NEWS INFORMATION FROM |
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THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED |
FOR IMMEDIATE USE |
FLOODWATERS RECEDE; SHIPOKE CLEAN-UP COMPLETED AND EFFORTS NOW UNDERWAY ON CITY ISLANDMayor Stephen R. Reed this afternoon reported that clean-up efforts in Shipoke were completed earlier this morning and intensive clean-up work is now underway on City Island. The river’s earlier than expected drop below the 17 ft. flood stage this morning allowed city crews to begin restoration work early this morning, and significant progress is being made. Reed said only minor damage, mostly limited to basement flooding, occurred in the Shipoke neighborhood and most pumping there is now completed. Only a handful of pumping requests were received by the city, with all later canceling the requests. The Mayor said city parks and recreation, public works and fire bureau personnel are now fully engaged in clean-up and restoration work on City Island, with much progress being made. Vendors on the Island will be permitted to return on Saturday at Noon and the Island is on schedule for being reopened to the public on Sunday in time for the Harrisburg Senators 6:05 p.m. game against the Bowie Baysox. In other flood-related news the Mayor said: o The River’s final crest of 19.6 ft. was nearly a foot below earlier National Weather Service projections of 20.8 ft., and it has receded much faster than earlier predictions that had it staying at or above flood stage until Saturday afternoon or evening; the faster decrease has allowed clean-up work to get underway nearly a day ahead of schedule, though much work remains to be done o Shipoke emerged from the flood largely unscathed except for minor basement flooding, and clean-up work is well underway; city crews will remove damaged goods and debris throughout the weekend, and all streets in the neighborhood have been cleaned and reopened o No street cleaning will occur on Monday or Tuesday of next week, with areas normally scheduled for work on those days exempted from parking restrictions o City Island remains closed to the public until Sunday as clean-up crews continue their work; the Island’s north and south parking lots have been cleared and work is now focused on areas north of the Walnut Street Bridge; three or more inches of mud covers many areas of the Island north of the bridge and crews are hastily working to remove it before it hardens into near rock-like condition o City Island vendors will be permitted to return to the Island beginning Saturday at Noon, though some areas will remain closed throughout the Holiday weekend, including Riverside Village Park and the Harbourtown Children’s Play Area o The Pride of The Susquehanna Riverboat docks sustained major damage from floating debris and river levels remain too high for damage assessment or repairs to be undertaken; whether the riverboat will return to service this weekend is unknown and largely dependent upon when the river drops below a level safe for work on making repairs; other Island marinas remain in the same status as dock replacement work cannot begin until the river further drops o The playing field in Commerce Bank Park appears to have weathered the flood well, with the city’s newly-installed drainage system quickly removing water from playing surfaces; Senators team and concession officials are working around the clock to further prepare the field and reconnect equipment moved to higher ground; the Sunday and Monday games against the Bowie Baysox will go on as scheduled at 6:05 p.m. on both nights, with fireworks shows to follow the conclusion of both; Monday night’s Boy Scout camp-out on the field has been postponed until August 5; no damage occurred inside the clubhouse or in other stadium areas In American MusicFest news, the Mayor said: o The festival will open as scheduled on Monday at Noon, with the full schedule of entertainment as previously announced; the Comcast Star Stage has been moved from S. Riverfront Park to Front Street at Forster Street, and the World Stage and International Bazaar has been cancelled; all other stages and entertainment remain as earlier advertised; The Stevenson Twins have been added to the Caribbean Cove line-up on Tuesday(Noon), and the DKGB Reggae Band(Noon), Darcie Miner and The Parallax Project(2p.m.) and Jerry & Mariana Doherty(4 p.m.) have been added to Tuesday’s Comcast Star Stage line-up, preceding the Beach Boys(6p.m.) show – Monday night’s headline act, the Classic Rock All-Stars, will go on as scheduled at 7:30 p.m. o Front Street, originally scheduled to close at 9 a.m. this morning, will instead close to traffic at 9 a.m. on Sunday morning for festival set-up, and remain closed until Noon on Wednesday morning – commuters should allow extra time to get to work on Wednesday morning as Front Street from Forster to Walnut Streets will remain closed – the delay is due to the extra time now needed for the removal of the large headliner stage being relocated there o Fireworks will occur Sunday and Monday nights following the conclusion of the Senators’ games, and the Grand Finale Display remains set for 9:05 p.m. Tuesday night; the steps along the river may remain closed to the public on Tuesday evening in the event river levels prevent city crews from clearing them by then o The Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra concert slated for Saturday night in Riverfront Park has instead been moved to the Forum Building, with the free show beginning at 8:30 p.m.; seating will be on a first-come, first-serve basis, and some standing room only space will also be available o The Karate Tournament slated for City Island has instead been moved to the flattop area behind The National Civil War Museum in Reservoir Park on Saturday, July 1; the City Island Volleyball Tournament has been cancelled o Parking will be available on City Island beginning Sunday, and most city parking garages will be open for visitors on Tuesday, with reduced special event rates charged at the Market Square, 5th Street, 7th Street and Locust Street garages; normal rates will be charged at the Walnut Street, River Street and Chestnut Street garages; all on-street metered spaces will be free on Tuesday, but normal charges apply on Monday. |
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