Tag Archives: Strawberry Square

Plant-based food, vendors to be spotlighted at Plants + Pints Harrisburg event

June 27, 2022 | by Ellen Frantz

The 2019 festival, then known as Veggie Fest.

Harrisburg, chew on this: a festival devoted to healthy eating will return in August following a pandemic-induced hiatus.

Plants + Pints Harrisburg, formerly called Harrisburg Veggie Fest, plans to bring the community together to educate people on living a healthy and eco-conscious life by highlighting local farms, vegan and vegetarian businesses and other plant-based products. And, in a unique, central PA twist, there also will be craft beer.

“It’s a wellness community event with a focus on wellness, PA agriculture and craft beer,” said organizer Sara Bozich, CEO and founder of Sara Bozich Events.

The festival will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27, at Strawberry Square.

The event, produced in partnership with Harristown Enterprises and presented by UPMC in Central PA, will benefit two local nonprofit organizations: Downtown Daily Bread and Harrisburg River Rescue and Emergency Services.

Bozich said the idea came from Harristown Enterprises CEO and President Brad Jones, who has vegan family members and loves craft beer. Jones attended an event in Philadelphia spotlighting plant-based companies and local craft breweries and wanted to bring it to Harrisburg.

So far, organizers have two dozen plant-based vendors selling food and products lined up for the event, as well as DJ duo His&Hers and six craft breweries. Bozich also stated that, although everything is plant-based, anything not vegan will be very clearly specified.

General admission tickets for adults are $20 and youth ages 12 to 21 are $10. Anyone under 12 years old is free.

Both benefiting organizations of the festival fundraiser are close to Jones and Bozich’s hearts. They have both partnered with Downtown Daily Bread and Harrisburg River Rescue and Emergency Services previously. The head chef of the Downtown Daily Bread’s soup kitchen will be onsite at the festival giving a cooking tutorial on how to make vegan dishes.

Bozich reminds Harrisburg residents that this is an event for everyone, not just those who live the plant-based lifestyle.

“It’s a community event,” she said. “And proceeds are going back to the community.”

Tickets to the Plants + Pints festival can be purchased online. More information can be found on their website. Vendor and sponsorship opportunities are still available by emailing Sara Bozich at [email protected].

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Harrisburg U sets January date for building debut; announces new home for innovation center, accreditation

March 21, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

A rendering of Harrisburg University’s new Science Education Center

Harrisburg University has set a January date for the official opening of its new academic building in downtown Harrisburg.

On Monday, HU President Eric Darr said that he expects the 11-story academic building at S. 3^rd and Chestnut streets to debut for the university’s spring 2023 semester, following a 2½–year construction process.

“We’re making great progress on it,” he said. “We expect to have students in the building this January.”

The $100 million, 210,000-square-foot Science Education Center will house health science laboratories, 3D printing facilities, advanced manufacturing equipment, a 150-seat interactive auditorium, a virtual reality creation space and other classrooms.

Darr said that he expects the university to begin to move equipment and furniture into the building this fall.

In other HU news, the university on Monday announced that it has received official notification from Middle States Commission on Higher Education that its accreditation status has been reaffirmed.

“This shows that Harrisburg University meets the very high standards set by the commission without exception,” Darr said. “Middle States accreditation is an expression of confidence in our mission and goals, our performance, and our resources.”

In addition, on Monday, HU and Harristown Enterprises jointly announced that the HU Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship will locate inside of Strawberry Square, into 4,000 square feet of space formerly occupied by the Hallmark gift and card store.

The center’s mission is to help innovators build successful ventures, including HU students and faculty, as well as entrepreneurs from the community, according to the university. It should open this summer following renovations and build-out, Darr said.

“The CIE is a multi-pronged hub that aligns entrepreneurial activities across the campus and business disciplines that feature active learning laboratories, technological suites and a makerspace,” said Jay Jayamohan, the center’s director.

The center has been located in various offices on the HU campus. With the move, the center will be able to consolidate in one location, Darr said.

The Hallmark store in Strawberry Square closed in 2020, following the outbreak of the pandemic.

For more information on Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, visit their website.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

UPMC, Harrisburg University launch accelerated program to address nursing shortage

February 23, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg University in downtown Harrisburg

A new, Harrisburg-based program aims to help solve one of today’s greatest healthcare challenges—a critical shortage of nurses.

UPMC and Harrisburg University this week jointly announced the opening of the UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing at UPMC Harrisburg, which will feature an accelerated, 16-month degree program for registered nurses.

“There is a critical shortage of nurses in our region, and we are happy to partner with Harrisburg University to help fill that need,” said Philip Guarneschelli, president of UPMC in Central Pa., in a statement. “It’s an ideal program for students who want to start an exciting career in nursing as soon as possible.”

The school expects to welcome up to 200 students for its inaugural class, slated to start in August at Strawberry Square in downtown Harrisburg.

First-year students will take non-nursing courses at Harrisburg University, nursing courses from UPMC faculty and complete over 900 hours of clinical rotations at UPMC Harrisburg and other regional UPMC facilities. Once students graduate and pass the RN licensing examination, they will be positioned to earn their bachelor’s degree in nursing from Harrisburg University while maintaining full-time employment, according to UPMC.

“This further strengthens the university’s commitment to the latest technology, state-of-the-art resources, academic support and a learning environment that will facilitate the training of well-prepared 21^st-century nursing graduates who can confront today’s unpredictable health care challenges,” said Dr. Eric Darr, HU president.

According to UPMC, scholarship and grant opportunities may be available, and UPMC offers a tuition reimbursement program for employees to continue their education, including undergraduate and graduate degrees in nursing. UPMC officials stated that they also offer a work-study program so that eligible students can work around their class schedule at UPMC while earning their degree.

“Nurses are an essential component of our health care system, and we value our partnerships with the universities and colleges who are helping meet these and other important health care staffing needs,” Guarneschelli said.

