Lancaster County PA Realty Check: Pennsylvania: Lancaster: Lancaster City

If you've passed Lancaster PA's Buchanan Park, located on Lancaster's West End at Buchanan and Race Avenue, you may have wondered why the small historic building, of almost doll house proportions, is located close to the middle of the park.  I had originally guessed that it might have once been a small schoolhouse.

In fact, the building is a miniature reproduction of the old Lancaster Courthouse.  During World War I, war bonds were sold from this small edifice, at the time located on Penn Square.

In recent years, the building has sat unused, its paint peeling and and its cupola leaning unsteadily.

Now Lancaster City Parks and Recreation plans to straighten up the cupola, paint and make other repairs with the help of students from the Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.

Lancaster City Parks & Recreation will conduct a study toassess whether additional structural repairs may be needed to restore the building.

©BrianSchulman2009 

As the construction of the Lancaster PA Convention Center and Marriott Hotel reaches new heights, several historic buildings around it are being spared.  A $20 Million project is planned to preserve and restore the law offices of Thaddeus Stevens, and the next door home of his housekeeper and business manager, Lydia Hamilton Smith.

Thaddeus Stevens was born in 1792 and died in 1868.  He was a lifelong crusader against slavery, and is considered the driving force behind the 13th Amendment which abolished slavery, and the 14th and 15th Amendments, which granted equal rights, and the right (for all men) to vote.

Lydia Hamilton Smith, an African-American widow, became Stevens' housekeeper in 1847.  She accompanied him to Washington D.C. and managed his business affairs.  She eventually owned and managed her own properties in Washington D.C., Philadelphia and Lancaster, a remarkable achievement at that time in history.

The adjacent buildings will be restored to their original appearances, and set up as an interactive educational and historic site.  Additionally, archaeological excavations behind the homes have uncovered hundreds of historic relics going back to the 1700s. 

Importantly, evidence has been uncovered that strongly suggests that the buildings were part of the Underground Railroad through which slaves escaped to the North.  A large underground cistern has been excavated which would have been large enough to hide the refugees on their journey to freedom.

The Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology , Lancaster, PA was created with a bequest from Stevens' will.  When Thaddeus Stevens died, he was only the second dignitary ever to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda - the first being Abraham Lincoln himself. 

By the time the new Lancaster, PA Convention Cention Center and Marriott Hotel is finished in 2009, Lancaster's historic Penn Square will be getting a bit of a face lift as well.

Plans include new trees and plantings.  New lighting will be standardized.  Chairs and tables with protective umbrellas will be placed in the square, giving the area an outdoor cafe atmosphere!

New transportation routes are being planned in and out of the city, and the many art galleries, cafes and restaurants in the neighborhood are gearing up for the increasing number of visitors.    The First Friday of each month is a great time to see what's happening!  

Above to the left can be seen the 1798 Heritage Museum, once the old court house. 

The Victorian building houses the Central Farmer's Market, and to the right is the art nouveau Greist Building, the tallest building in Lancaster until the new Marriott Hotel and Convention Center surpasses it.

©BrianSchulman2008

Lancaster's Amtrak Train Station is an architectural gem.  Built in 1929, it is a familiar and dignified landmark in the city of Lancaster, PA.

Its Art Deco marble interior is reminiscent, on a small scale, of Grand Central Station in New York City.  Lancaster is the third busiest train station in Pennsylvania, after Philadelphia and Harrisburg.

The main lobby features a soaring ceiling with art deco lighting fixtures and a magnificent glass paned ceiling insert.

Over the past decade, restoration has been ongoing, including painting and improvements to the heating system. 

The building will now be air conditioned.  Shops and restaurants will be built, and the parking lot enlarged.

        Ridership at the Amtrak Station is up 17% just since May due to the increased cost of driving!

            The current $12 Million renovation is scheduled to be completed by June of 2010.

©BrianSchulman2008

Hospital personnel will soon have an easier time crossing busy North Duke Street to get to Lancaster General Hospital.  Additionally, traffic on North Duke Street will no longer have to be delayed by crossing guards.

 A new pedestrian crossing is about to connect the hospital to Lancaster General's new Outpatient Services building, now under construction to the right of his photo, taken on North Duke Street facing south. 

The pedestrian crossing will connect two levels of the Outpatient Services building directly to the Hospital, at left, which is itself undergoing major improvements.  The emergency room and main entrance have been moved around the corner to E. James Street.

                The pedestrian crossing (at left) connects to the new Outpatient Services building.

