NEWS INFORMATION FROM |
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THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED |
FOR IMMEDIATE USE |
75 NEW HOMES TO BE BUILT IN MIDTOWN AS MARKETPLACE TOWNHOMES EXPANDMayor Stephen R. Reed today conducted the groundbreaking for the final phase of new owner-occupied home construction in the city’s MarketPlace Townhomes development. 75 new homes will be built over the next three years, joining 38 existing new homes constructed in the earlier first project phase in the area bounded by N. 6th, Reily, Calder and James Streets. Reed said the new homes will be built by S&A Custom Built Homes, and average approximately 1,200 sq. ft.. Each contains 3 bedrooms, 1 ½ baths, central air and heating, full basement and a one car garage when possible. Purchase prices begin at $120,000 and special downpayment and closing cost assistance is available through Dauphin County’s First Time Homebuyers Program. Qualified buyers may also receive assistance and low-interest mortgages from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency. An additional incentive to eligible first-time homebuyers is the City’s Mortgage Tax Credit Certificate Program which can reduce the owner’s income tax burden. Finally, all buyers will benefit from the City’s innovative tax abatement program. The Mayor said the new townhomes represent some of the best value in housing in the region, with buyers getting far more for their money than they would elsewhere. “Housing in Harrisburg is consistently more affordable than in the surrounding region with buyers getting far more in housing value and amenity. Combine this with a quality of life that includes convenient travel times, an array of special events and recreational opportunities, an array of nightlife, arts and culture, nearby access to the waterfront, a range of public services rarely found elsewhere and affordable costs of living, and it is easy to see why Harrisburg is so hot right now,” said the Mayor. Reed said the first phases of the MarketPlace Townhomes sold quickly, as have even more expensive new homes in the new Capitol Heights development just to the north of MarketPlace. Work continues on new owner-occupied and rental units in the new Governor’s Place housing development that is replacing the former Maclay Street Apartments at 5th and Maclay Streets. “There is a very strong demand for quality new housing in Harrisburg,” said Mayor Reed, “which brings significant benefit to the city through a growing taxbase, neighborhood stabilization and civic engagement.” Reed said the city has already spent $421,664, and has allocated an additional $344,000 for site acquisition and infrastructure preparation work, with developers S&A Custom Homes providing $6.035 million in construction work financing. S&A Custom Built Homes will staff a model home and handle all sales. The Mayor said a “Brownfields” grant was also obtained by the city from the state Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED), through the Dauphin County Department of Community and Economic Development, to clean- up the Zommit Cleaners site at N. 6th and Reily Streets, which was abandoned by its previous owner. Construction on the new units begins immediately and should conclude by December of 2010, at a pace to be determined by the speed by which homes are sold. This is the second housing development undertaken by S&A Homes in the city. In 2001, S&A Homes worked with the city to develop 8 new single-family homes on Swatara Street. The 30-year old firm has 19 sales offices in Pennsylvania and West Virginia and is known for building quality homes with exceptional customer service. They annually build an average of 600 new homes. For more information on the new MarketPlace Townhomes please contact S&A Homes at 5709 Linglestown Rd., Harrisburg 17112, (717) 671.1212. |
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