Tag Archives: Sprocket Mural Works

Allison Hill planter project marks the start of 2021 Harrisburg Mural Festival

June 2, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda

The 2021 Harrisburg Mural Festival began last weekend with artists painting planters on Allison Hill.

The 2021 Harrisburg Mural Festival kicked off over the weekend, with local artists beginning work on large planters in the Allison Hill neighborhood.

In all, 20 Harrisburg-area artists will paint the planters through June 20, when the planter component will wrap up.

“Connecting with local artists has been extremely rewarding,” said Meg Caruso, co-founder and president of festival organizer Sprocket Mural Works. “There is an amazing amount of talent here. Not only do the artists have the opportunity to express themselves, but they’re doing it in a very public way through art that will uplift the community for years to come.”

The planter art project is being conducted in partnership with Tri County Community Action. In addition, staff and volunteers of the Giant Co. filled more than a dozen planters with soil and flowering plants along Derry and Market streets.

“Beautification projects like this are key to community development,” said Danielle Krebs, communications manager for Tri County Community Action. “It provides an opportunity for community members and organizations to get involved and work together while instilling community pride for the residents.”

Another scene from the planter painting project

Planter artists range in age and ability, from students to longtime Harrisburg residents like Althea Lynn King, 42, who designed a planter depicting “mom squad”-themed artwork.

“Being a mom of young Black boys, with everything going on in the world, you have fear, but you also know when moms come together, they love and protect kids,” said King, of her artwork. “Even though it’s a small project—for me, it’s huge. My love for Allison Hill started because I attended church here for many years, and Allison Hill was always my favorite neighborhood in Harrisburg.”

Sharnee “Artzbeat” Burnett, 23, a recent graduate of Pennsylvania College of Art and Design, said her planter murals focus on race relations.

“I wanted my work to speak on how we are all the same, even though our skin colors are different, and we all have different features,” Burnett said. “At the end of the day, we are all here trying to live our lives. I love to help make the community more colorful and happy.”

The 2021 Harrisburg Mural Festival is Sprocket’s third biennial summer festival. The majority of Sprocket’s 45 murals were created during the 2017 and 2019 festivals by local, regional, national and international artists. This year, rather than a concentrated 10-day mural festival as in the past, Sprocket is organizing continuous, summer-long mural projects popping up throughout the city.

Other components of the 2021 Harrisburg Mural Festival include:

Pocket Park: Harrisburg’s Patrick Alley is set to be transformed into a pocket park. Dozens of volunteers, along with the community group Friends of Midtown, recently cleaned the unused alleyway of litter and weeds and planted a garden featuring native, pollinating plants donated by Manada Conservancy. Next, murals featuring honeybees, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, will be added, beginning in July.

Recycle Bicycle: A fundraising campaign just concluded, in conjunction with May’s National Bike Month activities, to help fund a mural at Recycle Bicycle Harrisburg’s new Allison Hill location. Harrisburg-based artist Ralphie Seguinot, who painted the mural at the nonprofit’s previous location, will re-imagine that original design into a new mural beginning in July

Celebrating Black Lives: A steering committee of community members is meeting to begin planning a “Celebrating Black Lives” mural.

For more information on Sprocket Mural Works, visit their website. Potential volunteers, sponsors and others should contact Sprocket at [email protected].

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Behind the Murals: Volunteers keep Sprocket Mural Works painting, beautifying Harrisburg

May 28, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

Volunteers paint a mural on Harrisburg’s lower river walk.

Gerry Regan is some kind of a super-volunteer.

If they gave out awards for volunteering, Gerry would probably get a lot of them. But it’s doubtful that he would accept them, plus, that would kind of defeat the whole giving-without-receiving principle of volunteering.

He listed off the Susquehanna Art Museum, the Central Pennsylvania Animal Alliance, Whitaker Center, Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, and the list goes on.

Regan likes art, a lot. This shows in the many arts-centered organizations he chooses to work with.

When he saw murals popping up around Harrisburg some years ago, he knew he wanted to get involved with whoever was behind them. Regan found Sprocket Mural Works and instantly connected with their mission of beautifying the city. He dove into their work, helping wherever he could, cleaning up sticks and overgrown brush around mural walls, setting up scaffolding and priming walls.

“It’s all about helping people and making it easier on them,” Regan said.

According to Sprocket co-founder Megan Caruso, the organization relies on volunteers like Regan. While Sprocket pays artists for their work, the organization is 100% volunteer run.

It’s the larger-than-life, brightly colored paintings that you see when driving or walking through the city. Over the years, Sprocket has created over 40 of them across Harrisburg. This summer, they will add to that number as part of their 2021 Mural Festival, which will include new paintings around the city, a pocket park in Midtown and painted planter boxes in Allison Hill.

But what you don’t see when you look at the artwork is what’s underneath, the hours that Sprocket board members and over 450 volunteers worked to prepare each artist’s canvas.

“Sprocket is more work than any small group of people can accomplish,” Caruso said. “We wouldn’t exist if we didn’t have people volunteering their time.”

Prime Time

Zac Monnier has volunteered with Sprocket since their first mural festival in 2017. That year, artists painted 13 murals around the city. Monnier wasn’t involved in any of the art itself, but had his hands on a lot of the behind-the-scenes projects.

He explained the process of priming a wall, which he’s done multiple times for the organization. This isn’t your typical painting experience. It involves at least a 20-foot paint roller, which gets dipped in primer and flung up to the wall. If you’re doing it right, you may wake up with a stiff neck the next morning, like Monnier has.

But that hasn’t bothered the volunteers, many of which described priming as a fun experience. Some said it’s their favorite part.

“Our volunteers aren’t afraid to get down and dirty,” said Meghan Weaver, Sprocket’s volunteer coordinator.

Regan’s known for showing up with his pickup truck to haul sticks and garbage. He’ll climb up on scaffolding, which some people are afraid to do, he said. He will even show up on days when artists are painting, to grab them a soda or watch their supplies while they take a bathroom break.

It’s not glamorous work. Volunteers don’t get their signatures on the walls they prime, but that doesn’t matter to them.

“Even though I didn’t do the artwork, I was behind the scenes,” Regan said. “I get to meet people, and I have fun doing it.”

Community organizations have stepped up, as well, Caruso said. Recycle Bicycle hosted a mural bike tour that drew 150 people. The Harrisburg Area Road Runners Club held a similar event on feet instead of wheels. Midtown Cinema set up a Q&A with Sprocket. Recently, people have donated plants for an upcoming pocket park project that is part of the 2021 Mural Festival.

“It’s so helpful to have people volunteer their skills and knowledge and time,” Caruso said.

