Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Development News
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Harrisburg City Council Legislative Session - 7/14/2026
Published: Jul 14, 2026
Abandoned Printing Press to Become 12 Residential Units, Including Affordable Housing
The Community and Economic Development Committee discussed and the City Council approved a land development plan (Resolution 56 of 2026) to rehabilitate an abandoned printing press building into 12 residential units with off-street parking. The project will maintain the existing facade, include a parking area on Lynen Street, and a stormwater management facility. Developers committed to making 20-25% of the units (approximately two) affordable, with rents around $1,150, and expressed willingness to work with Section 8 applicants. They are also prioritizing hiring local Harrisburg contractors. Signage will be provided to inform residents about the project.
City Council Approves HUD Grant Funds Amidst Conflict of Interest Review
The City Council approved the appropriation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program funds, and HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for fiscal years 2023, 2024, and 2025. The CDBG funds are designated for housing rehabilitation, infrastructure, and economic development benefiting low to moderate-income individuals. The ESG funds will be used for outreach and rapid rehousing for the homeless population. The HOME funds are for development and community housing development organizations (CHDOs) to create moderate-income housing. Approval of these funds was delayed due to potential conflicts of interest, specifically involving staff or family members working for subrecipients. Waivers were sought and, in some cases, verbally approved by HUD, with formal letters now required from the law bureau. The annual action plan for these federal funds for 2026 was also approved, outlining fund allocation and public comment periods. The Broad Street Market was noted as previously approved for funding via resolution 40 of 2026.
Council Debates Grant Fund Allocation and Addresses Conflicts of Interest
The City Council discussed Bill 8 of 2026, an ordinance appropriating Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program funds. During the discussion, Councilman Rodriguez inquired about the allocation amount for the LGBTQ community center ($100,000) compared to other entities, seeking the reasoning behind this difference. Director Martin Roberts explained that some organizations, like the LGBTQ center, rely heavily on city funding, whereas others receive funding from various sources and are less dependent on these specific dollars. Councilwoman Davis asked for clarification on the ESG funds, and Director Martin Roberts reiterated that ESG funds can only be used for the homeless population, not for natural disaster planning, though she mentioned that HUD had offered emergency relief funds in 2024 for which Harrisburg did not apply. Councilman Lawson recused himself from voting on Bill 8 due to his board membership with Wild Hart. Councilwoman Ross initially had concerns about a conflict of interest related to her sister-in-law's employment with the Salvation Army (involved in Bill 8 and Bill 9), but it was clarified that under state regulations, this does not constitute a conflict requiring recusal.
Council Approves Budget Reallocation for Delayed Capital Projects
The City Council discussed and approved Resolution 55 of 2026, which pertains to the fourth proposed 2026 budget reallocation. This reallocation is necessary to cover invoices for already completed work by funding several capital projects that were previously put on hold. Questions arose regarding the project timelines and responsibilities, with Parks and Recreation taking the lead on some projects developed in 2022-2023. Extended deadlines were missed, attributed to project complexity (4-5 years for completion), weather, change orders, and material price changes. Stopping projects in March would have incurred higher costs ($12 million). A future request for budget reallocation for $2.3 million is possible if another extension cannot be secured.
City Approves School Zone, Pedestrian Safety Enhancements, and Front Street Improvements
The Public Works Committee discussed and the City Council approved an ordinance (Bill 11 of 2026) amending traffic control maps to add a school safety zone on North Third Street, specifically in the vicinity of the 1500 block. This zone will be marked with a flashing beacon, approved by PennDOT, and will run from Calder to Harris Street. Additionally, a resolution (Resolution 57 of 2026) was approved to ratify the submission of a grant application for $48,000 to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for accessible pedestrian signals at three intersections: Commonwealth and Foster, Seventh and Foster, and Seventh and Commonwealth Streets. This grant, secured through the Department of Labor and Industry, aims to provide audible signals for pedestrians with impairments. Another resolution (Resolution 60 of 2026) was approved to authorize the submission of a grant application for up to $2 million to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development's Multimodal Transportation Fund Grant Program for safety enhancements along Front Street. These enhancements include making the south side of Front Street more pedestrian-friendly, improving visibility for pedestrians crossing Front Street with flashing lights and illuminated crosswalks during low-light conditions, and installing a roundabout at Front and Division Streets to slow traffic and improve navigation.
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