Governor Shapiro, Lieutenant Governor Davis, Local Leaders Unveil Plan to Revitalize Downtown Harrisburg, Spurring Over $64 Million in New Investments

Governor Josh Shapiro and his Administration brought together leaders from the Commonwealth, city and county government, business community, and local nonprofit organizations to put Downtown Harrisburg on the path to a bright and successful future.

The Commonwealth is investing $22.7 million to drive revitalization efforts in Pennsylvania’s capital city — building on the Shapiro Administration’s previous investments of over $31 million in Harrisburg — to create a better place to live, do business, work, and visit.

Downtown revitalization plan – developed by local officials and residents – calls for construction of new hotel, improvements to Riverfront Park, safer streets, support for local businesses, and cheaper parking.

Harrisburg, PA – Today, Governor Josh Shapiro, Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, and local leaders launched a new collaborative plan to invest in and spur revitalization in Downtown Harrisburg. Bringing together with state and local elected officials, along with business, community, and nonprofit leaders at 333 Market Street, Governor Shapiro announced that his Administration will be devoting significant funding towards the Harrisburg Works for All of Us revitalization plan – a new plan developed by the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC, Pennsylvania Downtown Center, the City of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Senator Patty Kim, Representative Nate Davidson, and Representative Dave Madsen with input from more than 4,400 Harrisburg residents.

The first phase of the revitalization plan will be supported by $64 million in new public and private investments to the city which will be used to support businesses, improve the downtown and activate the riverfront to attract more residents and visitors, and expand recreational, art, and culture opportunities.

As Pennsylvania’s capital city, Harrisburg has experienced unique challenges in recovering from financial distress and the COVID-19 pandemic. The Shapiro Administration has invested over $31 million in Harrisburg over the past several years – including funding for economic development and public safety – and today, Governor Shapiro announced that the Commonwealth is investing another $22.7 million in new funding to help jumpstart the revitalization plan, which was developed with significant public input over the past nine months.

“Since taking office, my Administration has been working with the city of Harrisburg to understand the challenges facing our capital city, its residents, and its businesses,” said Governor Shapiro. “As a Harrisburg resident, this work is particularly to me – and the Commonwealth is investing $22.7 million to ensure that Harrisburg has the resources needed to address the challenges we identified together and build on the work of this community that has already started to attract more businesses, residents, and visitors downtown. Working with Harrisburg’s elected officials, the business community, and other local leaders, we will ensure Pennsylvania’s capital city shines for generations to come.”

“To build a stronger Harrisburg, you need a vision that brings people together and a plan that keeps everyone moving in unison, and that vision must include a renewed commitment to community safety,” said Lt. Governor Davis. “Governor Shapiro and I believe that every Pennsylvanian — no matter what you look like or where you live — everyone should be safe and feel safe. We’re going to continue working with Harrisburg Police to identify funding opportunities to improve community safety.”

Investing in the Future of Harrisburg

At Governor Shapiro’s direction, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) collaborated with the local legislative delegation and community stakeholders across the city to develop a coalition of public and private stakeholders aimed at revitalizing Downtown Harrisburg.

Over a five month period, the Pennsylvania Downtown Center in partnership with Project for Public Spaces surveyed 4,000 respondents, including downtown residents, businesses, and workers, conducted 15 focus groups, held six public workshops, thirty community conversations, and 25 one-on-one interviews in order to develop the Harrisburg Works for All of Us revitalization plan. This planning process has provided the groundwork to engage the community partners, the various public, private and nonprofit stakeholders, and the general public.

The Commonwealth’s total investment of $22.7 million is part of a larger $64 million investment in revitalization efforts that includes funding from local business leaders, nonprofits, and city and county government. The funding from the Commonwealth includes:

$11 million in Redevelopment Capital Assistance Funding (RACP) for the Harristown Development conversion of 333 Market Street from office space to a Marriott hotel.
$2.25 million for improvements to the Riverfront Park Corridor including upgrades to Riverfront Park, reillumination of the Walnut Street Bridge, and new micro-parks and community spaces.
$2.25 million to support the Broad Street Market rebuild.
$1 million to support the development of a community center offering health and social services at Eden Village, a permanent housing community for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness.
$1 million in seed-funding to launch a new revolving loan fund with Capital Region Economic Development Corporation (CREDC) to support large-scale business development in Downtown Harrisburg.
$1 million to support the installation of designated bicycle lanes and buffer space along Walnut Street to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety.
$995,000 to support improvements to the Zembo Shrine.
$800,000 to support modernizing the elevators at the East Shore YMCA.
$600,000 to support the Southeastern Regional Transit Authority (SRTA)’s new public transit center.
$600,000 to support renovations at the Historic Harrisburg resource center.
$500,000 to support ADA improvements at the Harrisburg MLK City Government Center.
$200,000 to help Wildheart Ministries acquire new vehicles to help with operating their local urban farm.
$150,000 for the development of a master plan to revitalize City Island, including research for enhancing recreational offerings.
$125,000 to help historically disadvantaged businesses with startup and expansions costs and other low-cost barriers to growth.
$100,000 to support Harrisburg Realty HRIC with its housing projects.
$100,000 for a new microgrant program with CREDC to support downtown businesses.