Paint & Pride

Sprocket’s mission is to “increase community pride and civic engagement in Harrisburg through creative action.”

That’s what Caruso has hoped for since starting the arts organization in 2014. Weaver feels the same way. She’s found a community of like-minded artists who are passionate about making the community a better place.

“I get to contribute to the city that I love,” she said. “I love the idea of public art.”

Volunteer Hannah Witwer moved to Harrisburg from Philadelphia in 2016. In Philly, there was a huge arts scene—it was one of her favorite things about the city. When she moved to Harrisburg, she was excited to see murals in her new hometown, as well.

“I love art, but I never considered myself artistic,” she said. “While I couldn’t help paint a beautiful picture, I could help prime a wall.”

Witwer spent hours flinging her giant paint roller onto the wall on the side of the Capital Joe Coffee shop on Forster Street during the 2019 Mural Festival. Eventually, her work was covered with a swirling, galactic painting of a young astronaut by artist Arthur Haywood. Still, when Witwer drives by the mural, she points it out to her friends.

“I love telling people I helped prime that wall,” she said. “Being a part of that kind of helped me feel a part of the city.”

That rang true for Regan, Monnier and Weaver, too. They all talked about how they felt like their work meant something to the community, like it was more than just murals, but creating city pride. That’s all Caruso could ask for.

“It’s humbling,” she said. “I feel like we’ve found our people, and I feel grateful for that.”

To volunteer with Sprocket Mural Works or to learn more about what they do, visit www.sprocketmuralworks.com.

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The Week that Was: News and features from around Harrisburg

April 30, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Conley

Sprocket Mural Works artists paint a mural on the side of Zeroday on N. 3rd Street.

Is anyone else’s stomach growling after seeing our May issue’s cover? Just us? Pick up your copy of the magazine today, but you may want to have your favorite restaurant on speed dial. This month is our dining issue, and boy does it look good. Before you dig into the issue, catch up on our local news coverage, listed and linked, below.

Autism brings three local women together, in our magazine story. Heather Zimmerman, Kelly Long and Grace Long discuss the importance of bringing awareness to autism and how it has impacted their lives.

TheBurg received 22 individual and group Keystone media awards this week, the greatest number we have ever received. Take a look at our online article to see which stories won awards in this contest sponsored by the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association Foundation.

The Civic Club of Harrisburg is holding an online silent auction to raise funds after it was dealt a financial blow from COVID and recent vandalism, our reporting found. President Marybeth Lehtimaki hopes the community will support them in a time of need.

Dauphin County placed a ballot drop box in downtown Harrisburg in preparation for the upcoming municipal primary, our online story reported. Elections staff has begun to mail out almost 15,000 requested ballots for the May 18 primary, according to the county.

Denim Coffee Company plans to open at a new downtown Harrisburg location on Monday, our online story reported. The shop is the third to open in the state, with existing cafés in Carlisle and Chambersburg.

Dental health has improved over the years, but there is still much to do, according to Capital BlueCross. In a magazine article, health officials share tips for good dental hygiene.

Erik Arneson is known in the community for his past job with the state Office of Open Records and his current position with the Pennsylvania Treasury, but not as many know about his board game expertise. Read more about Arneson and his book “How to Host a Game Night” in our magazine story.

Friends of TheBurg celebrates its one-year anniversary this month. Our editor thanks the community for its continuous support, in his May Editor’s Note.

Lillie Williams, the interim director of the city Department of Building and Housing Development, has a passion for helping people find a safe place to stay. In our magazine story, she shares how her experience living in affordable housing helps her relate to those she serves.

Local “plant lady,” Sara Bozich, tells the story of her progression from accidentally killing plants to nurturing them. She has a few tips for fellow houseplant owners in a magazine story.

The mayoral race in Harrisburg is in full swing with six candidates on the ballot. We reached out to each candidate with two questions about their reasons for running and priorities. We have their answers, here.

Midtown Cinema plans to host a vaccine clinic next week, along with provider Rite Aid, our reporting found. According to the cinema, the clinic offers a “convenient location” for Harrisburg residents.

Schooling kids during the COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge, especially for children with special needs. In our magazine story, hear from local parents, students and educators who had to adapt in unique ways.

Sprocket Mural Works issued a call for artists this week as organizers prepare for the upcoming 2021 Harrisburg Mural Fest, our online story reported. The arts group will also begin a fundraising campaign for a mural that will be painted at Recycle Bicycle’s new location in Allison Hill.

Zimmerman’s Nuts & Candies has satisfied many sweet teeth in the century-plus that it’s been in business, our magazine story reported. The shop is small but big on variety, offering peanut butter, coffee, dried fruits and a large variety of candy.

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Calling All Artists: Sprocket Mural Works welcomes hometown talent for upcoming Harrisburg Mural Fest

April 29, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda

Artist Aron Rook works on a recent mural at the new location of Zeroday Brewing Co. in Harrisburg.

Are you a local artist? If so, Sprocket Mural Works wants to hear from you.

The Harrisburg-based mural arts group today issued a “call for artists” for the 2021 Harrisburg Mural Festival, which takes place this summer.

Artists are invited to apply online at sprocketmuralworks.com/call-for-artists-2021 beginning May 1. The deadline to apply is May 31.

The festival will be Sprocket’s third biennial event. Projects include celebrating Black lives through mural art, reconfiguring the unused Patrick Alley into a mural-lined pocket park, and transforming the Mulberry Street Bridge with murals—pending additional fundraising.

“Additionally, we are excited to announce a special new mural project—with the nonprofit Recycle Bicycle Harrisburg—being added to the summer festival lineup,” said Megan Caruso, Sprocket co-founder.

A fundraising campaign for Recycle Bicycle Harrisburg’s new mural launches in May, which is National Bike Month, on both organizations’ social media platforms and websites, sprocketmuralworks.com and rbhburg.org.

“We adore Recycle Bicycle Harrisburg and their work in the community,” Caruso said. “They are a worthy organization, and we look forward to making their new home on Allison Hill more beautiful with vibrant art. This project is a special one for us—one of Sprocket’s first murals was located at their previous Uptown location.”

The focus is on hometown artists, for the 2021 Harrisburg Mural Festival’s first project launch in May, according to Sprocket.

Harrisburg-based artists will paint 15 large, rectangular planters on Derry and Market streets in the Allison Hill neighborhood as a summer beautification project in partnership with Tri County Community Action.

In the past, Sprocket has painted planters and electrical boxes downtown in cooperation with the Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District.

Sponsorships by businesses of all sizes, grant-writing and fundraising campaigns are underway, and donations are welcomed, Sprocket stated. Businesses and corporate donors interested in sponsoring summer murals can contact Sprocket at [email protected].