Registration for the UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing at UPMC Harrisburg is now open. Limited faculty positions are also still available. For more information, visit UPMC.com/ShadysideSchoolOfNursing.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

January News Digest

December 29, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

City Budget OK’d, May be Re-opened

Harrisburg City Council ended its 2021 session last month with a lengthy agenda, including the approval of a budget and substantial development projects.

Council took a step in the city’s budgeting process, passing a 2022 budget that will serve as a placeholder until Mayor-Elect Wanda Williams takes office and likely reopens the spending plan.

The $79.2 million general fund budget, which includes no property tax increase, essentially mirrors the 2021 budget.

The administration proposed the placeholder budget in anticipation of Williams reopening it in the new year. The final budget must be adopted by Feb. 15.

Additionally, council gave the go-ahead to two large development projects in Harrisburg.

Developers Chris and Erica Bryce, along with Matt Long of Harrisburg Commercial Interiors, can begin work on their mixed-use building on the 1600-block of N. 3rd and Logan streets. It includes a community center and 12 apartment units. They also plan to construct eight townhouses nearby. The project is one phase of many planned by the developers for the Midtown area.

A plan for the historic Hudson building on N. 6th Street in Camp Curtin was also brought before council. Developer Adam Maust plans to transform the long-empty building into The Atlas, which may include office and retail space for local, specifically Black-owned businesses, he said.

However, city Solicitor Neil Grover stated that the project technically already had received automatic approval. A vote by council on each land development plan is required within 120 days of an application being submitted. According to Grover, a series of delays on the city’s part led to the project not going to council for a vote until after that deadline, rendering it legally approved.

Many council members were not happy with that result.

“How did we let something with so much public comment slip through the cracks?” council member Ausha Green asked. “It’s completely ridiculous.”

Although the project was deemed approved, council still voted on it, passing the land development plan by a vote of 6-1, with council member Shamaine Daniels voting against it.

Dauphin County Passes Budget

Dauphin County will hold the line on property taxes again this year, as the commissioners last month finalized the 2022 budget.

In a unanimous vote, the three commissioners passed a $278.5 million budget, which is 2.5% less than the 2021 budget.

The county portion of the property tax will remain unchanged for a 17th consecutive year at 6.876 mills.

“This was truly a team effort,” commission Chair Mike Pries said, in a statement. “Our residents demand accountability. We go over line by line and make tough cuts where we have to.”

Despite the good news for county taxpayers, the commissioners warned of “looming challenges” ahead.

Commissioner George Hartwick said that human services departments are struggling to recruit and retain staff because salaries are not competitive.

Commissioner Chad Saylor mentioned unfunded mandates. As an example, he cited changes to the commonwealth’s voting processes that caused the county’s budget for its Voter Registration and Elections Office this year to double.

“We cannot continue to hold the line without some funding from the state,” Saylor said.

Water/Sewer Rates Rise

The average Harrisburg water and sewer customer will pay a few dollars more a month in 2022, as Capital Region Water approved new rates for the year.

In late November, CRW passed its 2022 budget, which includes a 3% increase for drinking water and a 4% hike for wastewater service.

Under the new rate structure, drinking water rates will rise from $10.04 to $10.34 per 1,000 gallons. Wastewater rates will increase from $8.23 to $8.56 per 1,000 gallons.

According to CRW, the average Harrisburg customer who consumes 45,000 gallons of water annually will pay about $2.60 more per month.

The stormwater fee, first imposed in 2020, will remain the same at $6.15 per month for most residential customers.

CRW also stated that it is targeting two sources of new federal funding to help pay for improvements to the city’s aged, combined sewer infrastructure.

First, it expects to pursue some of the $1.4 billion that Pennsylvania will receive for water projects under the recently passed federal infrastructure bill. It also hopes to receive some of Harrisburg’s $48 million allocation under the American Rescue Plan Act, approved by Congress in March.

“With water and sewer infrastructure projects as an eligible use of funds, investments to reduce pollution just make environmental and financial sense,” said CRW board Chair Marc Kurowski, in a statement.

CRW is under a preliminary agreement with the federal government to slash pollutants that flow into area waterways, including some 800 million gallons of raw sewage mixed with stormwater that enters the Susquehanna River each year. To do so, it plans to spend about $315 million for system improvements and for green infrastructure, which captures stormwater before it enters the sewer system.

Comprehensive Plan Passed

An outdated Harrisburg planning document has finally been updated and replaced following a seven-year-long process.

In late November, Harrisburg City Council approved a new comprehensive plan, capping years of effort to bring the plan into the 21st century.

The resolution passed 6-1, with council member Danielle Bowers voting against it.

“I appreciate all the work of everyone on this council, and I’m glad we are at least able to get something on the books so that we can start moving forward,” council member Westburn Majors said.

The previous comprehensive plan was created in 1974, serving more than double its intended lifespan of 20 years.

In 2014, Harrisburg began to discuss creating a new plan, but was faced with years of delay. A dispute between the city and a former consultant hired to draft the plan prolonged the process, as did extensions to the public comment period.

The 246-page document is meant to help guide growth and development in the city. It includes topics such as land use, housing, mobility, parks, energy and cultural resources.

Over the years, the city held numerous public hearings and meetings on the plan, generating comments from community members.

Bowers explained her vote against the plan, saying that it was not accessible enough and lacked sufficient up-to-date public commentary.

“I don’t understand how a document is supposed to accurately reflect a city today when a majority of the public engagement is already dated and occurred five or six years ago,” she said. “I do not believe this document works for the city of Harrisburg.”

Other council members agreed that the plan could use improvements, but stated that it is a “living document” and could be updated on a regular basis in the years to come.

“This isn’t the best, but it is way better than a 40-plus-year-old document,” Majors said.

School Board Members Sworn In

The Harrisburg School District has a few new faces in office.

At a virtual reorganization meeting last month, the district swore in six board members, four of whom took their seats for the first time.