In addition to these projects, the Shapiro Administration is evaluating proposals to ease the cost of parking downtown and is partnering with the City of Harrisburg Police Department to identify funding to modernize and expand the use of technology by the city’s police, fire, and building and codes departments to better monitor safety concerns in the city.

“Ensuring that our Commonwealth has a thriving capital city is not just good for Harrisburg residents, it’s good for all Pennsylvanians,” said DCED Secretary Rick Siger. “These projects will help spur economic growth for both residents and businesses by strengthening the downtown business corridor, improving transportation and parking options, and building more housing at a time of historic shortages. These investments demonstrate the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to making Harrisburg a great place to live, work, and raise a family, and DCED will remain engaged with the City and community partners to realize this vision.”

“The Shapiro Administration is committed to improving road safety across Pennsylvania, and as the Governor has made clear, downtown Harrisburg is a priority,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “PennDOT will continue collaborating with the city on improvements for safer travel and infrastructure that supports the city’s growth.”

“Revitalization gives us the opportunity to build stronger communities for everyone, but we cannot be successful in this work without embedding social services and health care in this work,” said Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh. “When we invest in accessible services for our most vulnerable residents as the Shapiro Administration is doing in Harrisburg, we break down barriers that keep people stuck in cycles of homelessness and extreme poverty — giving everyone the chance to get the care and support they need and making stronger, more vibrant communities for everyone a reality”

“Investing in our city isn’t just driving our economy forward; it’s driving forward the people who make our city great. This transformative investment is a direct result of strong public-private partnerships, visionary leadership, and most important, collaboration,” said Mayor Wanda Williams. “The momentum in Harrisburg is real. Today marks a leap forward in making our downtown safer, stronger, and more prosperous.”

“Today is a great day not only for the City of Harrisburg, but for our entire region. When city, county, state, business, and community leaders roll up our sleeves and work together, historic investments like these happen,” said Senator Patty Kim. “I’m proud to have worked alongside Governor Shapiro and this coalition of leaders and deliver a real, substantive plan to breathe new life into our downtown.”

“Thank you for thinking of the families when putting this plan together. When we think about a city, a city is not a series of buildings, or roads, or intersections, or traffic lights. The city is the people who live there, and the families who grow up there,” said Representative Nate Davidson. “I know that we’ll carry that vision beyond because the work we do is for our most important community members, our children.”

“I’m so proud of this community. Every time you try to knock Harrisburg down, we get right back up. And this team and everything we’re doing together today is just an example of that,” said Representative Dave Madsen. “This is just the beginning of a series of wins that’s going to really, really change the outlook of this city and make it grow and expand the future generations.”

“Harrisburg City Council’s primary goal throughout this downtown revitalization process was to ensure residents from all neighborhoods within the city of Harrisburg had an opportunity to participate in this robust process,” said Harrisburg City Council President, Danielle Hill. “Residents shared their thoughts, expressed their concerns, and shared their time. Every voice is valued and valid.”

Empowering the Capital Region

Developed in partnership with the Pennsylvania Downtown Center and with feedback from thousands of Harrisburg residents, the revitalization plan prioritizes six main strategies:

Build a Complete Downtown Neighborhood – expand access to neighborhood amenities, integrate public spaces, and accelerate housing opportunities.
Fill Storefronts and Grow Local Business – encourage and support small businesses in the downtown.
Make Downtown Easy to Reach and Walk – reduce parking burdens, enhance pedestrian safety, and promote public transportation.
Keep Downtown Clean, Safe, and Welcome – light up downtown, put more people on the street, keep the community clean, and care for at-risk neighbors.
Upgrade Streets, Storefronts, and Public Spaces – upgrade business facades, invest in key streets, and improve gateways into the city.
Activate the Riverfront, Arts, and Entertainment – support existing hospitality businesses, build recreational assets, and expand arts and culture opportunities.

“This is a defining moment for Downtown Harrisburg, and Pennsylvania Downtown Center was honored to play a role in helping to develop a plan for the future of the city we call home,” Julie Fitzpatrick, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Downtown Center. “We appreciated the opportunity to partner with local leaders, stakeholders, residents, and champions helping to craft a strategy for a Harrisburg that works for all of us!”

“Today’s announcement is a historic next chapter in our capital city and region’s story. It follows an unprecedented collaboration of our public and private leaders, convened by the Governor, to make downtown Harrisburg a place that works for everyone, every day,” said Ryan Unger, President and CEO of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC. “We are grateful for the partnership of Governor Shapiro, Mayor Williams, City Council, our state legislative delegation, and county leaders. These investments catalyze our downtown’s new era, guided by a plan shaped by more than 4,400 residents, workers, and business owners. Now it’s our job to deliver, together.”

“Harristown Development Corporation is proud to work alongside Governor Shapiro’s Administration and the City of Harrisburg to continue Harrisburg’s Downtown revitalization. We greatly appreciate the support and confidence in helping Harristown and its partners reinvest in the redevelopment of 333 Market Street Tower in downtown Harrisburg,” said Brad Jones, President and CEO of Harristown Development Corporation.

A full list of the funding, projects, and initiatives included in Harrisburg’s downtown revitalization strategy is available online.

Learn more about the Shapiro Administration’s efforts to strengthen downtowns and communities across the Commonwealth, support workers, businesses, and spur the economy to build a stronger, more competitive economy for all Pennsylvanians.

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