NEWS INFORMATION FROM

THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED
City of Harrisburg
King City Government Center
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1678
Telephone: 255.3040

FOR IMMEDIATE USE
23 January 2003

FORMER HAMILTON ST. APARTMENT BUILDING TO BECOME NEW SINGLE FAMILY HOMES

Harrisburg, PA—A long-vacant 12-unit apartment building in the city’s Uptown will become three new single-family, owner-occupied homes in a unique rehabilitation effort being launched by the city-based Renovations Company Inc., Mayor Stephen R. Reed today announced. The innovative restoration project will involve the complete rehabilitation of the long blighted property at 226 Hamilton Street and each new home will be sold to new owner-occupants.

Mayor Reed said the structure contains approximately 7700 sq. ft. of living space that is currently divided up into 12 small apartment units, which have been been long-vacant and became a major eyesore and blighting influence in the neighborhood. The work will involve the complete rehabilitation of the different rental units into three, 2,500 sq. ft. single family homes.

The new homes will include three or four-bedrooms, 1½ baths, and the installation of new windows, doors, plumbing and other utility and infrastructure work. Each new home will have central air conditioning, electric heat, cooking and hot water, and new rubber roofs will also be installed. Interior and exterior wood and millwork will be matched to existing woodwork, providing greater aesthetic appeal and historic integration. Each of the newly created homes are expected to sell in the $100,000 range.

Directed by Renovations Co. Inc. President David Leaman, Mayor Reed said the project is one of the larger efforts in recent years by a local developer to turn rental units into owner–occupied units, a long-standing goal of the city’s residential housing renewal efforts.

“Fostering and encouraging additional home-ownership is a fundamental element of our residential renewal efforts,” said the Mayor. “Transient or rental housing has a destabilizing influence upon the neighborhoods where such units are located, with owners and occupants sometimes less likely to take proper care of the homes or be actively involved in civic and other neighborhood activities.

“By encouraging more owner-occupied residential housing, we provide greater residential stability to our neighborhoods, reduce the extraordinary demands that a transient population places on the city, as well as help grow the city’s overall taxbase.”

Renovations Inc. President David Leaman said his company is delighted to undertake the complicated rehabilitation effort. “We believe there is a strong market for quality single family homes in Harrisburg, and projects like this will most certainly help build stronger neighborhoods.”

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