Downtown Harrisburg Hotel Plan Advances With Millions in State Grants
Harrisburg City Council weighed sweeping proposals to reshape the downtown skyline during a Monday night meeting, reviewing plans for a major hotel conversion, riverside park upgrades, and a downtown apartment project alongside thousands of municipal items slated for auction, theburgnews.com reported. At the center of the development push is a proposed Courtyard by Marriott slated for the 333 Market building.
The state-backed hotel project builds on an announcement from Gov. Josh Shapiro during a September press conference committing millions of dollars in downtown investment. That funding includes $11 million in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant money earmarked specifically for the hotel. State College-based Shaner Hotel Group submitted the land development plan to the city and is partnering with Harristown Development Corp., which owns the building.
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The plan involves transforming several lower floors of vacant office space into a 138-room hotel complete with a lobby restaurant, bar, and outdoor patio space. During Monday’s session, council members pressed project leaders on local and minority-owned business participation in construction.
“I look forward to seeing some life come back to this building and more activity downtown,” said council member Ausha Green.
Brad Jones, president and CEO of Harristown, told the council that development teams intend to work with local contractors. The project carries an anticipated completion target of fall 2028.
State Funds Back Sunken Garden Redesign
Riverfront improvements also moved forward as part of the broader state funding package announced in September. Governor Shapiro pledged $2.25 million to the Harrisburg Green Alliance for riverfront projects, including the revitalization of the Sunken Garden park.
During Monday’s meeting, the alliance petitioned the council for approval of a $1 million city grant application for a Pennsylvania Local Share Assessment grant submitted on behalf of the Harrisburg Green Alliance. The funds would back a complete redesign of the Sunken Garden featuring walking paths, a covered pavilion, event space, a new fountain, and updated landscaping.
“We want to revitalize Sunken Garden, keeping the historic plans in mind,” Shana Woomer of the alliance told the council. Council vice president Lamont Jones voiced support for the park improvements, highlighting enhanced safety outcomes.
The city also reviewed steps to close out a Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant project that funded a Comprehensive Recreation, Park, and Open Space Plan. That framework evaluated Harrisburg’s 25 municipal parks and recommended establishing a dedicated parks improvement fund, reorganizing leadership roles within the parks department, and improving public communication.
North Second Street Apartment Conversions
Residential development downtown also advanced on Monday as the Breneman Group presented plans to convert vacant offices at 110-112 N. Second St. into a 38-unit apartment complex. Michael White of the Breneman Group told the council that the building will feature a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units with average monthly rents hovering around $1,350.
The multi-story property previously housed the Bollywood Bar & Grille restaurant, which closed in 2021, and offices for Brinjac Engineering, which relocated in 2016. The Harrisburg Planning Commission recommended the project for approval in September, deeming development at the site long overdue.
When Council President Danielle Hill asked whether the development would participate in Harrisburg’s affordable housing incentive program, White noted that current pricing structures remain accessible. “We are very middle market and inherently affordable,” White said, adding that he remained open to the incentive program while stopping short of a formal commitment without additional review.
Thousands of Reed-Era Artifacts Head to Auction
Beyond real estate developments, the council reviewed a catalog listing over 4,000 Reed-era artifacts recovered from the tenure of former Mayor Steve Reed. The city temporarily leased a former CVS storefront on Market Street to sort and catalog the items ahead of an upcoming public sale.
The inventory spans a diverse array of items, including a coyote pelt, a horse saddle, a knife and sheath, a suit of armor, an antique catcher’s mask, baseball cards, and hundreds of historical documents and photographs. Local items, such as a city bicentennial banner, Harrisburg pins, and city-based artwork, are also included in the collection, though city officials noted that a small portion of the inventory required disposal due to mold.
“I’m just looking forward to seeing what gets auctioned off, what it’s sold for and how much money the city is able to make,” said council member Jocelyn Rawls. Cordier Auctions is scheduled to host the online auction in early 2027.
Additional administrative items reviewed during the session included a resolution to apply for a $20,000 grant from the Office of the State Fire Commissioner to remodel Fire Station 2, a measure to transfer the city’s dog licensure process to Dauphin County, and an annual resolution seeking an exemption from Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board amplified music regulations for downtown businesses.
