TheBurg

10 | theburgnews.com | 08.19 city Buys Back maRketplace lots A stalled building project may have a new lease on life, as the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority has bought back dozens of undeveloped lots in the city's MarketPlace Townhomes neighborhood. In late June, the authority purchased 58 lots from S&A Homes, re-acquiring the Midtown properties it had given to the State College-based developer almost 14 years before. "e Redevelopment Authority had to take back the properties because S&A was not going to develop them," said Mayor Eric Papenfuse. "e Redevelopment Authority is now looking for a [development] partner for those lots." In the 1970s, the authority began acquiring parcels just south of N. 6th and Reily streets, which eventually included the Zommit Cleaners site, an industrial property that required soil decontamination. By 1998, 38 single-family homes had been built in the MarketPlace neighborhood, named for its proximity to the Broad Street Market. In late 2005, the authority sold most of its remaining inventory—71 lots—to S&A for $1 apiece in an area bounded by N. 6th, James, Reily and Sayford streets. Over the next three years, S&A built 13 houses, but stopped when the financial crisis hit in 2008. No homes have been constructed since, leaving numerous grassy, overgrown lots. Papenfuse said that he regards the re-acquisition as a first step in getting the project back on track. e authority is eager to receive proposals from qualified developers, he said. "By taking them back, HRA can find a new development partner," he said. chuRches put on maRket If you've ever been in the market for an old, stately church in the Harrisburg area, your time has arrived. e Susquehanna United Methodist Conference has listed six of its churches for sale, part of a plan to cut costs and consolidate congregations. e churches cover numerous neighborhoods around Harrisburg and range in price from $169,000 to $325,000. "I've shown all of these churches a number of times already," said realtor Bill Gladstone of the Bill Gladstone Group, part of Wormleysburg-based NAI CIR, which is listing the properties. "e demand for these churches has been very high." Late last year, the conference, facing dwindling membership in the immediate Harrisburg area, decided to dispose of 10 of its buildings, several dating back a century or more. Since then, one of the churches, historic Grace United Methodist Church on State Street, voted to maintain its congregation, said Shawn Gilgore, the conference's director of communications. Another church, Rockville UMC, has become affiliated with Linglestown UMC, with both buildings in use, he said. Six of the remaining churches currently are for sale: • Camp Curtin Memorial Mitchell UMC, 2221 N. 6th St.: $195,000 • First United Methodist, 269 Boas St.: $169,000 • Riverside Methodist Church, 3200 N. 3rd St.: $325,000 • St. Mark's UMC, 3985 N. 2nd St (Susquehanna Township): $325,000 • Trinity Penbrook Church, 5 N. 25th St.: $255,000 • Grace Penbrook Church, 25 S. 28th St.: $265,000 Another church, Derry Street UMC on Allison Hill in Harrisburg, soon will be listed for sale, Gladstone said. so noteD Camp Curtin Community Preschool has relocated to Trinity Church in Midtown and changed its name to Trinity Preschool: Part of the Camp Curtin Learning Community. e preschool had to relocate following the closing of Camp Curtin Mitchell Memorial UMC, according to the school. FireHouse Restaurant closed abruptly last month, and the property was later put on the market for $1.2 million, including the real estate, business and liquor license. e FireHouse, located in the historic Hope Fire Station building in downtown Harrisburg, was most recently co-owned by Dave Guy, who bought it from founder Donny Brown almost six years ago. Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra last month named Gloria Giambalvo as its new director of sales and marketing. She most recently served as HSO's director of annual and corporate giving. Harrisburg University last month promoted Duane Maun to chief operating officer. Maun will continue to hold his previous title, chief financial officer, as well, according to the university. Harrisburg University last month broke ground on its new, 17-story mixed-use building at S. 3rd and Chestnut streets in downtown Harrisburg. e $135 million building will house academic space, a 197-room hotel and a restaurant. Construction is expected to take two years. Home Slice Pizza will open at the Crossroads at Walden in September, according to developer Charter Homes & Neighborhoods. Home Slice, which replaces K. Marie & Co., is a venture by Matt Flinchbaugh, the owner of the longstanding Flinchy's restaurant in Lower Allen Township. Jump Street announced last month that it would cease operations after 40 years of operating as an arts-based nonprofit. Over the years, Jump Street organized many popular programs and fundraisers, including Derby Day and Artsfest. It originally formed in 1978 as the People's Place before changing its name to Metro Arts and then Jump Street. Orrstown Bank has named omas Brugger as its executive vice president and chief financial officer, according to the Swatara Township-based company. In this role, he will be responsible for Orrstown's financial plans, policies and financial compliance. He last served as CFO of Sun National Bank. Pavone Marketing Group last month announced that it had acquired two companies: Philadelphia-based Netplus and Mechanicsburg-based Phalanx Digital. Harrisburg-based Pavone said the acquisitions would help it expand its digital marketing capabilities. exchanGe stuDent Families neeDeD ASSE International Student Exchange Programs (ASSE) is looking for local families to host boys and girls between the ages of 15 to 18 from a variety of countries, including Norway, Denmark, Spain, Italy and Japan. Students are eager to practice their English and experience American culture, as well as share their own culture and language. ASSE students are academically selected into the program, and host families can choose their student from a wide variety of backgrounds, countries and personal interests. ASSE students have full health, accident and liability insurance, as well as pocket money for personal expenses. To become a host family or to find out how to become involved with ASSE in your community, call the ASSE Eastern Regional Office at 1-800-677-2773 or visit www.host.asse.com. Community Paint Day! Saturday, September 7, 2019 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM Zeroday Brewing Company artist q&a Tuesday, September 3, 2019 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Midtown Cinema Full listing of HBG Mural Fest events: sprocketmuralworks.com/festival-events

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