As I reported back in May, groundbreaking was scheduled to begin this past fall on the dilapidated and mostly abandoned Police Athletic League building located at 1110 N Third Street in Midtown Harrisburg.
(Initial coverage, though, began in February of 2007.)
Developer John Traynor had optimistic goals and tentative plans to resurrect the former youth activity center into a full-fledged arts complex for Midtown Harrisburg comprised of art studios, a performance space, educational facilities, a cafe and, ahem, a bath house.
Fall of 2007 has come and gone with nary a peep from developers Bartlett, Traynor and London, LLC- and a late winter email to John Traynor was replied to with a contact number.
A phone call to Traynor earlier today resulted in more optimistic plans- but no solid dates.
“We closed with the City on November 30th and finally took possession of the building” Traynor explained, “and will be choosing a developer [from outstanding bids] this week.”
He went on to explain that groundbreaking should take place by the end of January or early February.
“I just had a meeting with the city earlier today about them getting some of their stuff out of the building”. He continued. “We didn’t realize how many hoops we’d have to jump through with the architectural review board, the city council and the historical society. All of the plans have been approved so we’ll be full steam ahead [upon selection of a contractor]”
Interestingly, The Patriot News reported that the building had been sold in February of 2007. So is it possible that it took nine months for Bartlett, Traynor and London to close on the deal?
Or is someone not telling the truth?
Time will tell.
Definitely possible that it “sold” in 2/07 in that the sales agreement was signed by both parties. It’s not out of the ordinary for a complicated deal like this one to take nine months to settle. Traynor mentioned the architectural review board, city council and historical society, which has probably been taking this whole time. I’m sure that B,T & L wanted to get their ducks in a row before closing on the property. If their plans are already approved, so much the better and it will likely move quickly once work starts.
I agree, Amanda, and can see how it’s possible that this deal did, in fact, take nine months to solidify-
I’m leery, however, at the fact that this city has a questionable history and very low credibility when it comes to the announcement of big, happy projects-
Seems like every month there is another press conference about a plan to make a plan to make a plan for a new building/hotel/bar/restaurant/insert project here.
Don’t get me wrong, I would LOVE to see this project take legs and actually come to fruition- but I won’t be surprised if it never does…
Mike,
We thank you for keeping people up to date. We would also like to explain our position.
When we first saw the Pal Building it had been in City hands and no one wanted it.
Mayor Reed saw the potential of this building and saved it from being razed.
We had a plan, Mayor Reed saw that. He then said do it, and we have gone through the process of putting our plans and ideas through City Government.
This took sometime. Not to mention money and this was before we had title to the building.
We have not asked the city or the State for loans or money. We went forward in the belief that what we planned for this building will be it’s best possible use.
We would privately fund this project and spent over $60,000 just to get all plans and permissions in place.
Without going in to the politics, this building sat for over twenty years. No Love, No Vision, No plan and No one putting anything on the table. All I heard is blight and what is the city doing!
The City spent over $150,000 just to stabilize it. We have paid the money the city invested in this building and now the building will go back on the tax roll!
We are not Developers, Just people willing to take a chance and put our heart, soul and money into this project.
As I told you, everything we have proposed and all our plans have gone before the City and this is public record.
We closed on the building, as of November 30, 2007 and this can be confirmed with the City Lawyer.
We have also entered into an agreement that all profits from the “Townhouse” construction will be used for the renovations for the “Pal Building”.
This we do with full disclosure.
The subdivision plans where approved by City Council on July 3, 2007.
The Townhouse Development is done solely to support and fund the Arts Center.
It was our optimism that drove us to early speculation in completing the renovations and the fact that we did not fully understand the process that comes with buying a building owned by the City and the Citizens of Harrisburg. Not that we are out of touch, but we have good lawyers! (Adler & Adler)
We had to make sure that all plans and permissions where in place.
We are happy to report that from the top down, City Hall, has done nothing but champion and help in this process.
We are excited, moving forward, and we hope that we will have the support of people that really care about Harrisburg………We do!
Thank You for your support. If you or anyone has questions, please feel free to contact me.
info@harrisburgarts.com
P. S. We are not opening a Bathhouse! This is going to be the underground stop on the New Monorail.
Best of luck with the project. Thanks for the update.