamaine Daniels, who voted with council member Westburn Majors in favor of the proposal, shared her concern with members who rejected the project, saying that as long as developers “follow the rules, you have to approve the plans.”

The city’s affordable housing program is voluntary, meaning that developers are encouraged, but not required, to include lower-cost units in their projects.

While council voted against the project last week, they have now decided to meet with the developer to discuss possible solutions to their concerns and eventually re-vote.

According to City Solicitor Neil Grover, the vote to reconsider means that council’s previous vote is eliminated, and they must re-vote on the land development plan within 30 days, by June 30.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

May 26, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg’s riverfront

Happy Memorial Day weekend to our readers! We hope you enjoy the long weekend and take the chance to check out all of the recreation, food and shopping that Harrisburg has to offer. First, make sure you’re all caught up on this week’s local news, below.

Artsfest returns to the riverfront in Harrisburg this weekend, our online story reported. The three-day festival will feature art vendors, food trucks and live music.

Bob’s Art Blog features local creators working in a variety of forms, including sculpture, woodworking and mixed media. Read his online column to see the unique range of art and hear from artists.

Civic Club of Harrisburg will host its second annual “Spring into Art” show on May 27, our online story reported. The show will take place in conjunction with Harrisburg’s Artsfest and will feature 20 local artists.

Harrisburg City Council voted down a proposed apartment development project, with several council members explaining their concern with the developer’s disinterest in creating affordable units, our reporting found. The project sought to demolish existing office buildings on the 2700-block of N Front St. and build a 21-unit apartment building.

Harrisburg ranked as the number-one place to live in Pennsylvania, according to U.S. News & World Report’s list of “Best Places to Live,” our online story reported. The report applauded Harrisburg for its affordability, strong arts scene, easy access to the “great outdoors” and proximity to larger cities.

Honey Bee’s Café and Bake Shoppe opened earlier this year in downtown Harrisburg, our magazine story reported. The breakfast and lunch spot offers classic café items with a unique twist.

Members 1st Federal Credit Union named its next president and CEO, Mike Wilson, our online story reported. Wilson, who previously served as the credit union’s chief experience officer, will take the reins from George Nahodil, who is retiring after 23 years with the company.

Midtown Cinema this month is showing “Monica,” a film about a transgender woman who reconnects with her mother, whose health is declining. In our magazine story, read more about the movie, which our writer says, “holds a particular power in the unspoken.”

Open Stage’s “Poirot Investigates” gives viewers a chance to escape the worries of life and settle in for some campy fun. In our magazine story, find out more about the show, inspired by author Agatha Christie.

Police officers in Harrisburg were honored for their service this week, our online story reported. The Harrisburg Police Bureau held its annual awards ceremony, presenting recognitions to officers who solved homicides, brought justice to lawbreakers and assisted residents in crisis, among other accomplishments.

Sara Bozich has lots of fun ways to spend your Memorial Day weekend in Harrisburg. Find them, here.

Summer outdoor yoga classes have returned to Harrisburg’s riverfront, hosted by Midtown’s commUNITY Yoga Space, our online story reported. The sessions will be held weekly and are open to all, with a pay-what-you-can model.

Tucker&Co. Bakery Café opened recently in downtown Dillsburg, serving up gluten- and refined sugar-free treats. In our magazine story, read about owners Heidi and Isaac Tucker’s mission to serve the community food that’s both “nutritious and delicious.”

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Harrisburg City Council votes down apartment project after developer declines to participate in affordable housing program

May 23, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg City Council at Tuesday’s legislative session

A Harrisburg development project will come to a halt for now after City Council voted it down on Tuesday.

At a legislative session, council voted against a land development plan to demolish existing office buildings on the 2700-block of N. Front St. and construct a 21-unit apartment building. Council voted 5-2 in opposition, with council members Shamaine Daniels and Westburn Majors voting in favor of the project.

Several council members explained that they decided to vote against the project because the developer was not interested in participating in the city’s affordable housing program.

“Our residents would be cost burdened by this property,” council President Danielle Bowers said.

At a previous council work session, representatives of the project, proposed by New Jersey-based EI Realty, said that, due to limitations on how large they could make the building, renting units at affordable rates, as defined by federal standards, would not be financially viable.

“We can’t have affordable units in every project that comes down the pike. It’s not realistic in the financial viability,” said attorney Ambrose Heinz of Stevens & Lee, representing the developer.

After voting against the proposal, council briefly recessed to discuss the vote with the city’s legal personnel. Daniels, who voted in favor of the proposal, expressed concern over the legal ramifications of voting the project down.

The city’s affordable housing program is voluntary and provides incentives to developers to incorporate lower-income units in their proposals. However, according to City Solicitor Neil Grover, this project is in a zoning district that would not qualify for the affordable housing incentives.

“If people follow the rules, you have to approve the plans,” Daniels told TheBurg. “If you want to make someone build affordable housing, you have to actually make them.”

