Tag Archives: Phil Dobson

No Small Plans: Club XL supersizes Harrisburg nightlife.

April 30, 2018 | by Lawrance Binda

The people mingled and gathered, the lights flashed on, the band took the stage.

It was go time at Club XL.

Harrisburg’s newest entertainment venue opened last month to a crowded house, which is saying something given the sheer size of the place.

Let’s just say that, at Club XL, nothing is small.

Big space, big patio, big stage, big bars, huge screens.

That’s the grand vision of owner Phil Dobson, who opened the 18,500-square-foot club and music venue in an old, 1940s-era warehouse near S. Cameron and Hanna streets in Harrisburg.

“Everything is big, hence the XL,” Dobson said.

The club is the latest piece of Dobson’s redevelopment puzzle for this once-industrial and later forsaken area. Across one street, he opened Savannah’s on Hanna in 2009 and, across another street, River City Blues Club and Dart Room in 2014.

Dobson has owned the Club XL building for about eight years, buying it without a solid plan, but with the thought that he wanted to control the small, several-block area just off I-83, gradually transforming it into a nightlife destination.

Now those plans are firm, and they are of the extra-large variety.

Walking in, a reception area leads to an enormous dance floor with one of the largest stages in Harrisburg, the ceiling outfitted with an industrial lighting system.

“I went all out with the lighting and the sound to give a true nightclub experience,” he said, adding that he’s gone as far as to install Co2 cannons. “When you’re here, it’s all sensory appeal. This brings it to a higher level.”

A 24-tap bar winds around the entire back and leads to a long room on the side, which features a concession area for food orders, with tables. Six giant screens grace the walls, capped off by a 200-inch behemoth. Upstairs, there’s a VIP area, with bottle service available, and, outside, a large bar and patio built around a 200-year-old sycamore tree.

Dobson said that he was inspired by Las Vegas clubs and wanted to bring that type of big-city nightlife to Harrisburg. To that end, he features big dance parties on Friday nights, but it won’t all be DJs.

Dobson also is booking live music for touring bands that need a mid-sized venue that can hold about 1,200 people. The alt-rock lineup of Puddle of Mudd, Saving Abel and Tantric came to town for the debut concert last month. Local bands also will be featured, and Smooth Like Clyde and Honeypump played for Club XL’s soft opening the night before.

This month, the venue will feature performances by Tyler Bryant & the Shakedown, among other bands. It also will host several tribute bands, including In Gratitude (Earth, Wind & Fire), Back in Black (AC/DC) and Bark at the Moon (Ozzy Osbourne).

Club XL also will host sports, comedy and other events that can use a large open space, a stage, lights, giant screens and other amenities, Dobson said.

“When people come here, I want them to be wowed,” he said. “I want to give them so many options that it’ll be an experience.”

Club XL is located at 801 S. 10th St., Harrisburg. For more information, call 717-409-8975, email [email protected] or visit www.xlhbg.com.

March News Digest

March 30, 2018 | by Lawrance Binda and Lizzy Hardison

Free Evening Parking

Free parking could come to downtown Harrisburg as early as this month, as City Council passed a resolution that would offset street parking costs after 5 p.m.

Council agreed unanimously last month to join Dauphin County and the Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District (HDID) in ponying up money to offset parking revenues that operator Park Harrisburg would lose between 5 and 7 p.m.

“I think it’s a boost for the city,” Mayor Eric Papenfuse said. “I think it will lead to more people visiting downtown.”

Harrisburg’s contribution will amount to $110,000 over the next year and will come from money that the parking system already owes the city, said Papenfuse. The county has also pledged $110,000, and HDID will pay $50,000.

The county and HDID had hoped for a three-year deal, though council approved just a one-year test period.

By entering into the “memorandum of understanding,” the three entities—the city, county and HDID—must finalize the exchange with the parking system operator. Papenfuse has said he expects no pushback, as the system operator, SP+/Park Harrisburg, and its asset manager, Trimont, just want to ensure that contributions offset lost revenue, which, last year, amounted to $270,000 between 5 and 7 p.m.

Papenfuse said the parking subsidy could kick in as soon as April, but may take longer.

Since 2014, the city has tried several tactics to mitigate the cost of street parking. First, the Papenfuse administration convinced the system’s operators to lower the “happy hour” rate from $3 to $2 an hour between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. It later turned many of downtown’s loading zones into 15-minute free parking areas.

Nonetheless, downtown bar and restaurant owners continued to complain about a loss of business, which they largely blame on high parking rates.

If implemented, the plan would come with some conditions. First, it would apply only to street, not garage, parking. Secondly, it would take effect only within the HDID boundaries, which run downtown from State to Chestnut streets.

Loan Fund Launches

Whether you’re a shop owner looking to expand your storefront or an aspiring entrepreneur with a business dream, you may benefit from a new loan fund that launched last month in Harrisburg.

Impact Harrisburg is partnering with the Community First Fund and the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency to launch the Harrisburg Business Opportunity Fund (HBOF) with $1 million in seed money, according to Sheila Dow Ford, executive director of Impact Harrisburg.

Impact Harrisburg, which was founded with proceeds from the sale of Harrisburg’s incinerator, will contribute $350,000 to the fund. The Pennsylvania Housing and Financing Authority has pledged $650,000 through its nonprofit subsidiary, the Commonwealth Cornerstone Group.

Loans will be available to small, for-profit business owners or aspiring business owners in amounts ranging from $1,000 to $100,000. According to Dow Ford, the goal of the fund is to encourage economic development, job creation and a diverse workforce in the city of Harrisburg.

“We’re providing for a segment of the population that has, for various reasons, been overlooked by traditional lending institutions,” she said.

Any for-profit business or startup in Harrisburg can apply for a loan, Dow Ford said, though real estate trusts or businesses that buy and sell property will not be eligible.

The new fund bears some resemblance to Harrisburg’s old revolving loan fund, which was launched in 1984 and languished in the 2000s as many borrowers became delinquent.

Dow Ford acknowledged that some HBOF loans might be considered risky by traditional lending standards, since they will be issued to people and ventures that might be denied by traditional lenders. However, she hopes that the partnership with Community First Fund will prevent the same mismanagement and delinquency that plagued the city’s revolving loan fund.

Superintendent Search Begins

The Harrisburg School District is putting up a help wanted sign, but there won’t necessarily be a personnel change in its highest office.

In a 5-4 vote, the Harrisburg School Board decided last month to accept applications for the position of superintendent. The vote means that if current Superintendent Sybil Knight-Burney wishes to stay in her post, she must apply for her job and beat out other candidates.

