Harrisburg angry ‘unqualified’ buyer getting more time to buy dilapidated Governor’s Square complex

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — Harrisburg leaders expressed exasperation Wednesday after a judge agreed to delay a hearing about the proposed sale of the Governor’s Square apartment complex from this week until April 30.

The seller — bankrupt Uptown Partners — had requested the delay. The city of Harrisburg and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, have both objected to the sale of the long-troubled complex to New Jersey-based ANCDI Properties, claiming — in part — the buyer lacks relevant experience and a detailed plan to rehabilitate the complex while keeping rents affordable.

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“Mayor Williams is extremely disappointed at the court’s decision to continue giving a HUD-deemed unqualified potential buyer multiple chances to purchase Governor’s Square,” city spokesman Matt Maisel said. “Time lost in this event is time the residents of Governor’s Square do not have. The City of Harrisburg and HUD will do everything we can to continue what we feel is best for the residents of Governor’s Square, because the current proposal to give the keys to an unqualified buyer is not it.”

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Tenants have said conditions at the complex continue deteriorating. ANCDI has a contract with to buy the complex for $9.6 million; it offered Uptown Partners more than two other bidders.

Charles Howard, an owner of ANCDI, blamed the city for the delays. He said for months, he has asked for but not received a list of repairs the city wants made by whomever buys the complex.

“It’s difficult to make a rehabilitation plan when the city will not make a list of items requiring abatement,” Howard said Wednesday. “I believe the city is obstructing and obfuscating.”

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