Apartment Building Breaks Ground
The “Savoy 48,” an apartment building planned for Midtown Harrisburg, ceremonially broke ground last month.
Harrisburg-based developer Vice Capital, owned by LeSean McCoy, a former NFL running back and Harrisburg native, plans to construct a 48-unit apartment building with first-floor commercial space on the 1500-block of N. 6th Street.
“I’m so excited,” Mayor Wanda Williams said, at the event. “Our greatest days are ahead of us. I support him [McCoy] through and through.”
The property, near the new federal courthouse, formerly housed three rundown buildings before developers demolished them recently to make room for new construction.
The four-story, 46,000-square-foot building will include studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, 10 of which will be affordable by federal standards. There will also be a rooftop deck and fitness center.
While developers do not yet have tenants lined up for the 6,000-square-foot commercial space, they plan to bring in several businesses, possibly including a restaurant or office tenant, according to Ryan Sanders of Vice Capital.
The total cost of the project is around $9.5 million, which includes funding from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency and Dauphin County. Harrisburg City Council approved the project in March.
“We are really looking forward to continuing to push development from downtown to Midtown to Uptown,” said Jonathan Bowser, founder and CEO of Wormleysburg-based Steel Works Construction, the general contractor for the project.
According to Bowser, construction will begin in the fall and is slated to be complete by the fall of 2024.
Wellness Boutique Opens
C.R. Blooms, a new wellness boutique, held a grand opening last month in downtown Harrisburg.
According to owner Carmelia Rameau, the wellness boutique offers facial treatments and wellness products, including teas, handmade Indian silk robes, cleansers, facial masks and more
“I am excited to bring my facial and wellness services to the downtown and surrounding areas and look forward to encouraging wellness and self-care to a new audience in this region,” Rameau said.
The 860-square-foot storefront is located at 7 N. 3rd St., on the 3rd Street side of Strawberry Square and across the street from Whitaker Center.
“We are thrilled to welcome C.R. Blooms to downtown Harrisburg,” said Brad Jones, president and CEO of Harristown Enterprises, which owns Strawberry Square. “Strawberry Square and the Shops on 3rd are a center of activity, and this boutique adds to the growing health and beauty corridor along N. 3rd Street and will offer unique wellness options unavailable elsewhere in downtown.”
“Tiny Home” Project Begins
Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania (VOPA) last month ceremonially broke ground on “Veterans Grove,” a project that will create a tiny home village for homeless veterans in Harrisburg.
Harrisburg, county and state officials put shovels in the dirt at the site of the construction project, a five-acre plot of land at 1105 S. Front St., along the riverfront past the PennDOT building.
“We’ve been working day and night,” said VOPA president and founder Tom Zimmerman. “What a great day it is today.”
At the site, VOPA will construct 15 tiny homes and a community center for veterans experiencing homelessness. The organization plans to work with local agencies to identify potential residents who will live in the homes rent-free.
The over $4 million project was approved by Harrisburg City Council in July 2021. Since then, the once-wooded land, donated by local philanthropist Peggy Grove, has been cleared for construction, according to VOPA board member John Hickey.
Hickey estimated that construction would take around eight months and be completed in February 2024.
“This is progress,” said Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams during the groundbreaking ceremony. “It is a step toward a more permanent solution.”
According to Hickey, there are about 25 homeless veterans in Harrisburg on any given day. The tiny home village will provide temporary housing, among other support services, to veterans in need.
Home Sales Down, Prices Steady
Home sales slumped but prices held firm in May in the Harrisburg area, according to the latest report on previously owned houses.
For the three-county region, 533 houses sold in May compared to 670 in May 2022, as the median sales prices rose slightly to $264,000 from $260,000, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).
In Dauphin County, 258 homes sold, a decline from 320 in the year-ago period, as the median sales price was nearly steady at $234,200, GHAR said.
It was a similar story in Cumberland County, where sales totaled 240 housing units compared to 322 a year ago, while the median price rose a bit to $299,950 from $291,000 in May 2022, according to GHAR.
Perry County saw 31 home sales, a gain of five from a year ago, as the median sales price dipped to $217,129 compared to $243,000 the prior May, stated GHAR.