The vote came after more than an hour of spirited public comment at last month’s school board meeting, as near-equal numbers of district residents encouraged the board to vote for or against a resolution to initiate the hiring process.

Residents who supported renewing Knight-Burney’s contract emphasized the importance of consistent leadership during the district’s recovery process. Those who called for an open hiring process said that the district deserved to consider candidates who might make more dramatic gains in student achievement.

Knight-Burney became Harrisburg’s superintendent in 2011. Since 2013, she’s been responsible for implementing the actions in a state-crafted recovery plan, which outlined almost 100 initiatives to improve the district’s academics and operations.

Her current contract, which was renewed in 2014, expires on June 30. Asked if she would reapply for her job, Knight-Burney declined to comment.

Act 47 Status Considered

“The clock is ticking” on the next step in Harrisburg’s path to financial recovery.

That’s the message that a state official had for Harrisburg’s administration and City Council last month, as both bodies were briefed on the timeline for the city’s remaining six months in the state’s Act 47 program for distressed municipalities.

Marita Kelley, Harrisburg’s Act 47 coordinator, appeared at a council work session to explain the city’s duties before Act 47 status expires on Sept. 23.

Here’s what lies ahead, according to Kelley. The mayor and the city clerk will receive a financial condition report, prepared by Kelley and the Pennsylvania Economy League. A public meeting on its contents should take place this month.

After the meeting, she and the Pennsylvania Economy League will have 90 days to prepare a final exit plan for the city. In that plan, they’ll make a formal recommendation for what the city should do in September: extend its Act 47 status, exit the program or enter the oversight of a state-appointed receiver.

The exit plan should arrive before city officials in mid-July. After another round of commenting and a public meeting, Kelley will finalize the exit plan in time for the Sept. 23 expiration deadline.

Kelley thinks it’s highly unlikely that Harrisburg will enter receivership in September. She was hesitant to recommend an action to the city last month, but said during a budget meeting in December that Harrisburg will likely spend another three years in the program, at least.

Reports Released for Train Station, Paxton Creek

A restaurant and café in Harrisburg’s train station, a pedestrian bridge over the train tracks, a flood-controlled Paxton Creek.

Those are a few of the ambitious goals laid out in two reports released last month by the state Department of Transportation, which is taking the lead on rehabilitating the blighted Market Street corridor just east of the Harrisburg Transportation Center, roughly from the train station to Cameron Street.

“These studies serve as a road map to help the city continue to develop as an attractive place to work and play,” said PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards.

PennDOT’s first priority is rehabilitation of the train/bus station itself, set out in a report titled, “Harrisburg Transportation Center Transit Oriented Development Master Plan.”

That project includes removal of the large office space in the main lobby, the addition of an “open-concept café” in the lobby, new seating in the station concourse, the addition of a restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, a new entry plaza from the lower-level Market Street entrance and the addition of office space on the upper floors.

According to Richards, work is expected to begin relatively soon, as the department has completed 90 percent of the design for the $15 million renovation and is now working with Amtrak on a construction schedule.

The next priority is a massive flood control project designed to restrain, improve and restore Paxton Creek, as delineated in the “Paxton Creek Master Plan.”

The plan outlines steps to modify the channel size and make other improvements that would take 133 acres out of the 100-year flood plan and partially remove another 275 acres, making the area far more attractive for redevelopment. The plan also envisions enhancing the creek area with recreational paths and restoring it to a more natural environment.

PennDOT anticipates four to five years of preliminary work before construction on the project could begin. The estimated cost of the creek improvements is $60 to $90 million, with potential grants coming from the state’s Multimodal Fund, the Department of Community and Economic Development and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

The transportation master plan envisions other projects, which include:

Streetscaping and façade enhancement, including new sidewalks, landscaping, street furniture, signage and utility and lighting poles.
A pedestrian bridge that would extend the station concourse over the railroad tracks, through the former Harrisburg central post office and into the redevelopment area.
Relocation of the intercity bus terminal from Market Street to the redevelopment area and expansion of the facility.
Development of the area near an east entrance to the station.
A new plaza on Market Street.

“These projects will provide exciting opportunities for development in the city of Harrisburg, and for enhancing the quality of life for our residents,” Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse said in a statement. “We look forward to continuing our close collaboration with PennDOT on projects that will benefit not only Harrisburg residents but the entire region.”

New Districts Upheld

Pennsylvania’s redrawn congressional districts withstood two court challenges last month, clearing the way for some areas, including the Harrisburg area, to be unified under new district lines.

First, a three-judge federal panel threw out a Republican-led challenge to the new district map. The same day, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear a Republican request for an emergency stay that would block use of the new map in this year’s elections.

As a result, the state Supreme Court’s redrawn district map will stand. This includes a new 10th congressional district that encompasses all of Dauphin County and parts of Cumberland and York counties, including Harrisburg, York and Carlisle.

The primary election is slated for May 15.

Gaming Grants Given

The Dauphin County commissioners shelled out some $6 million to dozens of projects last month in the annual disbursal of gaming grant money.

The commissioners spread the money around to municipalities throughout the county, with the largest sums, by state law, going to those nearest to the Hollywood Casino at Penn National in Grantville.

In and around Harrisburg, grants to governments included:

* City of Harrisburg: $229,724 for police equipment, the engineering bureau and for Fire Bureau dive team equipment

* Susquehanna Township: $159,900 for sanitary sewer system extension, for Progress Fire Co. vehicle replacement and for Wedgewood Hills Swim Club heat pump installation

* Lower Paxton Township: $82,825 for Devon Manor pool improvements, Koon’s pool improvements and Ranger and George Park soccer upgrades

* Hummelstown: $58,471 for municipal building debt service

* Highspire: $57,200 for roadway rehabilitation

* Steelton: $43,000 for Fire Department apparatus and Skate Park debt reduction

* Swatara Township: $13,000 for Police Department K-9 and training

Grants to Dauphin County entities included:

* MDJ Court Administration: $200,000 for construction of MDJ buildings

* Dauphin County Industrial Development Authority: $137,000 for solar farm project debt reduction

* Dauphin County Parks & Recreation: $101,000 for Detweiler Park master plan and Fort Hunter Station planning project

* Dauphin County Redevelopment Authority: $100,000 for a project on the former State Hospital grounds

* Dauphin County Land Bank Authority: $100,000 for renovation of vacant homes

Grants to organizations included:

* Camp Curtin YMCA: $100,000 for conversion of an indoor pool into a recreational area

* Central Dauphin School District: $75,600 for a school safety improvement project

