Harrisburg council approves Midtown redevelopment, school renovation, pool lease and other resolutions

Harrisburg — The Harrisburg City Council on June 24, 2025, voted unanimously to approve six resolutions that the council said will advance housing, school-site improvements, workforce development, urban forestry planning and public-safety measures around the governor's residence. Council members also approved a technical amendment to previously drafted minutes and moved several other items to committee for further review.

Resolution 56 of 2024, the council's largest development vote, approved a preliminary and final subdivision and land development plan submitted by Midtown Redevelopment LLC to consolidate and subdivide vacant parcels bounded by Riley, Fulton, Seaford and James streets. Planning Director Jeffrey Knight described the project as similar to the Capital Townhomes development and said it will include rowhomes, three multifamily buildings, a mixed-use building (designated Building 5), a food hall (Building 4), accessory parking on three sites, a total of 62 residential units across 23 buildings and roughly 5,500 square feet of commercial space. The developer representatives — identified in the record as Chris Bridal, Christian Coball and a Mr. Bryce — told council members they had worked with the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority and anticipated a February groundbreaking. The council approved the resolution by a 5–0 vote.

Resolution 32 of 2025 approved a land development plan for 555 South 20th Street submitted by Commonwealth Charter Academy to demolish part of the existing building and redevelop the site for use as a cyber charter school with an expanded building footprint and access improvements. Jim Skinner, facilities director for Commonwealth Charter Academy, told the council the space is intended primarily for staff and will not include buses. Assistant City Solicitor Tirza Cameron clarified during the discussion that a traffic-impact study remains part of the record and that the planning commission had approved the project without conditions. The council passed the resolution 5–0.

Resolution 37 of 2025 authorized the city to negotiate and enter into a cosponsorship agreement with TLC Work Based Training Program Inc. to implement a workforce development program in an amount not to exceed $75,000. The measure passed 5–0.

Resolution 42 of 2025 authorized the city to enter a professional services agreement with Arbor Pro Inc. (recorded in the meeting as ArbiterPRO/Arbor Pro Incorporated) to perform a tree inventory and related urban-forestry services. The city forester participated in committee discussion; the work will be funded through a grant, according to the public-works report. The council approved the resolution 5–0.

Resolution 43 of 2025 authorizes the city to negotiate and enter a lease agreement with the Harrisburg School District for the portion of land that contains Jackson Lake Pool to allow continued operations while the city pursues subdivision and acquisition of the property. City Solicitor Neil Grover told the council that the school district submitted technical corrections and a revised exhibit describing the physical area; those changes were accepted by the city and the council approved the resolution 5–0. Solicitor Grover also noted that, after the council's vote, the school district's board would also need to vote on the lease.

Resolution 44 of 2025 authorized the city to negotiate and enter into an access-control agreement with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, acting through the Department of General Services, for the portion of Geiger Street between Front and Second streets — an unused alleyway near the governor's residence. Solicitor Grover and Interim Business Administrator Sam Skokowski said the measure is intended chiefly for security and maintenance around the governor's mansion; the council approved it 5–0.

The council also addressed personnel and administrative items in committee reports. Resolutions 34 and 35 (appointments to the Harrisburg Housing Authority) were discussed in committee but were tabled for the evening's legislative session. Resolution 46 (appointing Basir Vincent to the Harrisburg Planning Commission) was referred to the administration committee. Resolution 47 (approving the 2025 annual action plan for the city's Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnerships and Emergency Solutions Grant programs) was referred to the building and housing committee.

Separately, council members approved a correction to the minutes of the June 10, 2025 legislative session (an amendment to correct duplicate or inconsistent naming in the meeting notes); that amendment passed by recorded vote as reflected in the minutes.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 56 (Midtown Redevelopment LLC): passed 5–0; read into record as the preliminary/final subdivision and land development plan for parcels bounded by Riley, Fulton, Seaford and James streets; includes 62 units and ~5,500 sq ft commercial space. - Resolution 32 (Commonwealth Charter Academy, 555 S 20th St): passed 5–0; approved demolition and redevelopment for a cyber charter school staff facility; planning commission approved without conditions. - Resolution 37 (TLC Work Based Training Program Inc.): passed 5–0; cosponsorship up to $75,000 for workforce development. - Resolution 42 (Arbor Pro Inc./ArbiterPRO): passed 5–0; tree inventory/urban forestry services funded by grant. - Resolution 43 (Lease with Harrisburg School District — Jackson Lake Pool): passed 5–0; updated exhibit accepted; school board must also vote on the lease. - Resolution 44 (Access control agreement — Geiger Street): passed 5–0; supports security/maintenance near the governor's residence. - Resolution 34 and 35 (Harrisburg Housing Authority appointments): tabled for this session. - Resolution 46 (Basir Vincent appointment to Planning Commission): referred to administration committee. - Resolution 47 (2025 annual action plan for CDBG/HOME/ESG): referred to building and housing committee.

The council meeting opened at 6:06 p.m. and adjourned at 6:37 p.m. — Council President Hill presided and Mister Truesdale served as the clerk/timekeeper.