Council committees forward WCI Partners’ downtown office‑to‑apartment conversion for legislative review

A proposal to convert two adjoining office buildings at 508 and 510 North Second Street into 11 one‑bedroom apartments was presented to the community and economic development committee on Feb. 20; the committee moved Resolution 64 to the upcoming legislative session.

Jeffrey Knight, city planning director, said the buildings lie in the Old Harrisburg Municipal Historic District and that the conversion requires land‑development review but will not substantially alter exterior façades. The applicant, Dave Butcher of WCI Partners LP, told council the two buildings would be reconfigured into five units in one building and six in the other, with an approximate 12‑month construction schedule once permits are issued.

Knight noted the proposal required zoning relief for density; the zoning hearing board has already granted the requested variance, and planning staff recommended council approval subject to any conditions imposed by the zoning hearing board.

Butcher described the target rents as roughly $1,100 to $1,200 for one‑bedroom units, which he said is below the city median figure he referenced in committee. He said the developer manages a larger portfolio and that, portfolio‑wide, roughly 12% of their 300 units have rents under $1,000. Butcher said the team hopes to begin demolition and permit work in October if council approves the land‑development plan promptly.

Council members discussed whether the developer would consider adding units priced at lower affordability bands; Butcher said the specific building economics limit the number of deeply affordable units on this particular project but that the firm’s portfolio includes lower‑priced units. Committee members moved Resolution 64 to the next legislative session for formal action.