Tag Archives: housing

June News Digest

June 30, 2016 | by Lawrance Binda

Miller Named Treasurer

Long-time Harrisburg official Dan Miller is the city’s new treasurer, following a close vote last month by City Council.

Miller bested a field of four nominees to replace Tyrell Spradley, who left after 18 months in office and just months after being sworn in for a full term. Miller will serve until the next municipal election in 2017.

Council selected Miller by a 4 to 3 margin in a second round of voting, following interviews with all four nominees. Besides Miller, the finalists included former city Councilman Brad Koplinski and local attorneys Karen Balaban and Peter Marks.

Miller, an accountant by trade, told council that he wished to serve because he is well qualified for the job and hopes to improve the operations of the department. He plans to set up a separate website for the treasurer’s office and said he is not interested in running for higher office.

Miller has a long history of public service in Harrisburg, previously serving as a city councilman and city controller. Three years ago, he ran unsuccessfully for mayor in a contentious race against now-Mayor Eric Papenfuse.

School Budget Passed

The school portion of Harrisburg’s property tax will drop slightly this year under a $143 million budget passed last month by the district’s school board.

The board cut the tax rate from about 27.9156 mills to 27.8 mills, meaning that an owner with property valued at $100,000 would see a tax decrease of about $11 for the 2016-17 school year. Property tax bills are due to be mailed this month.

The school board was divided on whether to retain the current tax rate and keep about $150,000 in the budget or give homeowners a small tax break. In the end, the board decided to offer the largely symbolic tax cut.

Teacher Contract Approved

The Harrisburg school board and teachers agreed to a new contract last month, ending a four-year battle between the two sides.

The agreement gives teachers their first raise since a state-appointed chief recovery officer was named in 2012. In turn, teachers and others covered by the agreement, including school guidance counselors and nurses, will contribute more to their health care plans.

Before the agreement, teachers had threatened to strike if the school board and the Harrisburg Education Association could not reach a new accord.

Dispersal of Housing Funds Considered

Harrisburg would retain federal housing funds for its own use under an ordinance introduced last month by the city administration.

Under the proposal, the city would keep nearly $1.9 million in Community Development Block Grant funds, an annual grant from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. For years, the city has shared the money with a select group of nonprofit organizations.

Under the administration’s proposal, about one-third of the amount would go to debt service, as the city must pay back a federal loan it backed for the once-bankrupt Capitol View Commerce Center, as well as pay back other federal community development loans dating back about 15 years.

Remaining funds would go to public safety, housing rehabilitation, emergency demolition and several other city-identified priorities.

Several nonprofit groups have protested being shut out of the annual distribution. At press time, City Council had not agreed to the final disbursement of the monies.

Tax Abatement Finalized

Dauphin County last month gave the final OK to Harrisburg’s tax abatement plan, allowing the 10-year abatement to proceed.

The county commissioners approved the plan unanimously, which will offer a full, 100-percent abatement over 10 years for improvements to residential properties and at least a 50-percent abatement on improvements to commercial properties.

A divided City Council passed the administration’s abatement plan last year. The school board approved it in May, leaving only Dauphin County—as the final taxing authority for city properties—to offer its blessing. Harrisburg now must hire an administrator to oversee the program.

The abatement also offers some benefit for new construction, but, to get tax relief, developers must follow certain requirements, including paying a prevailing wage for construction workers and hiring a certain percentage of minority and local workers.

State Forgoes Appeal

The state attorney general’s office will not appeal a court ruling that dismissed 305 criminal counts against former Harrisburg Mayor Steve Reed.

In a brief statement, the office said it would honor a May ruling by presiding Judge Kevin A. Hess that the crimes alleged by the state occurred too long ago, exceeding the statute of limitations.

The state, though, will continue to pursue 144 criminal counts against Reed on theft-related charges.

“With his fascination for the Wild West, this man used other people’s money to decorate his house and office with antiques,” said Solicitor General Bruce L. Castor Jr. “But Pennsylvania is not the Wild West. We have the rule of law here.”

New Precinct Planned

Allison Hill soon may get a new police precinct, as the city plans to renovate a building near 15^th and Derry streets.

Money to rehab the one-story structure would come from part of a $250,000 federal community grant, according to Harrisburg Police Chief Thomas Carter.

Allison Hill residents have been clamoring for increased police presence for many years, and Carter said the new, 24-hour station should make police officers more visible, while reducing response times and increasing ties to the community.