The festival’s budget includes artist stipends and supplies—paint, canvas, paintbrushes, insurance and lifts that allow access to mural locations. Each gallon of durable, highly pigmented mural paint costs $165, according to Sprocket.

For more information, visit sprocketmuralworks.com.

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April News Digest

March 31, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Conley Gittens

Primary Field Takes Shape

Harrisburg voters will have a large field of candidates to choose from in the May election, as six hopefuls have filed for the mayoral primary and another 13 residents have filed for City Council nominations.

By the mid-March deadline, the following candidates had filed to run for the Democratic nomination for mayor:

Otto Banks
Kevyn Knox
Eric Papenfuse (incumbent)
David Schankweiler
Wanda Williams

Banks later had his city residency challenged in court, though, at press time, a verdict had not yet been rendered.

In addition, one candidate, Timothy Rowbottom, filed to run in the Republican primary.

Thirteen candidates filed to run for the Democratic nomination for four, four-year seats on Harrisburg City Council. They are:

Vishal Bajpai
Lori Ann Beamer-Saulisbury
Roy Christ
Shamaine Daniels (incumbent)
Crystal Davis
Carrie Fowler
Sarah Gethers
Ausha Green (incumbent)
Lavet Henderson
Jennie Jenkins-Dallas
Robert Lawson
Jocelyn Rawls
Ralph Rodriguez

No one filed to run in the Republican primary.

Two of the four council seats are open as council Vice President Ben Allatt declined to run for re-election and President Wanda Williams, who has served on council since 2006, opted to run for mayor.

The Harrisburg school board race has fewer candidates this time than two years ago, when a dozen residents ran in the hotly contested race. This year, the Democratic candidates for four, four-year seats are:

Michael Balsbaugh
Brian Carter (incumbent)
Jorge Collazo
Roslyn Copeland
Jaime Johnsen
Ezra Match
Danielle Robinson (incumbent)
Mary Simpson

Match also cross-filed on the Republican ballot.

In addition, the school board has one two-year seat available. Just one Democrat, Terricia Radcliff, has filed to run for that seat. No Republicans filed for the office.

For city controller, only incumbent Charlie DeBrunner, a Democrat, has filed to run in the primary.

Harrisburg also has two competitive races for magisterial district justice seats.

Seven Democrats have filed for the District 12-2-04 seat primary:

Anthony Harrell
Sha’kira Jennings
Sonya McKnight (incumbent)
Ellis (Rick) Roy
Jennifer Smallwood
Brianna Smith
Leon Wilkerson

McKnight also cross-filed for the Republican primary.

Two Democrats filed for the District 12-2-05 seat:

Amechie Walker Sr.
Paul T. Zozos (incumbent)

Zozos also cross-filed for the Republican primary.

On the county level, incumbent Matt Krupp of Harrisburg filed for re-election as a Republican for prothonotary. Anju Singh of Hummelstown is running for the Democratic nomination.

Long-time county Coroner Graham Hetrick filed for re-election on the Republican ballot. He’s unchallenged for that office.

A two-year county controller seat is open following the election of Tim DeFoor as PA auditor general last year. Democrat Eric Epstein of Lower Paxton Township filed for the primary for that row office, as did Republican Mary Bateman of Lykens.

The municipal primary is slated for Tuesday, May 18.

Council Approves Building Projects

Several Harrisburg developers last month cleared the final city approval before being allowed to break ground on their projects.

City Council approved land development plans to convert a vacant church into an apartment building and another to build a six-story apartment and retail building, along with five other projects.

Developer Derek Dilks plans to transform the former First United Methodist Church at 260 Boas St. into an eight-unit apartment building. Previously, he had received zoning relief for the $1.2 million project in order to change the use of the 140-year-old church building.

Also approved were a range of renovation projects that Dilks plans for downtown. These include:

25 N. Front St., converting an office building into an eight-unit apartment building
321 N. Front St., converting an office building into a six-unit apartment building
130 State St., converting an office building into a five-unit apartment building

With a unanimous council vote, Harristown Development can move forward on its project at 21 S. 2nd St. The company plans to construct a six-story, mixed-use building with apartments, offices and first-floor retail space. Harristown purchased the property in 2017, demolishing the blighted commercial building that then occupied the site.

Council also gave its OK to the renovation of the “Carpets and Draperies” building on the 1500-block of N. 3rd St., a long-blighted retail building that will be converted to five apartments and first-floor retail space.

Other approved resolutions last month included:

1605-1609 Swatara St., consolidating and re-subdividing the parcels comprising the project site into three parcels and constructing three, single-family townhomes
Awarding up to $10,000 in funding to the Pennsylvania Environmental Resource Consortium to co-sponsor the Pennsylvania Environmental Justice Symposium

Council this month is expected to consider another large project in Midtown. It includes include 85 apartments, a grocery store and a parking garage, bounded by Boyd, N. 5th, Reily and Fulton streets.

Superintendent Search Begins

The Harrisburg School District is taking a major step to fill a top post in the administration.

The district announced last month that it will begin a national search for the next superintendent of schools as part of the next phase of its “Amended Recovery Plan.”

“We will seek a student-centered leader who will embrace our school community, lead with integrity, and pursue continual growth and improvement for the district,” according to the district.

In 2019, the district passed into state receivership after failing to meet the academic objectives in the 2013 recovery plan and the 2016 amended plan. The superintendent at that time, Sybil Knight-Burney, was fired.

Dr. Janet Samuels was appointed receiver of the district and, later, Chris Celmer was named acting superintendent, in collaboration with the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit (MCIU).

The district will move to reinstate a full superintendent now that it is more than halfway through its three-year, state-mandated receivership. According to its statement, the district may fill the position as early as this summer.

Samuels and the MCIU will conduct interviews, and the community will get to meet the final candidate before they are appointed, according to the district. Celmer will provide support for the new superintendent and continue to work with the district through June 2022.

Allison Hill Art Project

Harrisburg-based Sprocket Mural Works last month announced that it plans to bring more art to the Allison Hill neighborhood.

Volunteers from Sprocket, a nonprofit, plan to kick off the biannual Harrisburg Mural Festival by painting nearly 30 new planter boxes, in partnership with Tri County Community Action, on Derry and Market streets.

Their goal is to commission artists from Allison Hill, as well as artists from the city at large. Sprocket announced a call for artists to submit designs for these paid positions.

“We are looking forward to connecting with artists from Allison Hill—that’s what is so valuable about this community-focused project,” said Meg Caruso, co-founder of Sprocket. “More than a dozen planters will benefit and beautify the immediate Allison Hill neighborhood. Additionally, these planters will become works of art that uplift and recognize local artistic talent for years to come.”

