Sate Street Promenade

The Project involves comprehensive streetscape improvements to the one and two hundred blocks of State Street in Harrisburg, PA, one of the most significant, historic and aesthetically important boulevards in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which links the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building and Capitol Complex to Front Street, Kunkel Plaza and Riverfront Park.

In particular, plans call for removal of the trees from the mall down the center of the street, which presently block the axial vista of the River and the Capitol Building, and the return of grass to the mall, as it was originally. In addition, the north and south sides of the street are to have new sidewalks with brick pavers for historic consistency, the planting of trees, installation of period street lights and the placement of benches and bicycle racks. Diagonal parking presently situated along the center mall, will be relocated toward the street’s north and south curb lines.

This project will return the promenade between the Pennsylvania State Capitol and the Susquehanna River to a grand vista that distinguishes the relationship of Pennsylvania’s Capital City to its stunning setting on the riverbank. It will also compliment the surrounding Harrisburg National Register District, the four architecturally significant church edifices which face the street and the pedestrian and vehicular linkage of this corridor to the Central Business District and neighboring tourist-oriented destination.

The City has received a grant for $1,000,000 through PennDOT’s “Hometown Street Enhancement” Program. Also the City received a grant for $10,000, used to purchase new trees, from the Pennsylvania Urban & Community Forestry program. Construction was started March 2, 2006 and is scheduled for completion early September.