Dauphin County Magisterial Judge Sonya McKnight led the swearing-in of the following board members, who were elected last month:

Brian Carter, 4-year term (re-elected)
Danielle Robinson, 4-year term (re-elected)
Roslyn Copeland, 4-year term
Jaime Johnsen, 4-year term
Terricia Radcliff, 2-year term
Ellis R. Roy, 2-year term

“This is an incredible time to work together to really support the students, families and staff members of the Harrisburg School District,” Receiver Janet Samuels said. “I’d like to encourage the board members to step out there and to make a difference.”

Board members voted for Brian Carter for president of the board and Steven Williams for vice president.

2 New Shops for Strawberry Square

Two new shops arrived last month in downtown Harrisburg, as Strawberry Square filled up its 3rd Street retail spaces.

The first, AMMA JO, features boutique handbags, accessories, clothing, jewelry and other items for women, as well as a men’s section. For several years, AMMA JO was located in retail space inside Strawberry Square, but that location has been closed for some time.

“We are returning to the downtown because we just loved our experience in Strawberry Square, and we feel that the energy is coming back to the downtown experience,” said owner Amma Johnson. “We want to be a part of that!”

Johnson is neighbors with Sarinity Beauty Bar, which opened next door at 5 N. 3rd St. Sarinity offers skincare, spa service and beauty treatments.

“I am ecstatic to provide affordable spa services to the downtown and surrounding areas,” said owner Arian Romaine.

With these new shops, Strawberry Square has leased all the retail spaces in its “Shops on 3rd at Strawberry Square,” said Brad Jones, president and CEO of Harristown Enterprises, which owns the mixed-used building.

“Shops on 3rd has really become a fantastic collection of unique fashion boutiques, restaurants and health and beauty services for this outstanding downtown corridor,” Jones said.

Home Sales Flat, Prices Up

Harrisburg area home sales were generally flat in November, though prices showed continued strength over the three-county region.

For the month, 724 previously owned houses sold, just eight fewer than in November 2020, while the median sales price shot up to $231,000 compared to $215,000 in the year-ago period, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

In Dauphin County, both sales and prices were up, as 371 homes sold versus 353 last year, while the median price rose to $208,500 compared to $185,750 the prior November, GHAR said.

Cumberland County had sales of 299 housing units, a decrease from 327, but the median price increased year-over-year to $245,000 from $238,000, according to GHAR.

In Perry County, sales totaled 46 homes, an increase of 10, while the median price rose to $204,950 versus $165,000 the previous November, GHAR said.

Houses were also selling relatively quickly, as the “days on the market” dropped to 20 days compared to 26 days in November 2020, according to GHAR.

So Noted

HACC will provide scholarships for some Black students seeking public safety careers, the college announced last month. Through a $112,500 grant from PNC, HACC will offer full-ride scholarships for low- to moderate-income Black students to attend their police academy or EMT program.

Harrisburg last month received two substantial state grants. A $500,000 “Violence Intervention and Prevention” grant will help expand the city Police Bureau’s community service aide program. A separate, $150,000 grant through the state’s Greenways, Trails and Recreation Fund will go towards creating a “tot lot playground” in Reservoir Park.

Harrisburg Zoning Hearing Board has several new members, approved last month by City Council. They are Matthew Pianka, Claude Phipps and Anna Bianco, with James Hobbs approved as an alternate.

Janice Mazzitti was sworn in last month as the newest member of Dauphin County Court Appointed Special Advocates. She joins a volunteer team that represents the interests of abused and neglected foster children in the court system.

Paxton Ministries last month announced David Zilka as its new executive director. He replaces Jodie Smiley in the post. Zilka had served as the nonprofit’s director of operations since July 2019.

Team Pennsylvania last month named Abby Smith as its new president and CEO. She previously served as the organization’s vice president of policy and programs. She succeeds Ryan Unger, who left the post in June to become CEO of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC.

Changing Hands

Adrian St., 2234: J. Seidler to H. Lamb, $87,000

Adrian St., 2423: C. Warble to S. & A. Aziz, $94,900

Argyle St., 56: Wise Choice Property LLC to D. Boyle, $70,000

Berryhill St., 1421: J. Vogelsong to Integrity First Home Buyers LLC, $32,245

Berryhill St., 1425: J. Vogelsong to Integrity First Home Buyers LLC, $32,245

Berryhill St., 2122: G. Sipe to T. McFarland, $105,000

Berryhill St., 2324: J. Morrow to L. Ventura, $110,000

Berryhill St., 2430: A. Mohassab to L. Lora, $95,000

Boas St., 126: B. Love to PDI Properties LLC, $162,500

Boas St., 259: A. Batz to A. Nebbou, $97,500

Boas St., 1840: L. & M. Hinton to S. Maurer, $50,000

Briarcliff Rd., 135: A. & J. Gant to S. Vazquez & X. Echevarria, $289,900

Brookwood St., 2316: L. & W. Latty Trust to S. Good, $91,000

Chestnut St., 1203: J. Vogelsong to Integrity First Home Buyers LLC, $32,245

Chestnut St., 1848: Randazzo Group LLC to M. & N. Jacobs, $30,000

Conoy St., 106: J. & J. Lipman to M. & K. Neale, $175,000

Crescent St., 332: K. Stoute to Z. Alizada, $70,000

Crescent St., 332½: K. Stoute to Z. Artem, $70,500

Cumberland St., 211: B. Sholtis to L. Caruso, $165,000

Curtin St., 512: Vogelsong Investment Properties LLC to Integrity First Home Buyers LLC, $32,245