Sprocket is looking for artists to highlight the culture and diversity of Allison Hill in the paintings, as well as what they love about their city. The deadline for artists to apply is April 30, and the painting will take place between May 22 and June 20.

Home Sales Dip, Prices Up

Home sales dropped a bit, but price appreciation was strong in the Harrisburg area in February.

The Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR) reported that home sales fell to 458 units last month compared to 500 units in February 2020 across its three-county coverage area. However, the median sales price rose to $190,950 versus $180,000 a year ago.

In Dauphin County, sales dipped to 236 units against 244 in the year-ago period, but the median price increased to $168,500 versus $164,900 last year, GHAR stated.

Similarly, Cumberland County saw a small drop in home sales—from 205 a year ago to 196 this past February—but the median price rose sharply, from $214,500 to $232,000, GHAR said.

In Perry County, sales dropped by three units, to 21 homes, as the median price rose to $154,900 compared to $147,500 a year ago, GHAR stated.

The organization also reported that homes were selling much faster than last year, as the “average days on market” dropped to 30 days versus 57 the prior February.

So Noted

Aaron Johnson last month announced his retirement as Harrisburg’s long-serving director of the Department of Public Works. Dave West, Johnson’s second in command, will replace him in the post.

Gateway Health opened a “Connection Center” last month at 1426 N. 3rd St. in Harrisburg. The facility will help connect members with services and also will offer space for education and seminars, for private consult/conference rooms and to help meet community needs.

Gov. Tom Wolf last month further loosened pandemic-related restrictions on numerous businesses, including restaurants, bars, gyms and entertainment venues. The new rules, which take effect April 4, allow bar service to resume and permit restaurants to serve alcohol without the purchase of food, among other provisions. Mask-wearing and distancing requirements are still mandated.

HACC’s parking lot is the site of a new mass vaccination clinic sponsored by Dauphin County and UPMC Pinnacle. The drive-through site is expected to dispense thousands of COVID-19 vaccinations daily when enough doses are available in the county.

Harrisburg last month extended its moratorium on evictions for another month, to April 16. This is the third time that the city has extended the ban, which was enacted first in December to prevent evictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mary Murphy has joined Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region as its new development director. According to the organization, she has extensive experience in marketing, communications, business and consulting for nonprofits and Fortune 500 companies.

Michael Karcutskie was named last month as president of Harrisburg-based Quandel Construction Group. In this role, Karcutskie is responsible for overseeing the firm’s operations and developing its corporate strategy. Previously, he served as vice president of pre-construction and estimating.

Strawberry Square last month began hosting a free COVID-19 testing site near the Walnut Street entrance in downtown Harrisburg. The walk-in site will run at least through April 10, Tuesdays through Saturdays, no appointment required.

Verber Dental Group last month announced that its new pediatric dentistry facility will open in May. The $1.5 million project, located at 201 St. John’s Church Rd. in Hampden Township, will include eight state-of-the-art dental suites, along with interactive spaces for children and a “tooth fairy booth.”

Whitaker Center partially reopened last month following a lengthy pandemic-related shutdown. The downtown Harrisburg arts and science center is now open Fridays and Saturdays, by appointment, in two sessions: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Zeroday Brewing Co. last month opened its new taproom and restaurant at 925 N. 3rd St. in Midtown Harrisburg. The 150-person space features a large bar area, dining rooms, a courtyard and a small-batch, three-barrel brewhouse that can be closed off for special events. The menu focuses on contemporary, Mexican-style cuisine by restaurant partner La Catrina.

Changing Hands

Bailey St., 1302: H. Roberts to Global Supply Group LLC, $41,000

Berryhill St., 1623: M. Plancencia & L. Pichardo to A. Pichardo, $35,000

Berryhill St., 2437: C. Still to J. Martinez & M. Gomez, $38,000

Bigelow Dr., 1300: R. Shalhoub to M. Murphy & G. Neff, $58,800

Boas St., 418: D. & L. Engelhardt to W. Sechler & M. Ackerman, $123,715

Calder St., 523: A. Johnson to M. McNeils, $159,900

Camp St., 635: Integrity First Time Home Buyers LLC to J. Darling, $120,000

Chestnut St., 1832: Gilligan Realty LLC to G. Graham, $51,000

Cumberland St., 115: F. & J. Martin to J. Klinger, $127,500

Derry St., 2125: 37 Estate LLC to A. Miller, $95,000

Derry St., 2621: E. Chandler to Z. Soto, $99,900

Derry St., 2700: Rohrer Rentals LLC to Painted Sky Properties LLC, $243,000

Disbrow St., 88 & 90: H. & L. Bueno to D. Best, $35,000

Elm St., 1726: A. Williams Jr. to D. Chambers, $95,000

Evergreen St., 26 & 28: Round Rock Investments LLC to 101 S. 17th Street LLC, $104,000

Fulton St., 1404: T. Copeland to K. Shoaff, $125,000

Green St., 2313: N. Jacobs to E. Macas, $40,000

Greenwood St., 2507: F. & S. Ford to C. Everett, $39,900

Hanover St., 1318: A. Bawo to B. Ortega, $39,000

Herr St., 265: Rosegarden Properties to B. Staudt, $199,900

Holly St., 1914: SPG Capital LLC to M. Rodriguez, $59,900

Kensington St., 2255: D. & D. Ford to Men of Morals LLC, $52,000

Logan St., 2242: RT Propertiez LLC to RRMMM Real Estate LLC, $31,500

Market St., 1801: D.L. Weaver Enterprises LLC to Builders Property Management & Marketing Group LLC, $39,785

Market St., 1857: JMDM Properties LLC to Market Whitehall Property Holdings LLC, $110,000

Market St., 1859: Z. Reeves to Z. & S. Coombs, $100,000

Market St., 1910: JMDM Properties LLC to Market Whitehall Property Holdings LLC, $110,000

Market St., 1915: JMDM Properties LLC to Market Whitehall Property Holdings LLC, $110,000

