Tag Archives: Mayor Eric Papenfuse

Harrisburg names former HUD official Elvis Solivan as business development director

October 5, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

Elvis Solivan

Harrisburg has a new top official overseeing business development in the city.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Mayor Eric Papenfuse announced Elvis Solivan as the new director of business development/LERTA administrator.

“He is an incredibly impressive person, and we are lucky to have him coming to work here,” Papenfuse said.

Solivan has experience in affordable housing, workforce development, government affairs and customer services, according to the city.

He previously served as the regional senior advisor at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and as a communications specialist at the Philadelphia Parking Authority. Solivan also held the role of state director for employment opportunities for the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

Papenfuse said that Solivan was recruited by the city’s Director of Economic Development Otto Banks, who was just hired in September. Banks also formerly served as a top official with HUD.

Recently, Harrisburg has made a string of top-level appointments, including a new director of public works and a new director of community relations and engagement for the police bureau.

In his new position, Solivan will oversee business development and relationships in Harrisburg, while also managing LERTA, the city’s tax abatement program for developers.

Solivan said that providing education, technical support and resources to small businesses will be his top priorities for helping businesses coming out of the pandemic.

“I’m going to make a promise to you that I’m going to visit every single business to talk about what they need, what the problems are and how to resolve these issues,” he said.

Solivan speaks both English and Spanish and plans to focus specifically on reaching out to Harrisburg’s Latino population through focus groups and meetings with business owners.

He also talked about the possibility of starting a youth entrepreneurship program, as well as assisting veterans and people with disabilities who want to start a business.

“I’m facing the challenge, and I’m ready for it,” Solivan said.

Solivan replaces Jamal Jones, the former director of business development.

His salary remains the same as his predecessor at $57,977.

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Harrisburg mayor makes appointments to police advisory board

October 4, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

Anthony Burnett and Autumn Cooper

Mayor Eric Papenfuse announced two appointments for Harrisburg’s citizen’s law enforcement advisory committee, a new board designed to focus on police accountability.

At a press conference on Monday, he introduced residents Autumn Cooper and Anthony Burnett as potential board members.

The committee was approved by City Council in November 2020, after residents submitted comments at numerous meetings and town halls. In the end, all council members, except for council President Wanda Williams, voted in favor of the board.

Members of the board will “act as both a voice for the community, as a means of oversight for the police department, but also as a means of fostering dialogue,” Papenfuse said.

The board is designed to have nine members in total. It will begin with seven members, two appointed by the mayor and five by city council. Each of those appointees is required to be from a different policing district in the city. That group will then vote to add two more board members from the city at large.

Council has not yet made any appointments to the board.

Cooper is from the Uptown neighborhood, and Burnett is from Allison Hill, Papenfuse said. They are both Harrisburg natives.

Cooper has a master’s degree in business administration from Lincoln University and is working on her doctorate in business administration and management. According to Papenfuse, she is an advocate for education and literacy in the community and volunteers with the American Literacy Corporation for the Reading 365 Program.

“I’m honored by the opportunity to not only serve, but to serve as a liaison and advocate, and working to build and foster positive relationships between the Harrisburg Police Bureau and the community,” she said.

Burnett graduated from Harrisburg High School and works with the city’s department of parks and recreation as a coach. He also has experience working with the Police Athletic League (PAL).

City Council will need to approve both of Papenfuse’s appointments.

“I’m hoping these two appointments will inspire council to make theirs,” Papenfuse said. “We need to put this board in place now.”

In response, council member Ausha Green, chair of council’s public safety committee, said that council has been accepting applications and that she didn’t know that Papenfuse would make his appointments today.

“We had no idea that he was appointing anyone until we saw it come down, then he had a press conference,” she said. “So, I found out when you found out. It was an interesting political process.”

This story has been updated to include comments from council member Ausha Green.

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Harrisburg mayor names former political opponent Otto Banks as economic development director

September 13, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse (left) announced Otto Banks (center) as the new director of economic development at a press conference.

Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse will now work alongside a former political opponent, who will now serve as a top city official.

At a press conference on Monday, Papenfuse announced former U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development official Otto Banks as the new director of economic development for Harrisburg.

Banks, a Harrisburg native, ran for the Democratic nomination for Harrisburg mayor against Papenfuse in the May primary election, often criticizing the mayor’s administration.

However, on Monday, Banks said that he has put the primary election results behind him and plans to work with Papenfuse to make improvements to the city.

“We were opponents,” Banks said. “There were some issues I felt like needed to be addressed, and the mayor and I spoke after the election, and we came to an agreement. The election is over, the opportunity is here. There is so much stuff that still needs to be done, and we are going to do this.”

Banks previously worked for HUD as the deputy assistant secretary for economic development, overseeing more than 800 employees and managing a $14 billion portfolio.

“He brings vision, he brings energy, he brings experience, and he brings bipartisanship,” Papenfuse said.

Papenfuse said that Banks’ relationship with HUD will benefit the city. Harrisburg’s Department of Building and Housing Development, which often works with HUD, falls under Banks’ purview.

Banks and Papenfuse explained that their goals for Banks’ position include creating a guaranteed income program for low-income residents, for which the mayor has proposed using federal American Rescue Plan funds.

Banks said that he also plans to work with the Harrisburg School District to develop after-school programming and partnerships, advocate for the proposed federal infrastructure bill and work with trade unions on job training.

“As unlikely as it [Banks’ hiring] may seem in the eyes of many, it made perfect sense for the mayor and I as we shared similar goals and ideals for the city of Harrisburg,” Banks said.

Banks denied that joining Papenfuse’s administration was a political move, but rather a move to assist the city he cares about.

“You know that old saying, ‘to whom much is given, much is required,’” Banks said. “I’ve done so well in my life. It is incumbent upon me to give back.”