The pace of sales slowed, as the “average days on market” rose to 25 days versus 16 days in May 2022, GHAR reported.
So Noted
David Cohen was hired last month as the new president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg, following a yearlong national search. In this role, he will lead the federation, the Jewish Community Center and partner agencies, as well as the organization’s transition to the Alexander Grass Campus for Jewish Life, which is slated to open later this year, according to the federation.
Greg Woodbridge last month was named music director of the Hershey Symphony, starting with the 2023-24 season. Woodbridge has served as the symphony’s principal guest conductor since 2017 and the associate conductor for 10 years, according to the symphony.
Harrisburg celebrated the grand opening of the Chutes and Ladders Playground in Reservoir Park last month. City officials were on hand to mark the occasion with food and music, as well as demonstrations of the expansive playground based upon the classic children’s board game.
Jon Kirssin, chairman of the board for Members 1st Federal Credit Union, last month received the 2023 Calvin Jackson Lifetime Achievement Award for “Volunteer of the Year” from CrossState Credit Union Association. In addition, the credit union’s Indirect Sales and Service Manager Deana Barnes was named one of the top three finalists in CrossState Credit Union Association’s 2023 Credit Union Ambassador Contest.
Mike Wilson has been named the new president and CEO of Members 1st Federal Credit Union, assuming the position on July 1. Wilson, who was most recently the credit’s union’s chief experience officer, replaces George Nahodil, who retired after 23 years with the Enola-based not-for-profit financial institution.
Paul D. Mahoney, M.D., a leading structural interventional cardiologist, has joined the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute in Central Pa. as co-director of the structural heart program. He will work alongside interventional cardiologist, Hemal Gada, M.D., and cardiothoracic surgeon Mubashir Mumtaz, M.D.
TheBurg last month received 24 Keystone Media Awards in the annual, statewide journalism contest sponsored by the PA NewsMedia Association Foundation. TheBurg won awards in a diverse array of categories including reporting, writing, podcast, design, illustration and photography. For a seventh time, TheBurg also won the “Sweepstakes” award for best performance in its category. For the second straight year, contributor Diane McCormick won “Freelance Journalist of the Year,” a single award that spans all publications in the commonwealth.
UPMC in Central PA and the city of Harrisburg last month launched the “Minutes Matter” campaign to provide emergency training and education to the public. The initiative offers online and in-person training and resources on how to attempt to save the life of someone experiencing cardiac arrest, uncontrolled bleeding, opioid overdose or a mental health crisis. For more, visit www.minutesmatter.upmc.com.
In Memoriam
Mike Trephan, the inspiration and driving force behind the Pride of the Susquehanna riverboat, died last month at age 86.
Trephan, of Mechanicsburg, came up with the idea for the now-iconic, traditional red-and-white paddlewheel boat during the mid-1980s, when Harrisburg was trying to bring people and attractions back to City Island, which had undergone a long period of neglect. He then helped to fund and build the boat, which launched in 1988 and still operates today. In addition, Trephan, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, founded other long-time City Island attractions, including the carousel and the train now called the City Island Railroad.
“Very simply, the Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat would not exist without Mike Trephan,” said Kim Rice, board president of the Harrisburg Area Riverboat Society, the nonprofit that operates the Pride. “He not only had the idea to build the riverboat, he remained a huge advocate who kept his finger on the pulse of the riverboat for every one of our 35 years. He was an inspiration from the start who remained deeply involved. He will be so dearly missed.”
