White Oak to seek ‘demolition fund’ money for blight
By JEFF STITT
jstitt@yourmvi.com
White Oak council took action this week to apply for funding from Allegheny County to tear down blighted properties through a newly developed “demolition fund.”
The first resolution gave the Steel Rivers Council of Governments the power to apply for a $52,000 grant under the Act 152 Demolition Fund Program on behalf of the borough.
If approved, the money would be used to pay for the White Oak Act 152 2021 Demolition Program.
The second resolution listed properties at 603 and 610 Osborne St., 2717 and 2736 Laurel Lane and 3203 Muse Lane as blighted properties under the Act 152 program.
Councilmen Lou Bender, Joe Nagy, Ken Robb, Chuck Davis and George Pambacas and Councilwoman Julie Opferman voted in favor of passing the two resolutions. Councilman George Dillinger was absent.
The Act 152 Demolition fund is administered through the Allegheny County Department of Economic Development. The program uses established blight conditions and focuses on demolition of hazardous structures, site preparation for development projects and multi-phase planning efforts, according to ACED. As of mid-March, the program fund had $1,580,070 available for demolition, planning and asbestos surveys.
“It’s a new program started by the county,” borough Engineer Ken Hillman of Senate Engineering said.
“Several years back, the state had passed some legislation that allows for counties to pass their ordinances that you can put a fee on your property transfers.”
Under an ordinance advocated for by District 9 County Councilman Bob Macey, who represents White Oak and other Mon Valley communities, and adopted by Allegheny County Council, the county imposes a fee of up to $15 on all deed and mortgage filings.
“This year is the first year the county has opened up that for application,” Hillman said, adding that Borough Manager John Palyo and borough staff have identified five residential homes that need to be demolished and meet the “extensive list of criteria that you have to go through.”
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