HARRISBURG-LANCASTER-LEBANON-YORK | South Central, PA | Regional Development Thread

[SouthCentralPA]

Originally Posted by EastSideHBG

Heartbreaking about the Broad St. Market and I have so many memories from there. Hopefully it gets rebuilt bigger and better:

https://www.pennlive.com/news/2023/07/fu...-broad-street-market-following-fire.html

The oldest continuously operated market house in the United States.

It was horrible to wake up and see this news months ago. Not much progress has been made so far. I have a feeling it's going to be a long process unfortunately.

[SouthCentralPA]

Originally Posted by EastSideHBG

New Plan: Developer proposes 162 apartments for former Federal Building in Harrisburg



The 196,000-square-foot building would include 146 one-bedroom units, 14 two-bedroom units and two studio units, according to the proposal. The units would range in size from 604 to 1,377 square feet.

The plan also calls for possible first-floor commercial space, as well as amenities such as a fitness center, penthouse lounge, shared office space, a rooftop deck, a shared lobby and a parking deck with around 30 spaces.

https://theburgnews.com/news/new-plan-developer-proposes-162-apartments-for-former-federal-building

Also, I feel like this is at least the third iteration of this I've seen. I would just love for them to do anything here! Would be great for downtown Harrisburg to have that many apartments in the downtown area.

[EastSideHBG]

I've been spending more time in Lancaster and it continues to impress me. Unfortunately, DT Harrisburg has lost the momentum and is sliding backwards but Midtown continues to thrive. Some good reads on the subject:

Dueling Downtowns: How Lancaster thrives as Harrisburg struggles to reinvent itself
https://www.pennlive.com/business/2025/0...isburg-struggles-to-reinvent-itself.html

Harrisburg suffers Second Street hangover as Lancaster reaches new heights
https://www.pennlive.com/business/2025/0...-as-lancaster-reaches-new-heights.html-2

Downtown Harrisburg is down on its luck, but city’s midtown neighborhood booms
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2025/04/do...ut-citys-midtown-neighborhood-booms.html

Lancaster’s tourism strategy pays off as visitors flock to historic downtown
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2025/04/la...visitors-flock-to-historic-downtown.html

[SouthCentralPA]

Originally Posted by EastSideHBG

I've been spending more time in Lancaster and it continues to impress me. Unfortunately, DT Harrisburg has lost the momentum and is sliding backwards but Midtown continues to thrive. Some good reads on the subject:

Dueling Downtowns: How Lancaster thrives as Harrisburg struggles to reinvent itself
https://www.pennlive.com/business/2025/0...isburg-struggles-to-reinvent-itself.html

Harrisburg suffers Second Street hangover as Lancaster reaches new heights
https://www.pennlive.com/business/2025/0...-as-lancaster-reaches-new-heights.html-2

Downtown Harrisburg is down on its luck, but city’s midtown neighborhood booms
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2025/04/do...ut-citys-midtown-neighborhood-booms.html

Lancaster’s tourism strategy pays off as visitors flock to historic downtown
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2025/04/la...visitors-flock-to-historic-downtown.html

I agree. There's still some small projects going on but not too many. Midtown continues to do well but downtown is definitely struggling some. I am going to try and start posting again somewhat regularly.

[SouthCentralPA]

Here's one in Downtown actually!

"Once dilapidated, a historic downtown building is restored, modernized with stunning views of the Capitol"
https://theburgnews.com/around-the-burg/...nized-with-stunning-views-of-the-capitol

Over a decade ago, the historic Lowengard building in Harrisburg caught architect Chris Dawson’s eye.

The building, constructed in 1917 and nestled along N. 3rd Street’s historic streetscape facing the state Capitol, stood out to Dawson for its potential.

After years of vacancies and the building becoming increasingly dilapidated, Dawson pulled the trigger, purchasing the property and completely renovating it.

...

The $3.5 million project included rehabbing first first-floor commercial space, which Dawson hopes to find a business to occupy. The three upstairs floors house Chris Dawson Architect’s new office, as well as a one-bedroom apartment unit and a two-bedroom unit. The apartments will either be leased or used as short-term rentals.

[SouthCentralPA]

Also, four new housing projects approved by the PC. I think if they can get more people living downtown, then the businesses/restaurants will start to follow.

"Planning commission approves office-to-residential projects that would create over 100 new housing units in Harrisburg"
https://theburgnews.com/news/planning-co...over-100-new-housing-units-in-harrisburg

[Baldy1]

Glad to see you back SouthCentral PA

[SouthCentralPA]

Originally Posted by Baldy1

Glad to see you back SouthCentral PA

Thank you! I can't believe it had been almost 2 years since I've been on this forum. I really lost track of time.