Uptown Apartment Project Proposed
A former Harrisburg hospital complex may be adaptively reused for apartments, according to a newly released proposal.
At a community meeting last month, a developer announced plans to construct housing and retail at the former Polyclinic Hospital in Uptown Harrisburg.
In March 2024, Pennmark Harrisburg Holdings, an affiliate of Montgomery County-based Pennmark Management Co., purchased the sprawling campus, located on N. 3rd Street. The property stretches over six acres from Polyclinic Avenue to Wiconisco Street and consists of three buildings totaling over 271,000 square feet.
Originally home to the Polyclinic Hospital, the property sold in 2004 to Penn Center Harrisburg, which utilized it as office space until selling it to Pennmark two decades later.
Now, Pennmark is proposing a $45 million project that would include renovating all three buildings and constructing 250 to 300 apartment units and retail shops.
“We saw this as a really good opportunity,” said Greg Hallquist, director of Pennmark. “We love the city of Harrisburg.”
At the community meeting, Hallquist shared that the project would work in three phases. First, developers would renovate the vacant building closest to Wiconisco Street, which historically housed nurses’ residences, to create about 100 apartments.
In a second phase, the company would renovate the former hospital building closest to Polyclinic Avenue, creating another 150 apartments, along with retail and amenities, such as a gym, for tenants. Hallquist proposed commercial space along N. 4th Street, including a grocery store, coffee shop and restaurant. Currently, the building houses a few offices, such as the state Department of Drug and Alcohol.
In the third phase, Pennmark would renovate the middle building, formerly office space, as offices for staff.
All apartments would be market-rate and include studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units, Hallquist said.
The project still must go through the city’s approval process before it can begin.
Hallquist hopes to break ground on the project in the fall and said that he expects phase one to take around a year and phase two to take 18 months to complete.
Eden Village Gets Go-Ahead
A local group’s plans to build housing for the homeless can move forward.
Eden Village of Harrisburg is slated to bring tiny homes to South Harrisburg, having received City Council approval.
“I love the project,” said council member Jocelyn Rawls. “This is one of our most vulnerable populations, so to give them housing, like you said, that’s step one.”
The project was proposed by a group of area residents who have partnered with Missouri-based Eden Village to bring 32 tiny homes and a community center to 1103 S. Front St.
The community will be built near the PennDOT building near Veteran’s Grove, a tiny house community for veterans, and Tunnel to Towers, another housing facility for veterans slated for construction.
Eden Village plans to build 400-square-foot units that include a bedroom, bathroom, living room and kitchen. Units will offer long-term housing.
Additionally, Eden Village will provide access to other resource providers to address issues such as mental health and substance abuse.
“If we can get them into a house, we can work on everything else,” said Robert Lawson, an Eden Village board member. “So, if we start with the house that’s affordable and that’s safe, we can take care of all of those other issues.”
People will need to apply to be considered for a home in Eden Village and are expected to pay $300 in rent each month.
Council member Crystal Davis expressed concern over the rent, saying that she believes some unhoused people won’t be able to afford it.
However, Khary Lane, board president of Eden Village, said that many unhoused people receive disability and Social Security benefits and have access to housing vouchers. Despite her concern, Davis, along with all other council members, voted in favor of the project.
Police Plan Halted
A plan to bring police officers into Harrisburg schools has been halted.
At a board meeting last month, the Harrisburg School District announced that it would hold off on a previous plan to establish a school police department, as it prepares to potentially exit state receivership.
“This is not a retreat from our commitment to safety,” Superintendent Dr. Benjamin Henry said. “Instead, it is a calculated decision to ensure we can responsibly fund such an initiative over a sustainable five-year period.”
In November, district receiver Dr. Lori Suski approved a safety plan that included hiring four police officers and creating a police station at the Harrisburg High School-John Harris campus, following a significant increase in violent incidents.
However, last month, district officials said that they would back off that plan for now, as they need to be cautious with their finances, as the district could exit state receivership in the coming months.
Suski said that she is making the recommendation to exit receivership and is working on the petition to the state Department of Education. The district is “on a trajectory” to argue for exiting, she said. The receivership is set to expire on June 17.
Riverboat Plans June Launch
The Pride of the Susquehanna riverboat will hit the water this year following an extended hiatus, according to its operator.
The distinctive red-and-white paddlewheel boat is expected to launch in mid-June once repairs are complete, stated the Harrisburg Area Riverboat Society.
The Pride missed the entire 2024 sailing season due to renovations that were more extensive than first thought. It has been in operation, plying the Susquehanna River in Harrisburg, since 1988.
