York, Lancaster and Harrisburg have each seen improvements to their downtowns in recent years.
In Lancaster, a 90,000-square-foot convention center provided the spark for a decade-long urban revival that has drawn national attention. Bustling shops, restaurants and galleries give the Red Rose city a metropolitan vibe.
In York, multimillion-dollar renovations are under way on the Yorktowne Hotel, one of the city’s most prominent landmarks, raising hopes the renovated building will be a catalyst for further development.
Harrisburg has struggled financially, but the challenges have not stalled activity downtown, with new apartment projects expected to bring more residents into the heart of the capital city.
In this special report, the focus is shifting to neighborhoods that some feel have been left behind, but where efforts are under way to attract greater private-sector investment. Blight touches many areas in each city, but the spotlight here is shining on Harrisburg’s Allison Hill, the SoWe neighborhood of Lancaster and The Avenues in York.