Derry St., 1148: K. Dieppa & F. Sanchez to D. Nguyen, $30,000

Derry St., 1153: J. Vogelsong to Integrity First Home Buyers LLC, $32,245

Derry St., 1203: J. Vogelsong to Integrity First Home Buyers LLC, $32,245

Derry St., 2018: M. Farner to Biyaki Enterprises LLC, $85,000

Evergreen St., 103: J. Vogelsong to WiseChoice USA LLC, $45,500

Evergreen St., 109: Vogelsong Investment Properties LLC to D. Boyle, $33,500

Evergreen St., 237: MLP LLC to D. Boyle, $145,000

Fulton St., 1629: A. Drake to G. & L. Chow, $162,100

Fulton St., 1704: W. Ferguson to E. Hummel & B. Higgins, $163,000

Girard St., 759: J. Alexopoulos to P. Diaz, $81,000

Green St., 1005: D. Steiner to SPG Capital LLC, $110,000

Green St., 1322: R. Buyers to W. & M. Hammerstein, $176,000

Green St., 1938 & 1940: D. Varno to C. & J. Copus, $265,000

Green St., 2438: I. Almabruk to H. Gebhardt, $178,400

Green St., 3212: E. Griffin to J. & S. Compton, $100,000

Hamilton St., 424: SRJ Realty LLC to Morbucks Enterprise LLC, $50,000

Hamilton St., 501: E. Mwangi to S. Lawing, $197,500

Harris St., 216: D. Zimmerman to K. Sharma & R. Agarwal, $221,000

Harris St., 346: M. Baltozer to J. Cruz, $50,000

Harris St., 431: T. & B. Rossner to R. Durant Jr., $210,000

Harris Terr., 2443: M. Hayes to J. Spearman, $105,000

Herr St., 407: J. Burns to Twelfth Root LLC, $90,000

Jefferson St., 2450: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to D. Bedrosian, $139,995

Jefferson St., 2657: W. Bower c/o G. Neff to I. Djeordjic, $56,000

Kensington St., 1952: Tout USA LLC to M. Montes, $80,000

Kensington St., 2001: North American Property Investments Inc. to D. Boyle, $32,000

Kensington St., 2217: John W. Hoover Trust to Wylie & Wylie Enterprise LLC, $60,000