Dr. Catherine Bene, president of the Riverboat Society, stated that the board has been actively pursuing grants to support much-needed renovations and is working closely with the U.S. Coast Guard to fulfill all operating requirements.
The society is planning a “Keep Our Paddles Turning” benefit concert to support the renovation efforts. The May 31 concert, at the Forum in Harrisburg, will feature five rock musicians, including Tommy Conwell from Tommy Conwell and the Rumblers, Quinton Jones, Daryl Davis and Leroy Hawkes.
The VIP reception is from 5 to 6 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the concert will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets are available at www.hbgriverboat.org.
Once the riverboat launches, patrons can expect both public cruises and themed parties, including a bourbon night, costume themes, family/children events, worship services, live music and more, according to the society.
Bene added that boat-riders will see significant improvements this year, including brand-new carpet, drapes and chairs, in addition to structural improvements.
Home Sales, Prices Steady
Harrisburg-area home sales and prices were largely flat in March compared to the prior year, according to the latest market report on previously owned houses.
For the three-county region, 442 homes sold, a drop from 466 home sales in March 2024, as the median sales price inched up to $275,300 from $272,750, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).
In Dauphin County, 237 houses sold versus 226 in the year-ago period, as the median sales price dipped to $240,000 from $245,000, GHAR stated.
Cumberland County had 179 home sales, a decrease from 213 in March 2024, as the median sales price was almost unchanged at $322,250, GHAR said.
In Perry County, 19 houses exchanged hands versus 28 a year ago, as the median sales price slid to $234,500 compared to $245,000 the prior March, according to GHAR.
The pace of home sales was relatively steady, as “average days on market” totaled 32 days in March versus 33 days the year before, GHAR stated in its report.
So Noted
Capital City Music Hall anticipates a mid-summer opening in the downtown Harrisburg location that formerly housed the Federal Taphouse. Owner Justin Browning told TheBurg that he plans to book a wide range of acts across many different musical genres for the open, two-story space at 234 N. 2nd St.
Cheranda “Cherri” Parks-Taylor last month was named the new manager of the Broad Street Market. Harrisburg’s historic market has been without a full-time manager for over a year, with market board members taking on many of the manager’s duties in the interim.
Cody Balmer of Penbrook was charged last month with attempted murder and arson following an early-morning fire at the PA Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg. Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family were asleep when Balmer allegedly broke into a portion of the mansion and set it ablaze. No one was injured in the fire, but the building’s south side suffered extensive damage.
David Fitzkee has been named the new executive director of the Caring Cupboard, a Palmyra-based nonprofit that provides food and other essential services to those in need. Fitzkee brings nearly 20 years in nonprofit management to the position, according to the organization.
Denim Coffee last month opened its second Harrisburg location in the atrium kiosk in Strawberry Square. The location was previously occupied by Little Amps Coffee Roasters, which closed in December. Denim also operates a shop at Walnut and N. 4th streets and is planning another for Market Square, which is expected to open this summer.
HACC passed a 2025-26 budget last month that will raise tuition for most students by $22 per credit to $288.50 a credit. The tuition hike is part of the $124 million budget approved by the college’s board of trustees. According to HACC, trustees needed to increase tuition to offset a projected $275,000 deficit.
Sandy and Gary Lockerman last month were named as Ned Smith Center “Visionaries.” The long-time volunteers were chosen for the annual award due to their longstanding support for the center and its vision.
Sonya McKnight last month was convicted of attempted homicide in the shooting of her former boyfriend, who survived being shot in the head as he slept. McKnight, a suspended Harrisburg magisterial district judge, was convicted on one count of attempted first-degree murder and one count of aggravated assault, decided after less than two hours of jury deliberation.
TheBurg won 22 awards in the 2025 Advertising Contest sponsored by the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association Foundation. The honors included the Sweepstakes Award for best performance in its category, the third year in a row TheBurg has won this top award.
Tunnel to Towers last month broke ground on an affordable housing complex for veterans in south Harrisburg. The New York-based nonprofit plans to construct a 64-unit apartment building and 20 small “comfort homes” along the Susquehanna River, near the PennDOT building.