Harrisburg City Council President Wanda Williams defeated both Papenfuse and Banks in the primary election, gaining the Democratic nomination. However, Papenfuse plans to announce on Wednesday whether he will launch a write-in campaign for the November general election.

When asked if his choice to hire Banks, a former political opponent, was done to benefit a possible campaign, Papenfuse did not directly answer the question.

Instead, he said, “I’m bringing in a former political opponent because I feel as a city, that’s what we need to do to overcome the divisions that hold us back. I’m also trying to acknowledge that I have failed up until this point to bring the community together in a way that brings about meaningful change.”

Earlier this month, Papenfuse hired one of Banks’ former political allies, Fiordaliza “Ana” White as the bureau’s new director of community relations and engagement.

Although during his campaign, Papenfuse criticized Banks for formerly being a registered Republican, he now said that Bank’s bipartisanship experience will benefit Harrisburg. Banks is now a registered Democrat.

“I’ve always seen bipartisanship as a strength,” he said. “I think the single greatest accomplishment that we’ve had in the city over the past eight years was the extension of the city’s taxing authority […] that was done through partnership with Republicans on the hill.”

During his tenure, Papenfuse has had several directors of economic development, most recently Nona Watson, who resigned after the primary election. His annual salary will be $90,000.

“There is so much work to be done,” Banks said. “I’m essentially trying to create a renaissance.”

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Harrisburg’s Herr Street underpass restored to create safer connection from downtown to Allison Hill

September 8, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

Herr Street underpass

Harrisburg today cut the ribbon on a significant road reconstruction, restoring a major connection point between neighborhoods.

On Wednesday, city officials ceremoniously reopened the updated Herr Street underpass, which connects Midtown/downtown and Allison Hill.

The roadway, just off N. 7^th Street, dips under the Norfolk Southern railroad and connects to N. Cameron Street.

For years, who was responsible for maintaining the underpass was under dispute, according to Mayor Eric Papenfuse. Norfolk Southern and the city clashed on the matter, experiencing numerous lawsuits.

In turn, the roadway and sidewalks deteriorated, and the steel underpass was in danger of structural failure, Papenfuse said.

“It was pretty awful,” he said. “Historically, this was something of a no man’s land.”

In the end, the state Department of Transportation worked with the city to repave the street, redo and widen the sidewalks, create new inlets and drainage systems and clean and fortify the steel columns under the railroad.

The city also contributed new LED lighting.

Papenfuse also pointed out that the sidewalks are bike-friendly and connect riders to the new bike lanes on N. 7^th Street.

In total, the project cost near $2 million, largely from PennDOT funds, with contributions from the city.

City officials cut the ribbon on the restored Herr Street underpass.

According to Papenfuse, the updates are already paying off. While the underpass did experience flooding during the rainstorm last week, it took significantly longer for water to accumulate due to the new drainage, he said.

“Through cooperation and perseverance, if we all work together we can really do something very positive,” Papenfuse said.

Connected to Herr Street is N. 7^th Street, which has been under construction to add a roundabout near the new federal courthouse to improve the flow of traffic. A center median with street trees is also being constructed on the street to calm traffic and better manage stormwater.

City Engineer Wayne Martin said that they expect to reopen that street to traffic by Thanksgiving. In the spring, they plan to put the finishing touches on the road, such as lighting and landscaping in the new median, he said.

Both the 7^th Street Multimodal Project and the underpass project are part of the city’s Vision Zero initiative to eliminate pedestrian fatalities in Harrisburg.

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Harrisburg names Ana White as community relations director for the police bureau, introduces community service aides

September 1, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

Ana White, along with Capt. Milo Hooper (left) and Mayor Eric Papenfuse, on Wednesday

A key member of the Harrisburg Police Bureau was introduced on Wednesday, tasked with creating conversations and enhancing understanding between the bureau and residents.

At a press conference, Mayor Eric Papenfuse announced Harrisburg native Fiordaliza “Ana” White as the bureau’s new director of community relations and engagement.

“We are really pleased to be introducing Ana White,” Papenfuse said. “She really brings a wealth of knowledge around topics such as community policing, crisis management, public relations, strategic partnership and mental health.”

White’s position was previously held by Blake Lynch, who recently left the bureau after three years for a position with public media organization, WITF.

White graduated from Harrisburg High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in educational studies and sociology from Denison University. She currently serves as the director of programming for Bro2Go, Inc., a youth and adult reentry intervention and prevention program.

According to Papenfuse, he and White developed a relationship over the past year, having spoken many times about police reform.

“Ana was one person who took the time to meet with me regularly,” he said. “We discussed ways that we thought we could work together.”

In her new role, White will oversee the six new community service aides (CSAs) hired by the bureau to build relationships with residents, as well as assist officers with quality-of-life issues.

White will report to Capt. Milo Hooper in the bureau’s community services division.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to engage with both law enforcement and citizens to work towards the necessary goals of creating and maintaining safe streets, while protecting and honoring our community,” White said.

White speaks both English and Spanish, which Papenfuse said will add to the city’s ongoing efforts of inclusion.

White also said that she plans to bring her mental health expertise to the table. Improving trauma-informed care in the bureau is one of her main goals.

In addition, she plans to focus on education within the community and the bureau. White said that she wants to improve communication with residents around resources they may need. She also hopes to implement more training for officers, specifically around cultural competency.

White has the bureau’s six new community service aides to assist her in her job of connecting with residents and helping out officers. Papenfuse also introduced them on Wednesday.