Kensington St., 2243: L. Vo to T. Ha, $79,000

Kensington St., 2411: M. Raup to Z. Nickens, $74,000

Kittatinny St., 1247: M. Maniari to S. Griffin, $140,000

Lewis St., 326: B. Mehring to A. Sackor, $188,900

Luce St., 2357: E. & S. Mitrovich to DTJ Associates LLC, $39,000

Luce St., 2365: M. Phan to L. Duong, $45,000

Maclay St., 235: Everence Foundation Unique Assets LLC to F. Contreras, $124,000

Moore St., 2138: A. Ali to S. Gomez & W. Monroig, $114,000

Naudain St., 1510: Jawfre Property Investments LLC to J. Camacho, $53,000

North St., 1831: P. & V. Green to D. Boyle, $35,000

North St., 1843: John W. Hoover Trust to J. Strouse, $35,000

North St., 1936: Neidlinger Enterprises LLC & Y. Smith to J. Johns, $114,900

N. 2nd St., 621: J. Golob to Downtown Harrisburg Properties LLC, $167,000

N. 2nd St., 929: R. Barbush, S. Bishop, M. Magaro & L. Vanswol to AON LLC, $341,250

N. 2nd St., 1925: Reddinger Estates LLC to T. Cullen, $170,000

N. 2nd St., 2215: T. & J. Whye to C. & R. Hall, $300,000

N. 2nd St., 2517: J. Swope to C. & S. Warfield, $234,900

N. 2nd St., 3127: Tillotson Properties LLC to R. Gillis & K. Baran, $217,500

N. 3rd St., 1722: A. Glickman to N. Owens, $169,900

N. 3rd St., 2000: G. Neff to Heinly Homes LLC, $150,000

N. 3rd St., 2225: D. & C. Howard to G. Fierro, $175,000

N. 3rd St., 2229: S. & J. Bowman to A. & N. Consoli, $149,900

N. 3rd St., 3309: D. Daub to C. Hostetter, $175,000

N. 4th St., 1320: D. Isern to Z. Paul, $113,000

N. 4th St., 1701: S. Biray to K. Randolph, $195,000

N. 4th St., 2332: A. Hartzler to D. Mann, $135,000

N. 4th St., 2400 & 2402: E&K Homes LLC to RJ IBA LLC, $135,000

N. 4th St., 2419: S. Diaz to S. Boyd, $125,000

N. 4th St., 2641: J. Santiago to S. Salleb & M. Aziz, $90,000

N. 5th St., 1719: Alkaline Properties LLC to K. Taylor, $149,900

N. 5th St., 1736: A. & K. Abraham to E. Moore, $182,500

N. 5th St., 2307: SAN PEF Inc. to C. & A. McCarthy, $170,000

N. 5th St., 2312: B. Conway to J. Rogers, $111,000

N. 4th St., 1321: T. Slothower to Historic Holdings LLC, $385,000

N. 6th St., 2557: C. Yunga to N. & M. Gauchun, $60,000

N. 6th St., 3010: D., D. & G. Deppen to H. Ritch, $130,000

N. 6th St., 3123: Rustik Touch LLC to Seven Stories LLC, $100,000

N. 13th St., 141: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to D. Bedrosian, $199,995

N. 15th St., 1413: D., V. and J. Barber to Elgamwo LLC, $56,900

N. 17th St., 1011: H. Ibrahim to J. Mosley, $55,000

N. 18th St., 26: John W. Hoover Trust to J. Strouse, $55,000

N. 18th St., 38: J. Vogelsong to D. Boyle, $40,000

N. 18th St., 69: Wise Choice Property LLC to D. Boyle, $70,000

N. 19th St., 709: WiseChoice USA LLC to Saint Liberty Group LLC, $41,000

N. 20th St., 24: John W. Hoover Trust to J. Strouse, $40,000

N. Front St., 1829: Lone Tree LLC to Harrisburg Redevelopment Group LLC, $1,200,000

N. Front St., 2837, Unit 201: H. Witte to M. Freeman, $130,500

N. Summit St., 31: T. Griese to J. Scheib, $79,900

N. Summit St., 118: J. & T. Armstead to Archie Group LLC, $35,809

Park St., 1825: M. Randazzo to A&K Investment Partnership LLC, $34,000

Park St., 1855: C. McArthur to V. Paulino, $41,000

Parkside Lane, 2910: W. & B. Hoover to J. & T. Nixon, $500,000

Penn St., 1927: A. Griffith to B. Toel, $175,000

Penn St., 2114: J. Vogelsong to Integrity First Home Buyers LLC, $32,245

Penn St., 2229: S. & J. Easterling to V. Antos & T. Hudecek, $152,000

Penn St., 2240: D. Allen to J. McFarland, $137,000

Penn St., 2323: K. Douglas to Ramsey Rhoads Holdings LLC, $54,000

Regina St., 1721: Vogelsong Investment Properties LLC to Integrity First Home Buyers LLC, $32,245

Reel St., 2404: Great Row LLC to S&K Properties LLC, $47,900

Reel St., 2412: J. Vogelsong to Integrity First Home Buyers LLC, $32,245

Reel St., 2739: JOG Investments LLC to D. Boyle, $40,000

Regina St., 1849: J. Vogelsong to Integrity First Home Buyers LLC, $32,245

Reily St., 220: Dobson Family Partnership to SJL Rentals LLC, $155,000

Rumson Dr., 311: M. Chandler Jr. to First Choice Home Buyers LLC, $83,000

Rumson Dr., 2574: R. Reeves to E. Drum, $89,200

Schuylkill St., 542: Roz Diamond I Do LLC to O. Smith, $115,000

Schuylkill St., 655: RT Propertiez LLC to D&F Realty Holdings LP, $50,000

Seneca St., 502: House Cash LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $40,000

Showers St., 579: S. Staruch to C. & L. Scott, $134,900

S. 12th St., 1522: L. Sims to SPG Capital LLC, $48,500

S. 14th St., 234: J. Gritten to C. Quiroz, $40,000

S. 14th St., 236: J. Gritten to T. Versano & T. Carberry, $63,900

S. 17th St., 526: H., A. & I. Santiago to A. Santiago, $69,006

S. 17th St., 1111: V. Ceballos to M. Guzman, $137,000

S. 19th St., 405: M. Solomikin to L. Feliz, $75,000

S. 19th St., 1324: SPG Capital LLC to H. Perez & K. Soto, $54,000

S. 20th St., 24: C. & S. Warner to Rich Steele Realty LLC, $51,000

S. 25th St., 344: P. Brodwoski to L. Strickler, $86,900

S. 29th St., 560: CBSL Investment Corp. to CBR Investment Group Inc., $250,000

S. Cameron St., 1303 & 1305: E. Buikema to Panas Investments LLC, $70,000

Susquehanna St., 2008: M. Paese, A. Fetchko, T. Leo & B. Myers to PACC Homes & Development LLC, $65,000

Swatara St., 1610: Revive Our City LLC & E. Qureshi to T. Amador, $120,000

Swatara St., 2415: P. Mackie & M. Swanger to A. Lake, $195,000

Thompson St., 1436: K. & M. Estep to F. Maldonado & Z. Perez, $39,000

Valley Rd., 2305: J. Alpert to D. White & T. Speicher, $256,250

Verbeke St., 252: A. & T. Kennedy to H. Clark, $205,000

Verbeke St., 1424: E. Lester to SPG Capital LLC, $54,000

Vernon St., 1445: C. Texidor to Z. Ali, $40,000

Waldo St., 2626: W. Bower to I. Djeordjic & M. Debeljak, $52,000

Walnut St., 120 & 122 and 261, 263 & 265 Cumberland St.: A. Himalaya PA II LLC to N&R Properties LLC, $1,200,000

Wiconisco St., 618: J. & P. Vogelsong to Integrity First Home Buyers LLC, $32,245

Zarker St., 1443: GBSM Enterprises LLC to 2020 Real Estate Ventures LLC, $30,000

Zarker St., 1841: J. Santiago to R. Emeregildo, $55,000

Zarker St., 1940: D. McNair to L. Rodriguez, $35,500

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

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

December 10, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Ornaments by artist Amie Bantz

The countdown to Christmas is on and this month’s magazine featured plenty of stories to get you in the spirit. As we cross off another week, getting closer to the big day, don’t put it behind you just yet. Refresh on this past week’s local news, below.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region recently celebrated its 40^th anniversary. In our online article, hear from participants in the program on how it has impacted them.

Blogger Bob features Millworks artists who focus on both creating and selling, as well as several other spaces nearby, including Vivi on Verbeke and Nyeusi Gallery, to see and buy art. Read his most recent blog, here.

TheBurg Podcast unpacks a few acronyms from this month’s magazine stories. Curious what DEI, SAD and NLP mean for the Harrisburg area? Listen, here.

Cantate Carlisle performances are a form of therapy and joy for some choir members. In our magazine article, read the story behind the musical group that began over 30 years ago.

Clara Barton, the American Red Cross founder, would’ve celebrated her 200^th birthday this month. In a letter to the editor, a local Red Cross board member asks people to remember Barton’s legacy by donating to the organization.

Harrisburg City Council discussed the 2022 budget, which will likely not be finalized until early next year when Mayor-Elect Wanda Williams takes office, our reporting found. At a work session, council also discussed a raise for city union workers.

The Harrisburg School District swore in new and returning board directors at a reorganization meeting this week, our online story reported. Receiver Janet Samuels encouraged members to “step out and make a difference.”

Knitters and crocheters are providing hand-knitted and crocheted blankets to be displayed at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Carlisle on Dec. 21, our magazine story reported. The display commemorates National Homeless Person’s Memorial Day, remembering those who have died while experiencing homelessness.

