‘OLDE UPTOWN’ RESIDENTIAL PROJECT ADDS OVER 100 NEW AND RENOVATED HOMES TO THE CITY
Harrisburg, PA – Mayor Stephen R. Reed and officials from WCI Partners, LP, and Green Street Properties, today cut the ribbon to officially dedicate the ‘Olde Uptown’ townhouse project at one of the project’s model homes located at 1947 Green Street.
The Mayor said the new housing project involves 101 new and restored homes and $17 million in new residential investment. The project is based in the area bounded by North 2nd and North 3rd Streets to the east and west and by Maclay and Muench Streets to the north and south, with most of the work having been completed on Penn, Green and Susquehanna Streets. The project involves the construction of 16 new townhomes, 12 of which have been built to date, with modern amenities that are historically designed to blend in with the surrounding neighborhood. Over 85 structures existing in the neighborhood were also fully restored and upgraded with modern amenities.
Most of the existing homes had been vacant since the 1972 Agnes Flood. All of the homes are available for sale to owner-occupants.
The Mayor said the project represents over $17 million in investment in the neighborhood, which included $1,400,000.00 in Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency Neighborhood Revitalization funds and $300,000.00 in City contributions of land and structures. The remaining costs were financed by the developers.
WCI Partners, LP, principal and CEO Alex Hartzler said the newly-built homes are being offered in the $190,000.00 to $240,000.00 range, with the rehabilitated homes running from between $100,000.00 and $190,000.00. The newly-built homes include 2,400 square feet of living space, a one car garage, parking pad, an open and contemporary loft design, two bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and rear decks. Central air conditioning, modern appliances, wall-to-wall carpeting and tile flooring and laundry rooms are all available in the new homes.
Reed said the restored and upgraded homes range from 1,200 to 2,600 square feet and many of them reflect the larger homes built as single family residences after the turn of the 20th Century. The homes feature two, three and four bedroom units, each with multiple bathrooms. Most boast hardwood floors, exposed brick and rooftop decks.
All the homes in the project are in very close proximity to the Governor’s Residence.
"We are very pleased with the outcome of this project," said Hartzler. "The homes we have completed to date have been selling very quickly. With all the amenities that city living has to offer, we expect that the market will only increase in the months and years ahead."
"This major new residential development project has addressed some of our most historically-problematic sites," said Reed. "Our great appreciation is extended to Alex Hartzler and his partners for taking on such a broad-ranging project. The neighborhood is already reaping the benefits of their good work."
Reed said the ‘Olde Uptown’ development joins three other major residential renewal projects that are also underway in the same area including the expansion of the Marketplace Townhomes, the newly-constructed Capitol Heights neighborhood and the new construction and rehabilitation work at the Townes at Governor’s Square neighborhood. Combined with the Olde Uptown project, these four projects involve over 650 new or restored residential units.
The Mayor indicated that as part of the new ‘Olde Uptown’ development project, the Olde Uptown Neighborhood Association was formed last year. The Association is a volunteer organization dedicated to promoting a safe, clean, diverse and vibrant community with responsible homeownership and rising property values. Meetings and events are held by the Association throughout the year. More information on the Association and the available homes for sale can be found at www.olduptownhbg.com.
WCI Partners, LP, will be holding a neighborhood-wide open house on Saturday, May 10th, 2008, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. to showcase its properties for sale and all are invited to attend. For more information on either the new or renovated townhomes, contact David Butcher of WCI Partners at (717) 805-1553 or via email at dave.butcher@comcast.net.
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