The group includes:

Vanessa Bowers
Myron Brooks
Rayshawn Brown-Donald
Malachi Holmes
Jeret Spears
Sierra VanSickler

From left: Rayshawn Brown-Donald, Myron Brooks, Vanessa Bowers, Sierra VanSickler, Malachi Holmes and Jeret Spears

Four of the CSAs were born and raised in Harrisburg. VanSickler is from Dillsburg and Bowers is from Steelton, but now resides in Harrisburg.

Three of the CSAs have or are pursuing degrees in criminal justice. Others have experience working in the Harrisburg School District, and some were previously employed by the city in parking enforcement and in the parks and recreation department.

The police bureau is currently recruiting for a seventh open CSA position.

Hooper said that the CSAs have undergone hands-on training including ride-alongs, speaking with different departments and organizations in the city and attending events like National Night Out.

CSA Myron Brooks reflected on his first month with the bureau and his passion for the job.

Brooks said his experience having parents in the prison system was hard on him and affected his behavior, but when he learned he was going to become a father in 12^th grade, he “shaped up.”

“Having those down moments helped propel me,” he said. “I wanted to come and give something back to the community.”

With all of the new additions to the department, Papenfuse said that he hopes to better unify the city and create conversations between the community and law enforcement.

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned this past year it’s that we live in a fractured community,” he said. “Through an honest exchange of emotions and feelings, we can come to reconciliation, and we can heal the trauma that holds us back as a city.”

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Harrisburg prepares for heavy rainfall, possible flooding headed this way

August 31, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

Barricades near the Market Street underpass, which often floods during heavy rain.

The remnants of Hurricane Ida will pass through the Harrisburg area tomorrow, leading the city government to take steps to prepare for potentially heavy rainfall.

The city is currently setting up barricades near flood-prone streets and clearing storm drains, among other efforts to keep residents safe, Mayor Eric Papenfuse said at a press conference on Tuesday.

“It’ll be a lot of rain, but we will get through,” he said.

A flash flood watch from Wednesday morning through Thursday morning has been issued for the Harrisburg area by the National Weather Service, which expects 3 to 5 inches of rain generally across south-central PA, with up to 7 inches possible in spots.

Low-lying areas of the city, like sections of N. Cameron and Maclay streets, may experience flooding, Papenfuse said. In areas like these, the city Public Works Department is setting up barricades that can be used to block off flooded areas, if needed, on Wednesday and Thursday.

According to the National Weather Service, the Susquehanna River water level at Harrisburg is currently around 4.5 feet. The river is predicted to reach 10 feet by Thursday. The flood stage in Harrisburg is 17 feet.

The city does not expect the river to flood, Papenfuse said.

“We are in a good place with regards to levels of the Susquehanna River, and that’s key,” he said. “The river will not flood.”

The Swatara Creek nearby around Hershey is, however, expected to experience moderate flooding by Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

Papenfuse added that the Harrisburg Fire Bureau is preparing for emergency response situations.

The Dauphin County Department of Public Safety also released a list of recommendations for staying safe during the storm. It includes tips like avoiding driving or walking through standing water, charging cellphones and flashlights, removing essential items from your basement and checking sump pumps and exterior drains.

Papenfuse said that the city’s Kipona festival, scheduled for Sept. 4 to 6 in Riverfront Park and on City Island, will still take place. He does not expect the rainfall to greatly impact the event, although some aspects may be modified if necessary.

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Hop, Skip and Runoff: Harrisburg park is renovated to include stormwater management features, new playground

August 19, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg’s 4th and Dauphin Park

A group of preschoolers ran to the slide, swings, and seesaw of Harrisburg’s newest park, mid-morning on Thursday.

In the foreground, the city cut the ribbon on the updated 4^th and Dauphin Park, which includes shiny new play equipment, a basketball court and rain gardens.

“Today is really a celebration of a multi-year process which has resulted here in this beautiful, fully renovated, gorgeous playground and park in Uptown Harrisburg,” Mayor Eric Papenfuse said.

The park is the last of five new parks to be renovated in Harrisburg as part of a partnership between the city and Capital Region Water (CRW). In total, about $3 million worth of restoration work was done at Cloverly Heights, Penn & Sayford, Royal Terrace, and Norwood & Holly parks.

The initiative was specifically focused on installing stormwater management features to parks to reduce the flow of rain runoff into the sewer system.

In the 4^th and Dauphin Park, the project included a new pervious basketball court, added vegetation, rain gardens and underground storm sewer pipes.

“It includes stormwater management elements that mitigate localized flooding and reduce sewer overflows,” said Charlotte Katzenmoyer, CRW’s chief executive officer. “When there is a water quality concern from water quantity issues, you need to get creative.’

The $750,000 project received funding from both CRW, which contributed $267,000, and Impact Harrisburg, which gave over $63,000. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the state Department of Community and Economic Development contributed, as well.

“A vibrant community requires a vibrant playground,” said Sheila Dow-Ford, executive director of Impact Harrisburg. “We live in a city that is a playground paradise.”

Basketball court at the 4th and Dauphin Park

Katzenmoyer said that the ideas for the playground came from a series of community surveys and engagement. They hope residents will continue to invest in the space, by participating in their Adopt-A-Rain Garden program. Volunteers can help maintain the gardens by keeping them litter free. They will also be recognized with a sign at their rain garden, and CRW staff will provide training. Organizations, businesses and individuals can apply.

The local Neighborhood Center of the United Methodist Church has adopted the park. On Thursday, kids from the center played on the new playground.

“I think it’ll be an excellent resource for the kids,” said Joelle Ewell, program development coordinator and a preschool teacher at the center. “Anything that adds to their activities in the community is badly needed.”

Although this was the final park in the string of five that faced renovation, CRW and city officials said they are far from done with improvements in Harrisburg.

“This project is just one example of many projects to come in the next 30 years in Harrisburg,” Katzenmoyer said.

