URBAN RENEWAL IN HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA Reform and Redevelopment under Mayor Stephen Reed: Michael Gaetani History 481: The Major Seminar Professor Robert Griffith April 2, 2005 College of Arts and Sciences Research Conference

Urban Decline in America Great Depression: Great Depression: –Factories Closed –Housing Becomes Run-down After World War II After World War II Automobile industry booms; superhighways are constructedAutomobile industry booms; superhighways are constructed Suburban sprawl: more affluent people move away from the city seeking more land, new houses, shopping malls, etc. Facilitated by the construction of superhighways. Suburban sprawl: more affluent people move away from the city seeking more land, new houses, shopping malls, etc. Facilitated by the construction of superhighways.

Early Urban Renewal Efforts Government redevelopment projects: entire blocks of older houses and buildings are leveled to make way for new office structures (Ex: Southeast DC) Government redevelopment projects: entire blocks of older houses and buildings are leveled to make way for new office structures (Ex: Southeast DC) Superhighways are constructed through old neighborhoods, tens of thousands of people across America are displaced. Superhighways are constructed through old neighborhoods, tens of thousands of people across America are displaced. Large, self-contained office buildings take away from the urban atmosphere; people from suburbs come in to work, never leave office building, then drive home –> downtown dies. Large, self-contained office buildings take away from the urban atmosphere; people from suburbs come in to work, never leave office building, then drive home –> downtown dies.

Later Renewal Efforts Alexandria, Virginia Alexandria, Virginia –Used waterfront as an attraction for development –Historic housing opportunities made city an alternative to Georgetown for upscale development –City created a viable daytime commercial market in the central business district by restoring historic Market Square and constructing new mixed-used commercial/retail structures that provided office space as well as small shops and restaurants to cater to daytime workers. –Housing continued to be in demand as people wanted to live close to downtown jobs; waterfront property became attractive for aesthetic reasons, city has taken advantage by constructing residential units there

Later Renewal Efforts Baltimore, Maryland: Baltimore, Maryland: –Concentrated on Inner Harbor redevelopment –Hyatt Hotel was key factor: drew people downtown and created a market for retail –Aquarium, Historic Ships drew in tourists –People and money flowing into Inner Harbor has expanded into nearby downtown areas

Later Renewal Efforts Common traits: Common traits: –Initiative to renew came from many areas rather than one person –It was targeted at commercial and tourist interests –It was localized, at least initially, to a small portion of the downtown

HARRISBURG: A CASE STUDY Urban decline in Harrisburg: Urban decline in Harrisburg: –Constant population loss since the 1950s (90,000  50,000); tax base gone –Abandoned housing – 85% vacant or transient rental units by 1980 –City mismanagement  funds shut off by federal and state government; on verge of bankruptcy –No retail downtown; historic center (Market Square) filled with XXX theaters, bars, strip clubs –Harrisburg was 2 nd most distressed city in nation according to HUD criteria –High crime, fire, and vacant property rates in PA

REED’S FIRST MOVES Restore City’s Finanaces Restore City’s Finanaces Reform Police and Fire Protection Reform Police and Fire Protection Offer Housing programs, homeowner incentives, and tax credits to keep residents in town and draw in others. Offer Housing programs, homeowner incentives, and tax credits to keep residents in town and draw in others. Riverfront Park and Downtown Mayor Stephen R. Reed

Tourism City Island: waterfront redevelopment City Island: waterfront redevelopment Museums: National Civil War Museum, National Firefighters Museum – More museums planned Museums: National Civil War Museum, National Firefighters Museum – More museums planned other: Whitaker Center, Historic Homes other: Whitaker Center, Historic Homes City Island and WaterfrontNational Civil War Museum

Commercial Redevelopment Tax Incentives to attract businesses to downtown rather than suburbs Tax Incentives to attract businesses to downtown rather than suburbs Harrisburg Hilton and Towers Harrisburg Hilton and Towers Banking, insurance, finance center Banking, insurance, finance center Renewed vitality of street life: restaurant row, nightlife Renewed vitality of street life: restaurant row, nightlife Harrisburg’s Market SquareHarrisburg Skyline

Education Reform School Empowerment Act: Reed takes control of district in 2001 – improvements in graduation rates and college attendees School Empowerment Act: Reed takes control of district in 2001 – improvements in graduation rates and college attendees New programs including Pre-K and Science & Technology Prep High School New programs including Pre-K and Science & Technology Prep High School Plans for Harrisburg University of Science and Technology – downtown Harrisburg’s first four- year resident university Plans for Harrisburg University of Science and Technology – downtown Harrisburg’s first four- year resident university State Senator Jeffrey Piccola, representing Dauphin County and the City of Harrisburg, was the chief sponsor of the School Empowerment Act.

State Aid and Future Plans State Aid Programs State Aid Programs Museums planned Museums planned Mayor’s philosophy: Harrisburg needs to be the regional center for tourism, culture, finance, commerce, etc. or it will not survive. Mayor’s philosophy: Harrisburg needs to be the regional center for tourism, culture, finance, commerce, etc. or it will not survive.

Conclusions Harrisburg differs from other cities in that it was very comprehensive and directed primarily by one man Harrisburg differs from other cities in that it was very comprehensive and directed primarily by one man Renewal aimed at a broad range of issues requires a reorganization of governmental priorities Renewal aimed at a broad range of issues requires a reorganization of governmental priorities Tourism and heritage are key factors Tourism and heritage are key factors The private sector responds better to incentives than it does to heavy-handed government leadership The private sector responds better to incentives than it does to heavy-handed government leadership