Home Sales Jump

Home sales in the Harrisburg area continued their yearlong rise, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors.

Sales rose to 908 units in May compared to 792 units in the year-ago period, with the median price rising to $174,900 vs. $170,000, said GHAR.

In Dauphin County, sales totaled 297 units against 269 in May 2015, while the median price dipped to $155,000 from $159,900. In Cumberland County, sales rose to 326 from 281, and the median price increased to $219,561 from 213,712. Average days on the market fell in both counties.

In Perry County, 30 homes sold compared to 37 in the year-ago period. However, the median price increased to $151,500 vs. $117,900 in May 2015.

In addition to all of Dauphin, Cumberland and Perry counties, GHAR covers parts of York, Lebanon and Juniata counties.

So Noted

Harrisburg Beer Week handed over a check for $40,000 last month to Harrisburg River Rescue and Emergency Services. The check was double the amount raised last year during the weeklong celebration of craft beer. River Rescue plans to use the money for additional improvements to its facility.

Highmark Blue Shield presented Harrisburg with a $100,000 grant last month to fund summer enrichment and after-school programs for children in the city school district. The Highmark funding will support activities like basketball, golf, swimming, various educational field trips and a daily lunch. Harrisburg children ages 6 to 18 are eligible.

PinnacleHealth this month plans to open the new Lebanon Valley Advanced Care Center, an 80,000-square-foot building at 1251 E. Main St., Annville. When fully occupied, the facility will house numerous groups, including Annville Family Medicine, PinnacleHealth Endocrinology, Select Physical Therapy, PinnacleHealth Express and the PinnacleHealth CardioVascular Institute.

Rite Aid in downtown Harrisburg will move across Market Street into about 14,000 square feet in Strawberry Square, it was announced last month. The larger space will allow Rite Aid to offer more products, as well as a retail pharmacy, said Brad Jones, CEO of Harristown Enterprises, which owns Strawberry Square. The move should occur by the end of the year. In other Strawberry Square news, CASA plans to take another 2,400 square feet of space there, while the fashion brand AMMA JO last month doubled its presence by expanding into an adjoining storefront.

The Game Table Café has cut the ribbon on its location at 4900 Carlisle Pike in Mechanicsburg. The Game Table Café provides a relaxed setting to enjoy a cup of coffee and play board games with friends and family.

Changing Hands

Barkley Lane, 2515: K. Troung & L. Pham to L. Truong, $45,000

Bellevue Rd., 2114: Federal National Mortgage Assoc. to D. & E. Kerr, $153,000

Boas St., 219: D. Commins to A. Moyer, $136,000

Brookwood St., 2434: R. Hillman to The IRA Club & T. McDougal, $42,000

Calder St., 115: A. & M. Anselmo to Penn Real Estate Solutions LLC, $49,700

Calder St., 519: S. & M. Martin to J. Fisher, $100,000

Croyden Rd., 2778: PA Deals LLC to D. Blumenthal, $78,000

Derry St., 2712: L. & J. Burnette to D. Diehl, $72,000

Edward St., 243: A. Clionsky to D. & J. Ruscito, $200,000

Edward St., 504: S. Krum to D. & J. Kruzhilin, $88,000

Ellersie St., 2344: G. Rudy to V. Ramsey, $59,000

Fulton St., 1405: PA Deals LLC to S. Orwan, $110,000

Fulton St., 1937: B. Rodriquez & American Heritage Property Management to T. Gates, $43,800