Attorneys representing the project at Tuesday’s meeting declined to comment on the applicant’s next steps.

In other development news, council approved a land development plan for a project at 202 State St. The project’s developer, Harrisburg-based WCI Partners, will convert what is currently an office building into four apartment units.

Council also voted to appoint Jason Graves to the Susquehanna Regional Transportation Authority and to appoint JoAnn Gray to the Zoning Hearing Board.

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2 challengers win nominations to Harrisburg City Council; general election field takes shape for city, county

May 16, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda

Campaign signs on Tuesday outside of Harrisburg’s MLK Jr. City Government Center, which served as a polling place

Two newcomers and one incumbent won Democratic nominations on Tuesday for three seats on Harrisburg City Council.

With all precincts reporting and mail-in ballots counted, council President Danielle Bowers topped the eight-candidate primary field (2,192 votes), followed by challengers Crystal Davis (1,897 votes) and Lamont Jones (1,761 votes), according to the Dauphin County Election Bureau’s unofficial results.

Cole Goodman came in fourth place followed by Brad Barkdoll, current council member Robert Lawson, Leslie Franklin and Lori Beamer Saulisbury, according to the bureau.

The Democratic nominees are heavily favored to win the three, four-year council seats in the Nov. 7 general election, as no Republicans ran in the primary in the heavily Democratic city.

For city treasurer, incumbent Dan Miller ran unopposed for another four-year term. No Republicans ran in the primary.

The Harrisburg school board race had five seats at stake, but only four candidates ran—all Democrats and all incumbents. They are Ellis Roy, James Thompson, Doug Thompson Leader and Terricia Radcliff, so all will appear on the November ballot.

For magisterial district justice, Matthew Pianka won both the Democratic and Republican primaries for District 12-01-02, as he cross-filed, and was the sole candidate on the ballot in each primary. Autumn Fair ran as a write-in candidate after getting knocked off the Democratic ballot following a challenge to her nominating petitions, but all write-ins together garnered only about 32% of the vote in the primary, compared to 68% for Pianka.

For District 12-1-04, Democrat Mikaela Sloan won her primary as the sole candidate to run for that district judgeship.

In District 12-1-05, incumbent MDJ Hanif Johnson defeated two challengers, Claude Phipps and Lori Ann Jenkins, to win the Democratic nomination for the seat. He cross-filed in the primary and also won the Republican nomination.

In Dauphin County, no primary races were contested, but the results will set up several contests for the November general election.

For commissioner, Republican incumbents Mike Pries and Chad Saylor, Democratic incumbent George Hartwick and Democratic challenger Justin Douglas will vie for three, four-year seats on the board.

For clerk of courts, Republican John McDonald will face Democrat Bridget Whitley. For recorder of deeds, Democrat Tami Dykes will challenge incumbent Republican Jim Zugay. And, for county treasurer, Republican Nick DiFrancesco and Democrat Fred Faylona will compete for the position.

In other county races, incumbent District Attorney Fran Chardo, Sheriff Nick Chimienti, Controller Mary Bateman and Register of Wills Jean Marfizo King all ran unopposed in the Republican primary. No Democrats appeared on the ballot in these races.

This story was based on unofficial results from the Dauphin County Elections Bureau. We will update the story if warranted. To view all results for the municipal primary in Dauphin County, visit the election bureau website.

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Harrisburg’s Shamaine Daniels announces bid for Congress, hopes for rematch against incumbent Scott Perry

April 27, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

Shamaine Daniels

Getting an early start on campaigning, one local official has thrown her hat into the ring to represent the greater Harrisburg area in Congress.

Harrisburg City Council member Shamaine Daniels announced on Thursday that, in 2024, she would seek the Democratic nomination to represent Pennsylvania’s 10^th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives.

In 2022, Daniels, a three-term city council member, gained the Democratic nomination for the office, but ran unsuccessfully in the general election against incumbent Republican Scott Perry. In 2024, she hopes for another shot at defeating him.

“I am pleased and proud to announce my candidacy for Congress in PA-10 in 2024,” Daniels said in a statement. “Last year, we shocked everyone with our strong performance against Perry despite the disparity in campaign resources.”

In the 2022 race, Perry defeated Daniels by 24,116 votes, or by a margin of 53.8% to 46.2% of votes cast. The 10th congressional district encompasses all of Dauphin County and parts of Cumberland and York counties.

Daniels’ campaign last year, as well as statements about her new campaign for 2024, have leaned heavily on portraying Perry as an extremist and supporter of former President Donald Trump.

“Perry is out of step with this district, and that is on full display with his plans to jeopardize Social Security and Medicare while putting the entire economy in peril,” Daniels said. “Today, April 27, is the 85th anniversary of the first Social Security check being mailed to an American. We chose this day to announce my campaign to highlight not just Perry’s extremism, but his callous disregard for the people he was elected to represent.”