This angle gives an indication of the size of this project.  A new parking garage can be seen at the rear.

©2008BrianSchulman

The construction of the Lancaster, PA Convention Center and Marriott Hotel is really picking up momentum!

The tower emerges from behind the original art nouveau facade of the Watt & Shand building it is preserving.

                              The front entrance of the Convention Center is taking shape.

                                    One of the new parking garages under construction.

From the side of the historic block, the new tower has reached the 12th floor!  The yellow loader sits where Reifsnyder Pianos once stood.  That building was lost in a fire.  The 200-year-old building to the left will be preserved.

                                          A beautiful day in Lancaster's Penn Square!

Lancaster PA Convention Center 11-10-07

Lancaster PA Convention Center 9-30-07

Lancaster Convention Center Construction 8-16-07

©2008BrianSchulman

The City of Lancaster, PA has been undergoing a renaissance for the past several years.  I have written about the Lancaster County Convention Center, the Lancaster Fall Art Walk,  the Eastern Market,  First Friday in Lancaster, PA, Musser Park, and many other aspects of the County Seat of Lancaster County. 

Last Fall, Lancaster City Living was created.  This organization, formed to improve homeownership in the City of Lancaster, is composed of three facets.

First of all, a website was created as a resource for anyone wanting information about the history, cultural opportunities, restaurants, and residences of the city.

Second, a physical "storefront" has been located at the Eastern Market, 308 East King Street, where local information may be obtained.

Third, a new glossy magazine has been created, full of beautiful photographs and informative articles about life, culture and history in the City of Lancaster.  The second issue of Lancaster City Living has just been published.  It's a great issue, chock full of interesting information on the neighborhoods and lifestyles of the City.  If you would like a free copy of the latest issue, just call me at (717) 951-5552.

For anyone who would like more information about the advantages of living in a small, friendly, historic city where almost everything you could wish for is within walking distance, I would welcome the opportunity to answer your questions.

Copyright2008BrianSchulman©

The present owner saw the potential in this great house and started a rehab, but isn't able to continue - so the opportunity to own a reasonably priced future pride-and-joy home can be yours!  The price has been reduced to only $39,900, and the seller will consider a short-term Lease/Purchase to a qualified buyer.

There are three bedrooms plus a possible fourth bedroom on the third floor.  There are 1.5 baths.  The powder room, off the kitchen, already has new fixtures installed.  The kitchen renovation has already been started...

Extensive hardwood floors in the foyer, living room and dining room are in excellent shape and would refinish beautifully...

The third floor has a 19' x 15' bedroom which could be the fourth bedroom.  All that would need to be done is to refinish the softwood floor, and install baseboard heat.  The walls and ceiling are almost finished, and replacement windows installed.  This bedroom would add 285 SF to the 1392 SF on the first two stories, for a total of 1,677 SF.

Because it is difficult to get a mortgage for a house that doesn't have a functional kitchen and full bath, the seller will allow a short term lease purchase so that the buyer can have time to renovate the home before applying for a mortgage.  For more information on how this would work, or for your own personal showing, call Brian Schulman at (717) 951-5552.

Copyright2008BrianSchulman©

This Lancaster City duplex has just been reduced to only $89,900!  It is actually both sides of a double house.  Originally it was priced at $109,900. for the total  property.  Here are some of the features of this 2-unit:

Brick construction, 3 bedrooms  on one side, 2 bedrooms on the other. 

One side is currently rented at $550/month.  The other side is available for a buyer to live in - but it is being shown and a couple of prospects already want to rent it for $550.  

New refrigerators and gas ranges are being installed on both sides.  Carpet and paint are new.  One side has a nes gas furnace and water heater.  Backyard is on both sides.

To see this home, to discuss real estate in general, or to get information on any other listed property in Lancaster County, call me direct at (717) 951-5552, or use the link to the right to email me. 

Copyright2007BrianSchulman©

  Work continues on the Lancaster County, PA Convention Center and Marriott Hotel, as the steel framing takes shape!

            The steel framing for the Exposition Level (main floor) is on track to be up by Thanksgiving.

                  The concrete work for the entry level below the main level is already well under way.

                                                    Above is the start of the concrete elevator shaft.

  There will be five main levels including the Convention Center.  The fifth level cuts back toward the tower.

       Floors six through nineteen of the tower will be the Marriott Hotel.  (There will be no 13th floor.)

                                         Completion of the entire project is planned for 2009. 

Copyright2007BrianSchulman©