To learn more about Capital Region Water, visit their website. To see a list of Harrisburg’s parks, visit the city’s website.

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August News Digest

July 30, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Council Approves Projects, Artifact Sale

At a final legislative meeting before taking a summer break, Harrisburg City Council last month approved two development projects.

A village of tiny homes for veterans on S. Front Street can move forward, along with a mixed-use office and apartment building on N. Cameron Street.

The tiny home village received a vote of 6-1, with council member Shamaine Daniels voting against it.

The project was proposed last year by the nonprofit Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania, which plans to build 15 tiny houses and a community center at 1103 S. Front St. to provide temporary housing and support services for homeless veterans.

At the council meeting, some residents expressed concern with the site of the project, saying that it was prone to flooding.

However, representatives with the nonprofit said that, while the area is in the floodplain, they plan to build the houses a few feet off of the ground, alleviating flooding concerns.

In a 5-2 council vote, another development proposal—converting a long-abandoned building into office and apartment space on Cameron Street—got the go-ahead. Council President Wanda Williams and council member Danielle Bowers voted in opposition.

Bowers explained that she would not vote for the project because developer Harrisburg Commercial Interiors would not commit to participating in the city’s affordable housing program.

In other council action last month, Harrisburg will move towards ending what has been a long process in dealing with artifacts purchased by former Mayor Steve Reed. In 2015, numerous collectibles and artifacts were seized from Reed’s home and storage units, many bought with public money.

Council approved a resolution to work with Cordier Auctions & Appraisals, as well as Reed’s estate, to auction off the remaining items and split the funds between the city, estate and auction company.

On the topic of Harrisburg history, council also approved the adoption of updated “Historic District Design and Preservation Guidelines,” which lay out the rules for property changes and repairs for houses in the city’s historic districts.

Council is on summer hiatus until Aug. 24.

Senior Housing Proposed

A new affordable housing initiative for seniors has been proposed in Harrisburg.

The almost $15 million “Bethel Village” would constitute the largest phase of the “Jackson Square” project at N. 6th and Herr streets, according to Ryan Sanders, co-owner of Harrisburg-based RB Development.

Along with RB Development, Paladin Development, a branch of the Harrisburg Housing Authority, Gardner Capital Development and Bethel AME Church are partners in the project.

The proposed four-story, nearly 45,000-square-foot building would be available for low-income seniors 62 years of age and older. It would provide one- and two-bedroom rental units ranging in price from $300 to $1,000 per month.

Generally, residents would pay about 30% of their income on rent, explained Ava Goldman of Gardner Capital, which specializes in providing affordable senior living. They plan to have designated units for visually and hearing impaired residents, as well.

Previously, Sanders had proposed a market-rate, mixed-use residential and commercial complex for the site.

The proposed site of the project sits on the land where the historic Bethel AME Church once stood before burning down in 1995. The lot currently contains paved parking and grassy areas.

Bethel Village developers are under contract with both Bethel AME, which owns about one-third of the proposed ¾-acre building site, and owners of the connected lots.

New Owners, Plans for Midtown Bars

Two Midtown bars once targeted for closure by Harrisburg’s mayor have been sold, with plans to create a restaurant, retail space and apartments.

Last month, restaurateur Josh Kesler bought 1400 N. 3rd St., which most recently housed the Third Street Café, and, before that, the 1400 Club and Club Wanda’s.

Kesler, who owns the Millworks in Midtown and the Watershed Pub in Camp Hill, said that he would like to open a two-floor restaurant/bar, but doesn’t yet have a firm plan for the two-story, 2,500-square-foot space.

“I want to do something cool and creative, something that adds uniqueness to the neighborhood,” said Kesler, who paid $153,000 for the building.

He expects to complete the renovation and open in 2022.

The Third Street Café has been closed since April under terms of a conditional licensing agreement between the owners and the PA Liquor Control Board. The owners since have placed the license into safekeeping, according to their attorney, Chris Wilson.

The co-owners of the Third Street Café, Anthony Paliometros and the heirs of the late Frank Karnouskos, also owned the building next door, 1402 N. 3rd St., once the home of the Taproom bar.

Sean Linder and his Bethlehem-based investment group, SJL Rentals LLC, bought that building for $231,000.

Linder said that he plans to undertake a restoration of the three-story, 4,000-square-foot building, creating five market-rate apartments with commercial space on the first floor. He also plans a small addition in the rear, which would add another 350 square feet of space.

“Midtown is obviously an up-and-coming area,” Linder said, when asked why he was interested in the building. “There’s a lot of great development going on in the city.”

Linder credited Justin Heinly of Midtown Property Management for bringing the property to his attention and mentioned that anyone interested in the first-floor retail space should contact Heinly.

He said he expects to complete the building renovation by spring 2022.

Notably, in 2015, Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse tried to revoke the business licenses of both bars, claiming that they were “nuisance bars.”

Dave Larche, then the owner of the Taproom, agreed to close his bar and later sold his building to his next-door neighbors, Paliometros and Karnouskos. For their part, Paliometros and Karnouskos repeatedly appealed the city’s business license revocation, eventually winning their case in court.

Alice Anne Schwab, the executive director of the Susquehanna Art Museum, located directly across the street from the bars, said that she looks forward to the renovations of the two buildings.

“We’re super-excited about something positive happening there,” she said. “The proposals I have heard about are really very much in keeping with businesses that are above board and operate with the public interest in mind.”

Kesler said that, in part, he was motivated to make the purchase in order to add to the growing vibrancy of the Midtown commercial district on 3rd Street, where numerous small businesses have opened recently.

Linder added that he also wanted to ensure that the block retained its architectural character.

“For years, they just let their beautiful buildings deteriorate,” he said. “There’s so much historical integrity there that needs to be preserved.”