* Jewish Home of Greater Harrisburg: $75,000 for an emergency generator project

* Penn FC (Harrisburg City Islanders): $72,562 for a field conversion project

* Humane Society of Harrisburg Area: $70,000 for an expansion of veterinary services

* Salvation Army: $50,000 for a new headquarters and services facility

* Harrisburg Rugby Food Club: $50,000 for Perseverance Field improvements

* Homeland Center: $40,000 for an emergency generator project

* The Nativity School: $40,000 for furniture purchase and building renovations

* Open Stage of Harrisburg: $32,000 for facility and equipment upgrades

* Capital Region Literacy Corp.: $30,000 for books in schools and clinic program

* Habitat for Humanity: $28,000 for weatherization project

* Heinz Menaker Senior Center: $25,000 for ADA-compliant restrooms

* Midtown Action Council: $13,652 for historic marker renovation and expansion

* Beacon Clinic: $5,000 for HVAC installation and renovations

More Downtown Apartments

More apartments appear headed for downtown Harrisburg, though it may be awhile before you’ll be able to move into one.

Harrisburg City Council last month introduced a resolution that would allow Harristown Enterprises to convert a circa-1952 office building to a 25-unit apartment building with commercial space on the first floor.

The building, at 124 Pine St., currently houses Keystone Human Services, which would seek new space following a sale, said Harristown CEO Brad Jones.

Keystone currently has the six-story, 30,000-square-foot building on the market for $1.5 million.

Over the past few years, Harristown has converted several downtown office buildings to higher-end apartments, most recently at the corner of N. 2nd and Cranberry streets. That 12-unit building, Jones said, has been renamed “The Bogg on Cranberry.”

The Pine Street project, he said, would consist of 18 one-bedroom and seven two-bedroom units that would range from about 700 to 850 square feet in size. Jones said that he expects rents to be about $1,095 to $1,395 a month. The project includes 19 off-street parking spaces, which would be rented separately.

If Harristown gets City Council approval, the company hopes to close on a building purchase in May. Jones, however, expects that Keystone will then lease the building back until it can find a new home, meaning that renovation work probably won’t begin until early 2019.

So Noted

Blake Lynch was named Harrisburg’s new community policing coordinator last month. In this position, Lynch, formerly director of development at the Boys and Girls Club of Harrisburg, will serve as a liaison between the city’s Police Bureau and the community.

Club XL is set to open this month near S. Cameron and Hanna streets in an industrial area of Harrisburg. Owner Phil Dobson said the 18,500-square-foot nightclub and concert venue will feature a large stage, a sophisticated light and sound system and an exterior patio, among other amenities.

Gamut Theatre Group this month plans to begin the second phase of the build-out of its building in downtown Harrisburg. The Gamut Theatre Education Center will include the Alexander Grass Second Stage, two renovated classrooms and other areas for students to learn various aspects of theater operations. The $700,000 project should be completed by August, according to Gamut.

Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant is making plans to open in the newly constructed Hershey Towne Square on Chocolate Avenue in Hershey. The company expects the 9,000-square-foot space to be ready late this year or early next year.

Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority announced last month that Robert “Bob” Zorbaugh will replace Jim Warner as CEO when Warner retires at year-end. Zorbaugh, the current chief operating officer, has served with LCSWMA, which owns Harrisburg’s waste-to-energy incinerator, since 1990.

PSECU last month announced the planned retirement of President Greg Smith, effective February 2019. Smith has served with the credit union for nearly 30 years.

Right on Reily is slated to open late this month in restaurant space across the street from Midtown Cinema in Harrisburg. Owner Dylan Simon said he plans to open at 7 a.m. and will feature freshly made breakfast items, sandwiches, soups and salads from the eatery at 263 Reily St.

Theatre Harrisburg last month announced the departure of its executive director, Allison Graham Hays, who served in the post for about one year. A search for a new director has begun. Those interested should send a resume and cover letter to [email protected].

Changing Hands

Adrian St., 2421: J. Howard to L. Brown, $69,900

Berryhill St., 2216: PA Deals LLC to A. & L. Smith, $64,900

Boas St., 111: P. & M. Keelen to J. Swope, $67,000

Boas St., 409: A. Antoun to P. Cannon & M. Hertrich, $84,000

Boas St., 1910: Dobson Family Limited to M. Cardona & S. Guzman, $36,000

Duke St., 2433: 2013 Central PA Real Estate Fund LLC to S. Henry, $65,900

Evergreen St., 17: E. Ordonez to P. Paniagua, $40,000

Fulton St., 1625: Z. & H. Khan to J. Seibert, $125,750

Fulton St., 1722: Wilmington Savings Fund & Society FSB to PA Deals LLC, $77,500

Green St., 2322: Lake Como REI LLC to Lynn & Ryan Investment Properties LLC, $36,000

Hale Ave., 383: 2013 Central PA Real Estate Fund LLC to S. Henry, $65,000

Hale Ave., 403: O. Peck to C. & A. Bullock, $71,000

Harris St., 204: G. Olives to A. Hermany & T. Minnick, $149,900

Holly St., 1916: W. Aikens Jr. to R. & B. Cook, $43,000

Hummel St., 243: Tri County HDC Ltd. to B. Dixon, $69,900

Kensington St., 2267: M. Eismann to Blackfoot Viking LLC, $40,000

Kensington St., 2328: 2013 M&M Real Estate Fund LLC to S. Henry, $65,900

Market St., 1028: J. & A. Karagiannis to R. Luu, J. Son & KS Property Management LLC, $250,000

