Progress or Preservation? Gettysburg Station Project Divides the Community

Posted By Brandon Fey on Mar 6, 2025 | 0 comments

This simulation photo by savehistoricgettysburg.com shows the proposed changes on Carlisle Street.

This article originally appeared on pages 12 and 13 of the No. 4 February 2025 edition of The Gettysburgian magazine.

By Brandon Fey, News Editor

Gettysburg maintains a distinct national identity as a town defined by its history. The town’s Victorian architecture has been a consistent representation of a place set in time. However, this historical aesthetic has entered an inevitable clash with efforts at modernization per the town’s future ambitions. This debate has resurfaced with great zeal with the revelation of the “Gettysburg Station Project” which aims to build a modern residential and commercial center on a vacant 2.4-acre lot between Carlisle and Stratton Streets.

The “Gettysburg Station Project” would involve the construction of a high-rise apartment complex with 185 residential units, 15,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space and a parking lot with 95 spaces with a subterranean parking garage. The buildings on the property would range between six to seven stories tall with architectural elements that should aesthetically correspond with surrounding structures. Tim Harrison, the developer behind the project, has also claimed that the design will respect Gettysburg’s historic character.

The proposal was designed to correspond with the Central Adams Joint Comprehensive Plan, which intends to foster economic growth and modern amenities in the region. The plan was developed by officials in Straban, Gettysburg Borough, Cumberland Township and the Adams County Office of Planning and Development over a few years and was officially approved by each municipality in April 2019.

The Dallas-based development firm TCH Development Co., LLC. is tasked with the construction of the complex should the Station Plan be approved.

The new complex would be built adjacent to the Gettysburg Lincoln Train Station, where President Lincoln arrived in 1863 before delivering the Gettysburg Address. The building also served as a field hospital during the Battle of Gettysburg and a point of departure for wounded soldiers. There are concerns among certain community members that the project would obscure this historic site with the unparalleled height of the buildings.

In addition, the project would involve the relocation of the Rabbit Transit station on Stratton Street, which currently provides public restroom facilities in addition to bus transportation services. Some have argued that moving the station would be a waste of taxpayer money and an inconvenience to residents and visitors alike.

The public revelation of the project in July 2023 has galvanized considerable opposition from the community over the impact the project may have on the historic character of Gettysburg and the implications of that image for supporting heritage tourism.

This map of the proposed changes was created by ABC27.

Several opponents of the project argue that the design of the proposed high-rise buildings is too modern and wholly uncharacteristic of the town and will overshadow nearby landmarks, such as the historic train station.

“I don’t know a single person who visits here who wants to see this type of development,” said Peggy Rock, manager of Gallery 30, to abc27. “Everyone loves the small-town charm; that’s why they come here.”

Critics have also raised practical concerns related to infrastructure and community impact. Some expect the influx of new residents and businesses brought by the project to strain local resources including water supply, traffic management and emergency services.

“There’s also, you know, concerns with meeting the infrastructure demands of that amount of people into that area, our water supply, our ability to handle fires because we have a volunteer fire department,” Shelly Knouse, owner of the Fresh Boutique, commented to abc27.

“It’s going to be so crowded on that lot, 2.4 acres, these three large buildings,” Rock continued. “Traffic is going to be an absolute nightmare getting in and out of it. The thing that is most disturbing is that our historical architecture review board has not done their job.”

Opposition to the proposal has been led by the “Save Historic Gettysburg” campaign, which has organized a public petition with over 3,000 signatures. The organization emphasizes that the proposed project will be detrimental to the town’s crucial heritage tourism industry, as its negative visual impact would extend to iconic views from the National Military Park.

Despite the opposition, some residents have expressed support for the “Gettysburg Station Project.” Proponents of the proposal argue that the development will bring much-needed housing and economic benefits to the borough. Both former Borough Council President Susan Naugle and Jill Sellers from Main Street Gettysburg have spoken in favor of the project, emphasizing its potential to generate property tax revenue and support local businesses while taking advantage of an empty lot that has been mostly unused for the past 20 years.

Borough Manager Charles Gable has also defended the project, arguing that it will bring economic growth while remaining respectful of Gettysburg’s historic character.

The Gettysburg Historical Area Review Board unanimously approved the project’s design plan in November, and the Borough Council issued a certificate of appropriateness for the building designs the following month per the board’s recommendation. Board President Gary Schaffer made a point of stating that the board had worked closely with the developer to ensure that the project met aesthetic and historical architectural standards.

As the debate continues, the future of the Gettysburg Station Project is not guaranteed. The Gettysburg Planning Commission has already given its initial approval to the project, though further steps are still required for definitive approval.

The proposal must next be reviewed by the Gettysburg Zoning Board, which will consider any special exceptions or variances required for the project including the height of its buildings.

Once the recommendations of the Zoning Board revisions have been addressed, the Borough Council will need to give its final approval for the project’s land development plan and any other necessary permits. The council is expected to proceed with this approval, as it has already issued the certificate of appropriateness for the project.

However, the project continues to face considerable opposition from both the local community and visitors, which could potentially influence the final decisions of the Zoning Board and Borough Council at least into certain compromises and concessions.

While the Station Project claims to bring modern housing and economic amenities to the town, several residents have made it apparent that the historic character of Gettysburg and its connection to the town’s tourism industry are of equal importance, and projects like this threaten to permanently augment the town’s image.

As Gettysburg navigates this complex issue, the outcome may serve as a precedent for how the community will balance its demographic needs while honoring its commitment to its historic legacy for the future. Ultimately, it will be the people of Gettysburg who decide what battles are worth fighting, and how history is to confront the future.