Business Grant Program

Through a local grant program, some Harrisburg businesses have a chance at receiving financial support.

Impact Harrisburg last month rolled out its “Making an Impact” funding to benefit projects that impact the city economically.

“We can affirm that access to our funding has been a benefit to the economic structure and overall wellbeing of our community,” said Gloria Martin-Roberts, board chair of Impact Harrisburg.

The program will distribute $300,000 to eligible businesses and nonprofits. Eligible projects include those that wouldn’t have adequate funding otherwise and will be started immediately. Businesses must also contribute a match to the project, financial or otherwise, and have annual net revenues of $500,000 or less.

The Impact Harrisburg board plans to focus on assisting minority-owned businesses, Martin-Roberts said.

Applicants may request up to $25,000 for activities such as minor construction, building façade improvements, equipment purchases, furniture and fixture purchases, installation costs and job training, explained Sheila Dow-Ford, executive director of Impact Harrisburg.

In May 2020, Impact Harrisburg, along with the city, distributed around $1.5 million in “Neighborhood Business Stabilization” grant money to 314 small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. That program allowed businesses to utilize funds for general administrative expenses like rent, mortgage and payroll. This new round of funding cannot be used for those purposes, Dow-Ford said.

Dow-Ford described the “Making an Impact” program as “small, but mighty,” with the possibility to uplift often overlooked organizations in the city.

“This is a good news story in Harrisburg,” she said.

Home Sales, Prices Rise

Harrisburg-area home sales continued to show strength in June, in terms of both transactions and prices.

The Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR) reported that 819 housing units sold in June, compared to 530 in June 2020, while the median price rose to $228,000 from $199,900 a year ago.

Last year, the number of home sales was depressed due to the pandemic. A better comparison may be June 2019, when 850 houses sold for a median price of $190,788.

In Dauphin County, 376 homes sold in June for a median price of $209,000, versus $179,950 the previous year. In Cumberland County, 394 houses sold for a median price of $258,500, compared to $224,900 in the year-ago period, according to GHAR.

Prices also were up in Perry County, where 35 houses sold for a median price of $200,000 versus $175,900 last year.

Houses were also selling quickly. According to GHAR, the “average day on market” dropped to 16 days in the three-county area, compared to 45 days last year and 41 days the year before.

So Noted

Camp Curtin Memorial-Mitchell UMC Church has been purchased by a Harrisburg couple, Chris and Erica Bryce, for $50,000. Two years ago, the Susquehanna Methodist Conference put six churches on the market as it consolidated congregations. Chris Bryce said that he had no firm plans yet for the building, but that conversion to apartments was probable.

Dustin LeBlanc was named last month as the managing director of the West Shore Theatre in New Cumberland. In this position, LeBlanc will be responsible for most operations of the 81-year-old theater, which is set to reopen next year following a renovation.

Eric Turman last month was sworn in as the new superintendent of the Harrisburg School District. Turman, the former principal of Reading High School in Reading, replaces Chris Celmer, who served as acting superintendent until a permanent replacement was hired.

Fresh Pressed HBG held its grand opening last month at 221 N. 2nd St. in downtown Harrisburg. It’s the second location for the York-based business, which offers juices, smoothies and cleanses.

Harrisburg University last month announced “Tech ‘n Town Week,” which will feature concerts, a crypto-currency conference and the return of the e-sports tournament, the HUE Invitational, among other events. The festival takes place Sept. 19 to 25, with full information at www.harrisburgu.edu/tech-n-town-week.

H*MAC’s former owners last month were awarded $4.7 million in actual and punitive damages in a defamation lawsuit. A Dauphin County judged ruled that John Traynor and the former partnership of Bartlett, Traynor & London, which owned the Midtown Harrisburg arts and entertainment venue, were defamed by online comments that later turned out to be false.

Kipona will return next month with a live, three-day festival in Riverfront Park and on City Island, according to Harrisburg officials. The Labor Day weekend event will feature art, music, food vendors, fireworks, a beer garden and Native American cultural performances, among other activities. Due to the pandemic, much of last year’s festival was held virtually.

Trader Joe’s is slated to open its first store in central PA next year, as it repurposes about 12,500 square feet of space in the former Camp Hill Bon-Ton in Lower Allen Township. Trader Joe’s has about 500 stores in 42 states and is known for offering high-quality food products at affordable prices.

Verber Dental Group last month announced Search Dental, a $2.5 million dental facility, which will open in Silver Spring Township in April 2022. The 7,500-square-foot, 12-operatory facility is the first phase in a 3.5-acre dental campus located adjacent to Cumberland Valley High School, according to Verber.

Zachary’s BBQ & Soul opened last month as the newest restaurant concept at H*MAC in Midtown Harrisburg. Philadelphia-area chef Keith Taylor offers his take on soul food staples such as Carolina pulled pork, pulled chicken, boneless short rib, pork spare ribs and Caribbean jerk barbecue chicken, as well as some bar food favorites.