Market St., 1941: A. Antoun to Royalty Tax Services LLC, $105,000

Mulberry St., 1837: A. Mohamed to Fine Line Real Estate LLC, $44,000

N. 2nd St., 933: C. Wise to D. Moore & K. Williams, $212,000

N. 2nd St., 1209: GO Trump Inc. to OK 3 Investments LLC, $365,000

N. 2nd St., 1333: C. Leavitt to R. Adams & K. Rasmus, $127,500

N. 2nd St., 1505: B. Bragg to S. & H. Westhafer, $78,000

N. 2nd St., 2436: D. Sanko to J. Belizaire, $247,000

N. 2nd St., 2832: WK Rentals LLC to K. Hill, $139,950

N. 2nd St., 2900: F. & B. Pinto to R. Lawson, $207,000

N. 2nd St., 3127: M. Stilo to Honest Home Solutions LLC, $56,375

N. 3rd St., 2104 & 2106: J. & D. Negron to S. Schlackman, $100,000

N. 4th St., 2609: RJ Shultz Enterprises Inc. to D. Markel, $80,000

N. 5th St., 1720: Principium LLC to S. Bustard, $172,000

N. 5th St., 1940: Neidlinger Enterprises LLC to M. Trieu, $149,500

N. 6th St., 2529: DL Weaver Enterprises LLC to A. Woodman, $60,000

N. 6th St., 3214: Mid Atlantic IRA LLC Donna Laubach IRA to AM Properties USA LLC, $66,500

N. 7th St., 2110 & 2115 Motke St.: M., M. & N. Barber to D. Montes, $59,000

N. 13th St., 142: 37 Estate LLC to Z. & S. Coombs, $75,000

N. 19th St., 36: J. & L. Carter to A. Nebbou, $74,900

N. 19th St., 712: C. Butler to A. Smith, $89,900

N. 19th St., 1004: R. Dressler & E. Knuth Jr. to A. Nebbou, $50,000

N. Cameron St., 1511: Note Purchasers LLC to D&F Realty Holdings LP, $375,000

N. Front St., 1525, Unit 505: G. & C. Francis to C. Hackett, $177,000

N. Front St., 2745: 2745 Limited LP to Jenga on Front, $771,000

Norwood St., 906: N. Moya to S. Pacley, $79,000

Penn St., 1812: Lancaster Real Estate Fund LLC to 2020 Real Estate Ventures LLC, $65,000

Race St., 548 & 550: M. Fox to Panda Real Estate LLC, $130,000

Radnor St., 403: T. Brown to TKO Rental Properties LLC, $110,000

Reel St., 2636: A. & R. Laracuenta to Neidlinger Enterprises LLC, $52,000

Rudy Rd., 1940: M. Heefner & S. Shrhart to S. Ludington, $55,000

Rudy Rd., 2141: M. McNelis to H. Fender, $190,000

Seneca St., 501: Dauphin County Property Investors LLC to Archie Group, $396,000

Showers St., 702: L. Rotegliano to M. Harrison, $169,900

S. 13th St., 1436: D. Weaver to A. Woodman, $45,000

S. 15th St., 320: Wells Fargo Bank NA to R. Gashi, $31,500

S. 16th St., 545: G. & Y. Garcia to PBBO Real Estate LLC, $42,500

S. 17th St., 544: G. & Y. Garcia to D. Montes, $41,500

S. 24th St., 702: Property Value Solutions LLC to M. Valverde, $90,000

S. 29th St., 738: J. & L. Guizado to J. Smith, $110,000

S. Cameron St., 1517 & 1540: A. & C. Quigley to New Vision Management LLC, $224,000

Spencer St., 1839: R. Farley to J. Rodriguez, $43,000

State St., 231, Unit 806: LUX 1 LP to A. Richie, $135,000

State St., 1520: R. Schwartz to G. Zehr, $75,000

State St., 1840: A. Alumbaugh to J. Tineo, $57,000

Walnut St., 1196: L. Alvarez to M. Hernandez, $68,900

Whitehall St., 1817: JMDM Properties LLC to Market Whitehall Property Holdings LLC, $110,000

Harrisburg property sales for February 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

March 12, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Conley Gittens

Political signs began to appear in Harrisburg as the mayor and City Council races started to take shape.

If you haven’t picked up our March issue of the magazine yet, get out in the sunshine and visit one of our many distribution locations. Of course, you can read it online too, but there’s nothing like a good old paper copy, agreed? Also, don’t miss our news coverage from this past week, listed and linked, below.

Bob’s Art Blog previews the annual “Art in the Wild” installation held at Wildwood Park. The process of coming up with and implementing a creative vision is no easy task, but artists always succeed in highlighting nature’s beauty.

In a Burg Blog, our editor commends the recent candidates running for political office in the city. He’s impressed, he said, with the recent level of civic engagement and thanks the candidates for being willing to serve.

Dauphin County is expected to receive up to $18 million in state and federal CARES Rent Relief Program funds that it plans to distribute to tenants behind on rent. Renters can possibly receive up to 12 months of rental and utility assistance, our online story reported.

Deco Grab & Go is a new café that recently opened in downtown Harrisburg. Our magazine article tells the story of owner Callie Alvanitakis and how she has managed her businesses during the pandemic.

Floyd Stokes, founder of the American Literacy Corporation, has been busy providing educational experiences for kids virtually during the pandemic. Since the beginning of October, the ALC has streamed book readings, which they plan to continue for a whole year, our online story reported.

Hamilton Health Center in Harrisburg has vaccinated 1,000 seniors this week through a partnership with Capital BlueCross and Rite Aid. Many of the community members reached were people of color who were struggling to receive the vaccine elsewhere, our online story reported.

Harrisburg City Council approved land development plans to convert a vacant church into an apartment building and another to build a six-story apartment and retail building, along with four other projects, our online story reported.

Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse announced that he will run for a third term, our online story reported. In an interview, he said that he had unfinished business that he felt he needed to follow through to completion.

Harrisburg voters will have a large field of candidates to choose from this May, our reporting found. Six hopefuls have filed for the mayoral primary and another 13 residents have filed for City Council nominations.

Home sales in the Harrisburg area dropped a bit in February, but price appreciation was strong, our online story reported. The Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors reported that home sales fell to 458 units last month compared to 500 units in February 2020 across its three-county coverage area.

Little Amps Coffee Roasters and Get Better Records, a queer-run record label, are collaborating to support the LGBT Center of Central PA, our online story reported. Customers can pre-order the label’s upcoming album, along with Little Amps coffee and a mug to support the LGBT Center.

March is National Colorectal Cancer awareness month. In our magazine article, Dr. Thomas Mazza recommends practices to maintain good colon health.

Open Stage’s new show, “Everyman,” is now running virtually. According to our theater reviewer, it is a cutting-edge, loose rendering of a 15^th century morality play, in which “Everyman” represents all humankind and their journeys to Judgment Day.

TheBurg Podcast focuses on the one-year anniversary of the pandemic in the United States this month. Several Burg writers share their experience working, grieving and adapting throughout the year. You can read their reflections in our magazine article, as well.

