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Board schedules follow‑up presentations on William Penn High School reuse after task force report
Summary
After years of study, the school board heard the William Penn task force executive summary and agreed to invite two proponents back for updated proposals. The district emphasized it has no district funds to renovate the building and that private proposals will need clear financing plans and realistic timelines.
HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Harrisburg School District on Tuesday reviewed an executive summary of the William Penn High School task force and directed the administration to invite two local proponents to present updated proposals for reuse of the vacant William Penn campus.
Task force summary and recent outreach
Sheila Dalfourde, task force facilitator, summarized months of community meetings and stakeholder proposals completed after the board paused an earlier demolition plan. The task force’s top recommendation was to repurpose the property to expand career and technical education (CTE) opportunities for district students and to make space available for city services, including potential substation space for Harrisburg Bureau of Fire and Police.
Dalfourde said a range of proposals had been vetted and that four proposals rose to the top in subsequent conversations: a redevelopment plan from the Bridge (a local entity that applied for an EPA community change grant), a proposal called Capital Rebirth led by Michael Simpson, and alternate plans from local developers including Gary Gilliam and an architect‑led idea that involved partnerships with OIC (a workforce/CTE organization). Dalfourde told the board the proposals varied on housing, program mix and financing.
Board direction and conditions
Superintendent and receiver staff told the board the district cannot absorb renovation costs. Dr. Suske said the district has no available capital to rehabilitate the building and noted the district continues to incur security and legal costs while the property stands vacant. “If these people want to come in and do something, show us the money,” a board member said during discussion; administration staff repeatedly emphasized private funding would have to cover rehabilitation, insurance and prevailing‑wage construction requirements because the district would likely retain ownership during any multi‑year project.
Trust and site control
Several board members raised concerns about site control and investor commitments. Administration counsel and board members explained that potential developers often request site control to secure investors, but the board would need strong contractual protections — including reversion or termination rights — before granting any long‑term site control. Superintendent and legal staff said such agreements can be written to preserve district control if funding or project milestones are not met.
Next steps: presentations scheduled
After discussion, the receiver scheduled follow‑up presentations with two proponents who have submitted revised plans and financing information. The administration will invite representatives from Capital Rebirth (Michael Simpson) and the Bridge back to present updated pro formas, timelines, investor commitments and any public/private financing to the board in a special session set for May 21 at 6 p.m. The district will also invite task force members to attend.
Why it matters
William Penn High School is a 20th‑century landmark in Harrisburg that has been vacant for more than a decade. The building was placed on Preservation Pennsylvania’s 2025 “at risk” list the morning of the meeting. Community advocates and alumni argued against demolition and for adaptive reuse to benefit students and neighborhood residents. The district faces competing priorities for limited capital: officials have cited $140 million-plus backlog needs across occupied buildings and said renovating William Penn would need outside capital without diverting funds from occupied schools.
Public comments
Task force members and community residents urged the board to preserve the facility and to work with local developers and investors who say they have financing interest. Several public commenters urged clearer timelines, investor disclosures and pro formas before the board commits to site control or demolition.
Ending
Board members said the May 21 presentations will be the next substantive public step. Administration staff and the task force said they will share any requested pro formas and investor documentation in advance so board members and the public can review details before the special meeting.