Changing Hands

Barkley Lane, 2527: D. Sharp to H. Alberto, $69,900

Bellevue Rd., 1915: J. Charles & D. Vanlee to C. Bouslama, $61,000

Benton St., 700: J. Sourbeer to SPG Capital LLC, $62,000

Berryhill St., 1506: RWH Properties LLC to RRMM Real Estate LLC, $42,000

Berryhill St., 1645: M. & M. Quinones to P. & C. Baquero, $46,100

Berryhill St., 2016 & 2020: Staley Berryhill Street Properties LLC to W. Stanley, $850,000

Berryhill St., 2146: J. Elias Holdings LLC to R. & C. Murphy, $65,000

Berryhill St., 2258: T. Baka & R. Teklit to E. Tesfamicael & L. Ghebremichael, $50,000

Boas St., 405: J. Varner & C. Fowler to H. Lewis, $185,000

Boas St., 424: C. Furlong to J. Smith, $170,000

Boas St., 1907: Ultra Renovations and Investments Inc. to T. Roebuck, $115,000

Brookwood St., 2314: E. Hager to M. Kraft, $89,000

Calder St., 118: Lynch Financial LLC to A. & W. Harvey, $190,000

Calder St., 500: R. Metzger to E. Shellenberger, $180,000

Chestnut St., 2031: K. Hassinger to N. & C. Hamani, $68,829

Conoy St., 114: W. McMartin to B. Stehle & A. Johnson, $147,500

Croydon Rd., 2854: R. Williams to G. & M. Romero, $88,000

Delaware St., 262: A. Hanlon to C. Zeger, $138,000

Delaware St., 268: F. Hamid to C. & E. Batista, $137,500

Derry St., 1441: SNL Realty Holdings LLC & Touch of Color to K. Tejada, $80,000

Derry St., 2403: Tassia Corp. to A. Lopez, $115,000

Derry St., 2529: T. Thornton to SPG Capital LLC, $65,000

Division St., 505: J. Elias Holdings LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $45,000

Edgewood Rd., 2307: J. Perkins to M. Bailor & S. Yann, $226,000

Emerald Ct., 2451: J. & S. Theodorou to M. Spence, $111,000

Forster St., 226: League of Women Voters Pennsylvania to J. Dubina, $88,750

Fulton St., 1409: R. Buyers to R. Davis Jr., $130,000

Green St., 710: N. Pinkston & C. Maximowicz to J. Elliott, $202,000

Green St., 916: J. Ehring to Capozzi & Ehring Realty LLC, $160,000

Green St., 1401: Hunter Properties to R. Rammouni, $80,000

Green St., 1405: A. Stouffer to C. & C. Thomas, $195,000

Green St., 1412: J. Ehring to Capozzi & Ehring Realty LLC, $150,000

Green St., 2810: Church of God of Prophecy & Christian Insight Ministry to Christian Insight Ministry, $145,000

Green St., 3208: G. Arrieta & K. King to J. Aponte & D. Torres, $235,000

Green St., 3232: B. Spangler & S. Keene to J. Jones, $155,000

Greenwood St., 2111: J. Elias Holdings LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $48,000

Hale Ave., 411: D. Wilson to I. Yolov, $50,000

Harris Terr., 2465: J. Davis to E. Garcia & Y. Marcucci, $35,000

Herr St., 307: B. Andreozzi to J. Varner & C. Fowler, $192,500

Herr St., 313: J. Kleinfelter to J. & M. O’Callaghan, $178,600

Holly St., 2002: J. Elias Holdings LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $48,000

Hummel St., 340: M. Nichols to K. Torres, $55,000

James St., 1329: V. Paredes to I. Mallouli, $85,000

Liberty St., 1610: Ivy Leaf Properties LLC & Lehman Property Management to H. Lopez, $60,000

Manada St., 2031: R. Torres to D. Perez, $120,000

Market St., 1811: HE Pressley Properties LLC to Jimruz LLC, $72,000

North St., 1711: SPG Capital LLC to P. Marte, $80,000

North St., 1842: Sunshine ABQ Real Estate Investment LLC to O. Perez, $105,000

N. 2nd St., 809: Vantage Rentals LP to A. & S. Grimes, $179,000

N. 2nd St., 1009: J. Kok to J. Flothmeier to J. Ambridge, $215,000

N. 2nd St., 1102: L. & A. Morato Lara to S. & J. Toole, $195,000

N. 2nd St., 2323: A. & A. Mathew to A. Deitrich & J. Cortez, $190,000

N. 2nd St., 2404: K. Liu to JLE Ventures 2404 LLC, $90,000

N. 3rd St., 1218, 1220 & 1222: Furlow Partners Inc. to COBA Apartments LLC, $2,800,000

N. 3rd St., 1619: T. Fridirici to J. Pronio, $187,500

N. 3rd St., 3010: Equitable Builds LLC to S. Ruiz & A. Ramirez, $212,000

N. 4th St., 1920: Tang & Perkins Property Management LLC to A. Nix, $109,000

N. 4th St., 2112: J. Elias Holdings LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $60,000

N. 4th St., 2215: L. & C. Sukhwinder to K. Torres, $54,000

N. 4th St., 2333: Dauphin County Property Investors LLC to I. Molina, $51,500

N. 4th St., 2448: S. Lewis to J. Graf, $100,000

N. 4th St., 2709: T. Landis to H. Fountain, $137,000

N. 5th St., 1504, 1504½, 1506, 1506½, 1508, 1508½, 1510, 1510½, 1512, 1514, 1516, 1516½, 1518; 439, 441 & 443 Boyd St.; 427, 429, 429B, 429½, 431 & 433 Kelker Alley; 1517 Fulton St.; 420, 426 & 428 Reily St. & 1515 Walker Alley: Redevelopment Authority to 400 Reily Street LLC, $81,000