Green St., 1414: S. Jusufovic to V. Reydams, $140,000

Green St., 1423: J. & V. Bates to R. Walter, $81,900

Green St., 1915: GRSW Stewart Real Estate Trust to J. & K. Johnston, $195,000

Green St., 1945: J.A. Hartzler to WCI Partners LP, $212,000

Hale Ave., 415: T. Pham & T. Vu to J. & J. Fickett, $59,000

Hamilton St., 238: J. Manzella to J. & M. Moritz, $135,000

Herr St., 127: R. Lake to C. Wagoner, $156,500

Hudson St., 1246: Bank of New York Mellon to PA Deals LLC, $47,250

Logan St., 1728: Wilmington Savings Fund Society to S. Eagle, $102,000

Maclay St., 245: N. Do to M. Cvetko, $30,000

Midland Rd., 2408: J. Jaxheimer to M. Boone, $179,900

Mulberry St., 1951: C. Campbell to E. & B. O’Brien, $51,000

N. 2^nd St., 812: J. Swoyer to A. Meoli, $197,500

N. 2^nd St., 1700: Metro Bank to Hopewell Estates 2^nd Street LLC, $400,000

N. 2^nd St., 2414: A. & G. Hall to R. Gist, $62,000

N. 2^nd St., 2539: US Bank NA Trustee to D. Garber, $58,000

N. 2^nd St., 2802: D. Skerpon & C. Baldrige to S. Gallagher & C. Prestia, $166,900

N. 2^nd St., 3004: E. & T. Lukoski to 8219 Ventures LLC, $40,000

N. 3^rd St., 1621: Wells Fargo Bank NA to Henly Homes LLC, $54,180

N. 3^rd St., 2451: Triple J. Assoc. Ltd. To Hornby Zeller Properties LLC, $149,900

N. 5^th St., 3204: Information Systems Networks Corp. & Secretary of Housing & Urban Development to T. Radcliff, $98,100

N. 16^th St., 911: M. McManus to S. Sprinkle, $87,500

N. 18^th St., 1116: P. & S. Mitchell to K. Wright, $70,000

Parkside Lane, 2922: A. Anderson to J. & B. Williams, $200,000

Race St., 562: Brady Daughters Realty LLC to S. Garnes, $153,500

S. 2^nd St., 302: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. to J. Pronio, $49,900

S. 17^th St., 319: E. & L. Castillo to 4P Ventures LLC, $120,000

S. 29^th St., 720: C. Karstetter to S. Maurer, $38,000

S. Front St., 709: R. Stevenson to D. Smith, $185,000

State St., 217: Medical Bureau of Harrisburg to D. Ragland, $110,000

State St., 231, Unit 303: LUX 1 LP to T. & D. Jensen, $121,000

State St., 1936, 1940 & 1942: L. & K. Price to M. & E. Duvall, $75,000

Susquehanna St., 1825: A. Tilley to M. Manley, $87,000

Susquehanna St., 2005: Kusic Financial Services LLC to M. Rioux & H. Perry, $68,000

Harrisburg property sales for May 2016, greater than $30,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

February News Digest

February 29, 2016 | by Lawrance Binda

Budget Passed Again

For a second time, Harrisburg has passed a 2016 budget, which was largely unchanged from the version approved last year.

By a 6-1 vote, City Council last month OK’d a $60.4 million spending plan that adds 36 new positions, most in a newly created Neighborhood Services division. Councilwoman Shamaine Daniels was the sole member to vote no, stating that she believed the budget total was too high.

Council passed a budget in December, but reopened it a month later after three new council members took their seats. The new version is almost identical to the original, but it does give raises to a handful of city workers pending a study of pay equity in city hall.

The budget factors in about $3 million from a planned tripling of the local services tax (LST) to $156 per year for each person who works in Harrisburg and earns more than $24,418 annually. At press time, council still needed to approve the LST increase.

Commonwealth Court Judge Bonnie Leadbetter, who must approve changes to the city’s financial recovery plan, already has signed off on the tax hike.

Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse regards the LST increase as a way for commuters to contribute more to the city’s financial stability and to fund improved services, particularly for sanitation and road maintenance.

Stolen Firearms

Three antique guns were stolen from the National Civil War Museum in Reservoir Park last month, taken from an NRA-sponsored exhibit there.

A pair of Colt revolvers, dating to 1860 and 1861, was owned by the city, while an engraved Henry rifle from 1861 was on loan from a private donor, according to museum CEO Wayne Motts.

All three firearms were claimed to have once belonged to Simon Cameron, a Harrisburg native who served as President Abraham Lincoln’s secretary of war at the beginning of the Civil War. They were on display together as part of a “Guns & Lace” exhibit that was sponsored by a $25,000 grant from the National Rifle Association.

Police Capt. Gabriel Olivera confirmed that the thief made entry by breaking through a window and then breaking into the display case to remove the guns. The theft was not detected until hours later due to an apparent failure in the museum’s alarm system. Olivera added that the precise nature of the security lapse was not yet clear.

Olivera said surveillance footage captured images of a male thief, but that the images are not clear and that police are not yet releasing them because they “would not be of any use.” Police have not ruled out the possibility of an inside job, Olivera said.