Changing Hands
Apricot St., 1729: D. Bernard to BAH Equities LLC, $76,666
Apricot St., 1731: D. Bernard to BAH Equities LLC, $76,666
Apricot St., 1733: D. Bernard to 1733 Apricot St LLC, $76,666
Balm St., 30: JOG Investments LLC to 30 Balm St LLC, $73,000
Balm St., 113 & 115: B. Yanes to BSM HSH LLC, $50,000
Bellevue Rd., 1815: M. Hines to Numbee Realty LLC, $80,000
Bellevue Rd., 1946: BCR-2 Properties LLC to L. Santana, $170,000
Benton St., 704: V. Okuneye to Stately Renovations LLC, $118,000
Berryhill St., 1319: J. Stoncius to S. Graybill, $90,000
Berryhill St., 1403: A. Johnson to Leonards Real Estate LLC, $124,000
Berryhill St., 2228: Neidlinger Enterprises LLC to New Ventures Investments LLC, $102,500
Berryhill St., 2247: Normans Realty Services Inc. to PACC Homes & Development LLC, $95,000
Berryhill St., 2360: H. Nguyen & H. Tran to W. Yap, $117,000
Boas St., 1614: M. Morgan to M. & R. Espinal, $275,000
Boas St., 1713: Ebersole & McCorkel REI LLC to Sunrise River Investments Inc., $70,000
Brookwood St., 1938: Sunrise River Investments Inc. to G. Tirado, $143,000
Camp St., 635: 635 Camp St LLC to T. Kea, $130,000
Carnation St., 1613: A. Pachero to Numbee Realty LLC, $85,500
Chestnut St., 2021: Normans Realty Services Inc. to Three Stevens & Lou LLC, $160,000
Chestnut St., 2037: Q. Demiri to F. Molina, $150,000
Croyden Rd., 2832: PHH Mortgage Corp. to W. Acevedo, $102,000
Derry St., 1248: E. Kelly & M. Alarcon to J&A One Realty LLC, $101,000
Derry St., 2705: T. Kim to E. Beiler, $125,000
Forster St., 1713: K. Gonzalez to L. Rodriguez, $192,000
Green St., 1621: Empower Estate Properties LLC to B. & W. Bechtel, $256,000
Green St., 2230: Y. & R. Corniell to M. & A. Dundore, $165,000
Harris St., 235: T. Kline to D. Edwards, $235,240
Herr St., 2027: J. & J. Greene to T. Bajwa & S. Tehseen, $220,000
Holly St., 1944: J. & B. Readinger to S. Rubinstein & H. Choi, $150,000
Jefferson St., 2434: L. Henry to Alvarez Investment Properties LLC, $102,000
Jefferson St., 2436: L. Henry to Alvarez Investment Properties LLC, $93,000
Kensington St., 2033: JHC Property Investments to T. Ngo, $120,000
Kensington St., 2147: J. Gaidos to Wright Restoration Properties LLC, $105,000
Lexington St., 2528: M. & A. Reuveni to B. Jarkow, $125,000
Lexington St., 2614: G&W Rentals LLC to C. Jones, $114,900
Lexington St., 2629: G. Neff to Echo Propco I LLC, $90,000
Market St., 1504: E. Saenz & M. Rodriguez to 1504 Market Street LLC, $105,000
Mercer St., 2458: K. Hallman to Y. Lozada, $138,000
Moore St., 2122A: Harrisburg Homes Investment LLC to Penn RM Properties LLC, $77,000
Mulberry St., 1807: R. Bobb to G. Perrier, $166,000
Mulberry St., 1943: L. Dunbar to T. Hardison, $80,000
Nagle St., 121: P. Donohoe & J. Augustine to M. Marie, $245,000
North St., 216: R. Lamberson to J. Beck, $145,000
North St., 231, 233, 235: Murphy & Laus Real Estate LLC to RNM Group, $670,000
N. 2nd St., 1910: Gaudenzia Foundation to Sarah Jane Bentley Holdings LLC, $250,000
N. 2nd St., 3109: C. Hand & Michele M. Manning Trust to R. Sprout, $129,000
N. 3rd St., 1122: Heartshine to Scholars Inc., $60,000
N. 3rd St., 1205: S. & D. Rooney to D. Kulp, $235,000
N. 3rd St., 1323: 1307 Assoc LP to Kingkey Realty LLC, $1,405,000
N. 3rd St., 1905: M. Luckett to C. Lewis, $70,512
N. 3rd St., 3300: Robbins House Associates c/o Richard Reynolds to Vaughn Terrace LLC, $1,550,000
N. 4th St., 1326: A Murphy Investment Inc. to DKH Homes LLC, $88,000
N. 4th St., 2603: Top Cash Paid LLC to T. Anderson, $97,000
