Applications sought for revitalization program

By Michael Yoder
myoder@cpbj.com

The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency announced Monday that it is pursuing requests of proposals for new construction or rehabilitation of mixed-use projects that need financial support.

The funding, which is provided through the Community Revitalization Fund Program, was created as part of the state’s fiscal year 2017/18 budget and was designed to help facilitate mixed-use projects to serve as a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization. A total of $3 million in state tax credits has been authorized in this year’s budget for the program.

"We're looking to fund projects that not only will bring a direct benefit to communities but that also have the potential to attract additional investment to areas seeking redevelopment," said PHFA executive director and CEO Brian A. Hudson Sr. "Our goal is to use this funding in a way that achieves the maximum benefit for communities and stimulates revitalization beyond each individual project receiving financial support."

Examples cited as projects eligible for program funding include:

•          Rehabilitation of old or under-utilized buildings for re-use by the community.
•          Preparation of buildings for business leasing.
•         Designing or changing buildings for new usage.

Eligible applicants for the program include local government entities, redevelopment authorities, for-profit companies, non-profit groups and economic development organizations. Officials said applications coming from third-class cities will be given higher priority in evaluations.

The deadline for all applicants is 2 p.m. on Oct. 18. For more information go to the PHFA website or contact Bryce Maretzki at 717-780-1867.

WellSpan breaks ground on $45M cancer center expansion

By Ioannis Pashakis

ipashakis@cpbj.com

An early rendering of the WellSpan York Cancer Center.
(Photo: Submitted)

WellSpan Health broke ground on Tuesday on its $45 million expansion to the WellSpan York Cancer Center in York Township.

First announced in January, the expansion is intended to consolidate WellSpan’s oncology services throughout York to one building at the system’s Apple Hill Health Campus.

The build is expected to finish in early 2021 and will grow the cancer center from approximately 16,900 square feet to nearly 84,000 square feet.

“Cancer care and technology have evolved in the 25-year history of the cancer center, and so have the needs of our patients,” said Dr. Roxanna Gapstur, president and CEO of WellSpan Health. “Our expanded center is designed to treat the whole person through the whole journey, from cancer diagnosis through treatment, all in one place.”

WellSpan’s expanded center will include services such as radiation oncology, outpatient infusion, infusion pharmacy, clinical trials and research, patient navigators and social workers. The size of the new facility will allow the cancer center to offer massage therapy, yoga, an on-site café, conference spaces and treatment rooms.

WellSpan also operates cancer care centers in Hanover, Gettysburg, Chambersburg, Ephrata, Lebanon and York.

Marriott hotel planned for North Cornwall development

By Michael Yoder

myoder@cpbj.com

The site of the planned Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites
that will be part of North Cornwall Commons
(Photo: Michael Yoder)

A hotel project planned for a Lebanon County development is set to be under construction by this fall, according to the developers.

Blackford Development of Manheim Township and Byler Holdings LLC of Cornwall announced the construction of a 90 room, 4-story Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites that will go up on a lot of the North Cornwall Commons development. The nearly 150 acre development taking shape at the intersection of Rocherty and Cornwall roads in North Cornwall Township stands as one of the largest mixed-use housing and retail projects in the history of Lebanon County, costing at least $158 million.

The Fairfield brand of Marriott hotels features contemporary building designs with functional space and amenities like complimentary hot breakfasts, a fitness center and a business center.

Jonathan Byler, CEO of Byler Holdings, said the hotel project was finalized at the beginning of August, and construction is anticipated to start later this fall. Byler said the project is expected to be completed by next summer. Expo Center Hotel, LLC, which is also managed by Byler, will serve as the hotel project’s sponsor.

Shaner Hotel Group, which is based in Patton Township, Centre County, is serving as the hotel property manager. The company, located just outside of State College, currently operates 51 hotels in the U.S. and outside the country with another 19 hotels planned for management. A total of 13 hotels in Pennsylvania, all under the Marriott brand, are operated by Shaner in Pennsylvania.

Completed townhomes that are part of the
North Cornwall Commons project.
(Photo: Michael Yoder)

In addition to the hotel, the first phase of the five-phase North Cornwall Commons project — first proposed in 2004 and finally started in 2017 — includes two freestanding restaurants and two other pads that could be used for retail, office or commercial buildings.

The townhome plan calls for 160 units to be built within five years. Kenneth Homes of Manheim Township has already built a large portion of that number.

When completed, the development is expected to be comprised of more than 500,000 square feet of office and retail space.

Campbell Commercial Real Estate of Lemoyne serves as the listing broker for North Cornwall Commons and is marketing the additional land and buildings.