The city released the following information identifying the weapons:

A .44 caliber M1860 Colt Army Revolver with serial number 11708.
A .36 caliber Colt M1861 Navy Revolver with serial number 1825.
An M1860 Henry Repeating Rifle with serial number 115, manufactured by the New Haven Arms Company and engraved with the word “Cameron” on the receiver.

Council Rethinks Pot Penalties

Harrisburg’s marijuana laws may soon change as City Council last month introduced a bill to reduce penalties for possession of the drug.

The city administration’s proposal would change possession from a misdemeanor to a less-serious summary offense and ease penalties to $100 for a first conviction and $200 for a second. After a third offense, possession again would be considered a misdemeanor crime.

Mayor Eric Papenfuse supports the change, saying too much city police time is occupied by low-level drug cases. He said he also doesn’t believe the change would encourage drug use, a charge leveled by some opponents.

At press time, a council committee was slated to consider the issue for further action.

Serious Crime Declines

The rate of serious crime in Harrisburg fell significantly last year, the Police Bureau said last month.

“Part 1” crimes declined by 17 percent in 2015 compared to 2014, the police said. These crimes include murder, rape, assault, burglary, theft and arson.

Of these, robbery fell from 283 to 228 reported incidents; assault decreased from 1,328 to 1,233 reported incidents; and theft dropped from 1,235 to 875 incidents.

Harrisburg tallied 19 homicides in 2015, the same as in 2014. However, three of those murders were categorized as self-defense, meaning that criminal homicides actually went down.

New Home for City Islanders

The Harrisburg City Islanders will make FNB Field (formerly Metro Bank Park) their home stadium for the 2016 season.

The city-based soccer team will play 10 home matches at the City Island ballpark, which also is the home stadium for the Harrisburg Senators. Another five home matches will be played at Clipper Magazine Stadium in Lancaster.

For the past two years, the Islanders have been looking to move out of the Skyline Sports complex, also on City Island, because the team considered it too small and lacking in basic amenities, such as bathrooms.

Mayor Eric Papenfuse said that the city, which owns the stadium, may benefit financially through increased ticket, sales and parking fees, especially if the move leads to greater attendance at Islanders’ matches.

Separately, First National Bank last month announced the stadium would be renamed FNB Field, as F.N.B. Corp. recently merged with Metro Bank’s parent company, Metro Bancorp.

Housing Sales Improve

The Harrisburg area continued to see improvements in housing sales, the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR) reported last month.

Region-wide, sales totaled 557 units in January, compared to 501 in January 2015 and 448 in January 2014. The median price increased to $152,000, $4,000 more than in the year-ago period.

In January, Dauphin County tallied 185 sales at a median price of $134,000, compared to 177 units and a $132,000 median price in January 2015.

In Cumberland County, 201 units sold for a median price of $174,000 against 179 units at a price of $160,800 in January 2015, GHAR said. Perry County sales were also up, totaling 27 units for a median price of $147,000 versus 18 units at a price of $144,950 for the year-ago period, according to GHAR.

So Noted

Bricco, a downtown Harrisburg restaurant, plans a series of events and specials to celebrate its 10-year anniversary. These include special pricing, dining events and a new menu. For all the details, visit www.briccopa.com.

Changing Hands

Berryhill St., 1249: R. Eisner et al to E. Graves, $37,000

Berryhill St., 2116: Secretary of Housing & Urban Development to M. Wijaya, $31,000

Cumberland St., 1322: E. Brinkman to D. Brotz, $114,900

Derry St., 2416: S. Moose to I. Class & Y. Aguayo, $45,000

Derry St., 2513: L. Parker to R. Tortorelli, $59,900

Edgewood Rd., 2300: B. & C. Mark to T. Paradise, $195,000

Green St., 1425: M. Araujo to J. Miller, $95,000

Green St., 1701A: R. Myers to J. & V. Wills, $180,000

Green St., 2959: D. Jamieson to D. & V. Moore, $202,900

Hoffman St., 3214: M. Angelo to J. Gantt & H. Mahmood, $109,900

Hunter St., 1609: T. Vo to D. Vo, $160,000

Kelker St., 422 & 434, 1821 Fulton St. and 1820 N. 5^th St.: Hamilton Health Center to Christian Recovery Aftercare Ministry, $250,000