Changing Hands
Barkley Lane, 2514: Wengs Labor Services LLC to S. Rios, $169,000
Berryhill St., 1505: J. Prado to F. Ramirez, $41,000
Bigelow Dr., 12: S. Adamson to M. Albari, $90,501
Boas St., 222: C. McGill to U. Ottley, $160,000
Briggs St., 1810: Your New Home LLC to S. Martinez, $185,000
Brookwood St., 1854; 1733 Berryhill St.; 507, 549 S. 18th St.; 512 S. 19th St.; Brookwood Ventures LP to AD Commercial LLC, $11,000,000
Brookwood St., 2110: M. Clanagan to I. Williams, $112,000
Chestnut St., 1818: J. & A. Padilla to NDTPA Properties LLC, $90,000
Cumberland St., 270: D. Reinhart to J. Angell, $180,000
Curtin St., 508: SR Homes LLC to Dreams2Reality Services LLC, $57,000
Derry St., 1628: D. Albizuventura to Rivas Property Investments LLC, $58,000
Derry St., 2131: SPG Capital LLC to Global Reach LLC, $68,000
Derry St., 2606: DLK Properties LLC to A. & S. Gomez, $151,500
Disbrow St., 79: A. Crummel to Penn Es Holdings LLC, $46,000
Edward St., 106: E. Molnar to Aljo Properties LLC, $100,000
Emerald Ct., 2455: D. Nguyen & P. Quach to A. Das & G. Biswas, $160,000
Emerald St., 240: Great Row LLC to Global Reach LLC, $82,000
Emerald St., 328: D. Long to Jhonleo Home Renovations LLC, $60,000
Evergreen St., 313, 315 & 317: NA Capital Group LLC to RC Realty Investments LLC, $100,000
Forster St., 1923: T. Paige to D&F Realty Holdings LP, $40,000
Green St., 811: W. Hoover to C. Delgado, $185,000
Green St., 1002: PA Deals LLC to R. Delacruz & J. Alejandro, $175,000
Green St., 2030: D. Heller & M. Williams to J. Frederick & N. Esbiansky, $252,500
Green St., 2104: N. Harutyunyan to S. Margaryan, $128,000
Green St., 2144: K. Kassmel to D. Urrutia, $99,000
Harris St., 346: J. Cruz to J. Lamb & S. Pomroy, $197,500
Herr St., 312: M. Harris to S. Pannizzo, $213,000
Hillside Rd., 110: E. Kief to J. & K. Ford, $310,000
Holly St., 2009: SF Rentals LLC to H. Lee, $100,000
Howard St., 1345: A. Davis to ST Howard LLC, $73,000
Howard St., 1357: A. Cruz to P. & F. Eras, $49,000
Jefferson St., 2213: J. & T. Allan to NA Capital Group LLC, $55,000
Kensington St., 2345: 2101 Cedar Run 306 LLC to K. Deininger, $95,000
Kensington St., 2424: M. & C. Early to T. & P. Early, $100,000
Lawton St., 1416: J. Foote & R. Tompkins to SJL Rentals LLC, $636,000
Logan St., 1931: D. Boyle to J. Gomez, $40,000
Logan St., 2101: M. Badrani & Z. Alkubaisy to C. Samuel, $115,000
Maclay St., 415: T. Buttross to Shree Vinayaka LLC, $158,000
Manada St., 1913: J. Smith to M. Rodriguez, $65,750
Manada St., 2019: W. Skorija to D. Layton, $105,000
Market St., 2464: G. & J. Trump to S. Saini & H. Kaurm, $325,000
Muench St., 205: S. Vielot to A. Britcher, $169,000
Mulberry St., 1154: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to A. Gracia, $55,000
Mulberry St., 1901: R U Making Moves LLC to D. Vail, $180,000
Naudain St., 1515: Parcview 135 Corp. to WiseChoice USA LLC, $44,000
Naudain St., 1525: A. Cruz to P. & F. Eras, $45,000
North St., 1907: J&N Blowouts & Barber LLC to M. & B. King, $77,500
North St., 2014: Salah El Din LLC to C. Brooks, $75,000
N. 2nd St., 401: 401 Partners LLC to Harrisburg Heritage Coworking LLC, $381,150
N. 2nd St., 612: J. Chamberlin to E. Ni & A. Petersen, $195,000
N. 2nd St., 2037: WCI Partners LP to E. Ni & A. Peterson, $255,000