Market St., 1800: G. Walker to Horizon Trust FBO, Timothy Carter IRA, $105,000

Mayflower St., 1366: G. Vargas to D. Tellado, $60,000

N. 2^nd St., 221: CJ2 Group LLC to Second and Cranberry LLC, $350,000

N. 2^nd St., 2338: H. Witte & A. Atkinson to V. Paredes, $95,000

N. 3^rd St., 3218: T. & B. Seely to S. Dudek, $139,900

N. 4^th St., 1911: K. & D. Fletcher to M. DeMeo, $73,900

N. 5^th St., 1948: L. Blanton to B. & K. Feidt, $73,500

N. 5^th St., 2554: J. Johnson to D. Mallek & W. Sarris, $60,000

N. 5^th St., 3201: Branch Banking and Trust Co. to F. Nestico, $80,000

N. 15^th St., 2: R. Sharma & N. Saini to D&F Realty Holdings LP, $100,000

N. 15^th St., 1425: Top Notch Properties LLC to B. Wevodau Sr., $30,000

S. 24^th St., 563: Lake Como REI LLC to Lynn & Ryan Investment Properties LLC, $65,000

Parkway Blvd., 2509: Harrisburg Rentals LLC to A. & L. Smith, $118,500

Peffer St., 321: K. Whitehead to V. Robinson, $74,000

Penn St., 1504: R. Davis to D. & M. Witwer, $70,000

Penn St., 1612: A. La Luz to N. Giustra, $140,000

Race St., 552: G. & K. Nguyen to A. & H. Appleberry, $144,000

Revere St., 1722: R. Brunstetter to Top Unit Properties LLC, $80,000

Rolleston St., 1153: A. Phillips to C. Suriel, $43,000

Rudy Rd., 2492: HT Properties LLC to W. Marca, $59,000

Rumson Dr., 2899: S. Markowitz to M. Gleason, $58,000

S. 14^th St., 1404: S. McMurray to City of Harrisburg, $47,000

S. 14^th St., 1409: V. Brice to City of Harrisburg, $48,000

S. 14^th St., 1411: DRW Properties LLC to City of Harrisburg, $50,000

S. 14^th St., 1412: M. Hudson to City of Harrisburg, $53,000

S. 14^th St., 1420: S. Crittenden to City of Harrisburg, $52,500

S. 14^th St., 1436: J. Newhouse to City of Harrisburg, $49,000

S. 14^th St., 1441: W. & B. Hornung to City of Harrisburg, $39,000

S. 14^th St., 1442: Blue Real Estate LLC to City of Harrisburg, $51,000

S. River St., 315: Red Realty LLC & D. Shearer to J. & S. Bachman, $109,000

State St., 1713: D. Schneider to J. Virbitsky, $85,000

Susquehanna St., 1622: R. & G. Harris to H. Maierle & C. Kostelecky, $134,500

Susquehanna St., 1704 & 1706: J. Shoop to N. Lotze & A. Anderson, $122,000

Sycamore St., 1421: G. Neff to C. Pizarro, $35,000

Waldo St., 2627: PA Deals LLC to S. Henry, $54,000

Wyeth St., 1413: M. & J. Boyer to J. Hegarty, $105,000

Harrisburg property sales for February 2018, greater than $30,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

No Small Plans: Enormous Club XL set to debut in Harrisburg.

March 13, 2018 | by Lawrance Binda

The exterior of Club XL in Harrisburg.

As one might expect, at Club XL, nothing is small.

Big space, big patio, big stage, big bars, huge screens.

That’s the vision of owner Phil Dobson, who plans to open the 18,500-square-foot nightclub and music venue next month in an underused, 1940s-era warehouse near S. Cameron and Hanna streets in Harrisburg.

“Everything is big, hence the XL,” Dobson said.

The club will be the latest piece of Dobson’s redevelopment puzzle for this once-industrial and later forsaken area. Across one street, he opened Savannah’s on Hanna in 2009 and, across another street, River City Blues Club and Dart Room in 2014.

Dobson has owned the Club XL space for about eight years, buying it without a firm plan, but with the thought that he wanted to control the several-block area just off I-83, gradually transforming it into a nightlife destination.

Now those plans are firm, and they are of the extra-large variety.

Walking in, a reception area leads to an enormous dance floor with one of the largest stages in Harrisburg, the ceiling outfitted with an industrial lighting system.

“I went all out with the lighting and the sound to give a true nightclub experience,” he said, adding that he’s gone as far as installing Co2 cannons. “When you’re here, it’s all sensory appeal. This brings it to a higher level.”

A bar winds around the entire back and leads to a long room on the side, which will feature a concession area for food orders, with tables. Six giant screens grace the walls, capped off by a 200-inch behemoth. Upstairs, there’s a VIP area, and, outside, a large bar and a patio built around a 200-year-old sycamore tree.

Dobson said that he was inspired by Las Vegas clubs and wanted to bring that type of flashy nightlife to Harrisburg. He plans big dance parties on Friday nights, but it won’t all be DJs.

Dobson also is booking live music for touring bands that need a venue that can hold about 1,200 people. To that end, he’s scheduled the alt-rock lineup of Puddle of Mudd, Saving Abel and Tantric for the debut concert on April 15. Local bands Smooth Like Clyde and Honeypump will play the night before for the soft opening.

Club XL also will host sports, comedy and other events that can use a large open space, stage, lights, plenty of parking and other amenities, Dobson said.

“When people come here, I want them to be wowed,” he said. “I want to give them so many options that it’ll be an experience.”

Club XL is located at 801 S. 10th St., Harrisburg. For more information, call 717-409-8975 or visit the website.

Bulls-Eye Blues: At River City, it’s music, fun and, if you’re lucky, a game shot.

September 30, 2014 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

What do B.B. King and Phil “The Power” Taylor have in common?

The great blues guitarist and world champion darts player both would feel perfectly at home inside Harrisburg’s newest club.

That’s right—a musical style and a niche sport have inter-bred, and the result is River City Blues Club & Dart Room, located in a large space on Cameron Street, just (if you’ll excuse the pun) a dart’s throw away from I-83. A brightly lit electronic sign beckons passers-by to step inside the tidy brick building, once home to Sacred Heart Catholic School.

The sign isn’t the only beacon for enthusiastic music lovers. Social media has been buzzing as the word spreads about the new venue. At the late August grand opening, the large parking lot was filled to capacity, and eagle-eyed patrons waited their turn to jockey for position as coveted spaces became available.

A staff member sat vigil at the door collecting the $5 cover charge, which customers gladly forked over to hear several live blues acts on tap for the warm summer evening.

Upon entering, a few curious patrons climbed the stairs to check out the dart room and watch a little friendly competition before heading downstairs where musicians entertained the crowd.

Partners Phil Dobson, Jonas Hair and Rick Hefelfinger—all veterans of Harrisburg’s entertainment and arts scenes—have succeeded in striking just the right balance of atmosphere, space and acoustics in the room where both local and out-of-state musicians perform. The dimly lit space feels cozy, but not cramped, and patrons can converse without shouting as they listen to the band.

The sometimes edgy, but interesting and tastefully displayed artwork created by Root 222 lines the walls both upstairs and downstairs, and many customers take the time to walk up and inspect the colorful pieces more closely. Hair, who has experience working with art galleries, plans to use his connections to feature other artists on a rotating basis.

Seats were at a premium during opening night as guests lined the bar, sat around tables, or scooted together along the black leather sectional that hugged the side and back walls. Some shared appetizers like nachos, or jalapeño crab poppers, while others chose from a variety of wings, burgers, salads and sandwiches listed on the two-sided menu.

