Proposed $15M renovation could add dining, retail to Harrisburg train station

Listen to this article

The state Department of Transportation said Thursday that it has completed about 90 percent of the design for a $15 million train station renovation.

PennDOT officials said the agency is currently working with Amtrak on a construction schedule, though it’s unclear when that work could begin. 

In their current form, plans for the station include adding movable seating and retail space in the main lobby, adding a restaurant with indoor and outdoor terraced seating, and creating new office space on the station’s upper floors, according to PennDOT. New seating also would be installed in the station concourse while trees along Aberdeen Street would be removed.

Meanwhile, PennDOT has wrapped up two other studies, including a master plan for so-called transit-oriented development around the train station and a restoration plan for the nearby Paxton Creek. Both plans are available on the state’s Plan the Keystone website. A public meeting is set for 4 p.m. March 22 at the train station to gather additional input on the studies.

The master plan for the train station, which could spur development in the corridor, hinges on the creek plan, which is designed to address ongoing flooding concerns around Market and Cameron streets, PennDOT said.

Creek improvements are expected to cost $60 million to $90 million but it could take four to five years of additional study before construction can begin. PennDOT said field surveys, hydrologic analysis and various feasibility studies and permits would be needed.

The agency is studying about 60 acres between State and Mulberry streets, Cameron Street and the train tracks.

The initial study of the area around the transportation center concluded that flooding on Paxton Creek presents a significant obstacle to development.

PennDOT’s creek plan outlines potential steps to reduce the width of the channel and lower flood elevation levels, which would decrease the chance of flooding for dozens of properties along the creek and could entice more redevelopment. The plan also states that if other buildings were raised by two feet from current elevations or earth-fill embankments were added along the creek, the chance of flooding could be reduced and that could also encourage developers to invest in properties.

About 220 properties and more than 400 acres of land along the creek could be improved, according to the study.

PennDOT said various Harrisburg and associated development authorities could tap state grants to pay for the creek restoration work. 

From there, the master plan calls for investments in streetscaping and facade improvements along Market Street, on both the east and west sides of the tracks, which could include improved sidewalks, bicycle lanes, more trees and additional lighting poles, among other options.

The plan also calls for building a pedestrian bridge over the train tracks that would connect the station to parking areas to the east of the station, while relocating the intercity bus terminal at the station to a nearby location and adding a new plaza on Market Street for the transportation center.

“These projects will provide exciting opportunities for development in the City of Harrisburg, and for enhancing the quality of life for our residents,” said Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse. “We look forward to continuing our close collaboration with PennDOT on projects that will benefit not only Harrisburg residents but the entire region.”

PennDOT worked with the city and its redevelopment authority on the study, as well as Amtrak and Norfolk Southern. The agency also has done extensive public outreach, including a visioning week in the fall of 2016 that involved 17 public events to gather input.