Sara Bozich’s Weekend Roundup has plenty of ideas for how to enjoy this warm weather weekend. Plus, if you’re looking for ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s day early, she’s got you covered.

Sprocket Mural Works announced that they are kicking off the 2021 Harrisburg Mural Festival by painting over 30 planters in the Allison Hill neighborhood. Sprocket is looking to hire artists from the city, our online story reported.

Whitaker Center reopened on a partial basis following a lengthy closure due to the pandemic, according to our online news story. The same story reports that, across the street, neighbor Strawberry Square will begin host a COVID-19 testing center beginning next week.

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Nearly 30 painted planter boxes coming to Allison Hill, local artists encouraged to take part

March 10, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

Nearly 30 planters along Derry and Market streets will be painted.

As spring rounds the corner and more people are ready to get outside, Sprocket Mural Works wants to bring more art for your stroll through the neighborhood.

Volunteers from Sprocket, a nonprofit, plan to kick off the annual Harrisburg Mural Festival by painting nearly 30 new planter boxes, provided by Tri County Community Action, on Derry and Market streets in Allison Hill.

Their goal is to commission artists from the Allison Hill neighborhood, as well as artists from the city at large. Today, Sprocket announced a call for artists to submit designs for these paid positions.

“We are looking forward to connecting with artists from Allison Hill—that’s what is so valuable about this community-focused project,” said Meg Caruso, co-founder Sprocket. “More than a dozen planters will benefit and beautify the immediate Allison Hill neighborhood. Additionally, these planters will become works of art that uplift and recognize local artistic talent for years to come.”

Sprocket members are looking for artists to highlight the culture and diversity of Allison Hill in the paintings, as well as what they love about their city. The deadline for artists to apply is April 30, and the painting will take place between May 22 and June 20.

Tri County Community Action officials look forward to the event, as it fits with the goals of their neighborhood action plan for Allison Hill.

“We are excited to work with Sprocket Mural Works and local artists to beautify the city, and we look forward to unique and diverse designs that reflect this vibrant community we love,” said Julie Walter, neighborhood revitalization manager at TCCA.

Sprocket completed a similar beautification project in the past, painting the Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District’s planters and the neighborhood’s electrical boxes.

On a larger scale, Sprocket has contributed 45 murals to Harrisburg since 2014.

The 2021 Mural Festival will be Sprocket’s third biennial summer festival. In addition to the planter project, Sprocket will transform the Mulberry Street Bridge with murals, reconfigure Midtown’s unused Patrick Alley into a pocket park and celebrate Black lives through mural art.

Also, in partnership with the Philadelphia area’s Center for Creative Works, an organization that empowers artists with intellectual disabilities, Sprocket plans to bring Brandon Spicer-Crawley back to Harrisburg to continue beautifying a brick wall on the Millworks Lumber Storage Building, near the Broad Street Market.

Sprocket is currently seeking additional partner organizations, as well as potential locations for future murals, in Allison Hill. They are also looking for corporate sponsors of all sizes to become involved in the 2021 festival.

To apply to the Allison Hill planter project’s call for artists, visit Sprocket Mural Works’ website. For any additional information see the website, as well. To contact a Sprocket member, email [email protected].

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Nonprofit Focus: Harristown Development & Sprocket Mural Works

February 26, 2021 | by Admin

Harristown Enterprises Inc.

Why do you feel it’s important for your business to support our area’s nonprofits?

Area nonprofits provide a backbone of support for so many great causes and projects in our community! When making decisions about nonprofit support, we try to always look specifically at those nonprofits that are addressing issues here in the city of Harrisburg.

There are numerous things that our organization does to better our city; there are many other things that we are not in a position to handle. For those critical needs, our community nonprofits are essential. We are truly grateful to the organizations in our community which support those who are in need and who are underserved. We also realize that beautification of our city is equally vital and deserving of encouragement and financial support.

Why do you support this particular nonprofit and what does your business do to benefit the organization?

Harristown’s mission is all about making the downtown better, more exciting, and more vibrant. Sprocket Mural Works has been a tremendous partner with us in making the city and the downtown more beautiful and interesting with so many fantastic murals—their work meshes nicely with our redevelopment mission here in the downtown. We know how excited our customers, visitors, tenants, etc., get when they see the many murals downtown that make their day brighter and more hopeful and add a tremendously interesting aspect to the fabric of the city. In fact, we know that the city’s “mural trail” has become a regular destination for visitors to Harrisburg now that a critical mass of murals has been located throughout the city!

We look forward to continuing our partnership with Sprocket as they spread their art jewels into more city neighborhoods, expanding the beauty, the vibrancy and the excitement. While we certainly wish to increase the number of murals in the central business district, we will—at some point—run out of available walls.We know that there are other very deserving walls and neighborhoods which will come alive with the talents of Sprocket’s local artists, as well as benefit from their connections with the national artist scene.

SPROCKET MURAL WORKS

Describe your organization and the importance of corporate support to further your mission.

Sprocket Mural Works is a small, volunteer-run organization. We create public art to uplift, inspire and promote wellbeing in our communities. Since forming in 2014, Sprocket has produced over 60 large-scale works of public art in Central PA. Over 45 murals are located in Harrisburg, creating the HBG Mural Trail. Sprocket’s mission has been the same from day one: create vibrant murals that celebrate Harrisburg’s culture and its people. We believe public art serves as a catalyst for increasing civic pride and uplifting those who experience the murals daily.

Corporate support has been vital to our organization’s success. Sponsorships, grants and donations of all sizes underwrite festival budgets, including artist stipends, travel and supplies—paint, canvas, paintbrushes, insurance and lift rentals.

When a business supports local nonprofits, the community thrives, and from this, individuals and businesses benefit. It takes a forward-thinking mindset and exceptional leadership to recognize and act on this.

We are proud to be partnered with businesses who understand that caring for people, spaces, and culture right here in our community is accomplished by supporting local nonprofits.

For 2021, what is your greatest need?

COVID-19 has not slowed our ambitions for adding more public art to Harrisburg. We are currently planning the 2021 Mural Festival, and we are dreaming big! Here is a sampling of projects:

Mulberry St. Bridge: The Mulberry Street Bridge is a monumental project that would have a significant impact on our community. We hope to raise funds to reinvigorate this space, engage the community and create a landmark mural.

Allison Hill: Together with local organizations and neighborhood residents, Sprocket plans to create public art in South Allison Hill to promote a safe, thriving, and unified community.

One of the locations we have scouted for a mural is Recycle Bicycle, a well-known organization doing valuable work in the city. We are currently looking for sponsors to support this mural project and others in this neighborhood.