There wasn’t a bad seat in the house when Eli Charleston, ragtime-blues guitarist, took the stage. After finishing his set, Charleston commented on the new venue.

“I love it,” he said. “It’s classy, and it’s nice to have a fresh face in Harrisburg.”

For now, live music will be limited to Thursday through Saturday, according to Hair. Thursdays will be open mic nights, and Hair encourages those who want to share their musical talents to arrive before the 9 p.m. start to secure a place on the roster.

The downstairs may be hopping on weekends, but the upstairs takes on a life of its own every day. In the dart room, five traditional English dartboards line a back wall for steel-tip dart players, and nine state-of-the-art Phoenix Electronic dartboards automatically record scores, making it easy for those with a competitive streak to show off their skills.

Mark Fair and John Kuczynski are professional dart players who oversee operations and ensure the dart leagues and equipment run smoothly. Both men have traveled all over the world to play. Kuczynski competed on the U.S. team in Hong Kong and Korea and won world titles in Chicago and France. Fair has competed on the U.S. team in Hong Kong, Korea and Las Vegas. Both men are willing to help others learn the game.

Ryan Davis, league and tournament coordinator, will be available to lend a hand, as well. Would-be players need to just show up, and someone will get them started. The cost is 75 cents per game, and those who choose to join a league can opt to play anywhere from one night a week to all seven.

“We know we have the best dart room on the East Coast, if not the entire country,” said Fair.

Thirsty players can take time out to order a drink at the bar just outside the dart room, relax inside the roomy café upstairs, or grab a bite to accompany their favorite libation. Happy hour runs from 7 to 9 p.m., and doors open at 6 p.m. every day of the week.

Guest who come for the live music and fail to secure a seat downstairs will be glad to learn that they can enjoy the music being played downstairs on the televisions upstairs via live feed.

Hair said the response to the new club has been phenomenal, and he hopes to continue to add to the schedule.

“Harrisburg has always been a blues town, and I’m very happy to be doing this,” he said. “We plan on building upon what we have now to continue to showcase both local and out-of-state talent.”

River City Blues Club and Dart Room is located at 819 S. Cameron St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.rivercityhbg.com.

November News Digest

November 27, 2013 | by Lawrance Binda

Papenfuse Elected Harrisburg Mayor

Democrat Eric Papenfuse last month assumed the mantle of mayor-elect of Harrisburg, besting Republican candidate Dan Miller and write-in candidate Aaron Johnson.

Papenfuse won the race with 3,618 votes versus 2,333 for Miller and 1,213 for Johnson. Various others received another 121 write-in votes, including eight for former independent candidate Nevin Mindlin, who was tossed off the ballot after a successful petition challenge. Four votes went to Lewis Butts Jr., who campaigned as a write-in after losing the Democratic primary.

“The real victory will lie in the years ahead when our streets are clean, when our homes are safe, when our young professionals rush to get back to Harrisburg, rather than flee from it,” said Papenfuse, who, in his acceptance speech, encouraged his supporters at Midtown Scholar Bookstore to be humble and seek reconciliation with his opponents in the election.

“The true victory will lie in the days, the months, the years ahead when Pennsylvanians are once again proud of their capital,” he said. “When the people of Harrisburg once again cherish their homes, and when the rest of the nation connects Harrisburg with culture, prosperity and renaissance and not bankruptcy, despair and defeat.”

Running unopposed, Democrats Shamaine Daniels and Ben Allatt earned four-year terms on Harrisburg City Council, while sitting councilwomen Wanda Williams and Eugenia Smith were re-elected. Charles DeBrunner was elected in an uncontested race for city controller.

Papenfuse, DeBrunner and council members will be sworn in on Jan. 6.

For Harrisburg school board, Democrats Danielle Robinson, Patricia Whitehead Myers, James Thompson and Kenneth Mickens earned four-year terms. Monica Blackston-Bailey, LaTasha Frye and Adara Jackson each won two-year seats on the school board.

In Dauphin County races, Bill Tully outpolled Democrat Anne Gingrich Cornick for Court of Common Pleas judge, and incumbent Republican Stephen Farina won his contest for prothonotary against Democrat Kelly Summerford.

Parking Deal Passed

The Harrisburg City Council last month approved one of the most important parts of the city’s financial recovery plan, the long-term lease of its valuable parking assets.

The council authorized the city to enter into an agreement with the Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Agency (PEDFA) and another with the Pennsylvania Department of General Services. They, in turn, will contract with a group known as Harrisburg First to run and enforce the city’s on-street parking system.

The council also authorized the transfer of city-owned off-street parking to the Harrisburg Parking Authority, which is entering into its own agreements so that Harrisburg First can operate the HPA’s parking garages and surface lots.

These steps are necessary as the city fulfills the requirements of Harrisburg Strong, the financial recovery plan designed to free the city of about $600 million in debt, solve its long-term structural deficit and provide pools of funds for infrastructure and economic development.

Water/Sewer Rates Going Up

Water and sewer rates for city residents are about to go up significantly, according to the Harrisburg Authority’s proposed budget for 2014.

The budget, which had not been officially adopted as of press time, projects an average increase of around $325 per customer per year. That amounts to a nearly 50 percent hike to current rates, which average around $687 annually.

Shannon Williams, the executive director of the Harrisburg Authority, explained that the increased rates are necessary to pay for long-overdue investments in infrastructure. Harrisburg’s aging water and sewer system has not been adequately maintained for years, and it now requires expensive repairs, Williams said.

“No one likes to pay more for utility services—including me. But the reality is that there were more than 40 sinkholes identified in Harrisburg in 2013. Just one of them—the famous 4^th Street sinkhole—cost almost $1 million to repair. We cannot continue to punt on these decisions,” she said.

The rate increase comes on the heels of several weeks of customer concerns about expensive utility bills. Last month, City Councilwoman Sandra Reid devoted most of a public works committee meeting to water and sewer charges after she received a bill in the mail totaling several hundred dollars.

That total did not reflect a rate increase, however, but was the result of nearly 18 months of inaccurate bills, which Reid had been receiving because of problems with the city’s meter system. Batteries in the devices that transmit meter readings to the city’s electronic database have been expiring at unexpected rates, requiring the city to estimate water usage for properties across the city. Those estimates, which tended to be lower than customers’ actual usage, led to months of undercharging for Reid and several other residents.

In her announcement of the proposed 2014 budget, Williams tied the meter-battery problem to the infrastructure problem, saying both reflected the consequences of city officials deferring necessary investments onto future generations.

“If an investment had been made years ago to keep up with technology and replace those defective batteries, customers would not have had to rely on water usage estimates month after month,” Williams said. “It’s time to make the necessary investments in our future.”

