Council backs plan to convert vacant South Cameron office into Storage 5 facility

Harrisburg City Council on April 14 approved Resolution 20 of 2026, which approves the preliminary and final land development plan to convert the long-vacant office building at 1171 South Cameron Street into a Storage 5 self-storage facility. The vote was 7–0.

Chair Lawson summarized the applicant’s presentation: the project would rehabilitate a building vacant for about six years, improve vehicle circulation and add pedestrian access and safety features. The planning commission recommended approval with conditions including floodplain compliance and a dedicated pedestrian stairway. The applicant is a Texas-based company that operates projects in Pennsylvania and neighboring states; the project team was described as owner Chris Catania, engineer Stephen Taylor and architect John Clark.

The developer said the existing building largely meets current elevation requirements and that new units will comply with floodplain regulations. The economic impact of the project was estimated at roughly $6–7 million, with an expected 50–100 construction jobs and two permanent positions at the site; after questioning, the developer committed to making 50% of construction opportunities available to local Harrisburg businesses in trades such as plumbing, HVAC and electrical. Council members stressed the importance of including minority- and women-owned businesses in contracting and asked the applicant to coordinate with the city’s diversity officer.

Council President Hill asked the developer to follow planning-commission recommendations; council members said they generally supported reuse of a vacant building while urging equitable local participation.