Lower Paxton neighbors came together in 2019 with a goal of gathering bikes for local families in need, our magazine story reported. The initiative has since grown into Bike a Better Path, an organization that collects and donates bikes during the holidays.

Monica Gould has built her career around the belief that diversity of thought is good for business, our magazine story reported. She is the founder and president of Strategic Consulting Partners in Mechanicsburg, a company that helps organizations create strategies to increase inclusivity.

Montrose Park residents came together after a lot in their Harrisburg neighborhood was threatened with commercial development, our magazine story reported. United around a common cause, residents found a new sense of community and friendship.

Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) local awardees were announced, our reporting found. Hamilton Health Center, the Atlas Building and Susquehanna Union Green were among the big winners of the state funding.

Sara Bozich has something for everyone to enjoy this weekend, whether you’re looking for something Christmassy to do or searching for a less festive option. She made a list, now check it twice!

Strawberry Square will be home to two new shops along 3^rd Street, our online story reported. Sarinity Beauty Bar and AMMA JO, a boutique, will open next week.

Winter’s cold temperatures and lack of sunlight can often elicit a drop in energy, motivation and mood for people. In our magazine story, read about Seasonal Affective Disorder and how it may affect you.

Do you receive TheBurg Daily, our daily digest of news and events delivered right to your email inbox? If not, sign up here!

Support quality local journalism. Join Friends of TheBurg today!

Boutique, salon to open in Strawberry Square, completing 3rd Street shops

December 8, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda

Sarinity Beauty Bar and, next door, AMMA JO, soon will open on N. 3rd Street.

Two new shops are due to arrive next week in downtown Harrisburg, as Strawberry Square fills up its 3rd Street retail spaces.

The first, AMMA JO, will have a grand opening on Dec. 15 at 7 N. 3rd St. The boutique will feature handbags, accessories, clothing, jewelry and other items for women, as well as a men’s section.

For several years, AMMA JO was located in retail space inside Strawberry Square, but that location has been closed for some time.

Johnson will be neighbors with Sarinity Beauty Bar, which will open next door at 5 N. 3rd St. Sarinity will offer skincare, spa service and beauty treatments.

“I am ecstatic to provide affordable spa services to the downtown and surrounding areas,” said owner Arian Romaine.

“Shops on 3rd has really become a fantastic collection of unique fashion boutiques, restaurants and health and beauty services for this outstanding downtown corridor,” Jones said.

AMMA JO is located at 7 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg, and will have its ribbon-cutting on Wednesday, Dec. 15, at noon. For more information on AMMA JO, visit their website.

Sarinity Beauty Bar is located at 5 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg, and will have its ribbon-cutting on Friday, Dec. 17, at 10 a.m.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Harrisburg Mural Festival rolls into September with its largest project yet

August 31, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda

Artist Gloria Jean Martin stands in front of her mural, “The Pollinators,” in the Patrick Alley pocket park.

Harrisburg’s largest mural project yet—spanning the Mulberry Street Bridge—will launch this weekend by the nonprofit Sprocket Mural Works as part of the continuing 2021 Harrisburg Mural Festival.

Simultaneously, a Steelton mural project will begin this week, as two community murals wrap up—one in Penbrook and the other in a Midtown Harrisburg pocket park.

Mulberry Street Bridge

Mural work is set for Sept. 4 to 10, with murals spanning 230 feet across the eastbound side of the bridge—and measuring 7 feet high—in this apprenticeship-type project led by prominent New York City muralist and Harrisburg native Ian Potter.

“With the city’s and PennDOT’s permission, we have been planning and anticipating this project for years,” said Meg Caruso, Sprocket co-founder and president. “Not only is it our most ambitious project ever, but it’s groundbreaking in many ways—using a unique artistic method and process. And we are thrilled to welcome Ian Potter back to Harrisburg, in what feels like a full-circle collaboration, as he mentors several Harrisburg-based artists as apprentices.”

Potter will use an electro pounce machine, similar to an electric pen, to create the metal bridge’s mural artwork. No Harrisburg murals have ever been created using this method.

“Growing up in Harrisburg in the ‘90s, I didn’t see the presence of a mural community, so it’s really cool to come back home and have the opportunity to work with some of the younger generation—giving them some of the literal as well as figurative tools,” said Potter, whose employer, Colossal Media, is donating paint for the project, while Sprocket is providing apprentice kits. Professionally, Potter got his start creating sets and scenic design for the city’s Gamut Theatre.

Mulberry Street bridge murals are sponsored by M&T Bank, the Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, and grant funding from The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC).

“The new mural for the Mulberry Street Bridge between downtown Harrisburg and South Allison Hill will be an amazing addition to our city and that important thoroughfare,” said Brittany Brock, M&T Bank vice president and business banking senior relationship manager in Harrisburg. “I drive across the bridge many times a week, and I can’t wait to see the vibrant colors and montage of people that will help to bring that walkway to life. M&T’s contribution for the Mulberry Street Bridge mural is another way we’re showing our support for efforts to improve the communities where we live and work.”

Steelton Mural

After several weather-related delays in August, Sprocket will create its first mural in Steelton, beginning Sept. 1, or as soon as the remnants of Hurricane Ida clear. Sponsored by and located at Mid Penn Bank, 51 S. Front St., a giant mural wall (124 feet in length, standing 10 feet high) will pay homage to themes chosen by surveyed residents—history, diversity and the people of Steelton.

“As the only bank in Steelton, we are dedicated to supporting the community in many different ways, and we see this mural as a way to honor Steelton’s history and inspire its bright future,” said Heather Hall, Mid Penn Bank executive vice president and market president.

Muralist Matt Halm of Allentown has experience creating community murals, and he invites the public to come help paint the mural—tentatively set for Labor Day weekend—with updates and times posted on Sprocket’s social media.

“It’s an extremely exciting coincidence that two of our largest-scale mural projects—the Mulberry Street Bridge and Mid Penn Bank in Steelton—will be created simultaneously,” Caruso said. “It’s rewarding to reach into neighboring Steelton to extend our mission of uplifting people through art.”

