What’s the future hold for Broad Street Market after fire?

• Scott LaMar
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Scott LaMar has worked in both radio and television for more than four decades.
  
  Currently, LaMar is the Host and Executive Producer of The Spark program on WITF-FM, 89.5 & 93.3 in Harrisburg, Pa.
  
  Previously, LaMar was WITF TV’s Sr. Public Affairs producer and produced the station’s award-winning weekly public affairs TV program, Smart Talk.
  
  In addition to his on-air duties, LaMar has moderated political candidate debates, including those for candidates running for Pennsylvania governor and the U.S. Senate and was a regular contributor to BBC World News TV before and after the 2020 U.S. Presidential election.
  
  LaMar often emcees or moderates local events and has gone as far as California to emcee a national event.
  
  The American Society of Civil Engineers honored LaMar with their national Excellence in Journalism award in 2020. He has been nominated for five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.
  
  LaMar and The Spark have been recognized throughout the Central Pennsylvania community including ADVOZ Lancaster’s “Dignity in Dialogue Award”, the South-Central Assembly’s “Regional Citizen Award” and was named a “Humanitarian Hero” by The Humane Society of the United States/Pennsylvania.
  
  A native of Coatesville, Pa., LaMar has also worked as a broadcast news anchor, sports play-by-play announcer and manager.

 Sean Simmers / PennLive.com

Fire crews work to put out an early morning fire that ripped through the brick building of the Broad Street Market in Harrisburg July 10, 2023.

Airdate: July 11th, 2023

The devastating fire at the Broad Street Market in Harrisburg Monday morning has left a city and a region mourning one of its iconic and historic treasures.

The overwhelming response from the community shows just what the market means to Harrisburg and its residents.

Even though another market building – the stone building — was not damaged and will be open for business Thursday, so many people reacted as if they lost a long-time friend.

Tanis Monroy, the Executive Director of the Broad Street Market on The Spark Tuesday, echoed those thoughts,”It’s been a series of emotions. When I start to feel a bit more grounded, I’m just reminded that we’ve lost a part of the community yesterday. And it’s truly a historic day for Harrisburg, because even though the plan is to rebuild and to come back, a part is missing right now.”

Harrisburg Fire Chief Brian Enterline said the fire started in a ceiling fan that had been installed in 2017, so it was an electrical malfunction that touched off the blaze. The building was not equipped with a sprinkler system but Monroy indicated a new building will have a modern fire suppression system.

On The Spark, Monroy confirmed the building will be re-built. he said it’s too soon for definitive plans but activity is already underway to move ahead,”The city of Harrisburg is moving already. Having the adjusters here and checking out the space and being in contact with the different contractors. So the process has started. I can’t say how long it will be, but, we’ll keep posting on our Facebook page and the city of Harrisburg, also of an active Facebook page. And we’ll continue to update the community.”

Even though the building was insured, several private fundraising campaigns are being discussed.

There are also talks surrounding possible locations for vendors who lost their businesses to set up.