N. 3rd St., 600; 605 Susquehanna St.: Pennsylvania Motor Federation to Deels LLC, $475,000
N. 3rd St., 604: R. LaMarco to North of Liberty LLC, $580,000
N. 4th St., 1428: R. Kabir to E. Rossum, $95,000
N. 4th St., 2240: SPG Capital LLC to Penn Properties Associates LLC, $52,000
N. 4th St., 2425: D. Davis to E. Jensen & C. Dominguez, $86,500
N. 5th St., 2230: Jerry L. Parker Trust to V. Agun, $80,000
N. 5th St., 2406: C. Grimm & J. Price to S. Benson, $165,000
N. 6th St., 3156: J. Ulloa & A. Villar to T. Sechrist, $130,000
N. 15th St., 1121: B. Shephard & N. Cook to M3 6 Realty LLC, $95,000
N. 15th St., 1304: B. Shephard & N. Cook to M3 6 Realty LLC, $95,000
N. 15th St., 1308: Henry & Sons Property 2 LLC to C. & E. Little, $93,000
N. 16th St., 47: B. Shephard & N. Cook to M3 6 Realty LLC, $95,000
N. 18th St., 814: URED Know LLC to AJ Real Estate Properties LLC, $100,000
N. 18th St., 920: Link Investment Properties LLC to Global Reach LLC, $72,000
N. 19th St., 719: SPG Capital LLC to J. Roberts, $56,750
N. 19th St., 721: SPG Capital LLC to Burama Enterprises LLC, $59,500
N. 19th St., 1000: G. & K. Sipe to W. Slone, $150,000
N. Front St., 1201: Linden Terrace PA LLC to River Trail PA TC LP, $11,860,000
Norwood St., 920: J. Arocho & I. Gonzalez to C. Vega, E. Cruz & L. Rivera, $155,000
Park St., 1937: Adonis Real Estate LLC to V. Gil, $148,000
Pine St., 121: Bowser Properties LLC to Global Reach LLC, $180,000
Regina St., 1509: A. & T. Neal and T. Williams to O. & S. Malcolm, $87,000
Regina St., 1529: City Limits Foundation to R. Clark, $110,000
Regina St., 1829: C. Smith & D. Tisinger to B. Baptiste & B. Paul, $74,000
Rudy Rd., 1909: H. Shbeeb to G. Chacon, $40,000
Rudy Rd., 2107: P. Fanning to Bomadeck Home Care Services LLC, $159,999
Rumson Dr., 2923: H. & J. Rivera to L. Chavez, $130,000
Schuylkill St., 546: M. Powell to A. Shahin, $99,900
Seneca St., 517: R. Cutting to D. Boyle, $45,000
Showers St., 585: A. & K. Morris to C. Nguyen, $175,000
S. 13th St., 245: Inder Group Real Estate LLC to Zac Penn LLC, $60,500
S. 13th St., 347: Q. Phillips to P. Smith, $165,000
S. 15th St., 441: RRMMM Real Estate LLC to Glad Rentals LLC, $54,000
S. 15th St., 526: First Choice Home Buyers LLC to M. Gutierrez, $80,000
S. 16th St., 525; 1716, 1718 Miller St.; 1625, 1632 Park St.; 1945 North St.: Great Row LLC to RC Realty & Investments LLC, $329,000
S. 18th St., 169: R. Irvis to Sky Resort Investments LLC, $82,500
S. 23rd St., 1036: N. Farnum to R. & T. Spencer, $55,000
S. 26th St., 738: C. Roach to A. Ramirez, $133,000
S. 26th St., 741: L. Newton to EA&G Real Estate LLC, $45,000
Spencer St., 1855: M. Hoogerbrugge to M. Brown & C. Peters, $125,000
State St., 231, Unit 602: R. Murcia to P. & R. Takac, $167,000
State St., 1314: 88314 LLC to Kurtz Investprops LLC, $105,000
State St., 1732: M. Cepeda to Camacho Realty LLC, $85,950
Susquehanna St., 2032: S. Gomez to C. Zeger, $75,000
Verbeke St., 221: A. Smoot & C. Hogue to A&W Homes LLC, $220,000
Vernon St., 1407½: Buy the Block Back LLC to Vernon St. LLC, $72,000
Vine St., 119: D. Beebe to B. & P. Palmer, $155,000
Woodbine St., 346: J. Russell to Vram Homes LLC, $50,000
Harrisburg property sales, May 2023, greater than $40,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.
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