The Bridge, Harrisburg, PA

The Bridge is transforming the former landmark McDevitt High School site into their Headquarters and the first “eco-village” site in 10 cities around the country.

This 192,000 gsf Eco-Village is a Work, Eat, Live, Learn, and Play Community. There will be urban agriculture or vertical farming, food processing, a restaurant, medical clinic, affordable and market rate living spaces, plus learning spaces. The building will retain much of its current look, but additional floors and additions are a part of the project.

Former NFL player and Harrisburg native Garry Gilliam, Jr., CEO of the Bridge, has a commitment to sustainability, which is evident by renovating the 90 years old, dilapidated building that has been dormant for over a decade, with new sustainable systems for the building’s energy and water efficiency. Murray Associates Architects is assisting the project to be a benchmark for future development of high performance, healthy schools, housing, office environments. Design issues are being informed by multiple third-party certification programs from LEED, SITE, Eco-District, Well Building, and The Living Building Challenge.

The Bridge is partnering with The Giant Co. and Harrisburg City F.A.R.M., to cultivate the “Giant Bleacher Garden” which is located in the stadium behind McDevitt’s High school. The first summer harvest was a huge success! In excess of 2,000 pounds of vegetables were donated to food-insecure families in the Harrisburg community.

Murray Associates has worked with The Bridge for over 2 years in Master Planning and assisted the Bridge in recently being awarded a RACP Grant to begin the JEDI (justice, equality, diversity, and inclusion) Center.