N. 2^nd St., 321 & 209 South St.: B. Hattingh to VMV Smart Solutions LLC, $425,000

N. 2^nd St., 1509: J. Tang to Vortex Properties, $105,000

N. 3^rd St., 3205: Secretary of Veterans Affairs to H. Pontius, $42,000

N. 4^th St., 3211: J. Kardisco to D. Cameron, $89,000

N. 17^th St., 1001: Miracle Group Inc. to E. Price, $80,000

Parkside Lane, 2906: R. & V. Eaton to R. & K. Riley, $210,000

Penn St., 1522: S. Faridi to M. Lindsay, $133,000

Regina St., 1414 & 2139 N. 4^th St.: SNL Realty Holdings & Touch of Color to NJR Group LLC, $71,500

Rudy Rd., 1916: R. Wagner to J. Burno, $53,000

Rudy Rd., 2413: J. Boutselis to PA Deals LLC, $55,000

Rumson Dr., 2586: PA Deals LLC to J. Tucker, $80,000

S. 19^th St., 14: C. Butler to M. Martinez, $45,000

S. 25^th St., 729: R. Wylie Jr. to 729 25^th Street LLC, $170,000

S. 26^th St., 733: T. Navas to E. Lowe & S. Fuentes, $72,000

State St., 213: Douglas, Hassler & McKillop to Legion Premier Properties LLC, $247,000

Susquehanna St., 1725: M. Gojmerac & C. Roma to B. & K. Martin, $94,000

Verbeke St., 309: S. Rosso to R. Green & D. Govender, $113,000

Wyeth St., 1406: A. Van Dyke to PA Deals LLC, $82,000

Harrisburg property sales for January 2016, greater than $30,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

November News Digest

November 30, 2015 | by Admin

New Council Members

Harrisburg City Council will have a fresh look next year, as voters last month elected three newcomers to the city’s seven-member legislative body.

Cornelius Johnson tallied 3,383 votes, while Westburn Majors took 3,343. Jeffrey Baltimore, the only incumbent running, earned 3,563 votes.

All three were running unopposed for the three, four-year seats after topping a crowded Democratic field during the May primary. No Republicans ran.

Destini Hodges tallied 3,514 votes running unopposed for the lone, two-year council seat.

Three council seats were open after councilwomen Susan Brown-Wilson and Sandra Reid decided not to run and Councilman Brad Koplinski lost in the primary.

For city treasurer, Tyrell Spradley earned his first full term, taking 3,545 votes in the general election.

School Board Shakeup

Harrisburg voters last month elected several new members to the district school board last month.

Meanwhile, newly re-elected board President Jennifer Smallwood announced her resignation from the body.

Ellis R. Roy, Lionel Gonzalez, Matthew Krupp and Melvin Wilson Jr. each earned four-year seats, as did Smallwood. Judd Pittman, who recently was appointed to the board to fill an opening, took the lone two-year seat.

The candidates all ran unopposed for their seats after emerging victorious in the May primary. Krupp was the only candidate on the Republican ballot, having been nominated by both parties.

The board now must appoint a replacement for Smallwood. That person will serve until the next school board election in 2017.

County Commissioners Re-Elected

The makeup of the Board of Commissioners will be unchanged as Dauphin County voters last month retained the three incumbents.

Voters returned Republicans Jeff Haste and Mike Pries, as well as Democrat George Hartwick, to office. Democrat Tom Connolly lost his challenge.

In other competitive county races, Republican Nick Chimienti beat Democrat Tim Carter for county sheriff, and Republican Timothy DeFoor defeated Democrat Eric Gutshall for county controller.

Several incumbents won re-election running unopposed, including District Attorney Ed Marsico, Clerk of Courts Dale Klein and Treasurer Janis Creason.

Water Rate Hiked

Customers of Capital Region Water will pay 9.7 percent more next year for drinking water, as the board last month passed a rate increase.

The new water rate will be $7.88 per 1,000 gallons, as opposed to $7.18 in 2015. The “ready to serve” charge also will increase 9.7 percent

“We don’t take rate increases lightly, and our board of directors is sensitive to the burdens already placed on the people and places we serve, but the systems that our customers rely on to deliver safe drinking water every day and to clean wastewater before it reaches the Susquehanna River were long ignored,” said Capital Region Water CEO Shannon Williams.

Sewer rates will remain unchanged at $6.05 per 1,000 gallons.

“After years of deferred maintenance and lack of investment into our drinking water, wastewater and stormwater systems, we continue to build up to necessary staffing levels and to make long overdue improvements to our aging infrastructure to prevent the even higher costs of failure,” Williams said.