N. 5th St., 1634: P. Hardy to N. Kamel, $150,000

N. 6th St., 1328: W. Zhang to M. Osborne, $170,000

N. 6th St., 2211: Curtin Heights ME Church to 608 N. Third LLC, $50,000

N. 6th St., 2612: MNK Properties LLC to C. Guerrier, $50,000

N. 6th St., 2665: J. Elias Holdings LLC to SPG Capital, $48,000

N. 6th St., 2667: J. Elias Holdings LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $55,000

N. 6th St., 3014: C. Dixon to A. & W. Keisling, $83,500

N. 14th St., 210: PBTB Group LLC to Dreams2Reality Services LLC, $67,500

N. 16th St., 606: 2020 Real Estate Ventures LLC to J. Moore, $120,700

N. 16th St., 820: Truemac Homes Trust to E. Hubbard, $123,000

N. 18th St., 802: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to B. Nevid, $119,000

N. 19th St., 706: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to L. Murrell, $40,000

N. 19th St., 1001: M. Myers to Neidlinger Enterprises LLC, $45,000

N. Front St., 1525, Unit 305: M. DiMatteo to Zinc One Texas LLC, $195,000

N. Front St., 3201: F. & W. Krevsky to Y. Duan, $310,000

Park St., 1840: T. & S. Rollason to J. Pichardo, $35,000

Penn St., 1311: A. Genre to Integrity First Home Buyers LLC, $75,000

Penn St., 1526: Heinly Homes LLC to H. Stevens, $190,500

Penn St., 1702: A. & D. Schade to T. Underkoffler, $175,000

Penn St., 1726: A. Hovne to C. Benedict & J. Sarji, $190,000

Penn St., 1820: Alex Manning Enterprises LLC & D. Kapil to Lancaster County Restoration LLC, $135,000

Penn St., 2334: N. Symons to T. Jackson & R. Pennypacker, $135,000

Pennwood Rd., 3204: C. Heckert to A. Daniels, $95,000

Prince St., 713: J. Mosco to Z. & A. Einhorn, $106,100

Reel St., 2618: E. Chattah to L. Ware, $88,450

Reel St., 2725: J. Louden to D. & C. Huffer, $56,000

Seneca St., 640: Kirsch & Burns LLC to B. Brown, $130,000

S. 13th St., 431: R&K Realty Group LP to Dima Properties LLC, $65,000

S. 13th St., 1413: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to 1413 S 13th St Harrisburg LLC, $116,000

S. 13th St., 1440: J. Elias Holdings LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $45,000

S. 13th St., 1463: J. White to D. Adams, B. Groft, E. Roy & A. Sullivan, $62,500

S. 15th St., 316: Great Row LLC to Cooperwink LLC, $42,900

S. 16th St., 16: M. Carter to NA Capital Group LLC, $35,000

S. 16th St., 524: W. Brown to J. Camacho, $46,500

S. 16th St., 1014: M. Batista to D. Cario & Y. Mercedes, $123,500

S. 19th St., 1324: J. Elias Holdings LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $48,000

S. 24th St., 700: C. Barna to J. Valverde, $82,000

S. 25th St., 734: G. Mathias to SPG Capital LLC, $63,000

S. 26th St., 622: M. Cain to K. Seitz, $140,000

S. 26th St., 628: R. & R. Seneca to A. Rai, $163,000

S. 27th St., 655: B. Dehning to T. Young, $99,000

Spencer St., 1855: M. Castro, B. Villalobos & R. Alexandra to M. Hoogerbrugge, $75,900

State St., 231, Unit 204: J. Montenegro to S. & Y. Yates, $130,000

Susquehanna St., 1703: R. Taylor to L. Mayton, $130,000

Susquehanna St., 1915: D. James to E. Seaman & J. Baran, $145,000

Susquehanna St., 2116: J. Elias Holdings LLC to SPF Capital LLC, $48,000

Susquehanna St., 2118: J. Elias Holdings LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $48,000

Sycamore St., 1506: J. Elias Holdings LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $50,000

Verbeke St., 254: D. Bixler to R. Unger, $205,000

Verbeke St., 1327 & 1329: DC Projects LLC to Phantom Property Investments LLC, $75,000

Vernon St., 1306: Sweet Properties of Philadelphia LLC to JCAS1 LLC, $240,000

Vernon St., 1407: G. Thomas & K. Hernandez to JIMRUZ LLC, $30,000

Vineyard Rd., 212: E. Kawa to R. & J. Aronson, $222,000

Walnut St., 1610: C. Hall to J. Cherry Jr., $30,000

Zarker St., 1942: Next Generation Trust Services FBO Leon Wriole IRA to G. & L. Boone, $38,500

Harrisburg property sales for June 2021, greater than $30,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

July 2, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Camp Curtin church was recently purchased

Have you seen Mack the cat on the front cover of our new issue yet? Grab a copy of our special pet issue of the magazine and read about Harrisburg-area fluffy friends. Also, read our local news coverage from this past week, listed and linked, below.

An affordable housing development for seniors was proposed by local developers RB Development, our online story reported. “Bethel Village” would sit at the corner of N. 6^th and Herr streets in Harrisburg.

Bob’s Art Blog raves about self-taught artist Jessie Waite. Her paintings are imaginative and abstract, inspiring viewers to enjoy the simple pleasures in life.

Camp Curtin Memorial Mitchell UMC church sat on the market for almost two years before Harrisburg couple Chris and Erica Bryce purchased it on June 10, our reporting found. The developers may potentially turn the church into an apartment building, while preserving the history.

Our editor gives a shout-out to the pets of Harrisburg featured in this month’s pet issue of the magazine.

Fireworks and pets don’t always go well together. Our magazine story has tips for how to keep your pup calm during what could be an overwhelming experience for them.

Fourth of July celebrations will be in full swing this weekend in Harrisburg, our online story reported. After the pandemic put festivities on hold last year, fireworks and food trucks will again return to Riverfront Park.

Harrisburg’s debt refinancing plan may be in jeopardy as the city’s mayor and City Council president are at odds over how to move forward, our online story reported. Council President Wanda Williams said she does not support Mayor Eric Papenfuse’s proposal to refinance some of the city’s general obligation bonds at a lower rate.

The Harrisburg School District revised its 2021-22 budget after learning that it would receive additional state funding, our reporting found. Receiver Janet Samuels approved the budget, which is now nearly balanced thanks to the grant money.