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Community Comment: Let’s Buy Back Our Block and Put Our Residents Back to Work

April 17, 2023 | by Rob Lawson

Rob Lawson

As a lifelong resident of Harrisburg, I’ve seen many changes in my 50 years.

During this time, our city has experienced several crises: the flood of ’72 when I was born, the Three Mile Island partial meltdown, the incinerator debacle of the late ’90s, and now the COVID-19 pandemic. Each era had significant effects on residents’ ability to earn a living wage and care for their families. The aftermath of these citywide incidents still detrimentally affects us today—our housing stock, job possibilities, and our quality of life in the city. So as a city, what do we do? We have a unique opportunity to rebuild our city infrastructure and provide much needed job opportunities for residents by dealing with the severe decline of our housing stock. Let’s discuss how we have dealt with housing and how we move forward.

Before Mayor Steve Reed, the city was essentially insolvent. During the Reed era, the city’s financial outlook was restored. We had businesses moving into the city and a thriving downtown. However, time would show that Mayor Reed was really a magician. During the Reed administration, there were visible downtown improvements, but a lack of investment in our neighborhoods. Abundant low-cost properties attracted investors from all over the country. I became a mortgage broker and real estate investor during this time. And times were great–until they weren’t. We learned that much of the Reed magic was due to musical chairs financing and fuzzy math. When the music stopped, residents were left holding the bag. The cost seemed insurmountable. Back in insolvency, we became a ward of the state. After many years and four mayors, something special happened.

On March 7, 2023, after over 20 years, the city finally retired the debt associated with the incinerator debacle of the late ’90s.With the end of this oppressive debt and the current influx of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, Harrisburg can address some housing issues with tangible dollars. The ARPA funds were designated to help reverse the effects of COVID on our communities. The pandemic laid bare many societal ills, and the housing crisis in our city rose to the top. With drastic job loss and a moratorium on evictions, we were on borrowed time to find a real solution.

As an eternal optimist, I see hope for our city. In the ’70s and ’80s, Harrisburg’s movement toward self-empowerment was inspirational. The late great Nipsey Hustle, along with many investors and entrepreneurs across the nation, assert that it’s time that we bought back our blocks. To deal with the continued housing crisis affecting our residents and crippling our city, I’m proposing the Harrisburg Buy Back Our Block Initiative.

With the funding mentioned, we have the chance to fight poverty and address a damaged housing infrastructure through rebuilding and owning our housing stock. For many decades, real estate speculators from all over the country have bet and lost on their efforts to make their riches with Harrisburg real estate. And when they lose, they leave–discarding homes that eventually fall into disrepair and decay, many times occupied by unwitting tenants. The properties become eyesores, fire hazards and a drain on community morale. They are the physical manifestation of hopelessness.

It’s time that we buy back our blocks from out-of-state investors who are in over their heads. As we buy these properties, we must engage with the untapped talent living in our city’s border by employing underutilized carpenters, plumbers, roofers, maintenance workers and electricians. We can bring neglected properties back on our tax rolls while putting cash in the hands of our residents.

Using our city’s human resources to revitalize and renovate will have exponential effects. People tend to spend money where they live. New workers will provide a cash influx to small businesses within the city. Restaurants, barbershops, clothiers, hardware, grocery and other industries will benefit.

We need a real plan that centers our residents to power our city administration’s pledge of $8 million towards affordable housing. We can also commit the savings from the retired debt for an additional $8 million yearly to keep investing in the people of Harrisburg. Once you pay off a debt, you should commit the savings to investing in yourself. I propose that we commit to investing in each other. A one-time infusion of cash is great, but let’s make this sustainable. Let’s buy back our blocks to invest in our residents and this great Capital City.

Rob Lawson
Harrisburg City Council Member

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Harrisburg City Council to hold town hall meetings on proposed use of American Rescue Plan funds

April 5, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg’s MLK City Government Center

Harrisburg has millions of federal COVID relief dollars to spend, and the city wants to hear from residents on a plan to use the money.

City Council announced that it will hold several town hall meetings this month to give the community a chance to comment on its proposal to use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

In March, council weighed a proposal by city officials to use $28.1 million of the money to support affordable housing projects, create a spray park at the site of the closed Hall Manor pool and repair homes for low-income residents, among other plans.

In total, the city received $47 million in ARPA dollars. Council has already allocated about $15.6 million for the replacement of the HVAC system in its Public Safety Building and for one-time bonuses to uniformed personnel in the Harrisburg Fire Bureau and Bureau of Police, among other plans.

The proposed use of $28.1 million would be Harrisburg’s largest allocation yet, if it is approved by council. But first, city residents will get a say in the matter.

The ARPA town hall meetings will be held on the following dates:

April 12, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the MLK City Government Center (council chambers), 10 N. 2nd St.
April 13, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Camp Curtin YMCA, 2135 N. 6th St.
April 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mount Olive Baptist Church, 1331 S. 14th St.

For more information, visit Harrisburg’s website.

