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(The Center Square) - The effort to revitalize downtown Harrisburg is officially underway, according to Gov. Josh Shapiro, as his administration and local leaders rolled out the “Harrisburg Works for All of Us” plan.
"Downtown Harrisburg - it’s the heart of Pennsylvania’s capital city, a city rich in history, in culture, and a city deserving of even more opportunity," Shapiro said. "In recent years, though, I think we all recognize Harrisburg’s downtown has fallen on hard times."
"Coming out of the pandemic, foot traffic in the city declined, while at the same time, particularly in recent years, as a result of the tariffs and other policies, the cost of doing business has risen here in Harrisburg, and it’s forced many restaurants and bars and coffee shops and others to make tough decisions," he continued. "And many of them, unfortunately, have closed."
Over the past several months, Pennsylvania's Department of Community and Economic Development, or DCED, collaborated with local leaders in Harrisburg to survey residents and businesses alike to develop the revitalization plan, collecting input from more than 4,400 Harrisburg residents.
On Monday, the Shapiro administration announced a $22.7 million state investment in this proposal to boost downtown Harrisburg. According to his administration, this investment is part of a larger $64 million effort, which includes funding from local business leaders, nonprofits, and city and county governments.
Ryan Unger, President and CEO of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC, laid out the six main strategies in which this proposal prioritizes, which include the following:
"Build a Complete Downtown Neighborhood," was the first highlighted, which aims to expand access to neighborhood amenities, integrate public spaces, and accelerate housing opportunities. The second priority mentioned was to "Fill Storefronts and Grow Local Business" by encouraging and supporting small businesses in the downtown. Next, officials said the plan will "Make Downtown Easy to Reach and Walk," by reducing parking burdens, enhancing pedestrian safety, and promoting public transportation.
The fourth strategy is to "Keep Downtown Clean, Safe, and Welcome," by lighting up downtown, putting more people on the street, keeping the community clean, and caring for at-risk neighbors.
"We are focused together on making it safe, fun, accessible, and successful," said DCED Secretary Rick Siger. "And we’re taking a holistic perspective, approaching the revitalization through both the community and business investments, because we know from experience that to be successful in a plan like this, we’ve got to tackle challenges from every angle, and we’re laying the groundwork to make Harrisburg an even better place to live, work, and visit for folks here."
Related to that work, the next priority is the focus on upgrading streets, storefronts, and public spaces by upgrading business facades, investing in key streets, and improving gateways into the city. And, lastly, the plan calls to "Activate the Riverfront, Arts, and Entertainment" by supporting existing hospitality businesses, building recreational assets, and expanding arts and culture opportunities.
"We believe in the promise of this wonderful community, and we believe that this is a serious investment in Harrisburg’s future," Shapiro said. "But I also want you to know we believe this is just a first step, that we will be there making further investments as time goes forward."
The Shapiro administration laid out where the funding for this proposal will go, which includes $11 million in Redevelopment Capital Assistance Funding, or RACP, for the Harristown Development conversion of 333 Market Street from office space to a Marriott hotel. Improvements will be made to the Riverfront Park Corridor in a $2.25 million investment, while another $2.25 million will be set aside to support the rebuild of Broad Street Market.
"The momentum in Harrisburg is real," said Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams. "Today marks a leap forward in making our downtown safer, stronger, and more prosperous."
Another concern being evaluated in this plan is easing the cost of parking downtown. Shapiro said on Monday that his administration has developed a plan to provide free parking in the evening and on at least one Saturday each month, while still ensuring financial obligations are met.
However, Shapiro said the parking plan will require support from legislators in Pennsylvania's General Assembly and assured that he's working closely with local officials like state Sen. Patty Kim and state Reps. Nate Davidson and Dave Madsen to secure this funding.
"I hope today’s announcement communicates to the Harrisburg residents who want a downtown that reflects your vision for your city: we hear you," said Kim. "To the business owners of downtown who have worked so hard since COVID to rebuild, we see you."
"And to the investors and developers looking for the next big thing, we want you," she added.
Unger noted that the executive summary of this strategy is available at DowntownHBG.com, plus the Shapiro administration provided a full list online of the funding, projects, and initiatives included in Harrisburg’s downtown revitalization strategy.
While Monday's announcement highlighted efforts to improve downtown Harrisburg, Shapiro noted that it's not the only city in Pennsylvania that is receiving state funds for a revitalization plan. Earlier this month, he also announced nearly $100 million in targeted investments to help revitalize the city of Chester.
"We’ve employed this playbook in the city of Pittsburgh, in Chester, and now here in Harrisburg, we’re investing to create real opportunities for people all across the Commonwealth and breathing new life into our downtowns and main streets," Shapiro said. "I firmly believe that for our Commonwealth to fully thrive, we need to ensure that downtown Harrisburg thrives."
"They are interconnected, and now is the time to make sure we take a bold step forward together, working in common purpose, not at cross purposes," he continued. "I know you all give a damn about this community. Well, I give a damn about this community too, and the time to invest in the city is right now because we finally have local government, developers, nonprofits, our business leaders, and our Commonwealth all moving in the same direction."