County Taxes Steady

For the 11^th straight year, Dauphin County property taxes are expected to be unchanged, the county commissioners said last month.

The county portion of the property tax should remain at 6.876 mills for 2016, according to a statement by the commissioners.

The county commissioners are expected to pass a 2016 budget this month, which will affirm their tax plan.

Managers Get Payouts

Five Harrisburg department managers will receive payouts for unused off-time following approval last month by City Council.

Council authorized the city administration to spend almost $29,000 to compensate these managers for unused sick and vacation time from 2013. It was about $7,000 more than the administration was requesting.

Mayor Eric Papenfuse said that, following negotiations, the managers had agreed to take 75 percent of the amount owed them for the unused time. Council, however, authorized Papenfuse to reimburse them for up to 100 percent of that time.

Sinkhole Relief Denied

Harrisburg received disappointing news last month, as the Federal Emergency Management Agency rejected its application for sinkhole relief funds.

FEMA notified Harrisburg that it had turned down a request for $4.1 million to buy out homeowners in a sinkhole-ravaged area of S. 14^th Street.

In the competition for funds, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency had ranked Harrisburg’s request first in the state, but, instead, FEMA approved a $2.1 million application from Palmyra, which was ranked second.

PEMA appealed the decision, and Mayor Eric Papenfuse also wrote a letter asking FEMA to reconsider.

Housing Data Strong

Home sales showed continued strength in October, sustaining a yearlong trend in the Harrisburg area.

For the month, 791 housing units sold, compared to 671 in October 2014, with the median price increasing to $162,900 from $156,500, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors.

In Dauphin County, sales totaled 245 units versus 229 units in the year-ago period, with the median price inching up to $139,000 from $138,000, GHAR reported.

Cumberland County sales actually dropped slightly, to 297 units from 303, but the median price increased to $185,000 from $175,000, said GHAR. Perry County followed a similar trend, with sales decreasing to 28 units from 43, but the median price rising to $129,250 from $115,000, GHAR reported.

In addition to all of Dauphin, Cumberland and Perry counties, GHAR’s coverage area includes parts of York, Juniata and Lebanon counties.

So Noted

Little Amps Coffee Roasters last month opened its third location, a kiosk on the main floor of Strawberry Square in Harrisburg. Little Amps was founded in 2011 at a location on Green Street in Olde Uptown and later opened a downtown café at N. 2^nd and State streets.

Allen Distribution has signed a 321,333-square-foot lease at 100 Capital Lane, part of the newly renovated Capital Logistics Center in Middletown. The logistics company has leased the entire building, one of six comprising the 1.55-million-square foot industrial complex.

Level 2 is making changes going into 2016. The popular Latin Night will move to Friday and combine with the monthly Latin Fuzion party to create Fuzion Fridayz. Level 2 also is responding to increased demand for private events, with the space available for fundraisers, rehearsals, receptions and more. For information and updates, visit www.level2.us or their Facebook page.

Changing Hands

Alricks St., 638 & 651: Central Dauphin Realty Co. to Coho Spawning Industries & Meridian Recycling LLC, $650,000

Boas St., 235: L. Dempsey & B. Hartlage to C. Guy, $171,500

Calder St., 115: L. Paige to A. & M. Anselmo, $42,500

Derry St., 2436: M. Miranda to M. & I. Collins, $63,000

Forster St., 416 & 418: Pennsylvania Psychological to ITSM Specialties LLC, $145,000

Forster St., 1844: D. & D. Hall to S. Martin, $75,000

Fulton St., 1400: C. Krobath to PA Deals LLC, $90,000

Green St., 1617: A. Doherty to A. Calvano, $124,000

Green St., 3214: M. Traxler to D. Bartels, $105,000

Hale Ave., 397: J. & G. McCarchey to J. Gonzalez, $62,000

Hamilton St., 235: R. Swartz to G. Huggens, $168,900

Hamilton St., 238: LSF8 Master Participation Trust to J. Manzella, $63,900

Hamilton St., 326: K. Stratton to R. Hadrick, $110,000

Hanover St., 1701: C. Cheam to S. Chen, $400,000

Hoffman St., 3206: Skynet Property Management LP to J. Ostrander, $75,000

Kelker St., 315: N. Schock to C. Clymire, $109,900

Kensington St., 2313: Skye Holding LLC to J. Meas, $45,000

Locust St., 110 & 112: Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency to Locust Company LLC, $140,000

