Harrisburg is full of potential -- let's start playing it up
By Patriot-News Op-Ed
November 11, 2009, 6:47AM
by Ryan Riley
This time of year reminds me of a major milestone - the purchase of my first home.
It was just a year ago that I moved into the old uptown section of Harrisburg. Since then, there have been countless trips to hardware stores and furniture outlets and more weekend projects than I care to remember.
Urban homeownership has proved to be a satisfying experience. Central Pennsylvania would be hard-pressed to find more resources all concentrated in one area. Primary accessibility to the downtown, Riverfront Park, Restaurant Row, the shops in midtown and countless other businesses and services all serve as great assets to the residential community.
Living in the city also allows me to live greener - living in smaller historic homes in walkable neighborhoods is one of the most environmentally conscious and sustainable ways to live.
Additionally, whether it's kayaking down the Susquehanna River, biking or running alongside it or walking to work or the Broad Street Market, city living makes everyone more active and civically engaged.
From my window, I see on a daily basis homes being renovated, including some that were once vacant or inhabited by drug dealers. The city is experiencing an influx of young professionals and downsizing retirees that now call Harrisburg home.
At the same time, there seems to be a void of families. It is unfortunate that when some couples choose to expand their family, they leave the city. A deterrent for family migration into the city might be the reputation of the city school system and/or mounting crime and safety concerns.
Urban public education does not have to equate failure: Pittsburgh public schools are among the best in the nation and there is no reason the Harrisburg School District cannot model their success.
The recent creation of the Public Safety Advisory Committee in the city offers great potential for a new approach of communication between city officials and Harrisburg neighborhoods concerned with crime.
If every Harrisburg resident took a stake in the great things going on in our neighborhoods it would only serve to enhance the quality of our community. So in a sense, by promoting Harrisburg and city living, we also promote ourselves.
If we speak negatively about Harrisburg and city living, then we devalue ourselves and the potential of our great community.
When vacationing in other cities - I literally feel pride as I walk their downtowns. That same pride can come to Harrisburg - it is simply a matter of choice.
I am not a central Pennsylvanian by birth - but increasingly, Harrisburg is becoming more of a home than a place to live. This city has dedicated people who are vested in its success. The Harrisburg Young Professionals organization, of which I am a member, is just one example of a group of more than 700 educated, talented and civic-minded individuals making Harrisburg a better place to live, work and play. HYP has been a successful tool for the city in recruiting young people to move here after college.
Attracting an educated, middle-income population back to the city is key to revitalizing the city but also good for the region. Data show that metropolitan areas thrive when their urban cores are healthy and growing.
In central Pennsylvania, fewer than 25 percent of the population has a college degree - which is just short of the state average. According to a recent survey of 300 HYP members/nonmembers, more than 90 percent hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
This is a clear indicator of brain gain, and educated households tend to have more disposable income. With strategic encouragement and policy support from local government, this educated base can grow wealth for the entire community by supporting local businesses and expanding the property tax base.
I firmly believe Harrisburg can become great and not by trying to be something we are not or following other cities' standards but rather carving our own path. This will be the challenge of the next generation of leaders for the city - so let's get started.
Ryan Riley of Harrisburg works at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology. He will be writing a monthly column for The Patriot-News. Ryan.T.Riley@gmail.com.
It was just a year ago that I moved into the old uptown section of Harrisburg. Since then, there have been countless trips to hardware stores and furniture outlets and more weekend projects than I care to remember.
Urban homeownership has proved to be a satisfying experience. Central Pennsylvania would be hard-pressed to find more resources all concentrated in one area. Primary accessibility to the downtown, Riverfront Park, Restaurant Row, the shops in midtown and countless other businesses and services all serve as great assets to the residential community.
Living in the city also allows me to live greener - living in smaller historic homes in walkable neighborhoods is one of the most environmentally conscious and sustainable ways to live.
Additionally, whether it's kayaking down the Susquehanna River, biking or running alongside it or walking to work or the Broad Street Market, city living makes everyone more active and civically engaged.
From my window, I see on a daily basis homes being renovated, including some that were once vacant or inhabited by drug dealers. The city is experiencing an influx of young professionals and downsizing retirees that now call Harrisburg home.
At the same time, there seems to be a void of families. It is unfortunate that when some couples choose to expand their family, they leave the city. A deterrent for family migration into the city might be the reputation of the city school system and/or mounting crime and safety concerns.
Urban public education does not have to equate failure: Pittsburgh public schools are among the best in the nation and there is no reason the Harrisburg School District cannot model their success.
new homes.JPGA block of new townhouses at the 1900 block of Green Street, Wednesday, May 7, 2008, in uptown Harrisburg. GARY DWIGHT MILLER, The Patriot-News
The recent creation of the Public Safety Advisory Committee in the city offers great potential for a new approach of communication between city officials and Harrisburg neighborhoods concerned with crime.
If every Harrisburg resident took a stake in the great things going on in our neighborhoods it would only serve to enhance the quality of our community. So in a sense, by promoting Harrisburg and city living, we also promote ourselves.
If we speak negatively about Harrisburg and city living, then we devalue ourselves and the potential of our great community.
When vacationing in other cities - I literally feel pride as I walk their downtowns. That same pride can come to Harrisburg - it is simply a matter of choice.
I am not a central Pennsylvanian by birth - but increasingly, Harrisburg is becoming more of a home than a place to live. This city has dedicated people who are vested in its success. The Harrisburg Young Professionals organization, of which I am a member, is just one example of a group of more than 700 educated, talented and civic-minded individuals making Harrisburg a better place to live, work and play. HYP has been a successful tool for the city in recruiting young people to move here after college.
Attracting an educated, middle-income population back to the city is key to revitalizing the city but also good for the region. Data show that metropolitan areas thrive when their urban cores are healthy and growing.
In central Pennsylvania, fewer than 25 percent of the population has a college degree - which is just short of the state average. According to a recent survey of 300 HYP members/nonmembers, more than 90 percent hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
ryan riley.JPGRyan Riley
This is a clear indicator of brain gain, and educated households tend to have more disposable income. With strategic encouragement and policy support from local government, this educated base can grow wealth for the entire community by supporting local businesses and expanding the property tax base.
I firmly believe Harrisburg can become great and not by trying to be something we are not or following other cities' standards but rather carving our own path. This will be the challenge of the next generation of leaders for the city - so let's get started.
Ryan Riley of Harrisburg works at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology. He will be writing a monthly column for The Patriot-News. Ryan.T.Riley@gmail.com
http://www.pennlive.com/editorials/index.ssf/2009/11/harrisburg_is_full_of_potentia.html
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