Celebrating Black Lives: Sprocket Mural Works strives to empower artists from various backgrounds to create art that represents the cultures, the people, and the spirit of our neighborhoods.

We hope to partner with local, Black-led organizations in our community to collaborate on themes, location and artist selection for a mural.

Our goal is that this project will be more than a mural. We hope the art will increase dialog, promote systemic change, uplift and celebrate Black lives.

Sprocket is currently seeking financial support towards making these projects and many more possible. Corporate sponsorships are available and individuals may support us directly through our website.

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Bob’s Art Blog: A Year in Art, Part 2

January 19, 2021 | by Bob MacGinnes

Part 2: July to December: Artists, Exhibits, Murals and a Special Thanks

Early in July, the surf was up at the beach…in Paxtang! The Tiger Eye Coffee Company serves up three of the best items that life offers: ice cream, coffee and art all under one roof. What presents as a throwback tikibar/ice cream parlor/art gallery combined, specializes in incredible coffee and teas too. Owner Makayla Burton, 2019 graduate of Capital Area School of the Arts, has assembled a “Sweet 16” confection of artists to complement her Hershey’s Ice cream choices. Just up the street, the beach vibe continues at her father’s Harrisburg Framing and Sea Gallery et al (pictured). Rob Burton owns a way-cool shell shop and nautical decor emporium. The elder Burton brings a surf shack aesthetic to 3430 Derry St. Between the two establishments, the Burtons capture the beach scene in Harrisburg to perfection…after all, “Life’s a Beach.”

“Busted flat in Baton Rouge waitin’ for a train,” just me and Kelly McGee. Actually, the Millworks in Midtown (suite 216) houses the dream state paintings of Kelly McGee (Curran). Ancestral spirits inhabit the transitory state of her subconscious mind, and she brings those remembrances to life in paintings on pinewood slabs. The knots provide the portals between two worlds, one of the here and now and the other the shadow sanctuaries. They are the “Methods and Meanings” of Kelly McGee.

“Vacation Creation” stemmed from the adventures of 13 local artists who shared their vacation/staycation views. Charlie Feathers and Reina R76, Bethany Nicholle, Julie Riker, Nate & Tzu Foster with son Malik, the HuckleBuckle Boys, Garrick Dorsett and Zack Rudy, Hannah Dobek, Jonathan Frazier, Natalie Dohman (whose art is pictured), Douglas Beard, Nicole Herbert, Larry Washington, Jr. and even my 3rd in the Burg photographer, Jana MacGinnes all weighed in with anecdotes that regaled as well as inspired.

August’s 3rd in the Boro featured “The Signature Style of Pamela J. Black” and her unique wash application of acrylic paints creating highly distinctive and instantly recognizable works that can only be those of Pamela’s. From her solo exhibit at Cornerstone Coffeehouse to Café 1500 for the start of fall also found her as the featured artist in the Art zine, “Pikchur.”

“On the Hunt for Art” brought September’s 32nd Edition of the Harrisburg Gallery Walk, which kicked off the fall scene in grand style under the auspices of the Art Association of Harrisburg’s President Carrie Wissler-Thomas. The Latino Hispanic American Community Center was a featured stop on the tour that showcased “Stars Shining Bright,” featuring Nora Carreras (whose art is pictured), Lucy Giboyeaux, Claudia Salazar and Raul Cruz. Well-wishers got to sing “Happy Birthday” to Michael Hertrich as his gallery celebrated its first full year in Midtown. Also during the month, we caught up with local baseball historians, Ted Knorr and Calobe Jackson, Jr., with “A Tip of the Cap” in homage to the 100th anniversary celebration of Negro League Baseball at the Susquehanna Art Museum. Jovana Sarver, aka dirt.petal on Instagram, took center stage on the fashion runway as model and designer of facemasks and everything else one can envision. She slayed art forms like they are dragons, fearlessly focused on the designs… proving her to be “A Polymath Petal.”

Thursday’s child “with far to go” turned out to be the executive director of SAM at the Marty, Alice Anne Schwab, who knows “The Best is Yet to Come.” She was featured in in TheBurg magazine in October. “Art of the State” local hometown heroes Andrew Guth and Ryan Spahr joined Central Pennsylvania artists Marjaneh Talebi, Shelby Wormley, Theodore Prescott, Marc Vandyke and Autumn Wright for the virtual 53rd edition of the event. A fall 3rd in the Burg took us to the gallery in Midtown where everyone knows your name thanks to the proprietors with pizzazz, Vivi Sterste and Jeb Boyd of Vivi on Verbeke (pictured). On our visit, we met Broad Street Market busker-on-trumpet and Allison Hill musician of many hats, including record producer, Jonathan Diggs Duke, a true artist with a horn.

“Bill and Russ’s Excellent Adventures” take place in a home shared by partners aptly named Bill and Russ. For as long as they have been together, their fascination with glass has filled their lovely home with beauty. Much of it “stems” from once local artist, Ona Magaro. Meanwhile, over at the AAH, the member’s exhibition was nearing its close. There, I met the youngest artist of the year, “La Petite” Estella, only 5 years old and already a whiz kid. Showing her handcrafted clay art at the Art Association complemented her ceramic bracelets at the Tiger Eye Coffee Company, where she sells colorful and quirky bead bracelets, the money all going toward her college fund. “The Modernists: Witnesses to the 20th Century” at the SAM encapsulated abstract impressionism in its latest exhibit mirroring what we are faced with today. It provides context to the societal upheaval found permeating the world in the first half of the 20th century.

“A Bird Just Being a Bird” by Garrick Dorsett and Zack Rudy

My final art blog for the year was “A Cautionary Tale,” bringing us full circle. Looking back to the first exhibit of the year afforded insight that intuitive painters Garrick Dorsett and Zack Rudy were able to see the future and in their painting from that first show of the year. “A Bird Just Being a Bird” did its best to warn us of impending calamity. The bird was wearing a mask, sharing its message for mankind to do the same.

Art Outside the Box

On Oct. 4, an art open house took place with 11 artists showing their diverse works by “staging” a residential home for sale on Verbeke Street It gave me a sense of deja vu as the core group was comprised of those from “Vacation Creation.” This grouping included paintings from Bethany Nicholle, Hannah Dobek and Reina Wooden. Photography from Larry Washington Jr. added to the mix. Among the two floors, Millworks artists Tina Berrier and Ann Benton Yeager’s paintings provided a stark contrast to the pop art of Kevyn Knox and Stephen Michael Haas, whose paintings played off each other well. Rounding out the contributors were Donny Lyons, Becky Shagin and Darian Hoke. Speaking of the Millworks, its art director, Tara Chickey, rounded up all the odd ones she could find for their annual “Odd Ones Bizarre.” The event was moved up a month this year to take advantage of the beautiful fall weather, perfect for social distancing outside on the parking lot across from the Broad Street Market.