Just Wrapped Up

Pocket park: Artist Gloria Jean Martin has completed “The Pollinators,” a mural sponsored by the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to bring attention to the importance of bees and other pollinators, whose population is declining amid climate change. Located along Midtown Harrisburg’s Patrick Alley, the mural features floral designs, bees and butterflies, to match the pocket park’s gardens of native pollinator-friendly plants donated by Manada Conservancy and planted by community volunteers.

“The department is happy to support Sprocket’s environmental education project. The project’s mural component is an innovative tool to increase awareness about climate change,” said Kathleen Banski, DEP environmental education program coordinator. “The artwork, and the immersive local experience of walking through pocket park, helps deliver a meaningful message about the vital roles native plants and honeybees play in our environment—which project leaders hope will ultimately resonate in people’s hearts, minds, and habits.”

Additional funding for “The Pollinators” comes from Homeland Center, LINKBANK and the Auchincloss Family Fund at TFEC.

“Part of Homeland’s mission is investing in the communities we serve. The pocket park is a wonderful example of exemplary community service to the Harrisburg community. We are proud and honored to be able to support this endeavor. Kudos to Sprocket Mural Works for the important work they are doing,” said Wendy Shumaker, director of marketing, Homeland Center and Homeland at Home.

“LINKBANK is thrilled to support the Midtown Historic District through our contribution to Sprocket Mural Works. Our mission to ‘Positively Impact Lives’ becomes fulfilled as we continue to support our communities through projects like this,” said Cheryl Howard, LINKBANK regional president, Capital Region.

“The Auchincloss Family Fund at The Foundation for Enhancing Communities celebrates the energy and vitality of the Midtown Historic District. Contributing to Sprocket Mural Works assures us that this energy will become visible,” said Susan Auchincloss.

Penbrook Borough Building: Completed in August, a montage of Penbrook children’s faces comprises a mural painted by Sarah Fogg of Harrisburg. Located on the borough’s administrative building, 150 S. 28th St., the mural was funded by a generous community donor and faces the borough’s Elm Street Station Park featuring a children’s playground.

Upcoming Projects

Welcome back, Brandon Spicer-Crawley: A 2019 Harrisburg Mural Festival artist, Brandon Spicer-Crawley of the Philadelphia area returns to extend his mural on the Millworks Lumber Storage Building off N. 4th Street. Sprocket is proud to provide a platform for this both talented and intellectually disabled artist. His mural is sponsored by Pennsy Supply, Inc.

“Pennsy Supply, Inc. has been in the heart of Central Pennsylvania for 100 years. We believe that art is fundamental to our humanity to inspire us, foster creativity, and bring us all together—regardless of our differences. We’re excited to be a part of supporting Brandon’s artistic journey and we’re proud to sponsor the beautification of the city that Pennsy Supply calls home,” said a Pennsy Supply spokesperson.

Furry friends: The importance and joy of pet adoption will be highlighted in a mural funded by corporate sponsor Chewy, located at Anastacia’s Restaurant, 1535 N. 6th St., Harrisburg. This mural is also being produced in collaboration with—and to raise awareness of—the Humane Society of Harrisburg.

Strawberry Square: Two new murals will brighten the Strawberry Square shopping district, thanks to nonprofit real estate development organization and longtime Sprocket supporter Harristown.

Celebrating Black Lives: A steering committee of community members is developing a “Celebrating Black Lives” mural theme, identifying a location, and evaluating artist portfolios, from those who identified themselves as local Black artists during Sprocket’s call for artists.

Background: The 2021 Harrisburg Mural Festival is Sprocket’s third biennial summer festival. The majority of Sprocket’s 47 murals were created during the 2017 and 2019 Harrisburg Mural Festivals by local, regional, national and international artists. This year, rather than planning a concentrated 10-day mural festival taking place simultaneously at multiple locations, Sprocket is organizing continuous, summer-long mural projects popping up throughout the city.

The mission of Sprocket Mural Works is to uplift Harrisburg through art. Sprocket Mural Works is a citywide mural project that works with neighborhoods, artists and organizations to create vibrant community murals across Harrisburg, with creative action serving as a catalyst for increased community pride and civic engagement in Harrisburg. The organization’s roots go back to 2014; Sprocket Mural Works became a nonprofit organization in 2019.

For more information: sprocketmuralworks.com; @sprocketmuralworks on Instagram and Facebook; @SprocketMurals on Twitter.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Harrisburg Mural Fest branches out to Penbrook, Steelton in August

August 9, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda

Artist Ralphie Seguinot stands next to his new mural, painted at Recycle Bicycle on Allison Hill.

Two community-focused murals—one in Penbrook and another in Steelton—are slated to be created in August, as the summer-long 2021 Harrisburg Mural Festival by Sprocket Mural Works stretches into neighboring communities.

“While much of our work over the past seven years has focused on uplifting Harrisburg through art, it’s exciting to have the opportunity to spread the joy—through murals—to our city’s neighbors,” said Megan Caruso, Sprocket co-founder and president. “Our partners in Penbrook and Steelton could not be more positive and welcoming, recognizing the value murals will add to their vibrant communities and daily lives.”

Penbrook Borough Building: A montage of children’s faces will comprise a mural, to be created beginning Aug. 12, on the borough’s administrative building, 150 S. 28th St, Harrisburg. The mural, funded by a generous community donor, will face Elm Street Station Park, a small neighborhood park featuring playground equipment for young children.

“This mural is like a cherry on the top of our park rehab project,” said Ben Stokes, chair of Penbrook’s Parks Committee. “The park rehab finished in 2019 thanks to a number of grants, and this mural is the perfect ending. Every time I bring it up at our Penbrook borough meetings, everybody is excited about it.”

First-time muralist Sarah Fogg of Harrisburg is basing the mural design on photographs of actual Penbrook children who attended the borough’s summer camp. The mural’s theme—children—was the top choice of local residents surveyed.