Capitol View Sells

The unfinished Capitol View Commerce Center was sold last month in a bankruptcy proceeding to an out-of-area warehouse, distribution and storage company.

Watsontown, Pa.-based Moran Industries bought the 215,000-square–foot structure at N. Cameron and Herr streets in Harrisburg, including almost nine acres of land, for about $250,000.

Moran plans to finish the building next year then use about half the space for its own offices and rent out the other half, according to the company.

The building has sat as an incomplete shell since 2008, when unpaid workers walked off the job. Two years ago, Capitol View developer David R. Dodd pled guilty to federal charges of money laundering and misuse of government funds in connection with the project.

Trash Privatization Debated

Harrisburg last month announced it has selected Republic Services to be its new trash hauler, sparking another squabble between the administration and City Council.

Chief Operating Officer Robert Philbin told council that a three-person team had chosen the country’s second-largest waste hauler to collect and dispose of trash. He said the city would save about $900,000 a year by privatizing waste collection, which currently is done by the city’s Department of Public Works.

The administration had announced in March that it intended to issue an RFP to privatize trash service. Several firms then submitted bids, and the administration eventually selected Republic.

Council members, however, seemed surprised that the decision to privatize had been made definitively and that a hauler had been chosen. They also charged that they had been left out of the process.

The council’s Public Works Committee then held several hearings on the issue, focused on such issues as trash fees, workers’ jobs and the fact that equipment would have to be picked up in York each day. The proposed contract with Republic remained unresolved at press time.

Funds for Greenbelt Restoration

The Capital Area Greenbelt is a step closer to a significant improvement after the Harrisburg City Council last month agreed to dedicate $10,000 for a major fix.

Members of the Capital Area Greenbelt Association appealed to the council to transfer funds dedicated for environmental projects to help remediate and protect the Paxtang Parkway section near Penbrook from further damage caused by storm water erosion.

Originally, the association requested $20,000. However, Jim Warner, CEO of the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority, who attended the council meeting, said LCSWMA would split the cost, kicking in $10,000. This month, LCSWMA is expected to close on its purchase of the city incinerator.

The city’s portion of the funds will be derived from the “host fee” that Harrisburg receives as the site of an incinerator that accepts trash from outside municipalities.

In addition to the $20,000, the association has received $25,000 from the Kline Foundation, enabling it to qualify for a $300,000 state grant to cover the extensive work on that portion of the Greenbelt, said Scott Shepler, an association volunteer.

New Antiques/Collectibles Shop

The good news keeps coming for Cameron Street, as a new crafts and re-sale co-op has opened near Paxton Street.

Crafty Antiques and Collectibles debuted in late October, featuring everything from antique furniture to old toys to holiday items.

Owners Kathy Clark and Rosemary Hibala rent out space in the 2,400-square-foot shop to a variety of vendors who showcase and sell their items. Though the long-time friends just opened their store, they hope soon to double its size by expanding next door.

“We decided to go into business because we work so well together,” said Clark.

The shop at 712 S. Cameron St. is open Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Recently, several new businesses have announced plans to occupy space nearby on Cameron Street. Business partners Richard Hefelfinger and Phil Dobson plan to open a blues club and restaurant across the street at 819 S. Cameron St., while Dobson says he will remake 1119 S. Cameron St. into an entertainment and events space.

Crafty Antiques and Collectibles can be reached at 717-547-6032 or [email protected].

Receivership Extension Expected

The state last month requested an extension of Harrisburg’s receivership for another two years.

C. Alan Walker, secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development, filed a petition in Commonwealth Court asking for the extension, which would run through December 2015. Most elements of the Harrisburg Strong financial recovery plan should be implemented by then.

Separately, Commonwealth Court last month gave receiver William Lynch the authority to sign documents related to the Harrisburg Strong plan on behalf of city Controller Dan Miller.

Judge Bonnie Brigance Leadbetter made the ruling after Miller had not signed off on contracts for key parts of the plan, including for the sale of the city incinerator and the long-term lease of the parking system. Both deals are expected to close this month.

Betsy’s Bakery Arrives Downtown

Betsy’s Bakery last month opened its second shop, serving its gluten-free baked goods from a prime location downtown.

Owners Betsy and Shannon Peffley began offering breads, sweets and sandwiches from a storefront right across the street from the state Capitol last occupied by Downtown Café.

Betsy said they decided to open in Harrisburg because so many of their customers from the first location in Camp Hill live on the East Shore. She added that there’s a growing demand for gluten-free products.

“We are 100 percent gluten-free,” she said. “Our customers with celiac disease or who have gluten-free needs appreciate that so they won’t get sick.”

In addition to baked goods and sandwiches made with Boar’s Head meats, the bakery soon will offer soups and paninis, said Betsy.

“We never expected our business to take off like it has,” she said. “We knew there was a need, but didn’t know it’d be so great.”

Betsy’s Bakery is located at 240 N. 3^rd St., Harrisburg. Hours are Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The shop can be reached at 717-236-9901 or at https://betsysbakery.com. The original shop is at 115 St. John’s Church Rd., Camp Hill.

Changing Hands

Adrian St., 2453: W. Breeze to S. McKune, $58,500

Berryhill St., 2259: PA Deals LLC to J. Vergis, $65,000

Boas St., 122: D. & J. Mowery to J. Sadlock, $115,900

Boas St., 1937: S. Lopez et al to EB & ZEE LLC, $66,500

Briggs St., 233: A. & P. Cowell to T. Harris, $117,000

Cumberland St., 1416: PNL Penn Properties LP to T. Lewis, $35,000

Green St., 3030: E. & K. Peck to J. Luck Jr. & K. Kyper, $220,000

Herr St., 260: D. Leaman to S. Bruder & M. Richards, $165,500

Maclay St., 425: D. & J. Boyle to D. Perez, $31,738

Market St., 1249, 1253, 1255 & 3 S. 13^th St.: Hill Café Partners to Hill Café 1249 LP, $500,278