Dizz Gavins finishes his mural. Photo by Dani Fresh.

Sprocket Mural Works unveiled five new murals and beautified our city. TheBurg’s creative director, Megan Caruso, president of Sprocket, along with Jeff Copus, its co-founder, engaged a quintet of talented artists, who contributed their own take on larger-than-life art. This formidable five included Samantha Sanders, Stephen ESPO Powers, Tara Chickey, Dizz Gavins and Emily Matusz, who braved gravity defying heights to achieve their grand scale art.

On TheBurg Podcast for December, Caruso announced with some degree of fanfare that the Harrisburg Mural Fest will return in 2021.

A Special Word of Thanks

Within every community there seems to be one person who is connected to the rest through a magical power, one which provides the conduit of information back and forth in the best sort of way. A lightning rod so to speak. For Bob’s Art Blog that person is Reina Wooden, “R76,” who keeps me informed and up to date on our local art scene, and I am in her debt. So thank you, Reina, for the scoop always. As an arts activist, Wooden participated as a panelist in WITF’s recent Zoom symposium on social justice. In addition, her painting, “The Keystone King,” is featured on the cover of the Black Wall Street PA’s current edition. The painting now resides in the office of newly elected state Auditor General Timothy DeFoor, who is the first African American to hold that position in Pennsylvania.

Art for Worthy Causes

Gail Walden Coleman’s bookmarks (pictured) take a page from the phrase, “charity begins at home.” Coleman’s intuitive paintings were shrunk in size for a big cause, helping to provide meals for those in need for the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. Aided with help from owner Rose Anderson of the Pure Gallery in Arcona, the women have provided well over 10,000 meals. What a true gift in this time of need. A heartfelt thank you to Gail and the Pure Gallery.

In the wake of the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and so many other lives lost to social injustice, artists Michael Fitzgerald and Gary Dutson, along with friends, erected a Black Lives Matter Mural on the wall of the Harrisburg Improv Theatre as part of a national call that sweeping change desperately needs to take place.

Art Without Borders

WITF’s Zoom meeting on Dec. 17 hosted by Charles Ellison through WITF’s YouTube channel featured a local panel of diverse artists on the topic, “Toward Racial Justice: Celebrates Black and Latino Arts in the Midstate.” The symposium featured Ophelia Chambliss, painter/educator; Shelly Lipscomb Echeverria, painter; Lyneal Griffin from Gamut Theatre, Sankofa African American Theatre Company; Daniel Egusquiza, executive director of Barrio Alegria; Christyn Seay, Capital Area Music Associates; Maria James Thiaw, poet/CEO of Reclaim Artists Collective; Reina Wooden R76, artist. To learn more and watch the conversation, visit WITF’s YouTube channel.

End Note

And perhaps a painting from Pamela J. Black called “The Last Word” (pictured) sums up a year that will be remembered for a long, long time. Her painting draws life from a rich mix of color blending tones, much like the master artist might. It informs the viewer that true beauty, the kind that lasts forever, resides in the space of one’s heart and doesn’t need to have the last word. That is real love in the end and provides us with art from the heart, something we can all use more of.

Read The Year in Art Part 1, here.

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Historic Jackson Hotel demolished for safety after partial collapse

January 7, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

Demolition of the historic Jackson Hotel on Thursday.

Dave Kegris, owner of the Jackson House restaurant, was busy flipping burgers and serving customers on Thursday when he heard a crashing sound and knew—this couldn’t be good.

When he looked out the window, at about 1 p.m., it was raining bricks. The historic Jackson Hotel building was crumbling.

“If someone was standing out there, they would’ve been killed,” Kegris said.

According to Matt Long of Harrisburg Commercial Interiors, the owner of the building, his crew was working to put braces on the walls of the building when the situation became unsafe. The workers were able to get to safety before the wall facing Herr Street, which featured a mural highlighting local Black history, collapsed on itself.

Staff and customers at the Jackson House on the 1000-block of N. 6th Street saw falling bricks hit cars and damage the restaurant’s roof and sign, Kegris said. A clean-up crew was on the scene shortly after.

Within a few hours, Long began to demolish the rest of the building for safety. He expected that, by night, most of it would be done.

The circa-1884 Jackson Hotel building once catered to African-American patrons who were denied service in Harrisburg’s white-only hotels. When long-time owner German Jackson died in 1998, the building was boarded up and has remained empty since.

In recent years, the building’s roof caved in, and the back of the building collapsed. The interior of the building pancaked, leaving it as no more than rubble, and the city condemned it. With the events of Thursday, soon it’ll be no more than a dusty lot.

Over the years, the building had a long history of changing hands without much improvement being done. The building was first left to Kegris in Jackson’s will and remained with him for 20 years before he sold it in 2015.

Long purchased the Jackson Hotel in 2018 with plans to stabilize the foundation and construct a completely new interior and roof. He intended to create apartments and commercial space. He had also hoped to save the exterior wall that held the mural of prominent African American figures who one stayed at the hotel.

The mural that once covered the Jackson Hotel wall.

That mural is now destroyed.

“There was always that risk,” Long said of the collapse. “The building was just a shell.”

Sprocket Mural Works created the mural during the 2017 Harrisburg Mural Festival to honor the history of the building and “the amazing Black entertainers” who stayed at the Jackson Hotel, according to co-founder Megan Caruso.

“We did it to celebrate the neighborhood and the history there,” she said.

Caruso said that she was saddened by the news, but not surprised, as she knew that the building was in very bad condition.

“We appreciate that the owner tried to disassemble the building and keep the wall up, but we knew this could happen,” she said.

The wall collapse adds urgency to Sprocket’s plan for the 2021 Harrisburg Mural Festival to paint another mural, in another location, honoring Black lives, Caruso said.

“Now, we hope to create a new one,” she said.

Long now plans to start fresh, saying he had always expected this to be a rebuilding project. He is still holding to the plan of creating four apartments and downstairs commercial space.

Ted Hanson who has lived on Boas Street for 23 years, near the Jackson Hotel, worries what it will become. He was friends with Jackson before he passed and remembers the building in “pristine” condition.

“I’m disappointed and angry, but completely unsurprised,” Hanson said. “I absolutely predicted this was going to happen.”

Long said he plans to rebuild the building as close to its original state as possible. Whereas he previously wanted to restore parts of the building, there now is little left but piles of bricks and the story of the once-bustling Jackson Hotel, before it was empty, before it fell.

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