Market St., 1811: B. Vorndran to HE Pressley Properties LLC, $33,000

N. 2^nd St., 717: M. Hilden & S. Farzin to BCRA Realty LLC, $150,000

N. 2^nd St., 806: Pennsylvania Council of Republican Women to H. Fang & K. Zhu, $77,000

N. 2^nd St., 1200: W. Moyer to Harrisburg Second Street Apartments LLC, $65,000

N. 2^nd St., 2403: CNC Realty Group LLC to AON LLC, $470,000

N. 2^nd St., 2517: 8219 Ventures LLC to AXL Realty Group Inc., $42,000

N. 2^nd St., 3002: B. & K. Elgart to E. Stailey, $152,000

N. 3^rd St., 1100 & 268 Herr St.: Triple Ace LP to AON LLC, $352,000

N. 3^rd St., 2248: M. Coleman to N. Hartwig, $85,000

N. 4^th St., 2737: T. Murphy to Mountaincrash Investments LLC, $37,000

N. 5^th St., 3208: W. & R. Bragunier to K. & D. Roberts, $61,760

N. 6^th St., 2610: S. Wright to J. Shutter, $34,650

N. 18^th St., 120: G. Neff to D. Geiger, $35,000

N. Front St., 2233: Mancke and Wagner Real Estate to J.A. Hartzler & K. Werley, $300,000

Penn St., 1110: G. Latasha to A. St. John & R. Wagoner, $180,000

Penn St., 1111: D. Cooper to H. Landenberger, $114,000

Rolleston St., 1013: R. & A. Showers to W. & J. Wirfel, $30,000

S. 13^th St., 240: NJR Group LLC & Touch of Color to A. Radon, $460,000

S. 19^th St., 1111: Secretary of Housing & Urban Development to K. Saqib, $31,500

S. Front St., 315: JGPA Realty LLC to S. Eicher, $146,650

S. Front St., 605: B. Glazier & E. Tsumura to J. & C. Fabian, $152,000

Valley Rd., 2313: Secretary of Housing & Urban Development to K. & E. High, $78,000

Waldo St., 2708: Freddie Mac to Tassia Corp., $30,000

Wilson Parkway, 2734: PA Deals LLC to G. & C. Rodda, $80,000

Wiconisco St., 611 & 2641 Agate St.: Thompson LLP to Stop & Store Inc., $175,000

Wyeth St., 1417: Secretary of Housing & Urban Development to D. Drabik, $71,000

Hallmark to Close, Among Many Changes in Strawberry Square

November 20, 2015 | by Lawrance Binda

Part of Strawberry Square in Harrisburg.

A retail era is coming to a close in Harrisburg, as the Strawberry Patch Hallmark store is slated to close in January.

Owners Ed and Linda Baer have informed Harristown Enterprises that they plan to retire and so will not renew their lease after 36 years in business. The couple have operated their store in Strawberry Square since 1979, said Brad Jones, CEO of Harristown, which owns and manages the downtown, mixed-use complex.

“We are sorry to see them go, but understand that they wish to retire after all these years,” said Jones.

Jones acknowledged that retail has become increasingly challenging for brick-and-mortar stores, which must compete with online vendors. Nonetheless, he said that Harristown is seeking, but has not yet found, a new tenant for the large, prominent space on the main floor.

He also characterized the store’s departure as part of the ongoing evolution of Strawberry Square.

Built in the 1970s, Strawberry Square was designed as office and retail space to better compete with suburban malls, which then were in vogue. However, as that style of shopping has gone out of fashion, it has tried to change with the times, responding to new types of demand, he said.

For instance, Best Friends Day Care recently moved into another large retail space, one long occupied by apparel retailer Dressbarn. Also, a large swath of Strawberry Square along Market and 3rd streets is being converted from offices to 22 high-end apartments, the first residential units in the complex as interest in downtown living has grown. In addition, a Little Amps Coffee Roasters kiosk opened last week on the main floor, responding to the influx of 900 state workers into the former Verizon Tower building.

Harristown also said that about 200 employees with Deloitte Consulting and Deloitte Advisory soon will move into about 20,000 square feet of space at 30 N. 3rd St. And, recently, RGS Associates and Sellers Dorsey announced their intention to take space in Strawberry Square.

“We continue to adapt to the changes in the market,” said Jones.

The Hallmark store owners plan a retirement sale, said Jones, so shoppers should look for that in January.

Click here for more information about Strawberry Square.

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