What’s your vision for enhancing the area around Harrisburg’s historic bus and train station?

State and local officials want to know as they plan for redevelopment around the former Pennsylvania Railroad station and surrounding areas.



A “visioning week” is set for mid-September, during which the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, in partnership with the City of Harrisburg and the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority, will host community engagement and design workshops.



The meetings will kick off a transit-oriented development (TOD) study focusing on turning the Harrisburg Transportation Center and adjacent Market Street corridor into “a vibrant, transit-oriented” area.



“I encourage Harrisburg residents and businesses to attend these important workshops to think through our area’s transportation needs,” Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse said. “This study will help stimulate Harrisburg’s economic development and improve our connections to the entire region.”



Gov. Tom Wolf in January announced plans for millions of dollars in upgrades to the 19th-century transportation hub and its surrounding area. The plans include an initial investment of $15 million in federal and state dollars, which will be used to bring the facility to “a state of good repair.”



That will be followed by $50 million and $60 million of transportation and land use improvements designed to attract private-sector investment around the station.



The redevelopment area encompasses a four-block area located between State and Mulberry Streets, Cameron Street, and the railroad tracks. Officials said it will promote the reuse and redevelopment of adjacent parcels, as well as enhanced walkability and accessibility.



But first, the study.



“We are committed to advancing transit options through the Harrisburg Transportation Center and the revitalization of the surrounding community is an important benefit we want to advance,” PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards said. “We encourage the community to make their voices heard as we move forward.”



The community events will run from Sept. 19-22, while the study is expected to be completed in December.



Information on the project can be found on the Plan the Keystone website, including a full schedule of visioning week events.