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April News Digest

March 30, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg Lauds Debt Payoff

Harrisburg officials last month celebrated a historic day, as the city made a final payment on its once staggering debt load.

The city officially paid off the last $8.3 million in general obligation bond debt dating back more than a decade to its municipal financial crisis.

“This is a historic moment in our city,” said Mayor Wanda Williams. “Harrisburg’s best days are ahead.”

The forbearance liability debt is money that the city owed to bond insurer Ambac Assurance after it defaulted on its Series D&F bond payments in 2011. The original D&F bonds were issued in 1997, under former Mayor Steve Reed. Harrisburg paid off those bonds in September 2022.

Late last year, Harrisburg City Council approved the payoff of $12 million of what was $20 million in remaining in debt, at the time. While city administration officials had originally proposed paying off the total $20 million at once, council members were hesitant to spend down such a large amount of the city’s fund balance.

“I’m glad we were in a position to finish the task,” said council President Danielle Bowers.

Before the Williams administration made the two large payments, the city, for years, mainly made smaller, routine annual payments, with the exception of a $6 million payment under former Mayor Linda Thompson in 2013 and a $7.2 million payment under former Mayor Eric Papenfuse in 2021.

Before last month’s payment, Harrisburg’s fund balance, or savings, sat at around $25 million. With this final bond payment, it now is about $17 million, according to Brian McCutcheon, accounting manager for the city.

Officials pointed out that the total debt payoff also saves the city from continuing to accrue interest on the debt. Williams said that the city plans to put the freed-up money towards resident services, possibly street repaving, purchasing public works vehicles and blighted building demolition.

Local Primary Slates Set

Eight Democrats will vie for three seats on Harrisburg City Council, as the petition deadline for the May primary came to a close last month.

Council President Danielle Bowers and newly appointed council member Robert Lawson both submitted petitions to compete in the May 16 municipal primary. However, two-term member Westburn Majors did not, meaning that the field will include an open seat.

In an interview, Majors cited “family obligations” for deciding not to seek re-election.

“I’m very proud of the work we’ve done on council over the last two terms to move the city forward,” he said. “I will continue to be involved in the community.”

Other candidates for the three, four-year council seats include:

Cole Goodman
Lamont Jones
Brad Barkdoll
Lori Beamer Saulisbury
Crystal Davis
Leslie C. Franklin

No Republicans submitted candidate petitions for city council.

Harrisburg also has an election for five, four-year seats to the school board. Only four candidates, all Democratic incumbents, submitted nominating petitions. They are:

Ellis Rick Roy
James Thompson
Doug Thompson Leader
Terricia Radcliff

For city treasurer, only Democratic incumbent Dan Miller submitted nominating petitions to run for the four-year seat.

For magisterial district justice, long-time incumbent Barbara Pianka did not submit election petitions for District 12-1-02. However, her son, Matthew Pianka, did, cross-filing as both a Democrat and a Republican. He is running unopposed.

For District 12-1-04, Democrat Mikaela Sloan was the lone candidate to file for that district judgeship. The seat is currently held by MDJ David O’Leary.

In District 12-1-05, incumbent MDJ Hanif Johnson cross-filed for both the Democratic and Republican nominations. He faces competition on the Democratic side from Claude Phipps and Lori Ann Jenkins.

In District 12-1-06, Wendy Grella was the lone candidate to file petitions for the position, cross-filing for both parties. MDJ Joseph Lindsey currently holds that judgeship.

Harrisburg Weighs Grant Disbursal

With millions of dollars in federal COVID relief funds in hand, Harrisburg soon will determine how the city will use the money.

Harrisburg City Council last month weighed a plan to potentially use its remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars to support affordable housing development and to create a spray park in south Harrisburg, among other projects.

Under ARPA, Harrisburg received $47 million for pandemic relief. In June 2022, council voted to use about $15.6 million of the funds to reimburse the city for lost revenue during the pandemic, for the replacement of the HVAC system in its Public Safety Building, and for one-time bonuses to uniformed personnel in the Harrisburg Fire Bureau and Bureau of Police.

Last month’s proposal from the administration included using another $28.1 million of the funds. The two largest allotments, each $8 million, would go towards funding affordable housing projects and towards constructing a spray park at the site of the closed Hall Manor pool.

According to Director of Building and Housing Development Dennise Hill, the affordable housing funds may be disbursed to developers as either matching funds or direct assistance. The money could be used to support the development of around 100 rental or for-sale units for low-income residents, Hill explained.

The spray park would replace the aging Hall Manor community pool with a large, water park-style facility. According to Parks and Recreation Director Dave Baker, the project could include the construction of a new pool, lazy river and spray pad elements.

Another $5 million would support the city’s Housing Rehabilitation Program, which provides home repair assistance to low-income residents. A $1.5 million allocation would fund blighted property demolition, $1.5 million would create an ADA-accessible playground, and $1 million would help cover the cost of delinquent trash bills for low-income residents. Other, smaller allocations would go towards small business assistance, tree removal and pruning for seniors and an upgraded radio system for the Fire Bureau.

