Harrisburg Courthouse Project

The GSA just released a letter, letting us know the decision on where the courthouse will go is coming soon. Here's the letter:

"April 4, 2006

To Whom It May Concern:

On April 6, 2006, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) will release a draft of the Environmental Assessment (EA) Study, which assesses the social, economic and environmental impacts of developing the three sites under consideration for the new Federal Courthouse in Harrisburg, PA. The study was prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The EA reviews, in detail, concerns raised by the community, including:
Economic Impact on the City of Harrisburg;
Social Impacts;
Residential and Business Relocations; and,
Historic Resources.

The EA objectively reviews the impacts and benefits of all three sites currently under consideration. The study's findings are not indicative of a preference of any of the three sites nor do they indicate in any way the relative viability of any one site over others.

Copies of the EA are available to the public at:

Dauphin County Library Dauphin County Library
Harrisburg Downtown Branch Harrisburg Uptown Branch
101 Walnut Street 7th and Division Streets
Harrisburg, PA Harrisburg, PA

Agencies and the public may provide written comments regarding the Draft EA and Section 106 process. Written comments must be postmarked no later than May 8, 2006, and sent to the following address:

General Services Administration
Attention: Abby Low, Project Manager
20 N. 8th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Email: HarrisburgCourthouse@gsa.gov

The EA's public release begins a 30-day period in which the public is invited to comment on the study. GSA is hosting a Public Hearing on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Benjamin Franklin Elementary School, located at 1205 North 6th Street, Harrisburg, PA. The purpose of the Public Hearing is for the public to learn more about the study’s findings and provide an opportunity for public testimony. At the Public Hearing GSA will provide an overview of the studies conducted for the Draft EA including the various assessments of the physical, cultural, social and other environments and the impact the proposed project may have on the affected residents and the city.

Persons attending the Public Hearing will have the opportunity to offer written, private, and/or public testimony. Responses to testimony will not be given at the meeting, but will be addressed in the Final EA. This will be done to allow for all testimony to be given, and to provide fair, accurate responses pursuant to NEPA provisions.

The draft EA’s completion marks a significant step forward in the process of selecting a final site for the new Federal Courthouse and will aid GSA in making a careful and informed decision of a final site. The selection of a final site is anticipated this summer.

Please share this information with others who may be interested. Thank you for your continued cooperation as we complete this process.


Sincerely,


Abby Low
Project Manager
GSA Public Buildings Service
Mid-Atlantic Region"