N. 4th St., 2635: Pennymac Loan Services LLC to Beta One LLC, $98,200
N. 5th St., 1619: R. Par to K. Plasencia, $220,000
N. 5th St., 2701: V. & C. House to Ross Properties 717 LLC, $176,500
N. 5th St., 3136: A. Burno to W. Reyes, $200,000
N. 5th St., 3205: J. Rodriguez & I. Ramos to T. Belizaire, $252,000
N. 6th St., 1725: R. Stoughton to E. Stoute, $150,000
N. 6th St., 2523: R&K Realty Group LP to Turner Associates Inc., $125,500
N. 7th St., 2217: P. & S. Goldberg to YMCM LLC, $120,000
N. 14th St., 1313: P. Brisneo to P. & E. Briseno, $132,132
N. 15th St., 2: D&F Realty Holdings LP to Aaysha Convenience Store LLC, $100,000
N. 15th St., 1337: 1337 North 15th LLC to S. Herrera, $130,000
N. 17th St., 1105: T. Poole to A. Burman, $165,000
N. 19th St., 33: D. Pittman to S. & L. Lapp, $160,000
N. 19th St., 49: 49 N 19th Street LLC to S. Geiger, $140,000
N. Cameron St., 1745: 12th Indiana Associates to 1745 SPE LLC, $1,505,000
N. Front St., 1525, Unit 508: R. Shenoy to J. Sharpe & R. Redulla, $208,000
N. Front St., 2609: A. Hartzler to Microwaved Success Investments LLC, $500,000
Park St., 1847: Val de Vie Estate Investments LLC to D. Doughty, $158,000
Park St., 1919: 2020 Real Estate Ventures LLC to L. & C. Leon, $60,000
Peffer St., 219: D. Wendt & S. Shultz to K. Liddick, $222,500
Peffer St., 276: R. & M. Wickham to S. Daniels, $225,000
Penn St., 2131: J. Martinez to A. Rasheed, $95,000
Penn St., 2238: D. Stuart & J. Nuciglio to S. Lapp, $125,000
Radnor St., 625: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to New Ventures Investments LLC, $100,000
Reel St., 2628: G. Monroe to Sunnyside RE Enterprises LLC, $130,000
Reel St., 2719: E. Tilahun to Sunnyside RE Enterprise LLC, $129,900
Regina St., 1440: CTD Group to W. Guevara, $95,000
Regina St., 1606: Y. Tejada to R. & C. Vargas, $100,000
Regina St., 1718 & 2461 Reel St.: Community Investment & Development LLC and HBG Rental Group LLC to HBG Rental Group LLC, $168,000
Schuylkill St., 419: R. Hess & City Limits Realty to J. Escoto, $165,000
S. 14th St., 336: US Bank Trust & Selene Finance LP to D. Reyes, $60,850
S. 15th St., 29: W. White to Sunnyside RE Enterprises LLC, $125,000
S. 16th St., 322: Iron Dome Legal Advocacy Group LLC to S. Revolorio, $84,000
S. 17th St., 314: GCA & BN Real Estate Holdings LLC to E. Rodriguez, $350,000
S. 19th St., 12: J. Serrano to D. & V. Craig, $183,900
S. 19th St., 1117: F. Payero to M. Torres, $194,000
S. 21st St., 918: M. Gonzalez to L. Tarraga, $165,000
S. 21st St., 957: Normans Realty Services Inc. to PACC Homes & Development LLC, $80,000
S. Summit St., 29: Ingle Services LLC to Val de Vie Estate Investment LLC, $75,000
S. Summit St., 31: Ingle Services LLC to Val de Vie Estate Investment LLC, $65,000
Susquehanna St., 1618: M. Bekelja to A. & A. Murray, $245,000
Susquehanna St., 2206: N. Grant to R. Murray, $78,000
Swatara St., 1224: Falcao Group Consulting & Service Corp. Inc. to PR&J Properties LLC, $65,000
Swatara St., 2005: J. Torres to S. Mejia & W. Guzman, $175,000
Sycamore St., 1809: Jhon Leo Home Renovations LLC to C. Abikarram, $215,000
Taylor Blvd., 50: J. Collins to Biyaki Enterprises LLC, $90,000
Thompson St., 1419: Bridger Investments LLC to K&M Home Investment LLC, $55,000
Zarker St., 1412: Community Investment & Development LLC to Zarker Rental Group LLC, $84,000
Zarker St., 1823: L. Neely to J. Reynolds, $60,000
Harrisburg property sales, March 2025, greater than $50,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.
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