Sign In
Upcoming Event
Free Newsletter
Op-Ed: Project moves forward despite tough economic times
With regard to the Jan. 30 article about commercial and public
projects being put on hold in the current economic climate (“What’s not being
built?”), it’s worthy to note that some public-purpose projects have had the
good fortune of escaping that fate.
On Jan. 26, about a dozen partners from the public, private
and nonprofit sectors converged on North
12th Street in Harrisburg
to break ground for a first-of-its-kind facility in Central
Pennsylvania. Susquehanna Harbor Safe Haven, due to open mid-year,
will consist of 25 units of permanent housing and 40 overnight beds to
accommodate homeless individuals suffering from mental disability or recovering
from alcohol or drug dependence. It will also provide numerous social services
for these residents.
Despite today’s economic headwinds, an able coalition of
partners – many committing precious dollars – saw a growing community need and
rose to the challenge. Mayor Stephen Reed,
U.S. Rep. Tim Holden, the Dauphin County commissioners, Christian
Churches United, Capital Area Coalition on Homelessness, Pennsylvania Department
of Community and Economic Development, Citizens Bank, Commerce Bank, Federal
Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh and U.S. HUD, along with the Harrisburg
Redevelopment Authority, demonstrated the very best in leadership and financial
collaboration to launch a facility that will eliminate blight, provide hope and
jobs to an underserved sector of our population and serve as a model for
similar cooperation.
Susquehanna Harbor Safe Haven should be an inspiration to
those who think new projects simply can’t get done during the current economic
tumult.
-Bryan K. Davis, executive director, Harrisburg
Redevelopment Authority
