HARRISBURG, Pa. — Harrisburg is in a debt of gratitude after Pennsylvanian carpenters donated hundreds of hours at the city’s Broad Street Market.
After a fire devasted Harrisburg’s historic Broad Street Market in July, the city planned to open a temporary industrial tent for displaced vendors.
“We just show up for a couple of hours and put in some time,” said Jeremy Herman, a member of Carpenters Union.
Members of Carpenters Union, Local 432, are now being thanked for installing the woodwork inside the temporary structure.
“The carpenters union deserves all the credit in the world for getting this place to where it is right now,” said Matt Maisel, the director of communications for the City of Harrisburg.
Union members began work months ago, accumulating hundreds of volunteer hours.
Herman donated at least 15 of his own time.
“I think everyone combined, we’re at about a thousand hours already,” Herman noted.
It’s work that hasn’t gone unnoticed by city officials.
“They donated essentially $40,000 worth of free labor, which is unbelievable when you consider how much money that is,” Maisel said.
Herman says it’s not about the recognition.
“It’s a shame that a historical building like that came down in flames, but if this can help some of the local vendors get through until that building is rebuilt and they reoccupy that, that’s our main goal,” Herman said.
Maisel says the city couldn’t be more appreciative.
“Everything that you see inside was done because the local union thought it was the right thing to do,” Maisel added.
Even with all the progress that’s been made on the tent so far, there’s still a lot of work to be done. But Maisel is hopeful the tent will be open by early 2024.
“We put all the construction for the electricity and plumbing out for public bid, that public bid process is open right now, we’re going to start receiving bid proposals so to speak,” Maisel said.
The public bidding closes on December 18.