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Future Use of McDevitt Information

Future Use Committee
Bishop McDevitt High School

Mission Statement

The Committee’s Mission is to determine the optimal use of the building at 2200 Market Street, after the Bishop McDevitt Community moves to its new location, which brings an acceptable level of social, community and economic return to our various stakeholders.

This Committee is an ad hoc committee of the Board of Education of Bishop McDevitt High School.

Decisions will be made by consensus, subject to approval of the Bishop McDevitt Board of Directors, the Diocese of Harrisburg and appropriate government approval.

Goals:

• To ensure that the building remains a vibrant part of the community
• To work with the Diocese of Harrisburg and municipalities to ensure that any future use of the building complies with diocesan and municipal policies
• To continue to solicit ideas about the future use of the building
• To keep all interested parties up to date on any decisions

Membership Includes:

• Bishop McDevitt Principal and Director of Advancement
• Diocesan Staff
• Clergy
• Bishop McDevitt Board Members, Alumni and Parents
• Neighbors

Town Hall Meetings

The Future Use Committee of Bishop McDevitt High School recently hosted two Town Hall Meetings: one with the Bellevue Park Community and the second with alumnae and parents. At each of the meetings suggestions were gathered on 1) suggested future uses of the present building and 2) unacceptable uses for the present site. The list for each category is provided below. Additional suggestions are welcome and can be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Suggested Future Uses

• Consolidated Grade School
• College Campus
• Milton Hershey Urban School
• Medical Building
• Senior Housing
• Apartments in the middle section (between Towers)
• Restaurant in Band Area
• Health Club/Fitness Center in Gym
• Something for the good of the Community
• Retreat Center
• Meditation Garden where the Football Field is located
• Place that can serve the poor, homeless and hungry
• Television Studio in Gym
• City/State Government Offices
• Corporate Headquarters
• Primarily residential with mixed retail
• Business incubator (possible economic development association)
• Combine with Civil War Museum
• Charter School
• Diocesan Conference Center
• Professional Offices
• After school programs and summer camps
• High-end housing
• International private section options
• Hotel
• Catholic University
• Condos
• Harrisburg School District Administration Building
• Keep at least Twin Towers and in between
• Something in keeping with the morals/teaches of the Catholic Church
• Subsidy/grant/private development
• Use so alumnae can always "come back"
• A protective covenant that is long term so the building can not be used outside a certain guideline
• Adult Literacy Programs
• English as a Second Language Program
• HACC or HU campus or additional class space
• Low-cost space for rpivate music/art teachers
• Informal receptions/banquets, and meeting space
• Satellite or staging for special needs/supervised/bused students

Unacceptable Future Uses

• Something that can not be controlled
• Half-way housing
• Twenty-four hour use requiring lights/security, etc.
• Anything that exacerbates the parking and traffic
• Any major alteration/demolition of the structure
• Section 8 housing/housing projects
• Any detraction from the financial success of the Civil War Museum
• Addiction Treatment Center
• Anything 100% retail
• Anything that would diminish the property value of Bellevue Park
• No changes to the current residential zoning
• Hospital or clinic
• Any conversion to industrial usage