Council officials stated that they plan to hold several public meetings to gather input on the proposal before voting.

Public Housing Redevelopment Eyed

In a few years, some public housing in Harrisburg may look a lot different.

The Harrisburg Housing Authority, along with the city, recently received a federal grant to begin to redesign and redevelop Hoverter Homes in South Harrisburg.

The $500,000 grant, from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), would support plans to renovate the 233 units in the housing complex. According to the city, the project would eliminate the current World War II-era barracks-style homes that have stood since 1941 and create a modern, mixed-income development in its place.

“There’s a lot of improvement we can do for this community, mostly for the kids who are growing up here,” said Johan Soto-Santa, development and revitalization manager for the housing authority.

According to city officials, the project would redevelop the current public housing, while also incorporating new development of housing for various income brackets.

Officials stated that Hoverter Homes was chosen first for renovation, over Hall Manor, another of the city’s public housing complexes, because it is older and smaller in size. However, there are plans to include Hall Manor in future projects, according to the city.

Over the next two years, the housing authority and the city will work with Chicago-based urban planning firm COLLABO to engage with the South Harrisburg community and receive input, while putting together a formal plan.

The authority will hold several public meetings, this year and next, for community members to share their thoughts on changes they’d like to see at Hoverter Homes and Hall Manor. Dates and times for those meetings are to be determined.

City OKs Apartment Project

An apartment project near the new federal courthouse in Harrisburg received the green light last month to move forward.

Harrisburg City Council approved a land development plan for the Savoy, 48-unit apartment building proposed for the 1500-block of N. 6th Street.

Harrisburg-based Vice Capital, a firm headed by retired NFL running back LeSean McCoy, plans to demolish three existing buildings at 1522, 1524 and 1526 N. 6th St.

The developer then plans to construct a four-story, 62,370-square-foot building that will include a mix of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units. Ten of the units will be designated as affordable. The project also will include first-floor commercial space.

Construction of the $8 million project is expected to begin in mid-to-late summer and will likely take a year to complete, according to Jonathan Bowser, managing partner of Wormleysburg-based Integrated Development Partners, the project’s general contractor.

Cork & Fork Changes Hands

One of downtown Harrisburg’s most popular restaurants has new ownership, but patrons shouldn’t see too much change.

Restaurateur Josh Kesler, owner of the Millworks in Midtown, recently purchased Cork & Fork, alongside partners Patrick Garrity and John Laporta.

“It’s a great existing brand and restaurant in downtown Harrisburg,” Kesler said. “It seemed like a really good fit.”

Kesler said that he purchased both the business, from Harrisburg-based Nourish Hospitality Group, and the building, located at State and N. 2nd streets. He explained that, as his management group continues to expand, purchasing Cork & Fork seemed like a natural addition.

While Kesler plans to make small adjustments to the business behind the scenes, he said that nothing on the customer-facing side will change.

In December, Café Fresco Center City owner Brian Fertenbaugh purchased the Cork & Fork Osteria in Hampden Township with plans to make it a Mediterranean-style restaurant.

Fertenbaugh said that he plans to name the new restaurant Aura Modern Mediterranean and is currently renovating the building to fit the new theme.

He expects to open in early May for dinner, possibly rolling out lunch and Sunday brunch menus in the following months. Award-winning chef of the York and Baltimore areas, John Walsh, will also join the team.

East Shore Y Ponders Renovation

You can exercise, swim and take your kids to the East Shore YMCA, but in the coming years, you may be able to do a lot more there.

Local Y officials announced recently that the organization is considering significant renovations and changes to its historic facility, which would increase its role as a community hub.

“We hope to end up with a modern YMCA with services Harrisburg can enjoy,” said Harrisburg Area YMCA President and CEO David Ozmore.

Ozmore painted a picture of an aging East Shore Y that also faces significant financial challenges due to the pandemic. The remodel would aim to boost its economic situation and bring the building up to date.

The Y, located along N. Front Street downtown, dates back to the 1930s when it was built and opened to the public. The wellness center was added onto the building in 2003. In total, the Y owns 2.3 acres of land, making up almost an entire city block.

Possible renovations may include changes to the current wellness center, which is elevated over the parking lot, and the Y’s administration building adjacent to the main recreational center.

The main building is considered historical and therefore will not undergo significant changes, Ozmore explained.

The Y is working with national firm Gro Development, which provides services to nonprofits, especially YMCA’s, around the country.

The Y has put together a task force of around 20 community members to help advise the organization on development.

“At the end of the day, it’s not about what the Y wants, but what the residents need,” Ozmore said.

Home Sales Dip, Prices Rise

Home sales slowed but prices ticked higher in the latest report on previously owned houses in the Harrisburg area.