“My approach is to use bright colors, so that the mural looks happy,” says Fogg. “I want to do these kids justice and make sure they’re proud of seeing their faces up on the wall. These kids represent the future of their community.”

Fogg has close ties to Penbrook. As a child, she attended the elementary school serving Penbrook, South Side Elementary, in the Central Dauphin School District. Seven years ago, Fogg returned to the school district as an elementary school art teacher—including a stint at South Side.

Mid Penn Bank, Steelton: Sprocket will create its first mural in the borough of Steelton, beginning Aug. 23. Sponsored by and located at Mid Penn Bank, 51 S. Front St, Steelton, a giant mural wall (124 feet in length, standing 10 feet high) will pay homage to themes chosen by surveyed residents—history, diversity and the people of Steelton.

“We are looking forward to showcasing a beautiful piece of public art at our facility,” said Heather Hall, Mid Penn Bank executive vice president and market president. “As the only bank in Steelton, we are dedicated to providing support to the community in many different ways. We see this mural as a way to honor Steelton’s history and inspire its bright future.”

The artist selected by this project, Matt Halm, hails from another town made famous by its steel production—Allentown. Halm, who has experience creating community murals, invites the public to come help paint the mural on Aug. 28 and 29.

Upcoming 2021 Harrisburg Mural Festival projects include:

Mulberry Street Bridge: Murals will soon span one side of the bridge, in this apprenticeship-type project led by prominent New York City muralist and Harrisburg native Ian Potter, working in collaboration with up-and-coming local artists. One of the largest projects Sprocket has ever undertaken, the bridge project is sponsored by M&T Bank, The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC) and The Pennsylvania College of Art & Design.

Pocket park: Harrisburg’s Patrick Alley, already transformed by native pollinator-friendly plants donated by Manada Conservancy and planted by community volunteers including Friends of Midtown, will soon be graced by a large-scale floral and honeybee mural, thanks to grant funding by the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Furry Friends: The importance and joy of pet adoption will be highlighted in a mural funded by corporate sponsor Chewy, located at Anastacia’s Restaurant, 1535 N. 6th St, in close proximity to the Friends of Midtown Community Dog Park. This mural is also being produced in collaboration with—and to raise awareness of—the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area.

Strawberry Square: Two new murals will brighten the Strawberry Square shopping district, thanks to development organization and longtime Sprocket supporter Harristown Enterprises.

Welcome back, Brandon Spicer-Crawley: One of the 2019 Harrisburg Mural Festival artists, Brandon Spicer-Crawley of the Philadelphia area returns to extend his mural on the Millworks Lumber Storage Building off 4th Street. Sprocket is proud to provide a platform for this both talented and intellectually disabled artist.

Completed 2021 Harrisburg Mural Festival projects include:

Recycle Bicycle Harrisburg: Joyful children on bikes are depicted in a blue and purple-toned mural encompassing two sides of the nonprofit Recycle Bicycle Harrisburg facility, 1722 Chestnut St., in the Allison Hill neighborhood. The mural was completed by Harrisburg artist Ralphie Seguinot in July.

Planter project: Twenty Harrisburg artists completed 20 giant planters placed along Market and Derry streets in the Allison Hill neighborhood to launch the 2021 Harrisburg Mural Festival by showcasing Harrisburg-based artists. The beautification project was in partnership with Tri County Community Action.

Background: 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 Harrisburg Mural Festivals by local, regional, national and international artists. This year, rather than planning a concentrated 10-day mural festival taking place simultaneously at multiple locations, Sprocket is organizing continuous, summer-long mural projects popping up throughout the city.

The mission of Sprocket Mural Works is to uplift Harrisburg through art. Sprocket Mural Works is a citywide mural project that works with neighborhoods, artists and organizations to create vibrant community murals across Harrisburg, with creative action serving as a catalyst for increased community pride and civic engagement in Harrisburg. The organization’s roots go back to 2014, and Sprocket Mural Works became a nonprofit organization in 2019.

Sprocket welcomes additional partner organizations, volunteers, and corporate sponsors of all sizes to become involved in the 2021 festival. The best way to contact Sprocket is via email at [email protected]. For more information: sprocketmuralworks.com; @sprocketmuralworks on Instagram and Facebook; @SprocketMurals on Twitter.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Get Your Jab On: COVID-19 vaccines offered at two Harrisburg-area clinics

July 8, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda

Strawberry Square in Harrisburg

Are you vaccinated yet?

If not, two clinics were announced on Thursday that will offer convenient access to the COVID-19 vaccine.

First, on July 14 and 15, Harristown Enterprises will sponsor a clinic inside of Strawberry Square, just inside the Walnut Street entrance.

The clinic will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day in the retail space that long housed the Hallmark store, where Rite Aid will administer the Pfizer vaccine.

“We’re happy to provide space for this vital healthcare initiative,” said Brad Jones, president and CEO of Harristown, which owns Strawberry Square. “The public deserves to have the opportunity to receive vaccinations without obstacles, and we’d like to recognize Rite Aid for their willingness to partner with us to provide the vaccines.”

Vaccinations are free to anyone 18 years and older, offered on a first-come, first-served basis. No appointments are necessary. Children ages 12 to 17 are also eligible to receive the vaccine with parental or guardian consent.

This is the second vaccine clinic at this location, following one early last month.

Across the river, Central Penn College will hold a vaccine clinic on July 16 and again on Aug. 6, from 10 a.m. to noon.

At this clinic, attendees will have the option of receiving either the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine or the two-dose Pfizer vaccine.

“This is a great opportunity for our campus community and people who live and work nearby to protect themselves against the virus,” said. Romeo Azondekon, vice president of student services at Central Penn.

The vaccine will be administered by UPMC, according to the college.

Central Penn is asking people to schedule their vaccine appointments at www.vaccine.upmc.com.

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.

Support quality local journalism. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like