Market St., 1859: M. & D. Nichols to Z. Reeves, $105,900

N. 4^th St., 1324: L. Jones & J. Lambright to P. Little, $96,000

N. 4^th St., 2030: B. Lerew to I. Alderton, $82,000

N. 6^th St., 1500: 1500 SPE LP to A. Gulotta, $558,158

N. Front St., 2601: Radnor Realty to J.A. Hartzler, $200,000

Pennwood Rd., 3135: PA Deals LLC to T. Smith, $118,000

S. 20^th St., 1208: T. Nguyen & T. Pham to M. Nguyen, $112,005

S. 26^th St., 638: N. Reohr to J. Zimmerman, $69,900

Rudy Rd., 2145: J. Holmes & BAC Tax Services Corp. to M. & K. DeRosa, $162,900

Rumson Dr., 2920: A. & M. Tscherneff to W. Quezada & M. Cedeno, $34,000

Rumson Dr., 2983: PI Capitol LLC to C. Shenk, $64,900

Rumson Dr., 2991: Trusted Source Capital LLC to PA Deals LLC, $40,000

Susquehanna St., 1526: P. Mohr to C. Butcher, $104,500

Susquehanna St., 1725: Fannie Mae to M. Gojmerac & C. Roma, $48,000

Vernon St., 1308 & 113 S. 13^th St.: Stevens Emmanuel United to True Worshippers Ministries, $55,000

October News Digest

October 29, 2013 | by Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg Begins Planning Process

Harrisburg last month kicked off an 18-month effort to draft a new comprehensive plan by holding the first of 20 planned public meetings.

The updating of the city’s comprehensive plan and the development of a housing strategy are two initiatives included in the city’s Harrisburg Strong recovery plan. The comprehensive plan will address many elements that have far-reaching effects on Harrisburg’s future, such as land use, housing, infrastructure and community facilities, said Mayor Linda Thompson.

The city has hired a planning and community development firm, Mullin & Lonergan Associates, to assist with the preparation and adoption of the comprehensive plan, while the economic development element of the plan will be conducted with support from the Harrisburg Regional Chamber of Commerce & CREDC.

Earlier this year, the city began preparations for the planning effort by establishing a steering committee that will guide the comprehensive plan. To date, the committee has met twice with Mullin & Lonergan staff to help develop a scope of work for the comprehensive plan.

The launch of the process to develop a new comprehensive plan was not without controversy.

At the first public meeting, former mayoral candidate Nevin Mindlin asserted that City Council, not the administration, was required by statute to initiate changes to the comprehensive plan.

City Council President Wanda Williams later said that she agreed with Mindlin’s view and would take steps to secure the council’s involvement. Ultimately, City Council will have to approve changes to the comprehensive plan.

In addition, as of press time, City Controller Dan Miller had not yet signed off on the contract with Mullin & Lonergan.

The administration expects more than 20 public meetings to be held during the comprehensive plan process.

City Nearly Out of Money Again

Harrisburg will run out of money by year-end unless the city quickly completes key elements of its financial recovery plan.

City Council attorney Neil Grover last month warned council members that they must quickly pass legislation that will lead to the sale of the city’s incinerator and the long-term lease of its parking assets.

The Harrisburg Strong recovery plan is expected to refill the city’s nearly empty coffers so it can meet payroll and pay its vendors.

However, first, the council must finish approving enabling legislation. Afterwards, the parking and incinerator deals must close and the related bonds must be marketed and sold, a lengthy process that could bleed into next year.

Harrisburg has nearly run out of money every year for the past three years. In the end, it has been able to continue to operate, but only because it stopped payment on its general obligation bonds and cobbled together several last-minute fixes.

Development Projects Given Go-Ahead

Numerous projects in Harrisburg are slated to get off the ground after the City Council gave them the green light last month.

The council unanimously approved the following land development plans:

A major expansion of the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) building at 211 N. Front St. onto two adjacent lots. The $11.5 million project includes the construction of an eight-story addition, the renovation of the historic Hickok Mansion at 201 N. Front St. and the demolition of a mid-century addition to the mansion.
An update to the building plan for the Susquehanna Art Museum in Midtown to include the creation of a sculpture garden at 1415 N. 3^rd St. Work already has begun on the $6.2 million project at the site of the former Keystone/Fulton bank building at N. 3^rd and Calder streets. With the approval, SAM will raze the existing dilapidated building at 1415 N. 3^rd and use the parcel for a construction staging area before turning it into a sculpture garden upon completion of the new museum, which itself includes the old bank building and a 25,280-square-foot addition.
A new building expected to house an Italian-style restaurant and wine bar at the corner of State and N. 2^nd streets, developed by WCI Partners. Under the current plan, the restaurant would feature a single story with a mezzanine for about 60 diners, focused on gourmet pizza.
The conversion of vacant office space into 14 one-bedroom apartments at 128-130 Locust St., developed by WCI Partners. The adjacent buildings, about two centuries old, were originally designed as houses before being turned into office space many years ago.

New Businesses on Cameron Street

Cameron Street continues its slow evolution into a nightlife district with the recent approval of liquor licenses for two new businesses.

Last month, the Harrisburg City Council approved the transfer of a liquor license for the Blue Front Lounge, which plans to move from Steelton to 819 S. Cameron St. in December or January.

Owner Richard Hefelfinger said he will transform the first floor of the 8,000-square-foot, circa-1940 brick building into a blues club with a full restaurant. The second floor will feature a pub-type atmosphere with an area devoted to darts and dart tournaments, he said.

Hefelfinger said he decided to move because the building is vastly larger than the snug spot on Front Street where Blue Front Lounge has been located for three years. The new location also has ample parking and is not in a residential area.

Over the years, the property has had a variety of uses. It once belonged to Bishop McDevitt High School and long housed American Quick Print. It sold in March for $240,000 to local developer and businessman Phil Dobson, who said he is a partner in the business.

Just down the road, Dobson also bought the site of the former Harrisburg River Rescue and plans to transform it into an entertainment and events space called the Main Stage Events Center.

Dobson said he expects to attract major acts to a new performing arts theater in the 23,000-square-foot building at 1119 S. Cameron St., which sold in May for $385,000. The space will be able to hold 1,200 to 1,500 people and should open by mid-2014, he said.

Dobson, an owner of Savannah’s on Hanna, said he is optimistic about the Cameron Street corridor because it’s just off Route 83 and has ample parking, both necessary for attracting people from greater Harrisburg and beyond.

“If I want to be a regional destination, I have to be in a location that is easily accessible,” he said. “Here, you are literally a block from the highway.”

He added that he hoped his new ventures would encourage people to come to Harrisburg not just to listen to music or compete in a dart tournament, but to eat, visit and stay.

City Council approved the transfer of a liquor license into Harrisburg for the proposed entertainment venue in September.

City Applies for Funds

Roads, bikes and firefighters would benefit from several funding applications authorized last month by the Harrisburg City Council.