For the three-county region, 368 homes sold in February compared to 456 in the year-ago period, as the median sales price increased to $234,950 from $227,000, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

In Dauphin County, 179 homes changed hands versus 233 in February 2022, while the median price rose to $205,000 versus $193,550 last year, GHAR said.

Cumberland County had sales of 157 homes compared to 196 in the prior year, as the median sales price was nearly unchanged at about $270,000, according to GHAR.

In Perry County, 23 houses sold, an increase of three, as the median price rose to $215,000 versus $189,900 in February 2022, GHAR said.

The pace of sales was similar year-over-year, as “average days the market” rose to 30 days compared to 29 days the prior February.

County Primary Field Set

The primary ballot for Dauphin County seats is set, with candidates running unopposed for commissioner and for several row offices.

For commissioner, Republican incumbents Mike Pries and Chad Saylor are running unopposed for the party’s two nominations. Likewise, incumbent George Hartwick and challenger Justin Douglas are running unopposed on the Democratic side.

Incumbent District Attorney Fran Chardo, Sheriff Nick Chimienti, Controller Mary Bateman and Register of Wills Jean Marfizo King are all running unopposed for Republican nominations. No Democrats filed for these races.

For clerk of courts, Republican John McDonald is running unopposed, as is Democrat Bridget Whitley. For recorder of deeds, incumbent Republican Jim Zugay is running unopposed, as is Democratic challenger Tami Dykes. County treasurer also has two unopposed candidates: Republican Nick DeFrancesco and Democrat Fred Faylona.

The municipal primary is slated for May 16.

So Noted

Christy Zitsch last month was named the economic development manager for Cumberland Area Economic Development Corp. In this role, she assists local businesses with expansion, retention and attraction, according to CAEDC.

Erik Wiedman of Mechanicsburg has been promoted to director of counseling services at Reach Cyber Charter School, an online public charter school. In this position, Wiedman, along with the school’s leadership team, monitors students’ career readiness growth, ensures accessible graduation pathways, and oversees academic progress for nearly 7,000 students.

Garden plots of varying sizes are available this spring for free at the Atlas Street Garden, located in the 2200-block of Atlas Street in Harrisburg. Free parking and water are available on site. Interested gardeners should contact Dan Miller at [email protected].

Harrisburg University’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship held a ribbon-cutting last month for its new location inside Strawberry Square in downtown Harrisburg. The large space offers founders—the entrepreneurs who are invited into the incubator—residency to develop their business ideas for up to 18 months, financial assistance, coaching and student interns, according to HU.

Terese Delaplaine has been named the new president and CEO of Harrisburg-based Hamilton Health Center, replacing longtime CEO Jennine Peterson, who has moved into a consultant role. Previously Hamilton Health’s chief compliance officer, Delaplaine is joined by a new leadership team of Steve Ho as chief operating officer, Frackson Sakala as chief financial officer and Mary Elizabeth Bebe as chief clinical officer.

