Dorgan & Zuck’s office has been located in the City of York for over 27 years. During that time, our company has renovated many neighborhood homes and businesses. Now, Dorgan & Zuck has taken our commitment to a higher level by being actively involved in the community development of York. At Dorgan & Zuck we believe that the health and vitality of our neighborhoods are the key to the future of our cities. We recognize that a community is so much more than bricks and mortar. A community is families, businesses, homes, and open spaces.

Dorgan & Zuck has teamed with the YWCA of York, and the City of York in the midst of building and or renovating twenty-one (21) houses for homeownership, and the construction of public improvements and open spaces. Our role was primarily in land development, real estate acquisition, budgeting, and working with the city to create a redevelopment area and plan. Funding was secured from Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency for the homeownership portion of the project. With this project seven (7) new town homes were built, purchased eight (8) existing homes from landlords to refurbish and sell to individual home owners. The remaining six (6) homes were purchased on behalf of the York Habitat for Humanity.

Dorgan & Zuck is working with Crispus Attucks to develop and renovate a stop on the Underground Railroad located on E. Philadelphia St. in York.

The key to our success in York lies in our public/private partnerships. We have been asked to take part in similar projects in other communities.

Dorgan & Zuck is familiar with various state and federal grant and tax credit programs, the historic review process, federal relocation guidelines, and how they must work together in a community development project.

“Dorgan & Zuck Building Contractors continue to be a positive force for community development in the City of York. The City is grateful to Dorgan & Zuck for its partnership with the YWCA, the City, and the state in renovating and rebuilding homes in the Olde Towne East neighborhood as part of the YWCA Renaissance Project. We applaud Dorgan & Zuck for its involvement in these partnerships.”
Mayor John S. Brenner
City of York

This private residence was a restoration job that was part of a 15 home block revitalization project. We are proud of the results which not only turned this former rundown Section 8 house into a beautiful and very livable residence, but helped turn one of the worst blocks in York City to a better all around area. Families, singles, and professionals now inhabit this street. The example we have chosen is one of many that were done.

The challenges were to take a decayed and dilapidated structure, typical of historic York, which had not been maintained; and under tight scrutiny by various agencies and code enforcement and turn this building back into a beautiful and affordable home for almost any type of client.

The challenges were extreme and of all types; which can happen to an improperly maintained home. Floors with 3” to 6” of sag. Flooring and floor joist rotted away. Walls also rotted away. Windows were missing and/or out of plumb or square or both. We were required to do jacking and shoring which took over two months of work on all three floors. Please note the before and after pictures, various floors and rooms. The kitchen floor system required complete demo and replacement, which also required a new supporting wall system beneath.

Please be aware that not only the code requirements were strict due to the potential clientele,  but HARB requirements had to be met. We encountered lead based paint and horse hair and plaster walls. We tried our best to keep the look and feel of an older home, while still giving people a house they could live a modern active life in.

Again all this work was done under a particular time frame with limited budget available. There were no current drawings of the house, so the architect, with us helping, recreated the floor plan with updated materials and new strength. The current owner is extremely happy and knows that the value of the home, even under these depressed conditions, is worth far more than the purchased price. It’s a win for the owner, the city, and the contractor.

Dorgan and Zuck won the York Builders Association 2009 Grand Award for Remodeling Awards of Excellence for this residential restoration project.

Click HERE to read the Letter of Recommendation from the owner.

Click HERE to read a Letter of Recommendation from the LCHA Executive Director.

Click HERE to read a Letter of Recommendation from the Lancaster City Housing Authority.