The council directed the administration to apply for:

A $1.6 million federal grant that would fund the hiring of 10 new full-time firefighters over the next two years. The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program is designed to help localities fortify the ranks of their trained firefighters.
A $350,000 low-interest loan from the Dauphin County Infrastructure Bank for various paving projects in Bellevue Park, on S. 17^th Street in south Harrisburg and on Hale Avenue near the city line.
A $3,200 matching grant to participate in the Regional Bicycle Connections program with several other municipalities in Dauphin and Lebanon counties. The goal of the grant and program is to create safe, connected bicycle routes to promote cycling.

Bill Seeks Full Funding

Harrisburg’s state lawmakers introduced a bill last month that would guarantee the city “full funding” for the emergency services it provides to the state Capitol complex.

Sen. Rob Teplitz and Rep. Patty Kim said they would seek to commit the state to an annual appropriation of at least $5 million, which they said is the cost to Harrisburg of protecting the complex’s 40 buildings and thousands of workers from fire and other emergencies. In subsequent years, the amount would be indexed to the inflation rate.

This state funding also is built into the Harrisburg Strong financial recovery plan for the city.

Court Rejects Miller Objections

A Commonwealth Court judge last month rejected numerous objections to the Harrisburg Strong financial recovery plan filed by City Controller Dan Miller.

In her opinion, Judge Bonnie Brigance Leadbetter said that Miller filed his objections too late and that, in any case, he lacked standing to make the objections. She also said that it’s vital that the plan’s implementation not be delayed.

Harrisburg receiver William Lynch requested that Miller’s objections be stricken. Mayor Linda Thompson, Dauphin County and several creditors backed Lynch in his response.

In his filing with the Commonwealth Court, Miller objected to the recovery plan because, he said, it relies on numerous assumptions, is incomplete and unduly burdens city taxpayers.

Miller is the Republican candidate for mayor in this month’s general election.

Fees Hiked for Burglar Alarms, Fire Services

If your burglar alarm goes off by accident, you will face a steep fee hike for the emergency response.

Harrisburg City Council last month increased the charge for a second false alarm from $10 to $50. A third false alarm also will cost $50, up from $25. Fourth and fifth false alarms will cost $100 each with charges of $150 for each subsequent false alarm.

Council also imposed new or higher fees for a variety of services provided by the city’s Fire Bureau. For instance, the city now will charge a new $100 fee for a one-hour bonfire or $175 for a two-hour bonfire.

False fire alarms fees have increased from $50 to $150 for the third and fourth false alarm and from $100 to $250 for the fifth to seventh false alarms. Other fees remain the same.

Councilwoman Eugenia Smith said she would make sure that all fees related to public safety services would be posted at the city’s website, www.harrisburgpa.gov.

Philbin Gets Official Nod

Robert Philbin will have a city job into early next year, as the Harrisburg City Council last month confirmed his appointment as chief operating officer through Feb. 1.

In June, Mayor Linda Thompson appointed Philbin to the post following the sudden resignation of the city’s first COO, Ricardo Mendez-Saldivia. Philbin had been acting COO since June.

Philbin, who previously served as Thompson’s spokesman, said he will return to his position as marketing and communications officer with Capital Area Transit following his stint with the city. Thompson’s term as mayor ends in January.

Parking Changes for Reily Street

Harrisburg has changed the parking rules for a section of Midtown to accommodate two new restaurants.

The City Council last month voted to restrict parking to two hours during weekdays on both sides of Reily Street between N. 5^th and N. 6^th streets and on both sides of N. 6^th Street between Boyd and Reily streets.

Council members took the action so that patrons of two restaurants located within The 1500 Condominium could park more easily. Council President Wanda Williams said that state workers often have parked on those blocks all day long, preventing others from using the street spaces.

The new rules should help facilitate parking for diners at both Café 1500, which reopened recently under a new operator, and Crawdaddy’s, which moved last month into the building, relocating from two blocks away.

Changing Hands: September Property Sales in Harrisburg

Bellevue Rd., 2028: N. Emerick to K. Feucht, $48,000

Benton St., 520: J. Phillips to L. Holmes, $69,900

Boas St., 438: T. & E. Buda to R. Kane, $160,000

Conoy St., 110: S. & M. Boyle to M. & S. McLees, $145,000

Croyden Rd., 2986: D. Folk to PA Deals LLC, $42,000

Delaware St., 267: B. & A. Jennings to J. Renue, $128,000

Derry St., 1266: C. Lanza to D. Shah, $34,000

Derry St., 1950: Mussani & Co. to Next Generation Trust Services, $50,000

Edward Rd., 203: D. Morand to M. Gabler, $78,900

Fillmore St., 616: PA Deals LLC to Bholay Nath Properties LLC, $73,000

Green St., 2033: N. Patrick to A. Holland, $45,000

Green St., 3240: E. Mentzer to J. Mueller, $109,900

Holly St., 1944: M. Hampton to J. & B. Readinger, $43,000

Kensington St., 2320: J. Kramer to M. & J. Cramer, $68,900

Kensington St., 2436: T. & A. Teter to L. Kim, $63,000

Logan St., 2421: K. & G. Corker to K. Macrate, $60,000

Market St., 829, 1001: Patriot News Co. to Equity Trust Co., $500,000

Market St., 2105: M. Mettenet Trust to J. Lohlun & E. Ruggieri, $103,000

N. 2^nd St., 3214: P. Harper to A. Parks & I. Silva, $149,900

N. 2^nd St., 3224: M. Harrison to K. Petrich, $85,000

N. 3^rd St., 2120: Fannie Mae to K. Fillingame, $60,000

N. 4^th St., 2711: P. & M. Foltz to B. & M. Hayes, $93,500

N. 4^th St., 3009: Bank of New York Trust Co. to P. & C. Ambrose, $52,000

N. 16^th St., 1301: E. & P. Cumberbatch to Y. Morel-Pena, $36,000

N. 17^th St., 99: T. Pham to J. Glick, $47,700

N. Front St., 1419: River Front Development Group LLC to M. Kurowski, $189,000

N. Front St., 1525, Unit 514: K. Alvanitakis to A. Firoozmand, $98,500

Pennwood Rd., 3205: R. & R. Yost to C. Lebo, $99,000

Rumson Dr., 261: Fannie Mae to C. & A. Davis, $38,101

Rumson Dr., 2991: B. Minter et al to Trusted Source Capital LLC, $31,000

S. 18^th St., 1235: M. Phuong to M. Quinn, $73,900

Vernon St., 1537: T&R Property LLC to VanDougbar Ventures LLC, $31,250

Vernon St., 1539: T&R Property LLC to VanDougbar Ventures LLC, $32,500

Woodbine St., 220: T&R Property LLC to VanDougbar Ventures LLC, $33,750

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

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