Changing Hands

Adrian St., 2435: I. & K. Mita to K. Weldeghebrial, $111,500

Bailey St., 1245: J. Jimenez to People First Homes LLC, $82,875

Balm St., 147: C. Wise to J. Shurns, $92,000

Bellevue Rd., 1841: PNC Bank to R. Escano, $80,000

Berryhill St., 1422 & 1424: R. & D. Waibel to V. Aguirre, $55,000

Berryhill St., 1643: C. Porter to A&K Investments Partnership LLC, $62,500

Briggs St., 205: BD Property Management LLC to J. Gjieli, $167,000

Briggs St., 217: C. McNelis to M. Shugars & P. Dee, $200,000

Briggs St., 1716: M. Mesa to HBA Landscaping LLC, $75,000

Camp St., 538: D. McNair to Camp St Investments LLC, $74,700

Catherine St., 1624: First Choice Home Buyers LLC to M. & D. Braktia, $53,000

Chestnut St., 1944 & 1948: J. Medina to Triple B Realty Group LLC, $180,000

Crescent St., 235: G. Neff to Saintelia Properties LLC, $108,000

Crescent St., 251: D. & R. McLean to D. Boyle, $62,000

Curtin St., 537: Brothers Group LLC to E. Megbaje, $145,000

Curtin St., 626: Sangrey Properties LLC to Lafite Investments LLC, $75,000

Derry St., 1327: J. Castillo & R. Mendez to R. Mendez, $103,713

Derry St., 1329: M. Nichols to N. & J. Monegro, $92,000

Duke St., 2444: M. Moyer to C. Lozano, $104,000

Dunkle St., 539: J. Zandieh to L. Johnson, $125,000

Forster St., 264: K. & E. Meckes to PDI Properties LLC, $180,000

Green St., 2129: Sangrey Properties LLC to Leachman Properties LLC, $140,000

Green St., 2225: O. Dawes to J. Sumner, $129,000

Hale Ave., 402: M. & B. Marsico to F. Alvarez, $100,000

Hale Ave., 427: D. & C. Taylor to K. Maxwell, $126,000

Herr St., 1621: N. Lawson to SPG Capital LLC, $57,000

Hummel St., 434: Rumers Corp. to J. & E. Aziza, $120,000

Kensington St., 2266: A. Tilghman to H. Alcantara, $77,327

Logan St., 2216: C. Salazar to O. & S. Malcolm, $70,000

Luce St., 2367: E. & B. Horting to A. & T. Botek, $87,500

Meadowlark Pl., 182: V. Ross to R. Ramos, $70,000

Moore St., 2135: R. Reyes to A. Bouhach, $69,000

North St., 261: M. Henao to J. Manning, $177,500

N. 2nd St., 1013: V. French to S. & J. Toole, $125,000

N. 2nd St., 3237: R. Lysaght to H. & J. Loughery, $235,000

N. 3rd St., 1724: J. Montone to RS Rentals LLC, $222,000

N. 3rd St., 1828: Dakar Realty Inc. to PDI Properties LLC, $170,000

N. 3rd St., 1830: Dakar Realty Inc. to PDI Properties LLC, $170,000

N. 3rd St., 2007: Young Advocate Program to Portee Properties LLC, $299,000

N. 3rd St., 2319: DAG EKG Properties LLC to J. Alfaro, $165,000

N. 4th St., 2104: Gold Key Properties LLC to R. Chevalier, $109,900

N. 4th St., 2412: T. Carlson to J. Zapata, $135,551

N. 5th St., 1702A: S. Kent to Montalvo Investments LLC, $92,000

N. 5th St., 2536: Mainline Funding Group Inc. to D. Boyle, $67,000

N. 7th St., 2512: D. Boyle to M. Perez, $46,000

N. 7th St., 2640: Riley Residential Real Estate LLC to V. Butts, $76,000

N. 12th St., 43: Neidlinger Enterprises to M. & J. Raabe, $125,000

N. 16th St., 921: Equity Trust Co. Custodian FBO Beatrice McQuarrie IRA to PA Deals LLC, $100,000

N. 16th St., 1220: B. Debeljak to S. Ruiz, $128,000

N. 17th St., 27: R. Staff & L. Dunkle to F. Ramirez, $45,000

N. 17th St., 32: R. Luu & C. Sun to C. & I. Castro, $87,500

N. 18th St., 714: E. Sanchez & R. del Hidalgo to A. Ortiz, $85,000

N. 18th St., 822; 3154 N. 6th St. & 2028 Susquehanna St.: Sangrey Properties LLC to J. Tang, $122,500

N. 18th St., 1010: Neidlinger Enterprises LLC to M. Lebowitz, $135,000

Penn St., 1702: T. Underkoffler to T. Todd, $205,000

Penn St., 1929: R. Sterner to F. Deckter, $125,000

Penn St., 2115: J. Russell to Equitable Rentals LLC, $46,500

Penn St., 2154: Great Row LLC to J. Yingling, $70,000

Penn St., 2312: JRP Transportation LLC to C&A Fix Hold & Flip LLC, $103,000

Radnor St., 102: Renovations RE LLC to DelGiorno Investments LLC, $99,000

Radnor St., 674: S. Merritts to Lafite Investments LLC, $47,500

Reel St., 2417: Brookside Premier Properties LLC to W. Newton & J. Gainer, $75,000

Reel St., 2437: Endurance Capital Management LLC to D. Boyle, $50,000

Ross St., 617: D. Lansanah to SPG Capital LLC, $52,500

Ross St., 653: McNelis Gutter Cleaning Inc. to Sale Lizard LLC, $130,000

Royal Terr., 109: L. Bedon to E. Camones, $50,000

Seneca St., 216: J. Alibrio to J. Peters, $48,000

S. 9th St., 1125: J. Halkias to DB Real Estate & Properties LLC, $250,000

S. 13th St., 1516: S. Rodriguez to B. Arias, $128,000

S. 18th St., 211, 225; 2618 Atlas St.; 408 Moon Alley.: J. & S. Tang to Luce St Warehouse LLC, $122,500

State St., 231, Unit 402: M. & M. Vaccaro to B. Waxman & J. Wertheimer, $170,000

Swatara St., 1235: M. & M. Orellana to C&P Property Management Inc., $77,000

Swatara St., 1507: Tri County HDC Ltd. to T. Millovich, $116,000

Swatara St., 1509: Tri County HDC Ltd. to D. Taylor, $116,000

Swatara St., 2054: J. & G. Avila to M. Lopez & O. Perez, $55,000

Sylvan Terr., 125: S. & J. Rhoades to Triple S Real Estate LLC, $165,000

Verbeke St., 114: A. Labs to Silverstone Enterprises LLC, $88,400

Vernon St., 1306: JCAS1 LLC to KS Homes of PA LLC, $231,000

Walnut St., 228: RRF Building LLC to 1422 Route 179 Florida Realty LLC, $13,130,000

Washington St., 105: BD Property Management LLC to A. Cruz, $134,900

Harrisburg property sales, February 2023, greater than $40,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

March 10, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will return to Harrisburg this month. Photo from the 2022 parade, courtesy of the Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District.