H*MAC is bringing barbecue to its menu, as Zachary’s BBQ & Soul is opening in the venue next week, our online story reported. Philadelphia-area chef Keith Taylor will offer his take on soul food staples such as Carolina pulled pork, pulled chicken, boneless short rib, pork spare ribs and Caribbean jerk barbecue chicken.

Our July News Digest provides a briefing on the top stories of the previous month. If you like “The Week that Was,” check out our monthly version in the magazine.

The Pride of the Susquehanna has set sail. Certainly, the last 16 months have been a rough go for “the Pride,” but hopefully smoother sailing is ahead, our magazine story reported.

Rice & Beans Restaurant on Allison Hill has quickly built a base of loyal patrons who visit regularly for the shop’s authentic island food. In our magazine story, read more about the owners and their restaurant, which features flavors from the Dominican Republic, Colombia and Puerto Rico, among other countries.

Sara Bozich lists ways to celebrate the 4^th of July in her Weekend Roundup. Included are Harrisburg’s Food Trucks and Fireworks festival, live music, baseball and shopping suggestions. Plan your weekend, here.

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Back to Browsing: With limited reopening, Midtown Scholar shelves pandemic shutdown

June 30, 2021 | by Harvey Freedenberg

Midtown Scholar Bookstore

Since moving to its current location in 2009, Midtown Scholar Bookstore has become a mainstay in the commerce and culture of Harrisburg’s Midtown neighborhood.

But on March 15, 2020, like hundreds of other small businesses in Harrisburg, the thriving store suddenly faced the reality that it would have to close its doors in the face of the rapidly expanding coronavirus pandemic.

Now, after more than 400 days without walk-in customers, the Scholar has re-opened to the public and is anticipating the days when it soon will be filled with loyal patrons looking for the latest bestseller or excited about interacting with a favorite author.

Confronting the instant disappearance of those customers in the chaotic early days of COVID-19, Alex Brubaker, who became the store’s manager in the summer of 2018, realized that he “had to get creative.”

One immediate decision involved redeploying resources to the business’s existing e-commerce division, which had focused on selling used books. He now pivoted to sales of new ones as customers, eager for fresh reading material during the pandemic, enthusiastically embraced online book buying.

But another critical choice, which Brubaker admits was made without any long-term plan, was to immediately move the store’s calendar of author readings and interviews onto Zoom and significantly expand their frequency, occasionally featuring two events in a single evening. The bookstore became one of the first in the country to make the shift—within a week of the shutdown—and, by the time of the re-opening, it had presented some 150 of these programs.

While a typical event drew about 200 viewers, several, like the one featuring Madeleine Miller promoting the paperback edition of her novel “Circe,” attracted an audience of more than 1,000 from around the world.

The virtual programs also allowed the store to introduce its brand to new customers and to host well-known authors like James Patterson, John Grisham and Martha Stewart, who may not ordinarily make Harrisburg a stop on an in-person book tour, Brubaker noted.

Though it wasn’t only nationally known authors who took advantage of the new venue. Local writer Joel Burcat said that the chance to promote his second novel, “Amid Rage,” in the virtual space in February 2021, “meant everything” to him.

“[That event] gave me exposure far beyond what I would have had in-store,” he said, after his plans for an in-person launch were derailed by COVID.

Really Fortunate

Beginning in May 2020, the Scholar also began what became highly popular weekly sidewalk sales on Fridays and Saturdays—some 100 during the shutdown. These allowed customers to maintain their physical connection to the store, even if they couldn’t enter to browse the shelves or sip a latte from the café.

Brubaker admitted that he was skeptical about these initiatives, but called it “really humbling” to see “the love for this place the community of Harrisburg has.”

On May 28, the store’s re-opening date, a cool, overcast Friday, co-owner and Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse, along with the familiar aroma of brewing coffee, greeted the masked customers who browsed the store at the start of what Brubaker described as a “phenomenal” two-day opening.

Beryl Kuhr, a regular from Susquehanna Township, waited to pick up one of the online orders she had placed through the website, Bookshop, which donates a portion of its sales to participating independent bookstores.

“It feels wonderful to be inside and to have this whole selection of books,” she said, smiling broadly.

But it wasn’t only local readers who were happy for the opportunity to engage in a book lover’s passion—browsing. Chambersburg resident Abigail Maley was eager to soak up the atmosphere.

“I can smell the books again,” she said, a bit sheepishly. “It’s one of the things I like about coming to a physical bookstore.”

Midtown Scholar wasn’t alone in dealing with the pandemic’s upheaval. The American Booksellers Association, the trade group representing independent bookstores, reported that it lost 80 members due to store closings in 2020. But John Mutter, editor-in-chief and co-founder of the industry publication, Shelf Awareness, noted that many independent booksellers “have done better than anyone could have hoped for.”

Brubaker didn’t minimize the economic challenges of the closure.

“Like all small businesses, we were hurt,” he said. “But we are feeling really fortunate that we were one of those bookstores that was able to stay alive and survive the pandemic.”

Now, he’s looking forward eagerly to bookselling in the post-COVID world.

While virtual events will continue through the summer, the store already is in discussions with some publishers about live author appearances once fall arrives. In-store hours will expand gradually as conditions permit, with the hope of resuming normal operations before the beginning of the holiday shopping season.

But as Brubaker reflected on 14 months of pandemic life, one lesson will remain with him—nothing will replace the in-person book browsing experience.

“If anything, it confirmed what I do for a living and that independent bookstores need to be here as physical locations in order to grow a literary community,” he said. “Once that was taken away, it made me realize how important that is to a community.”

Midtown Scholar Bookstore-Café is located at 1302 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.midtownscholar.com.

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