Elizabeth Twp. seeks grants to take down blighted homes
By CHRISTINE HAINES
chaines@yourmvi.com
The Elizabeth Township commissioners are tackling blight through grant programs.
They are seeking $100,000 through a county grant program to demolish 10 properties, while a $40,000 grant from Olympus Energy will be used to tear down an additional five houses.
“We applied through the Allegheny County Act 152 program,” said Commissioner Andrew Kuzma.
Act 152 is a state law that permits counties to assess an additional fee when deeds are recorded, with the extra money going toward blight elimination, Kuzma explained.
“A house can cost between $7,000 and $10,000 to tear down depending on whether there is asbestos,” Kuzma said.
The demolition of five additional structures funded through the Community Development Block Grant program is pending. Kuzma said all 20 demolition contracts will be put out for bid at the same time.
The 20 properties are located in various parts of the township, many of them in the river communities.
“I want to have an impact on the river communities. By taking care of these 15 properties we would be beautifying the river towns,” Kuzma said. “The river and bike trail are two of our greatest assets and the river communities built this township.”
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