It’s looking like a dreary, cold weekend ahead in Harrisburg—the perfect time to get cozy and catch up on our March issue of the magazine or tune into our newest episode of the podcast. For now, take a minute to get up to speed on our daily news, listed and linked below.

Bob’s Art Blog takes readers on the road to York’s Hive Art Space for a unique exhibit. The show, “A Fine Cuppa (Coffee, Tea, Or),” features work inspired by hot beverages.

TheBurg Podcast this month expands on magazine stories that showcase resilience. Click here, to hear from our special guests and learn about resilience as it relates to health issues and climate change.

A Burg View editorial by our publisher applauds Harrisburg for paying off its once staggering, decade-old debt load. He recognizes former and current city administrations and the state for their accomplishments.

Candidates for three seats on Harrisburg City Council include eight Democrats, our reporting found. Find out who’s running, here.

Gamut Theatre and Narҫisse Theatre have partnered to present “Thistle & Salt,” a grim tale from Ireland. Our reviewer praises the poetic language, acting skills and boundary-pushing performance.

Hamilton Health Center announced that it has a new president and CEO, Terese Delaplaine, our online story reported. The organization also recently hired several additional new top officials.

Harrisburg City Council discussed the use of its millions of dollars in federal COVID-relief funds on Tuesday, our reporting found. Council also approved the final payment towards debt the city carried for a decade.

Pursuit Coworking is celebrating its 10-year anniversary, our magazine story reported. As work culture continues to change post-pandemic, the company is growing and finding new ways to adapt.

“The Quiet Girl,” a film about a timid girl who just wants to be invisible, is “devastatingly beautiful,” according to our movie reviewer. The film is playing this month at Midtown Cinema.

Sara Bozich has some early St. Patty’s Day activities to get you ready for the holiday, along with plenty of other weekend festivities, here.

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade will return to downtown Harrisburg next weekend, our online story reported. The event will include Irish dance and music groups, characters, fire trucks and more.

Trinity High School’s international students have been recognized for their athletic and academic performance. In our magazine story, read about a few of the students, who hail from Ukraine, the Republic of Congo and France, among other countries.

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Burg View: A Debt Paid

March 9, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg city hall (file photo)

A decade ago, Harrisburg, Pa., became a national poster child for financial disaster.

By next week, the city will be, essentially, debt-free.

On Tuesday, City Council passed a resolution authorizing the payment of $8.3 million to its bond insurer, Ambac Assurance, freeing Harrisburg from the stranglehold of debt that led it, back in 2011, to the brink of municipal bankruptcy.

I feel that this occasion should not pass without some recognition of just how remarkable an accomplishment this is.

I won’t bore readers with the ins and outs of how Harrisburg got into this mess, except to say that the city went on a reckless spending spree spanning decades under the longtime administration of former Mayor Steve Reed. By 2010, the city, with some 50,000 residents, had a debt load north of half-a-billion dollars.

The city paid a huge price to dig itself out. That price included state receivership, the sale of the troubled city incinerator (just as it finally got fixed) and, the unkindest cut of all, the long-term lease of the city’s valuable parking assets.

Despite these measures, Harrisburg was left with a massive debt load that many doubted it could ever repay. Now, it has, retiring the final piece of $26.5 million in forbearance liabilities it incurred after defaulting on bond obligations during the financial crisis.

The Papenfuse administration deserves a share of credit for this accomplishment, as, in 2021, it reached a critical deal with Ambac that lessened the burden. Successive city councils and the city controller also watched the bottom line, and the Williams administration, upon taking office in January 2022, made paying off the remaining debt a high priority.

Credit also should go to an entity I often criticize—the commonwealth. Indeed, the state should have looked more carefully and critically as Reed-era spending ran amok in the 1990s and early 2000s. But, in the end, it facilitated a financial recovery plan, played a key role in monetizing city assets, and, later, led by state Rep. Patty Kim and Sen. John DiSanto, extended the city’s extra taxing authority to provide a longer-term financial solution.

So, where to now? Unfortunately, Harrisburg’s hangover from its fiscal crisis isn’t quite over. It still has to exit Act 47 (the state’s program for financially distressed cities), settle litigation over the ill-advised, reckless incinerator financing and regain access to the credit markets, to name a few priorities. And, unless something is done to slap Park Harrisburg (and its out-of-state asset manager) into reality, the skyrocketing cost of parking remains a real threat to the long-term viability of downtown.

Having said that—we should pause for a moment to relish this accomplishment. I vividly recall the long, difficult nights, a dozen years ago, that I spent in city council chambers, wondering if Harrisburg had any future at all. I’m now confident that that future, while challenging, is a bright one.

Lawrance Binda is publisher/editor of TheBurg.

This editorial has been updated.

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